The Civil War was a tragic episode in America’s history precipitated by the more tragic and longer episode of slavery. Here are five Civil War movies I think everyone should watch and collectors should have in their DVD library.
The Civil War (1990) stands as the most watched program in the history of PBS and one of the most award winning. No one makes documentaries like Ken Burns and no one narrates better than writer David McCullough. This is the best Civil War documentary ever made and the most interesting documentary I’ve ever watched. You can order the 11 hour long show online at PBS. Borders and Barnes and Noble might also carry it.
Glory (1989) is based on the true story of a young Union officer Robert Shaw and his command of the 54th Massachusetts Brigade; one of the first African-American regular army units in the Civil War. The movie stars Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, and Morgan Freeman. It’s maddening, inspirational, and heartbreaking all tied in one.
Gods and Generals (2003) is another long Ted Turner production and is the prequel to Gettysburg produced in 1993. Its part one of Michael Shaara’s Civil War Trilogy novels (Part 3 was completed by his son). Gods and Generals traces the first 18 months of the war and centers mostly on Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson and some on Union colonel Joshua Chamberlain. Watch for another Ted Turner cameo appearance. In this movie Robert E. Lee is played by Robert Duval while Jeff Daniels returns as Joshua Chamberlain (Daniels looks amazingly like the real Chamberlain). Stephen Lang returns in a different role and gives a good performance as Stonewall Jackson.
Gettysburg(1993) is a Ted Turner production of the three days of the great Civil War battle. It’s a long movie with lots of detail which I think captures the tragedy of Americans fighting Americans. Jeff Daniels plays Union hero Joshua Chamberlain. It’s part two of the Michael Shaara Civil War trilogy. Watch for Ted Turner’s cameo part. The movie stars Martin Sheen as Robert E. Lee, Jeff Daniels as Joshua Chamberlain, and Stephen Lang as George Pickett.
Andersonville (1996) is also a Ted Turner production and is the true story of the infamous Confederate operated prisoner of war camp in which 13,000 of 44,000 Union prisoners died due to the horrendous conditions at the camp. The movie was directed by John Frankenheimer and stars William H. Macy, Jarrod Emick, and Frederic Forrest.
If you’re interested and can find it, in 1970 PBS produced The Andersonville Trial, the trial of Andersonville commander for war crimes. Richard Basehart played the commander Henry Wirz.
Other good Civil War movies include The Red Badge of Courage (1951) and Shenandoah (1965)
