Films Dealing with the 1850s and the Civil War
The following films deal with the coming of the Civil War and the War itself. Although they are of varying quality and fictional or semi-fictional, they reflect the way that Americans viewed this event over the last hundred years, and are, for this reason, an important part of our heritage.
Amistad (1997)
This film, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Morgan Freeman, Nigel Hawthorne, and Anthony Hopkins, is fantastic. It is based on an actual event--a 1839 slave mutiny on the Amistad. While it does not deal directly with the Civil War, it clearly points out the issues and internal divisions in the U.S. that led to the conflict. It was nominated for and received a number of Academy Awards. For criticism of the film's historical accuracy, see the article by Professor Eric Foner at http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/74/.
Andersonville: The Great Untold Story of the Civil War (1995) Turner Pictures (Warner Bros. ), 167 min.
Andersonville (1957 TV production.)
These presentations focus on the infamous Confederate prison at Andersonville.
The Andersonville Trial (Broadway Play, 1959; 1970 Made for Television Movie)
The Broadway Play was written by Saul Levitts as was subsequently adapted for television.
Birth of a Nation (1915) (silent)
This film, produced by D.W. Griffith and based on Thomas Dixon's book, The Clansman, featured revolutionary film techniques for the time. It is considered one of the best movies of all time.
Bloody Dawn: The Lawrence Massacre (2007)
This film, while recent, proves that newer isn't always better.
The Blue and the Gray (1982) (TV mini-series) Also available from Columbia Tristar, 381 min., 2001.
This TV mini-series, directed by Andrew V. McLaglen, features John Hammond, Stacy Keach, Colleen Dewhurst, and Lloyd Bridges with Sterling Hayden as John Brown and Gregory Peck as Abraham Lincoln. It is a sweeping saga of the Civil War from the perspective of the families of two sisters, the Geysers and the Hales, who represent the Southern and the Northern sides.
The Civil War (2007). The History Channel , 10 hrs.
The Civil War: A film by Ken Burns (1990) (TV mini-series) PBS Home Video, 11 hrs.
This PBS mini-series is a sweeping look at the Civil War from the perspective of those who lived during the time. This excellent series is the best known long documentary of the Civil War
Civil War: America Divided (2008) Mill Creek Entertainment, 7hr 30 min.
Civil War Combat: America’s Bloodiest Battles (1999) The History Channel, (A&E) 200 min.
This film covers most of the major battles of the Civil War.
Civil War Journal: The Commanders (1993, 1994) The History Channel (A&E ) 200 min.
Most of the focus of this movie is on Lee, Jackson, and Sherman, with minor treatment of a few others.
Civil War Journal: The Conflict Begins (1993, 2001) The History Channel, 200 min. .
This video covers John Brown, Fort Sumter, 1st Bull Run, and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment (colored), the subject of the film Glory.
Civil War Minutes: Confederate (2002) Inecom, 180 min.
This video contains interesting information on daily life, dress, weaponry, etc.
Civil War Minutes: Union (2001) Inecom, 180 min.
This video contains interesting information on daily life, dress, weaponry, etc.
Civil War Terror The History Channel, 100 min.
A very interesting treatment, especially in light of modern terrorism.
Class of '61 (1993) (Made for TV movie)
This movie deals with the experiences of 1861 West Point graduates consumed by such events as the Battle of Bull Run.
Cold Mountain (2003)
This film directed by Anthony Minghella and starring Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, and Renée Zellweger, deals with the lives of two women in the South during the last months of the Civil War. It was nominated for and won a number of Academy Awards.
The Coward (1915) (Silent film)
This film deal with the saga of a Confederate soldier, terrified of battle, who is forced into the army then deserts and runs back home only to become privy to crucial information that would help the Confederates. He is forced to decide between self-preservation or taking the risk to return to the Confederate army with what he has learned.
The Day Lincoln Was Shot (1998) (Made for TV movie)
Dred Scott Decision (15 min)
Documentary
Friendly Persuasion (1956)
This film about the Civil War and Quakers, stars Gary Cooper, Dorothy McGuire, and Anthony Perkins. It was nominated for numerous Academy Awards and won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Gettysburg (1993) Turner Pictures (Warner Bros. Pictures), 254 min.
This film, based on Michael Shaara's 1974 award-winning novel, The Killer Angels, stars Tom Berenger, Jeff Daniels, Martin Sheen, and Kevin Conway. It focuses on the mid-July, 1863, battle of Gettysburg.
Gettysburg and Stories of Valor (2004) Inecom, 180 Min.
Gettysburg: Three Days of Destiny ( 2004) Allumination Filmworks, 90 min.
A film of re-enactors. Not much explanation is provided, the acting is wooden, and the subjects are way too old and well-fed to be believable.
Gods and Generals (2002) Turner Pictures (Warner Bros. Pictures), 219 min.
Greatest Battles of the Civil War: The Unknown Civil War Series (2009) MPI, 415 min.
This video covers eight major Civil War battles.
Glory (1989)
This award-winning movie, starring Matthew Broderick and Denzel Washington, deals with the lives of black soldiers and their white commanders during the Civil War, including the prejudice they faced from both sides.
Gods and Generals (2003)
This film, based on the novel by Jeffrey Shaara (Michael Shaara's son), is a pre-sequel to Gettysburg and stars Jeff Daniels and Robert Duvall.
Gone with the Wind (1939)
This epic film, based on Margaret Mitchell's book by the same name, stars Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh. It is an American classic, although the accuracy of it's portrayal of the Civil War and Reconstruction is highly questionable today.
The Great Locomotive Chase (1956)
This Disney film is based on an actual event, Grierson's Raid, which occurred in 1862 in northern Georgia and culminated in the Battle of Newton's Station. It stars Fess Parker and features Jeffrey Hunter, Jeff York, John Lupton, and Slim Pickens.
The Horse Soldiers (1959)
This film, directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne and William Holden, is based on an actual event which occurred in northern Mississippi in 1863.
How the West was Won (1962)
This epic Western featured a huge cast of well-known actors, including Raymond Massey as Abraham Lincoln. The third part of this five-part movie was subtitled The Civil War. Among the stars featured in this segment are James Stewart, George Peppard, Andy Devine, Russ Tamblyn, Henry Morgan (as U.S. Grant), and John Wayne (as Sherman). This film extravaganza was nominated for a number of Academy Awards and received three.
Indian Warriors: The Untold Story of the Civil War (2006) The History Channel, 50 min.
This video includes a considerable amount attention to the conflict in Oklahoma.
John Brown's Holy War (2005)
This documentary film, part of the American Experience series, examines Brown's life and its culmination, the raid on Harper's Ferry. For additional information go to http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/brown/.
The Last Days of the Civil War: The Days That Changed a Nation (2003) The History Channel (A&E), 5 hrs. 50 min.
Lincoln (2004)
This adaptation of the Gore Vidal novel stars Sam Waterston as the 16th President and Mary Tyler Moore as his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln.
Lincoln and Lee at Antietam (2005) Inecom Entertainment Co., 90 min.
-coverage of the Battle of Antietam, and the political situation surrounding it.
The Massachusetts 54th Colored Infantry (2005)
This American Experience documentary, narrated by Morgan Freemen, details the career of this "colored" Union Battalion.
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge (1962)
This French film, based on a short story by Ambrose Bierce (1890), was first screened in the U.S. in 1964 on the Twilight Zone. Its principle character is a Confederate spy who is hanged from Owl Greek Bridge. It won the award for the best short subject at the Cannes Film Festival and Academy Award for Live Action Short Film in 1963.
Pharaoh's Army (1995)
This movie starring Chris Cooper, Patricia Clarkson, Kris Kristofferson, and Richard Tyson, deals with hungry Union soldiers who camp out on the farm of a Confederate family. One wonders who Kris Kristofferson didn't stick to song.
The Red Badge of Courage (1951)
This film, based on the 1895 war novel by Steven Crane, was directed by John Huston and featured Audie Murphy, cartoonist Bill Mauldin, and Andy Devine among others.
Ride with the Devil (1999)
This movie, directed by Ang Lee, is based on the novel, Woe to Live On, by Daniel Woodrell and deals with guerilla warfare during the Civil War in the Kansas-Missouri theater.
Robert E. Lee (1995) Biography, A&E, 50 min.
This is a good film for its length.
Roots (1977)
This 12-hour television miniseries is based on the novel, Roots, by Alex Haley and was followed in 1979 by 14-hour sequel, Roots: The Next Generation. The series featured a huge cast of stars including LeVar Burton, Leslie Uggams, and Ben Vareen. A two-hour made for TV movie, Roots: The Gift, followed in 1988.
Safe Harbor (2003)
This movie deals with the Underground Railroad and the difficulties experienced by its "passengers."
Santa Fe Trail (1940)
This film, starring Errol Flynn, Ronald Reagan, Olivia de Havilland, and Raymond Massey, deals with John Brown's role in "Bleeding Kansas" and with his raid on Harper's Ferry in Virginia. It has little to do with the Santa Fe Trail. However, it is good example of how history is portrayed in the 1930s and 1940s by Hollywood and differs markedly from subsequent versions of John Brown's career. Although there are many errors in fact and continuity, it is still worth watching.
Secrets of the Civil War: The Stories of Lost Battles and Covert Missions Finally Revealed (2008) A&E, 9 hrs., 53 min.
This movie covers Shiloh, Antietam, Gettysburg, the destruction of the CSS Albemarle, and the situation in April 1865.
Shenandoah (1965)
This film, directed by Andrew V. McLaglen and starring James Stewart, recounts the experiences of a Virginia family who, contrary to their wishes, are drawn into the Civil War.
Sherman’s March: The Shocking Campaign That Ended The Civil War (2007) The History Channel, (A&E) 94 min.,
A worthwhile film, even if the actor doesn’t look much like Sherman.
Stonewall Jackson (2007) Biography, A&E 50 min.
A good film for its length.
Touched by Fire: Bleeding Kansas (2005)
This documentary focuses on Kansas from 1854-1861.
Uncle Tom's Cabin (1927)
A number of films based on Harriet Beecher Stowe's 1952 novel, with the best probably produced in the silent era. One of these films will be featured in the Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration program in October.