What is your favorite American Civil War movie? Why?

Question

I will select the best answer based on your supporting information (ie, your opinion on why it is your favorite movie).

Answer 1

The outlaw Josey wales

Love, hate, revenge, forgiveness, sorrow, life, death, racism, the uselessness of war, betrayal, redemption, solidarity, friendship. Not many films manage to deal competently with even just one of these topics. This masterpiece deals with all. Within the first 4 or 5 minutes (even before the opening credits) one has already been exposed to more force and emotion than most films can pack up in 90 minutes.

This movie Strikes all the right notes of humor, adventure, gun fights and most of all, authenticity.


" I didn't surrender, but they took my horse and made him surrender. They have him pulling a wagon up in Kansas I bet"

absolute class!!!!

edit..... to jan stolz!

not strictly a civil war film but it took place during the war


does this make saving private ryan not a ww2 movie?

does that mean apocalypse now is not strictly a vietnam movie.?

Answer 2

Ironclads had great special effects, but was weak on the actual story; Glory was just an excellent film all around; Gettysburg was also well done (Jeff Daniels deserved an Oscar) but was long winded and the beards could have been better; The General (Silent; 1927) with Buster Keaton is an excellent rendition of an actual event from the war.
The Outlaw Josey Wells isn't strictly a Civil War film, though it takes place during the event, but is Clint Eastwood at his best.

Answer 3

Ironclads had large particular outcomes, yet replaced into vulnerable on the rather tale; Glory replaced into purely an fantastic action picture all around; Gettysburg replaced into additionally properly carried out (Jeff Daniels deserved an Oscar) yet replaced into long winded and the beards would have been greater suitable; the final (Silent; 1927) with Buster Keaton is an fantastic rendition of an rather journey from the conflict. The Outlaw Josey Wells isn't strictly a Civil conflict action picture, nonetheless it happens during the form, yet is Clint Eastwood at his superb.

Answer 4

Well its not really a movie but the series "The Civil War." If you are studying history this is the one to get. All the rest like Glory or Gettysburg, are nice to watch but not 100 percent accurate in all things. Civil War is probably the most studied and written about part of history in America. Even books will have arguments and controversy and will not all agree, that is the thing about history. Ones written by the people who were there will vary because of political reasons or they want themselves or their sides to look good.Other books written later have the problem of being written by third and forth hand accounts and a lot of raw data is lost. Movies have to sell tickets so you have that "Hollywood Spin" to it. I know you asked about movies, but if you want to know how the commen soldier lived get the book 'Hard Tack and Coffee"

Answer 5

The Horse Soldiers, excellently acted and directed. You get the feeling you're riding beside the men in the movie.
You get two different perspectives of life in the south during the war, the Northern and the Southern. Very authentic and interesting movie. This is the movie that got me interested in history as a child.

Answer 6

Another vote for the Ken Burns' CIVIL WAR miniseries, but if you're going for "fiction", I'd vote for RIDE WITH THE DEVIL (1998- stars include Tobey Maguire, Skeet Ulrich, others) due to the great dialogue (very very authentic), the setting (Missouri- a particularly bloody border state) and the most realistic houses, outfits, fight scenes, etc.).

For historical interest I'd vote for BIRTH OF A NATION as well. It's a terrible movie as far as message- the KKK are the good guys in fact!- but historically it's fascinating. Among other things, there are ACTUALLY CIVIL WAR VETERANS in the Civil War battle scenes- they served as extras and technical advisors (the youngest were in their 60s) but the fighting is a lot more real and a lot different than you usually see- VERY close together among other things. A pity it's a silent film as otherwise they may have recorded the rebel yell.

Answer 7

there are several answers here which are excellent for obvious reasons. however, there is one which needs to also be considered which is " The Red Badge of Courage " which portrays the story of a young man in the war who is scared of facing the elephant at first, makes up stories and eventually comes to deal with the horrors of the battlefield. war is not glamorous and the fear one has is intense.

Answer 8

I was going to say "Glory," but I've change my mind and I am going to say "Gone with the Wind" because I liked the South's version on the war and the major changes they had to endure like the end of confederacy money, lavish lifestyles, the carpetbaggers and the birth of the KKK and Republicans. Through it all they still tried to hold on to their genteel ways of Southern life. A great movie from a great book.

Answer 9

"Gettysburg" based on "Killer Angels" because it shows the friendships that soldiers had before the war and how tragic it was to end up fighting against your friends.

Answer 10

'Glory'. Historically (based on a true story) technically accurate, great script and actors.