The Unknown Civil War: Greatest Battles of the Civil War

The Unknown Civil War: Greatest Battles of the Civil War
2000
NR
2 discs

This documentary series carefully and dynamically recounts eight key battles of the Civil War: Antietam, Chancellorsville, Chickamauga, Gettysburg, Shiloh, the Appomattox Campaign, the Petersburg Campaign and the Siege of Vicksburg. Rare period photographs, reenactments and interviews with leading Civil War historians illuminate the circumstances and personalities at the core of each of these struggles.



These two discs are packed with good information and really brought the civil war to life. They are very detailed, within the time allowed for each episode. That said, they are not organized very well. The proper order to watch is as follows: 1) Shiloh (Disc 2) 2) Antietam (Disc 1) 3) Chancellorsville (Disc 1) 4) Vicksburg (Disc 2) 5) Gettysburg (Disc 1) 6) Chickamauga (Disc 2) 7) Petersburg (Disc 2) 8) Appomattox Courthouse (Disc 1)

The Massachusetts 54th Colored Infantry

The Massachusetts 54th Colored Infantry
2005
NR 56 minutes

Narrated by Morgan Freeman and peppered with historical tintypes and expert commentary, this documentary tells the story of the Massachusetts 54th Colored Infantry, the first all-black Union regiment depicted in the multiple Oscar-winning film Glory. The 54th was given the most dangerous assignments, and they fought valiantly to prove to the commanders and the rest of the country that black Americans had what it took to be first-class soldiers.

The Last Days of the Civil War

The Last Days of the Civil War

Produced for the A&E network, this 2003 documentary recounts the waning days of the Civil War, including Gen. Robert E. Lee's retreat westward from Petersburg (with the battles of Five Forks, Sailor's Creek and the eventual surrender at Appomattox). In addition, the bloody 10-month skirmish at Cold Harbor is chronicled, and Abraham Lincoln is extensively profiled, as is Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy.

The Battle of Aiken

The Battle of Aiken

2005 NR 83 minutes

West Point rivals Hugh Kilpatrick (Brad Owens) and Joseph Wheeler (Danny Francis) are cavalry generals who face off at the Battle of Aiken, the final Confederate victory of the Civil War. Writer-director Christopher Forbes recounts the events leading up to the historic conflict and meticulously re-creates the battles with the help of thousands of Civil War reenactors. The drama also stars Tripp Courtney and Darlene Donofrio.

Lincoln and Lee at Antietam: The Cost of Freedom

Lincoln and Lee at Antietam: The Cost of Freedom

Narrated by Ronald F. Maxwell (director of Gettysburg), this fascinating documentary brings to life one of the Civil War's key confrontations: the Battle of Antietam, fought near Sharpsburg, Md. The conflict altered the course of the War Between the States; a Union victory was a prerequisite to President Abraham Lincoln emancipating the slaves. Pulitzer Prize winner James M. McPherson and other scholars supply historical insight.

Gods and Generals - Drama

Gods and Generals - Drama
2003      PG-13       219 minutes

Director-producer Ron Maxwell mines America's history in this epic movie chronicling the Civil War's beginnings in 1861 to the tragic Battle of Chancellorsville in 1863 and the heroes who defended their honor on both fronts. Robert Duvall is Gen. Robert E. Lee, who leads the Confederates; Jeff Daniels is Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, a Bowdoin College professor who fights for the Union army, and Stephen Lang portrays Gen. Stonewall Jackson.

Civil War: Gettysburg & Stories of Valor

Film

Civil War: Gettysburg & Stories of Valor  2004 NR 2 discs

Narrated by Keith Carradine, this third installment in the "Civil War Minutes" series delves into the history of the battle at Gettysburg -- the greatest, most pivotal battle ever fought in the Western hemisphere. Topics include Colonel Strong Vincent's defense of Little Round Top, the cryptic "Devil's Den" photographs, Confederate general Lewis Armistead's secret call for help (after being mortally wounded during "Pickett's Charge") and more.

Civil War Life: Left for Dead

Film
Civil War Life: Left for Dead 2002 NR 50 minutes

"Civil War Life" is a six-part series that examines the American Civil War from an insider's point of view, with first-person accounts and never-before-seen period photos. "Left for Dead" tells the story of Ohio schoolteacher Oscar L. Jackson, who formed his own regiment and was engaged in some of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War -- only to be shot in the face and left for dead.

Civil War Journal: The Commanders

Film:  Civil War Journal: The Commanders

Learn the personal stories of famous Civil War leaders such as Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson and William Tecumseh Sherman. This historical documentary explores some of the complex reasons behind these commanders' biggest decisions during the war.

Civil War Combat: America's Bloodiest Battles

Film: Civil War Combat: America's Bloodiest Battles

Using interviews with Civil War experts, re-enactment footage and stirring recitations of correspondence and diaries, Civil War Combat brings to life the most crucial conflicts of the War Between the States.

Civil War Battlefields

Film:  Civil War Battlefields

This documentary program examines the most notorious battlefields of the American Civil War, an unprecedented domestic conflict that caused the deaths of some 600,000 soldiers and injured more than 400,000 others. Segments focus on the battle sites at Manassas, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Spotsylvania in Virginia; Antietam in Sharpsburg, Md.; Gettysburg, Pa.; and the final surrender at Appomattox Court House in Virginia.