The present-day United States may portray the American Dream, but every prosperous nation has a long, and often blood-bathed, history. The Civil War of 1861-1865 marked America’s bloodiest conflict in which over 620,000 soldiers lost their lives. The events that took place during the conflict marked some remarkable turning points in American history, making it the land of opportunity that it is today. The war not only established the United States of America as one indivisible nation but also ended the institution of slavery, an issue that had divided the nation.
Our history makes us who we are. As such, the war is one of the most studied episodes in American history and its hand in shaping the U.S.A. to its present glory. Many schools teach students about the war and often ask them to write a civil war essay debating on the battle’s historiographical and cultural implications. It’s always best to read several essay samples before writing papers about the Civil War to elaborate on its various aspects and significance even today. Naturally, after more than 150 years of the battle, it continues to be a timeless inspiration for movies in Hollywood. However, only a few adaptations of this definitive war could stand the test of time. Here are five of the best civil war movies that are both entertaining and educational.
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1. Gone with the Wind (1939)
This 1939 Oscar-winning Blockbuster movie was based on the 1936 bestselling novel with the same title ‘Gone with the Wind’ written by Margaret Mitchell. The highest-grossing film of all time, this classic movie has popularly influenced our understanding of American history. Victor Fleming directed this masterpiece, which brought American history to life with a Southern woman’s story. The character of Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh) , as a manipulative woman, and her turbulent romance with Rhett Butler during the American conflict is the central plot of the movie. The film is best known for its spectacular portrayal of the ‘burning of Atlanta.’ However, it was criticized for its racist stereotypes and covering up the dark side of the slavery system back then.
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2. Glory (1989)
Starring Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman, two of the best actors of our times, comes a movie that is beyond spectacular and an easy entry in our list. This movie is about the 54th Regiment of the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first African-American regiment of the Union Army, commanded by Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick), a white man. What sets this movie different from others is the way it illustrates the experiences of African-American soldiers in battle. The movie beautifully and emotionally captures the elusive aspects of racism-fueled American history. The great heroes went down in history without ever being remembered for their courage and sacrifice. This movie is a tribute to all those forgotten black soldiers who sacrificed themselves for the national cause. Washington won an Oscar for his performance, and the movie won three more, along with one for Best Cinematography. It is claimed to be one of the finest war films ever made.
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3. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
Some readers may raise their eyebrows to see this movie end up in our top 5 list, but the plot of the movie “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” is set during the American battle. Set during the Civil War, the film is unpredictable and full of suspense. Despite the negative reviews when the movie was released, it went on to become a box-office hit. “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” personifies three moral characters in the movie— Blondie (the Good), Angel Eyes (the Bad), and Tuco (the Ugly). Each of them is after the Confederate gold that is buried in the graves of fallen soldiers. An alliance has to be formed between the two characters to eliminate the third and take the bounty. Which two will team up? And how does America’s bloodiest conflict obstruct their treasure hunt? This movie unearths the aspects of morality and honesty in human beings. Packed with graphic violence and action sequences, this movie is a must-watch classic.
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4. Lincoln (2012)
The movie is based on the final few months of Abraham Lincoln (Daniel-Day Lewis) as the President of a nation divided by civil conflict. Lincoln was the 16th President of America, and his presidency witnessed one of the bloodiest conflicts in history. Amidst the decisive battle between the North and the confederate soldiers in the South, Lincoln pushed through the 13th Amendment of the Constitution to abolish slavery, end bloodshed, and unite the country. Unlike other typical movies, this one doesn’t focus on just the battle. Instead, it highlights the political challenges faced by Lincoln as the conflict was about to come to an end. Director Steven Spielberg certainly brings the President to life through this movie which is why it isn’t a surprise that it made it to the list of the best civil war films. This film, however, is not to be confused with its counterpart “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” released in the same year. While they both share the same name and are set during the same period, the latter is a horror, alternate history film.
5. The Civil War (1990)
This is an award-winning film documentary produced and directed by Ken Burns. It is a comprehensive and elaborate account of the courses of events during the American conflict. From the Abolitionist Movement through the significant battles in the war to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, the movie portrays it all perfectly. The documentary offers a more poignant and vivid look at the conflict itself. With real photographs and written accounts of the personalities back then, history comes to life with an iconic narration by David McCullough. If you want to know the American history in terms of slavery, the battle, and its aftermath, this is the gold you’re looking for. Without understanding our history, we can’t understand who we are. Unsurprisingly, the American Civil War continues to fascinate the imagination of the generations, even today. While it was undoubtedly the bloodiest conflict in American history, it successfully changed the nation’s course forever. These top 5 films about the conflagration are just the classics that are still worth watching today. If you haven’t seen any of them, it is never too late to get started.
Author
This article was written by Henry Coen, a professional writer at StudyDriver. He has vast experience in content writing and providing educational services to businesses and individuals.