Today, the Barnegat Branch is embarking on a commemoration of the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War in film.
The battles between North and South began in April of 1861 and raged for four years. Beginning last year, organizations around the country starting marking significant dates in recognition of the 150 years that have passed since the war.
The Barnegat Library is devoting three consecutive Movie Mondays to screenings of acclaimed films about the tragic chapter in American history. Here's a schedule with summaries of the movies; check out the linked videos to watch the trailers. The movie showings are each at 1 p.m.
- Monday, Jan. 16: Glory (R). This 1989 film follows the creation of the first formal all-African American unit in the U.S. Army from the point of view of its white commander, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick). Also starring Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington, who took an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, the film received accolades for its portrayal of an underexplored aspect of the war, as well as its attention to period detail and music. Be aware that this a very violent movie, with graphic depictions of death on the battlefield.
- Monday, Jan. 23: Gettysburg (PG). Released in 1993, Gettysburg is a detailed depiction of the pivotal battle of 1863, starring Jeff Daniels, Tom Berenger and Martin Sheen. Thousands of Civil War reenactors participated in the filming, and despite some criticisms, it's seen as a very accurate portrayal of a few terrible days. It's also one of the longest studio films ever released, running 4 hours and 14 minutes.
- Monday, Jan. 30: The Conspirator (PG-13). A more recent film from director Robert Redford that flew under the radar when it was released in 2010, The Conspirator tells the story of Mary Suratt, who was charged as a conspirator in the assassination of President Lincoln and (does it count as a spoiler if it's history?) became the first woman executed by the U.S. government. The film is rich and detailed, and stars some big names – James McAvoy, Robin Wright, Evan Rachel Wood and Alexis Bledel.
What do you think of the lineup? Any Civil War films you think should have made the list? There's the TV miniseries North and South – I'd say see parts one and two, and skip part three. And, even though it's heavy on the romance, Cold Mountain did a great job of depicting the battlefield and the Southern homefront. And we have Spielberg's upcoming Lincoln, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, to look forward to.
If you want to learn more about the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, check out the website of the nonprofit Civil War Trust, which is focusing on the 150th anniversary month by month.
