Overall, D.W. Griffith had a large influence over the production of Birth of a Nation. Thomas Dixon Jr., author of The Clansman, wanted to adapt his novel into a silent film, and travelled to studios to see if anyone would produce it. Initially, he met Harry Aitken, but Aitken directed him to Griffith.
Griffith was the son of a Confederate soldier, so the views seen in Birth of a Nation resonated well with him. A potential scene that got him especially excited about the film was when Klansmen save white Southerners from being persecuted. Promptly, he started and finished the film within the span of four months.
Griffith insisted that the film look as realistic as possible, so a number of newer techniques were included. Color tinting, a newer technology, along with a large and impressive battle scene, were executed quite well. A unique musical score was also written for the movie.
Originally, the movie was supposed to be filmed at the Kinemacolor studio, the first successful color movie studio. However, Griffith bought the rights the Dixon's play and filmed the movie in black and white. Had it not been for Griffith, the movie could have been more successful because of its impressive color element during the large battle scene.
Though Griffith actively decided against glorifying the lynching of African American men in his film, he still had some Confederate values. Originally, the film was called The Clansmen just like Dixon's novel and play, but Griffith changed the name to Birth of a Nation to symbolize that the United States of America became more unified - almost new again - after the Civil War ended.
