American History in the Movies, Part 1: From Colonial Life to Civil War
Submitted by allegheny on Tue, 11/16/2004 - 11:25
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- THE CRUCIBLE(1996)- 1690's, Salem, Massachusetts Bay Colony. Salem Witch Trials and their hysteria according to Arthur Miller.
- THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS(1991)-1757, Upper New York Colony. The French and Indian War as fought on the North American continent. Primitive visage of American Frontier pre-Revolution with heroic frontiersman Hawkeye and his Mohican companions Chingachgook and Uncas, based on the Romantic adventure novel by James Fenimore Cooper
- THE DEERSLAYER (1978)--1760's, French and Indian War, rising troubles with Indian Tribes along the Appalachian Mountain Range. The further adventures of Hawkeye, now known as The Deerslayer, and his Mohawk companion Chingchagook as they trek to rescue the daughter of a fur trapper from a band of bloodthirsty Indians. War takes a background role in this story, but still a Romantic look at the American Frontiers people.
- JOHNNY TREMAIN (1956)-- 1760s-1775, New England Colonies, Rise of The Revolutionary War from radical protests in Boston, including the Boston Tea Party, to the Battle of Lexington.
- 1776 (1976)--Summer of 1776, Phildelphia, PA, Signing of the Declaration of Independence, ratified by the Second Continental Congress. Musical, so given flights of theatrics and whimsy, but also an intelligent compiling of historic events.
- THE CROSSING (2000)--December 1776, Delaware River region between what is now Berks County, PA and Trenton, New Jersey. The Battle of Trenton. Gen. George Washington leads his ragtag Continental troops in a risky mission to cross the ice-choked Delaware River, and unto a surprise attack against Hessian Troops under the command of a Colonel Rall stationed for the winter at Trenton, New Jersey. Based on the novel by Howard Fast.
- BENEDICT ARNOLD: A QUESTION OF HONOR (2003), 1777, New York, Battle of Saratoga to loss of Benedict Arnold as a partiot-turned-traitor during the roughest year of the American Revolution. Probably the man who might have gone down as the greatest hero of the American Revolutionary War, Benedict Arnold became its most dangerous traitor under frustration from ignorant Congressmen and increasing financial pressures. He was a friend to Washington himself, until he became instrumental in a plot to destroy the American strength on the Hudson River. Then he became Washington's worst enemy.
- THE PATRIOT (2000)--1777-1781, Southern American Colonies from South Carolina to Virginia, Latter years of Revolutionary War as fought in the South. Romantic character adaptation of real-life Patriot guerrilla leaders, including Frances Marion a.k.a. The Swamp Fox, who fought in the South ,and of a real-life British Calvary Commander, Banister Tarrelton, made infamous by his ruthless tactics. Also an action-packed, flag-waving climax that compiles The Battle of Guilford Courthouse (British victory) and The Battle of The Cowpens (American Victory). Basically ends with the surrender of a large British force under General Lord Charles Cornwallis to allied American and French Forces under the supreme command of General George Washington at the Battle of Yorktown, VA.
- DAVY CROCKETT: KING OF THE WILD FRONTIER (1954)--1820's to 1836, American Frontier near Tennessee/Kentucky region. Early Indian wars to Expansionism to the Battle of The Alamo. Adventures of Davy Crockett from his days fighting Indians in the Tennessee Militia to his last stand at the San Antonio mission
- THE ALAMO (2004)--1836, Texas, Texas Revolution surrounding the legendary stand-off, ending with the Battle of San Jacinto a month later. Alot of people panned this movie. Well, I guess this is one of those bad movies that I really liked, which is about how I feel about John Wayne's The Alamo. If John Wayne's overdone flagwaving epic got a best picture nomination, then at least Billy-Bob Thornton as Crockett should get a best-supporting nomination and something is owed to the score. Jason Patric as Bowie, Patrick Wilson as Travis, and Dennis Quaid as Houston were equally good. I kind of like it when history leaves the worts on important figures, and this movie did that pretty well. I would not have left out the Massacre of Fannin and his troops at Goliad, which was as much as an rallying point for the Texian rebels as was the Alamo. Considering that this is the same director who manned that awful Pearl Harbor movie, this was quite an improvement. Someone mentioned the hats in this movie? Granted, some of these guys looked like the mad hatter, but after that DeGuella de Crockett scene, I think I can stomache a little problem with wardrobe. Not a glorious epic like Lawrence of Arabia or Bridge on The Rive Kwai or Patton, but then neither was Braveheart or The Patriot.
- AMISTAD (1997)--1837, New England and Washington D.C., American Slavery Antebellum. In 1837, during the presidency of Martin Van Buren and during the reign of Isabella II of Spain, an enslaved group of Mendea warriors led by a man named Cinque were headed for slavery on board a merchant ship bound on the Middle Passage. In the middle of a certain night, they broke free from their chains, raided the ship's arsenal of knives and cane swords, stole on deck, and slaughtered their captors. Once they gained control of the ship, they were misled to the New England coast, where they were recaptured by an American Naval frigate. They were indicted for murder, and were defended by a cocky young attorney hired by abolitionists. The case reached as far as the Supreme Court, where then Massachusetts Congressman and ex-President John Quincy Adams defended them before the Court under Chief Justice John Marshall. He won the case. It may have been the finest moment for an old lawyer-turned-politician. Also an interesting look at the U.S. Court System in the mid-19th century. Again this movie had mixed reviews. I guess this is a bad movie that I liked. It's somewhat plastic at times, but other times it is uplifting.
- DEAD MAN'S WALK (1999)--1842, Republic of Texas to New Mexico as it still belonged to Mexico. A story of the early years of the legenday Texas Rangers, through the adventures and trevails of two rookie rangers: Augustus "Gus" McCrae and Woodrow F. Call. Based on the Novel by Larry McMurtry. Very serious-minded western saga. David Arquette as the yong Gus McCrae is a little too squirmy at times, but I can deal with it after watching the performances from Jonny Lee Miller, Keith Carradine, Harry Dean Stanton, Tim Blake Nelson, Edward James Olmos, and a very perky Jennifer Garner as a young Clara, the older version played by Angelica Houston in Lonesome Dove.
- THE COMANCHEROS (?)--1840's, Lousiana (briefly) and Texas. John Wayne western vehicle. The shoot-em-up adventures of a big, tough Texas Ranger (John Wayne) on the trail of ruthless army of mauraders terrorizing settlers and selling guns to Indians. Stuart Whitman costars as an aristocratic fugitive good with a gun who runs away and then joins the Duke on his mission. Not a big one for the class rooms, but it's fun too watch. Especially nice with Lee Marvin's supportive role as a crazy, half-scalped arms smuggler.
- THE SANTE FE TRAIL (1940)--1840's, From West Point Military Academy, N.Y., to Harper's Ferry, MD. Dealing with the life of J.E.B. Stuart (Errol Flynn) from his years as a star West Point cadet, his romance with Kit Carson Holliday, his friendship with fellow West Point Graduate George Armstrong Custer (Ronald Reagan), and fights against the abolitionist uprising led by John Brown to Brown's capture, trial, and execution in Harper's Ferry, Maryland. Also dealing with the vicious antebellum disputes over American Slavery. Not an Errol Flynn fan, and it just seems odd seeing Ronald Reagan as an actor, even after eight years of seeing him playing John Wayne. But kudos to Raymond Massey as John Brown and Van Heflin as Stuart's rival.
- GANGS OF NEW YORK (2002)--1840s to 1863, Manhattan, New York City, N.Y. Dealing with the Great Immigration, slum-life of Manhattan in the beginning of American Industrialism, gang wars between Anglo-Saxon (Predominantly Protestant) natives and Irish (Predominantly Catholic) immigrants, early political corruption with Tammany Hall politicos, and culminating with the New York Draft Riots during the Civil War. Intelligent docu-drama from Scorsese, excellent acting from Daniel Day-Lewis, John C. Reilly, Jim Broadbent, and Brendan Gleeson, and impressive acting from DiCaprio and Diaz. Brutally haunting depiction of historical, inner city slum-life of America.
- GONE WITH THE WIND (1939)-- Home front in Georgia, from the eve of the Civil War to slightly after it. Based on the once-banned novel by Margaret Mitchell. Yes, Gone With The Wind was banned for a long-time in the South because Southerners didn't like the Mitchell's vibrant heroine Scarlett O'Hara. Plus, the sex was steamier in the book than even the movie showed.
- GODS AND GENERALS (2003)-- 1861-1863, Virginia, the first years of the American Civil War prior to the Battle of Gettysburg. Starts with the succession of Virginia from the Union and the inaguration of Robert E. Lee as Commanding General of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, through the Battle of First Manassas, VA., through the horrifying defeat of the Union Army of the Potomac at Fredricksburg,VA., to the equally harsh defeat of the Union Army at Chancellorsville, VA., and ending with the death and funeral of impassioned Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. Also a virtual biography of Jackson's rise and fall during the war. Based on the novel by Jeff Shaara. This epic tries so hard to be every Civil War buff's dream movie, but comes up a little short in cinematic quality. Acting is good, especially from Stephen Lang as Jackson. The depiction of the battles are great. But it's more of a textbook movie than a war epic. Also, some actors from Gettysburg were recast in the same roles. They are suppose to play character a year or two younger, everyone, especially Jeff Daniels, C. Thomas Howell, and Kevin Conway, look ten years older. But that's a hard call to make. Robert Duvall is a truly professional actor and he is good as Robert E. Lee, but Martin Sheen was Robert E. Lee in my opinion.
- GLORY (1989)--1862, From the Battle of Antietam, Maryland, to the assault on the almost impregnable Fort Wagner on the coast of South Carolina, 1863. The rise and fall of the gallant 54th Massachusetts Regiment, the first regiment made up totally of Black Union Soldiers, except for the white officers, under the command of white Bostonian Col. Robert Gould Shaw until their fateful but ferocious assault on Fort Wagner, South Carolina.
- GETTYSBURG (1993)--1863, Battle of Gettysburg, PA, turning point of the Civil War. Based on the novel THE KILLER ANGELS by Michael Shaara, Pulitzer winning. Gets somewhat lethargic, but overall an entertaining and educational war epic. Again Civil War Buffs probably love it. Best acting in the film is from Martin Sheen as Robert E. Lee, Jeff Daniels as Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, Sam Elliott as Union calvary Gen. John Buford, and Richard Jordan as Confederate General Lewis Armistead. However, impressive acting from Kevin Conway as veteran Sgt. Buster Kilrain, Stephen Lang as Pickett, and David Mallon as Winfield Hancock.
- THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY (1966)-- c. 1863, The Civil War as fought in the west, the west still full of mauraders and bandits and Eastwood, Wallach, and Van Cleef, three major reasons for seeing this movie.
- THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE (1951)-- Middle years of the Civil War, a soldier's story of bravery overcoming fear. Based on the novel by Steven Crane. Good soldier's war film, Audie Murphy is impressive for a real-life war hero and soldier who never went to acting school.
- COLD MOUNTAIN (2003)--1864, Siege of Petersburg, VA. to the home front on the American South, ravaged and terrorized by bands of marauders. Great movie from the director of the English Patient, which bored me to death. Jude Law is a quality actor. Kidman has become pretty matured in her acting. Renee Zelwegger is great as the spunky hillbilly woman who whip Kidman's southern belle into a tough, self-efficient woman. Very psychological movie.
- ANDERSONVILLE (1996)--1863-1865, Andersonville, Georgia. Gripping account of the infamously grueling Confederate Prison Camp which became a harrowing testament of will and survival to many Union P.O.W.'s imprisoned there. Thousands faced destitution, degradation, dangers, and death either from cruelty by their Confederate captors, disease, starvation, and terrorism from their fellow prisoners, particularly a group of marauders known as The Raiders. Follows the capture of a particular Union unit, through their incarceration at the prison, friendships they made with fellow prisoners, their battles with the Raiders, escape attempts, and finally liberation by William T. Sherman's army in 1865. The commander of the camp, a German immigrant by the name of Woltz, was one of only few persons from the war to be tried and executed as a war criminal. Haunting movie from start to finish. Watch this movie and you will be reminded of the devastation and madness within war, and why it's important to study and learn from history.
- SHENANDOAH (1965)--Taking place throughout the Civil War and ending with the virtual fall of the Confederate army, in nearly complete degrading terms. James Stewart plays a proud and tough farmer who refuses to join either side in the ensuing conflict in the War Between The States. He is fiercely protective of his family and children, but soon some of them go off to enlist and fight for the Confederacy. When one is badly wounded in a fight, Stewart takes up arms to protect his family. A balanced and sturring look at the Civil War and it's effect on the home life with adventurous and heart-rendering plot points.
Author Comments:
THESE ARE ONLY MOVIES THAT I HAVE SEEN. I AM AWARE OF OTHER HISTORICAL FILMS BESIDES THESE, BUT I HAVE NOT SEEN THEM IN FULL. List not done yet, still a work in progress. As I continue to see historical movies or period pieces, I will add to the list. I am giving the names, the year they were made, the time era in which the story is set, where generally the story is set and what historical chapters/events the movie offers. This is not so much as a critique as much as it is a game of matching American history with American Movies, television movies included. Henry Ford once called history the absolute bunk. Henry Ford made a great piece of machinery with his Model Ts, but even he missed the boat once or twice. If history is the absolute bunk, then are we sure we can trust the information that Henry Ford made the Model T? What if it's a conspiracy by historians to full the world? Should we ignore his achievement in American Industrialism? Should we pay no attention to how he actually built the car? Should we forget the development of the automobile and how the automobile itself changed the world? Maybe Ford was just having a off-day.
interesting list.
the professor for the hitchcock class i'm taking this semester is developing an american studies course on the topic of history through film. as an american studies major and a film fan, i'm really excited to take it!
Sounds like an interesting class idea. I am trying to find time to do the second part of this List, Post-Civil War to World War 2. Only thing I have watched a countless amount of westerns and numerous World War 2 film. It is undoubtably the most cinematic real-life war, and I mean in narrative form. Either there are straight out war films or melodramas and even comedies where the war is a hardly subtle backdrop to the story. Even the bittersweet comedy, Hope and Glory, counts as a war film because it a story of an English family coping with natural growing pains during the London Blitz.
Have you seen this?
That list you sent me, Luke, was excellent. Very good. Not all of those films are great in every technical and critical sense, but they are good marks of human history within film.
Although what's Hamlet doing in there? Hamlet was Danish. I know Hamlet goes to England sometimes in the play, but it seems like a footnote in the play. Just curious. I love authentic Shakespeare for their historic aspects as much as I love updated Shakes for it's creative aspect.
I guess what I'm wondering is...where is The Birth of a Nation?
I Don't really like Birth of a Nation, and I never saw it the whole way through. The part where Griffith is mad enough to make the KKK look like a heroic assembly of men, like Zorro's Fighting Legion or some modern day Knights of the Round Table, disgusts me.
Yes, Birth of a Nation is disturbingly racist, but to me, that's what makes it so brilliant. Though Griffith did not intend it to be, it is absolutely chilling and a very effective retrospect not just of the the Civil War and Reconstruction Era but of when it was made and the way American culture was then.
In any case, it is still an accurate representation of the events and the notion of white supremacy that occuried during that time in history.
yeah true. It was technically and visually a great achievement. This is true.
Re: 24. SHENANDOAH(????)
I understand what you meant/mean when you say. "A balanced and sturring look at the Civil War and it's effect on the home life with adventurous and heartrendering plot points." Unless we are discussing The Silence of the Lambs I think that you mean to say "heart-rending."
I'm not trying to stur up trouble. I actually find such typos heart-warning.
Oh I see what you are saying, heart-rendering, with a hyphen. Thanks. I appreciate that.
Congratulations on this excellent list. The title I have most reservations about is GODS AND GENERALS, which elsewhere in Listology I suggested is the most embarrassing movie ever made about the Civil War. On the other hand, I liked all the others here that I've seen, particularly THE CROSSING.
This list promises a very good American History in the Movies. How many lists do you think it will take?
What Odysseus is getting at is that 'heart-rendering' suggests melting the heart down for its fat content (gives new meaning to lighting a candle). The term you intended is 'heart rending', which literally means 'ripping the heart' but in the sense you intended means - what you intended.
Yeah Gods and Generals was very boring. And it seemed weird when people playing younger selves look about ten years older than they did in Gettysburg, including Jeff Daniels who has obviously picked up a few pounds.