TheAmerican Civil Warwas the most consequential conflict in United States history and has been powerfully depicted on screen countless times. From epic accounts of fierce battles to personal explorations of soldiers’ experiences, as a medium, film has the power to represent the full spectrum of this harrowing conflict, where brothers fought against brothers and communities turned on one another. This can often lead to emotional movie-viewing experiences, as, more so than any other art form, films allow audiences to witness the shocking, bloody, and uncomfortably graphic sides of warfare.
Likethe best war movie, depictions of the Civil War highlight not just the challenges of society during that conflict but also today’s social and political tensions. This can be seen through the racial representation in a movie likeGloryor even as a thought experiment in the imagined dystopian conflict seen in Alex Garland’sCivil War, which showcased the horrors of war taking place in modern America. While it does not always make for comfortable viewing,the depiction of the American Civil War on screen can educate and highlight all that was gainedthrough this consequential conflict.
The Birth of a Nation
Cast
The Birth of a Nation is a historical drama directed by Nate Parker, who also stars as Nat Turner. Set in the antebellum South, the film chronicles Turner’s life as an enslaved preacher who leads a rebellion against the oppressive system. The narrative delves into themes of resistance and the struggle for freedom, portraying a significant chapter in American history.
As a profoundly influentialmovie made over 100 years ago, it must also be admitted thatD. W. Grittith’sThe Birth of a Nationwas highly controversial for its racial depiction, which portrayed Black people as unintelligent and sexually aggressive. However, this reprehensible content did not stop it from becoming one of the most successful films of all time, as its use of dramatic close-ups, tracking shots, and creative camera movements left a powerful mark on cinema. Like the Civil War itself,The Birth of a Nationwas a complex, controversial, and essential part of America’s history.
The Horse Soldiers
The Horse Soldiers, directed by John Ford, is a 1959 film about a Union cavalry unit on a mission to dismantle a Confederate rail supply center. Tensions arise between the commander and a civilian doctor accompanying the unit, while they also contend with a Southern belle who uncovers their plan.
As just one of manycollaborations between John Ford and John Wayne,The Horse Soldierswas an adventure war film loosely based on a novel by Harold Sinclair depicting the famous Grierson’s Raid by Federal cavalry in April-May 1863. This was a major raid of the American Civil War that acted as a diversion for Ulysses S. Grant’s main attack plan on Vicksburg, Mississippi. WhileFord and Wayne would make much better movies together, it’s a wonder to watch two titans of American cinema turn their sights toward the war that made modern America.
13Shenandoah (1965)
Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen
WhileShenandoahwas set during the Civil War, it’s a sternly anti-conflict and humanistic movie whose subtext had more to do with American society’s increasing aversion to the Vietnam War. WithJames Stewart as Charlie Anderson, a Virginia father who decided to remain neutral, the true realities of war were brought to a head when he was spurred into action after his son was taken in by Union soldiers. As a story of war, family, and the need to recognize what’s truly important,Shenandoahhas message that still resonates today.
Andersonville
Andersonville (1996) depicts the harrowing experiences of Union soldiers imprisoned in the infamous Confederate prisoner-of-war camp during the Civil War, examining themes of survival and human endurance under extreme conditions.
America was a deeply fractured country during the Civil War, and this heartbreaking division between fellow countrymen was powerfully depicted inAndersonville. As the story of Union soldiers captured and sent to a Confederate prison camp, director John Frankenheimer blended aspects of war film, prison movies, and pure tension to make a visually stunning film. With richly developed characters,Andersonvillewas a TNT television filmthat focused on the humanity behind the war.
Cold Mountain
In the final days of the American Civil War, a wounded soldier embarks on a perilous journey back to Cold Mountain, North Carolina, to find his girlfriend.
Cold Mountainwas one ofRenée Zellweger’s best movies, and she took home the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her characterization of Ruby Thewes. With a fantastic ensemble cast that also included Jude Law and Nicole Kidman,Cold Mountainwas a beautifully sad but powerfully compelling love story with a lot to say about the ravages of war, the tenacity of the human soul, and the women and children who were so often left behind. By focusing on the female experience of the American Civil War,Cold Mountaindemonstrated yet another difficult side of this harrowing conflict.
Ride with the Devil
Ride with the Devil is a historical drama set during the American Civil War, following a group of young Confederate guerrillas as they navigate the tumultuous landscape of loyalty, friendship, and survival. Directed by Ang Lee, the film explores the complexities and moral ambiguities of the era through its well-developed characters and meticulously crafted narrative.
Director Ang Lee’s revisionist WesternRide with the Devilsaw two friends join the guerrilla group the Bushwhackers, a pro-Confederacy unit, as they fought the Northern Jayhawkers in a depiction that took viewers right into the heart of the border wars.Ride with the Devilwas impressive in its historical accuracy, as Lee, who is a Taiwanese filmmaker, was able to step outside of the conflict to provide a historical portrayal. With incredible costumes, props, and unmistakable authenticity,Ride with the Devilwas a testament to film’s potential to act as a stunning, insightful, and artistic historical document.
The Free State of Jones
Free State of Jones is a 2016 war film starring Matthew McConaughey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mahershala Ali, and Keri Russell. The film is inspired by Newton Knight, who was a real person that led a group of former Confederate soldiers to fight back against the Confederacy. The film is helmed by Oscar-nominated director Gary Ross.
Inspired by the life of Southern Unionist Newton Knight,Free State of Jonessaw Matthew McConaugheyportraying the man who led a successful armed revolt against the Confederacy in Jones County, Mississippi. As a stunning portrayal set during and after the American Civil War, the actions of Newton Knight were a testament to an individual’s power to enact great change in the face of countrywide conflict. WhileFree State of Jonesdid take several historical liberties, its message was still compelling, and McConaughey breathed life into often neglected aspects of the war’s history.
The Outlaw Josey Wales
The Outlaw Josey Wales is a 1976 Western film directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. Set during and after the American Civil War, the film follows Josey Wales, a Missouri farmer seeking revenge for the murder of his family by Union soldiers. As he becomes an outlaw, Wales forms an unlikely band of outcasts and confronts various adversaries while struggling with his quest for vengeance and a chance at redemption.
As one of Clint Eastwood’s very best Westerns,The Outlaw Josey Waleswas made all the more effective due to its historical context of the American Civil War.Eastwood played a Missouri farmer turned soldier determined to seek revengeagainst a band of Redlegs, a unit of pro-Union Jayhawker militants, who killed his wife and son. With seething anger and resentment at the heart of its story, Josey Wales was a man with nothing left to lose, and his characterization was a powerful showcase of the personal losses felt by Americans during the Civil War.
Gettysburg
Released in 1993, Gettysburg is a historical war drama film that adapts the novelThe Killer Angelsby Michael Shaara, written and directed by Ronald F. Maxwell. The film chronicles the titular battle during the Civil War, exploring both sides' strategies and intimate character stories as soldiers prepare for one of the bloodiest battles in American history.
Clocking in at a whopping 4 hours and 14 minutes,Gettysburgis one of the longest films released theatrically by a major film studio in the United States (viaPhil Star). It is a stunning account of the 1863 fight at Gettysburg, the most decisive battle of the American Civil War. With a talented ensemble cast, stunning attention to accuracy, and an engaging narrative,Gettysburgbecame a firm favorite of war enthusiasts and Civil War buffs.Jeff Daniels gave an astounding performance as Union Colonel Joshua Chamberlain, a roleRoger Ebertrightfully claimed should have earned him an Oscar nomination.
Glory (1989)
Gloryexplored the seldom-addressed 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the Union Army’s earliest African-American regiments, and highlighted the conflict’s central topic of freedom for all men. With Denzel Washington in an Oscar-winning performance,Gloryshowcased the regiment from its formation right through their brave actions at the Second Battle of Fort Wagner. As a mature and essential depiction of perseverance, hardship, and those who fought for what was right,Glorywas an astounding showcase that African Americans were not merely bystanders in the fight for their freedom.
