Films about the American Civil War often depict the struggles, sacrifices, and complexities of this pivotal period in American history. The conflict between the Union and the Confederacy, the abolition of slavery, and the personal stories of those affected by the war have provided rich material for filmmakers.
“Gone with the Wind”, 1939
Director: Victor Fleming, George Cukor, Sam Wood
Set against the backdrop of the Civil War and its aftermath, this classic film follows the life of Scarlett O'Hara as she navigates love, loss, and the changing social landscape of the South.
Starring: Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland, Oscar Polk, Hattie McDaniel, Everett Brown, Thomas Mitchell, Barbara O'Neil, Evelyn Keyes, Ann Rutherford, George Reeves, Fred Crane, Butterfly McQueen, Victor Jory, Howard Hickman, Alicia Rhett, Rand Brooks, Carroll Nye, Laura Hope Crews, Eddie «Rochester» Anderson, Harry Davenport, Leona Roberts, Jane Darwell, Ona Munson, Paul Hurst, Isabel Jewell, Cammie King Conlon, Eric Linden, J.M. Kerrigan, Ward Bond, Jackie Moran, Cliff Edwards, Lillian Kemble-Cooper, Yakima Canutt, Marcella Martin, Louis Jean Heydt, Mickey Kuhn, Olin Howland, Irving Bacon, Robert Elliott, William Bakewell, Mary Anderson, John Albright, Eric Alden, John Arledge, Roscoe Ates, Trevor Bardette, Dorothy Barrett, Janet Barrett;
Production year: 1939;
Genre: melodrama, history, drama, war;
MPAA rating: g;
Duration: 222 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,2;
More information about the film “Gone with the Wind” on the website imdb.com
“Glory”, 1989
Director: Edward Zwick
This film tells the story of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, one of the first African-American units in the Union Army, and their courageous contributions to the war effort.
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes, Morgan Freeman, Jihmi Kennedy, Andre Braugher, John Finn, Donovan Leitch Jr., JD Cullum, Alan North, Bob Gunton, Cliff De Young, Christian Baskous, RonReaco Lee, Jay O. Sanders, Richard Riehle, Daniel Jenkins, Michael Guess, Abdul Salaam El Razzac, Peter Michael Goetz, Pete Munro, Benji Wilhoite, Ethan Phillips, Mark A. Levy, Randell Haynes, Afemo Omilami, Keith Noble, Dan Biggers, Marc Gowan, Raymond Godshall Jr., Bob Minor, Joan Riordan, Saundra Dunson-Franks, Mark A. Jones, Peter Grandfield, Mark Margolis, Paul Desmond, Tom Barrington, Michael Fowler, Richard «Dub» Wright, Joseph Alex, Jane Alexander, Mario Biazzo, Frank Blair, Carla Brothers, Thomas Callahan, Bill Chemerka, Sheila Cochran, Gary O. Crane, Tony Freeman;
Production year: 1989;
Genre: war, biography, history, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 122 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Glory” on the website imdb.com
“Gettysburg”, 1993
Director: Ron Maxwell
Based on the novel “The Killer Angels” by Michael Shaara, this epic film chronicles the events leading up to and during the Battle of Gettysburg, a turning point in the Civil War.
Starring: Tom Berenger, Martin Sheen, Stephen Lang, Richard Jordan, Andrew Prine, Cooper Huckabee, Patrick Gorman, Bo Brinkman, James Lancaster, William Morgan Sheppard, Kieran Mulroney, James Patrick Stuart, Tim Ruddy, Royce D. Applegate, Ivan Kane, Warren Burton, MacIntyre Dixon, Joseph Fuqua, Timothy Scott, George Lazenby, Alex Harvey, Charles Lester Kinsolving, Ted Kozlosky, Henry Atterbury, Graham Winton, Curtis Bradford, Daniel Chamblin, Patrick Falci, Greg Ginther, George Heffner, Tom Landon, Trent Walker, Rick Leisenring, Steve Leone, Tom Mays, Frank McGurgan, Peter Miller, Arnold Nisley, Ted Rebich, Curtis Utz, C. George Werner, Joe Ayer, Eric Ayer, Jeff Daniels, Sam Elliott, C. Thomas Howell, Kevin Conway, Brian Mallon, Buck Taylor, John Diehl;
Production year: 1993;
Genre: drama, war, history;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 271 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “Gettysburg” on the website imdb.com
“Lincoln”, 2012
Director: Steven Spielberg
Directed by Steven Spielberg, this biographical drama focuses on President Abraham Lincoln's efforts to pass the 13th Amendment, which would abolish slavery, amidst the backdrop of the Civil War.
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader, Hal Holbrook, Tommy Lee Jones, John Hawkes, Jackie Earle Haley, Bruce McGill, Tim Blake Nelson, Joseph Cross, Jared Harris, Lee Pace, Peter McRobbie, Gulliver McGrath, Gloria Reuben, Jeremy Strong, Michael Stuhlbarg, Boris McGiver, David Costabile, Stephen Spinella, Walton Goggins, David Warshofsky, Colman Domingo, David Oyelowo, Lukas Haas, Dane DeHaan, Carlos Thompson, Bill Camp, Elizabeth Marvel, Byron Jennings, Julie White, Charmaine White, Ralph D. Edlow, Grainger Hines, Richard Topol, Walter Smith, Dakin Matthews, James «Ike» Eichling, Wayne Duvall, Bill Raymond, Michael Stanton Kennedy, Ford Flannagan, Robert Ayers, Robert Peters, John Moon, Kevin Lawrence O'Donnell, Jamie Horton, Joe Dellinger;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: drama, war, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 150 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Lincoln” on the website imdb.com
“Cold Mountain”, 2003
Director: Anthony Minghella
This romantic drama follows a Confederate soldier as he deserts the army and embarks on a perilous journey back to his beloved in the midst of the war.
Starring: Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, Renée Zellweger, Brendan Gleeson, Ray Winstone, Kathy Baker, Natalie Portman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Giovanni Ribisi, Donald Sutherland, Eileen Atkins, Charlie Hunnam, James Gammon, Jack White, Ethan Suplee, Jena Malone, Melora Walters, Lucas Black, Taryn Manning, Tom Aldredge, James Rebhorn, Emily Deschanel, Robin Mullins, Ben Allison, Trey Howell, Alex Hassell, Jay Tavare, William Boyer, Christopher Fennell, Erik Smith, Cillian Murphy, Richard Brake, Sean Gleeson, Rasool Jahan, Hank Stone, Mark Jeffrey Miller, Afemo Omilami, Chet Dixon, Jamie Lee, Jen Apgar, Katherine Durio, Martin Pemberton, Leonard Woodcock, William Roberts, Dean Whitworth, Kristen Nicole LaPrade, David Abrams, Christopher Blackmore, Silvian Duica, Bo Fuller;
Production year: 2003;
Genre: drama, melodrama, adventure, war;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 148 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Cold Mountain” on the website imdb.com
These films provide different perspectives on the American Civil War, capturing the human experiences and historical significance of this transformative period in American history.
In conclusion, the selection of films about the American Civil War offers a rich and diverse portrayal of this pivotal moment in history. From epic battles and courageous soldiers to intimate stories of love and loss, these films invite audiences to reflect on the complexities of war and its impact on individuals and society. Through powerful performances, stunning cinematography, and compelling narratives, these movies capture the essence of the Civil War, shedding light on its lasting legacy and reminding us of the sacrifices made by those who fought for their beliefs. Whether exploring the human cost of conflict or delving into the political and social tensions of the time, these films provide a window into the past, allowing us to better understand the struggles and triumphs of a nation divided.
