Excerpt from the fictional film "Birth of a Nation". A pro-Southern dramatization by actors on the effect of the Civil War and the Reconstruction. A man talks to a woman named "Elsie". He tells her that her brother has slain an African American. Elsie stands with the man in front of a house. She expects her father's arrival. She sits on a chair in the house. Men and women in a house. Soldiers in a field. Other people on horse-carts leave the place. They live in a little cabin. They sit inside the cabin. They come out and discuss. The North and South enemies unite again for common defense. African American soldiers arrive at the place with guns in their hands. They search out people.
Excerpt from the fictional film "Birth of a Nation". A pro-Southern dramatization by actors on the effect of the Civil War and the Reconstruction. A house situated aside a street in South Carolina. People and African American soldiers stand. Firing of guns. Smoke arises from firing of guns. Summoning the Ku Klux Clan, or KKK. The clansmen gather together and discuss on the issue. Clan members wear white clothes and masks on the horses. They run on the field. African American soldiers also gather. African American people on street. Clans assembled. Flags in their hands. They ride off toward the gathering of African Americans.
Excerpt from the fictional film "Birth of a Nation". A pro-Southern dramatization by actors on the effect of the Civil War and the Reconstruction. In this segment, Elsie goes to Lynch to help as her father is unable to return. She sits in a room. African American soldiers stand on the door. She talks to an African American soldier. The soldier talks to other people in the house. The mulatto Lynch stands at the door. He comes to Elsie. They talk amongst themselves. Lynch proposes that marry him. She rejects his proposal. He argues with her. He tries to convince her. He tells her that she will be the queen of the Black's empire. She tries to run out of the room. The room is locked. He tries to scare her. People listen the whole thing outside the room. Drunk Lynch orders a man to start preparations for a forced marriage. She again tries to get out of the room. A man arrives at the house. Lynch talks to him. He tells him that he wants to marry a white woman. They both discuss. He again tells him that the woman is his daughter. A soldier stands behind the man. Elsie again tries to run but another woman holds her. She is made to sit on the chair. Man tries to escape with his daughter but he fails. They both are seated on the chairs.
French soldiers on horse-drawn wagons move along cratered dirt roads, behind retreating Germans. in World War 1. At a major crossroads, Germans left a huge crater that presents a problem for French troops trying to pursue them. Individual soldiers explore the deep crater.
British infantry moving through war torn area of France, during World War 1. British engineers attempting repairs on roads and bridges in a flooded area. Soldiers in an extremely long row boat. Soldiers on horseback making their way over a bridge. A British officer climbs down remains of destroyed bridge to inspect it. A German mine explodes in river. British soldiers sit near and relax beside railroad damaged by retreating Germans.
Wrecked factories,apartment houses, mines and other installations, destroyed by retreating German Forces in France, during World War 1. Destroyed streets and field. A British soldier stands near the rubble of a destroyed structure. German prisoners of war help carry wounded British soldiers on stretchers.