Tom Selleck TV Movie Review: **** Last Stand at Saber River (1997)

 Paul Cable (Tom Selleck) returns home from the Civil War having fought for the Confederacy.  He left the war after being wounded and knowing the war is now a lost cause.  He meets his wife, Martha (Suzy Amis) and two kids, Clare and Davis (Rachel Duncan and Haley Joel Osment) in Texas where they have been staying with her father, James Sanford (Harry Carey Jr.).  Cable learns that is third child, Mary, became ill and died three years earlier.  Quickly we learn that things are not right between the Cables; they are both much changed from the war.  They are anxious to get home--which is in Arizona.  

However in arriving home things still are not good.  Another family has been living in their house, and when they ask them to move there is a gun battle in which Martha kills a couple men when they draw on her husband.  Of course the rest of the family wants to make it even and another brother dies.  In addition there are another coupoe ranchers, Vern and Duane Kidston (Keith and David Carradine) who supported the Union.  There is an instant feud.  Lastly there is a man who has been running guns for the confederacy, Edward Janroe (David Dukes) who wants Cable to continue fighting for the cause while Cable says the war is over.  

When the papers announce the war is over, Genroe says he will tell Cable who is on his ranch.  Instead he trashes the house, and then murders Duane Kidston.  He is framing Cable as the murderer.  He wants to create a war so Cable has to kill the local Unionists.   Would have worked but Cable and Kidston talk before killing each other as Martha has a gun drawn on Kidston to save her husband's life.  Then it is obvious what has happened.

This movie is very good.  It shows Selleck when he was young, before the Magnum PI days.  It also shows a very strong woman in Martha.  She saves her husband on several times.  And at the end of the movie her heart finally melts and she and her husband reconcile.  The kids are also pretty strong, especially Clare.

Christmas/ Civil War Movie/ Review: ****I Heard the Bells (2022)

 This movie tells the story of Henry W Longfellow and his writing the poem "I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day" which became the Christmas song.  Longfellow (Stephen Atherholt) had become morose over the death of his wife.  Her dress had caught fire and she died of her injuries.  Longfellow attempted to put it out and burn himself in the process, scarring his face.  He wore a beard after this.

Longfellow had determined not to write poetry again, even though he had great success with poems such as Hiawatha, Paul Revere's Ride and Evangeline.  Add to this his son left home and joined the military.  This was during the Civil War.  He son was severely wounded, and forced to come home as a result.  He told Longfellow how he was in a church, and the bell, even though lieing on the floor, had inspired him.  This set Longfellow to writing his poem.

This historical drama is very good.  I would recommend it.  I understand it is fairly accurate, although there are different stories about how his wife's dress caught fire.  

Movie Review: ****^News of the World

 I very much enjoyed this movie.  The thing that makes this movie work is the relationship between Captain Kidd (Tom Hanks) and the young Kiowa woman (kidnapped five years ago by Kiowa), Johanna (Helena Zengel) (Zengel is a young German actress and this appears to be her first American film.). Hanks comes upon the young woman and decides to take her to her relatives.  Hanks works as a story teller, taking stories from the newspaper and reading them to people.  His wife passed while he served in the Civil War as a Captain.  The journey is more perilous than it should have been because some ner-do-wells would like to purchase the young woman and Kidd refuses.  They are determined to then use force to get their way. 

Kidd is struggling with his own inadequacies, and the loss of his wife.  The young woman is also dealing with loss.  Loss of her parents, and then loss of her Kiowa culture after living with them for five years.  Watching the relationship develop as they struggle with language and cultural issues makes this movie very enjoyable.  Both Hanks and Zengel make enjoyable and believable characters.

Movie Review: Love Me Tender (1956)

This is Elvis' first movie, and he is surprisingly good.  It is also the only movie in which he played that he did not receive top billing.  The title of the movie was changed so as to accept Elvis' new hit single.  Elvis, Clint, is the younger of four brothers, who has stayed behind to mind the farm, while the other brothers go to the Civil War.  Those brothers are part of a confederate group which steal a federal payroll at the end of the war.  Not knowing what to do with the money, they take it home, and the oldest brother, Vance, (Richard Egan) plans to marry his girl, Kathy (Debra Paget).  However the family heard that the oldest brother had been killed, then the younger brother married the girl.  There is some quick adjustment, which doesn't go very well, because the love flame is still there between Kathy and Vance.  Added to this is the federals coming to get the money from the payroll.  Some of the other men involved in this heist get inside Clint's head, and turn him against Vance.  They want to get the money and run out West.  however Vance wants to turn the money over so as to negotiate their freedom.  As luck would have it, Clint shoots Vance, but his heart wasn't in it and it is not a fatal wound.  Clint comes running to his brother with grief, but ends up getting shot and killed by the men who had gotten inside his head.
 

Movie Review: ***Seraphim Falls (2006)

This movie stars Pierce Brosnan as Gideon and Liam Neeson as Carver.  Carver holds a grudge against Gideon as the result of a decision he made during the Civil War, in which he had the barn of Carver burned.  The fire got out of control, and jumped to the house, where the baby was sleeping.  Carver's baby perishes, as does his wife and another child as they try to rescue the baby.  Carvers determination to get even is what drives this movie.
The movie starts in the beautiful Ruby Mountains of Nevada.  The sneak attack Gideon, but although wounded he gets away.  He uses a water fall and heavy river to assist him in his get away.  (I don't know of so much water in the Ruby Mountains, except perhaps in the spring.  They eventually get to the Nevada deserts, as they travel towards Carson City.
Gideon is quite the warrior, and is known for killing people with his knife.  Carver is bent on gaining his revenge.  This movie heads to a show down--which does not end how you think it will end.

Movie Review: 1966 ****The Good the Bad and the Ugly

This movie is a classic Sergio Leone, Clint Eastwood spaghetti Western.  This bits three con-men style bandits against each other and thus the title has three characters.  The Good is portrayed by Clint Eastwood; the Bad by Lee Van Cleef and the Ugly by Eli Wallach.  It is set against the back drop the Civil War in the West, with desert and battles and prison camp all mixed in.  Blondie (Eastwood) has come by a piece of information yo find a stash of goldl which is shared with Tuco (Wallach).  However Angel Eyes (Van Cleef) is also intent on finding the gold, and willing to kill to get it.  This meets for one of the classic three-way gun fights.  Seems like Tuco is always yelling for Blondie, and this is how the movie ends.  Great fun.  This movie is confusing, as there is an R rated  version.  However no inappropriate sex,  but there is violence.

Movie Review: **Yellowneck

This is a man vs nature movie.  In this case nature wins 80 percent of the time,  Four men have deserted their unit with the goal of walking across the Everglades of Florida, to the Atlantic Ocean where they hope to catch a ship to Cuba.  They run into a Colonel, who likewise has deserted, and they make a team of five.  The Colonel (Stephen Courtleigh) had arranged to meet a guide, but the Seminoles got to the guide first, and he is killed.  The characters are interesting, the Colonel who in a drunken fear, ordered his men to go the wrong way, the Sergeant (Lin McCarthy), who has always been running, and now is running away from the war.  The men, one from England (Harold Gordon), who is a thief, another who has stolen gold from the Army (Berry Kroeger), and lastly "The Kid" (Bill Mason) who has total trust in the Sergeant and is following him as he runs away.  The Everglades are not a pretty place, and the elements and the Seminoles make it less than hospitable.  The men succumb to quick sand, alligators, Seminoles and rattle snakes.  One finds the ocean. 
This movie tends to the naturalistic, and is just a bit much for me.  it is just too much something, and left me with an uneasy feeling.

Movie Review: ***^ Rio Lobo (1970)

This is a John Wayne full length feature which presents John Wayne at his best.  Wayne portrays Colonel McNally a Union officer.  He befriends two Confederates, Captain Cordona (Jorge Rivero) and Sargeant Phillips (Christopher Mitchum), who are helping him find the people who betrayed his unit.  This would be treason, as Union secrets were sold which resulted in the death of McNally's friend.  This story is intense.  Former Sergeant Ketchum, (Victor French) one of the betrayers settled in Rio Lobo, and has taken over the town by manipulating the sheriff to help him in this task.  This has included, unjust incarceration murder and blackmail.  Doing this he has been able to acquire most of the town and water rights.  Also in the mix, because the Sherriff and his men murdered her friend is Shasta Delaney (Jennifer O'Neal.)  She insists on being part of the group who is going to confront the bad guys 

This bad blood boils over into a pretty intense gun battle, with a little bit of dynamite thrown in.  It also shows that if you hurt enough people, sooner or later they will have their day.

They did something weird with the camera often when changing scenes which was obnoxious.

Movie Review: ***^Gods and Generals

Gods and Generals 2003 based on the book by Jeff Shaara: This is the prequel to Gettysburg, and more than anything it tells the story of Stonewall Jackson (Stephen Lang).  Stonewall was a pious man, with his own idiosyncrasies, and this move reflects this.  My first view of the movie, it seemed to get bogged down somewhat in this, but I enjoyed it more this time around.  I guess I understood better where is was coming from.  This movie shows a much longer history than Gettysburg, starting with Secession, first Bull Run, Fredericksburg and then ends with Chancellorsville.  
We follow Stonewall Jackson from his days at Virginia Military Academy, through his stint in the Valley and at First Bull Run, and then covering the Confederate flank at Fredericksburg, and then leading the bold flanking move at Chancellorsville, and being shot by one of his own men in the confusion at dusk as he tried to press his advantage.  He lost his arm, but worse yet contracted pneumonia.  "Let us cross over the river and rest in the shade of the trees" were his last words.  
Joshua Chamberlain is again portrayed by Jeff Daniels (as in Gettysburg).  His most important role is the assault of Fredericksburg, were he spends the night on the hill below Mayre's Heights and stacked dead bodies in front of himself to offer some protection from the men on the hill.  
General Robert E. Lee is portrayed by Robert Duvall.  In this movie we don't have the worries about his heart like in Gettysburg.  However we do have the charismatic leadership, and positive results, except for the loss of Jackson.  "He has lost his left arm, but I my right.:

Music Review: The Americus Brass Band: Music of the Civil War

The Americus Brass Band: Music of the Civil War: Original Instruments, Summit Records, 1991.

This is a brass band using original instruments and playing Civil War era music.  It is very moving.  There are 18 melodies in all.  The “”Fireman’s Polka” included some vocals.  “Tenting on the Old Camp Ground” had such a haunting and melancholy fell is was very nice.  Of course “Dixie’s Land Medley and “Battle Cry of Freedom” are favorites although they are a bit different arrangements, they sound more period.  There are many lively tunes, and then “Amazing Graze” is slow and soft.  It is extremely effective.  I think it starts with a lone trumpet; at least some instrument and then builds.  “Glory Hallelujah” is also very well done and is very lively.  “Kazzodie Ko Whirl” is very long, but it includes a medley of popular songs including “Wait for the wagon” and “Pop, goes the weasel.”  Others of my favorites are “When Johnny Comes Marching Home.”  I love this song and they do a good job.  I also like the “Civil War Folk Song Medley.”  There is lots to enjoy here including “Old Susannah.” 

This CD has a good sound overall.  It is instrumental, but manages not to put me to sleep.  It also has some very pleasant tunes, and gives an idea of what a military band of the Civil War era may have played.

Movie Review: Ambrose Bierce: Civil War Stories (2006)

Ambrose Bierce: Civil War Stories (2006)  This is a made for TV movie.  Bierce (Campbell Scott) has gone AWOL from his newspaper job with the Examiner, and is tracked down by the owner, William Randolph Hearst (Nathan Darrow) and friend, fellow author, Gertrude Atherton (Vivian Schilling).  He is compelled to read a few stories from his recent novel, and in this way there are three  of his Civil War stories presented.  First is “One Kind of Officer.”  The captain is belittled by his general, and made to acknowledge that he will follow his general’s orders specifically.  The lieutenant is part of this.  “Repel anyone who attacks your position.”  The attack takes place in the fog, and when it turns out to be another division coming to reinforce rather than attack, it doesn’t matter to the Captain.  The lieutenant asks him to stop; but he will not disobey an order.  They repel the attack with a savage artillery assault. 

The next thing, as things unwind from the battle, everyone realized they were defending against their own troops.  The commanding general confronts the captain, who says the general will vogue for his orders; but the general is dead, and the lieutenant turns on the captain because of the needless slaughter. 

“The Story of Conscience” is a story about people who happen to run into each other again.  The first is a spy, and the other is now a captain, having worked his way up from private.  As a private, he had been assigned to guard the spy, and fell asleep.  Instead of running away, the spy woke him up; very likely saving his life.  Now, as a result of their meeting again, he must do his duty, but not without paying back that original debt.   

The final story, one that I reviewed before from an older version, “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.”  This version adds a twist, indicating the gentleman was tricked into sabotage by a member of the Union forces.  The camera work is very good in this, in the lights being drawn out and giving a surreal feel to our escaping civilian, who has fallen into the water when he was hung.

**Civil War Movies: Movie Summary

*****Gettysburg (1993) (Jeff Daniels, Martin Sheen,
http://bwardlehistory.blogspot.com/2013/11/movie-review-gettysburg-1993-third-day.html
****^ Lincoln
http://bwardlehistory.blogspot.com/2014/04/movie-review-lincoln-2012.html
****  The Outlaw Josey Wells  (1976) (Clint Eastwood and Chief Dan George)  This movie is a bit too violent, but I have enjoyed ever since seeing it in the theater as a youth.  Clint Eastwood is really good.  The ending is a bit strange.
**** The Littlest Rebel  (Shirley Temple) (1935)
http://mmboebillywardle.blogspot.com/2014/04/shirley-temple-movie-review-littlest.html
***^ Column South (1953) (Audie Murphy)
http://mmboebillywardle.blogspot.com/2013/10/movie-review-column-south.html
***^ The Littlest Colonel (Shirley Temple) (1935)
http://mmboebillywardle.blogspot.com/2014/03/movie-review-shirley-temple-in-littlest.html
***^ Gods and Generals (2003) Author Michael Shaara.  This is a prequel to Gettysburg, but just doesn't quite hit the mark in the same way.
http://mmboebillywardle.blogspot.com/2014/08/movie-review-gods-and-generals_17.html
***^ An Occurence at Owl Creek Bridge (Ambrose Bierce)
http://mmboebillywardle.blogspot.com/2014/06/movie-revie-occurence-at-owl-creek.html
*** Ambrose: Civil War Stories(2006) Three short stories: One Kind of Officer; A STory of Conscience; An Occurence at Owl Creek Bridge;
http://mmboebillywardle.blogspot.com/2014/07/movie-review-ambrose-bierce-civil-war.html
** Yellowneck (1955)
http://mmboebillywardle.blogspot.com/2014/10/movie-review-yellowneck.html

Movie Review: ***^An Occurence at Owl Creek Bridge

This is a movie based on the Civil War short story of Ambrose Bierce of the same name.  A Southern saboteur is to be executed for attempted to damage railway tracks.  He is to be hung off a bridge.  The rope is placed around his neck, and he is slid off a board; but the rope doesn't catch.  He ends up in the water, where he manages to untie his bonds before he drowns.  He is then on the road, with the Union firing at him, rifles and canons, but they are unable to kill him.  He is headed to see his wife.

Shirley Temple Movie Review: ****The Littlest Rebel (1935)

This movie is delightful.  I watched to colorized version.  Temple portrays Virgie Cary, whose father is a Captain of the Confederacy in the Civil War.  He tries to visit, but when their home ends up behind enemy lines it is more difficult.  He often travels home while on scouting missions.  Eventually it becomes too dangerous to travel home.  The family home is burned down in a battle, and Virgie's mother takes ill in the storm.  Their slave, Uncle Billy (Bill Robinson) comes to fetch the Captain, and he arrives home the day before his wife dies. 
He ends up being caught this time, but because of the sad story his captor decides to help him get little Virgie to family in Richmond.  He gives him a pass, and information of how to steal a uniform to get through the lines.  He agrees not to spy, and to forget everything he sees.  However they get caught.  Both the Captain, and his helper, Colonel Morrison (Jack Holt) end up in the brig, and scheduled for execution as spies.
Virgie and Uncle Billy visit President Abraham Lincoln.  They tell the story and the president is inclined to grant a pardon. 
There are some special scenes in this movie.  Uncle Billy dances for the children at a party at the beginning of the movie.  Bill Robinson is incredible.  There is another scene in which he and Temple do a duet dance.  The dance is stupendous, although they had to sort of force it into the story. 
Temple also sings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsRQeh_YTZ0
 "Believe Me if All Those Endearing Young Charms" she sings as a lullaby to her father.  She also sings "Polly Waddle Doodle" to her father and the Colonel, as well as a group of soldiers to end the movie. 
This movie has a lot to recommend it.  Bill Robinson (Mr. Bojangles) is always excellent as is Shirley Temple.
The next to final scene with the interaction between President Lincoln and Virgie and Uncle Billy is also a favorite.  

Movie Review: ****Lincoln (2012)

This movie is directed by Stephen Spielberg and stars Daniel Day-Lewis and Sally Field as the president and his wife.  This movie is a historical presentation of the thirteenth amendment and the difficulty with getting it passed, and President Lincoln's desire to get it passed during the lame-duck congress, after the Democrats had been defeated in the house.  He did not want to wait for the new congress to be seated, for if the war should conclude he might lose the people's motivation to pass the amendment; that in passing it might quicken the end of the war. 
The movie does not present the early parts of the war, in fact Lee and Grant are already facing each other at Petersburg, and Lincoln has won reelection, in the same election that swept many Democrats out of congress.
The passing of the thirteenth amendment was not easy as the movie portrays, and the movie shows the political moves, and promises Lincoln pulled out to official abolish slavery in the United States.  Political victory would require 20 votes from across the aisle, while not losing any votes from the Republican Party. 
The witticisms of Abraham Lincoln made for an enjoyable part of the movie, and I remember thinking during the movie, I wish I had written that down.  Also his humorous stories kept the movie light, because the movie was heavy. 
This movie was not a biography of Lincoln, nor was it a history of the civil war.  It had very little of the actual action, other than some Africa Americans telling their story, and showing the result of battle.  The Gettysburg Address is recited at the beginning of the move, and towards the end we see works from Lincoln's second inauguration. 
The movie also does a very good job of portraying the son's of Mary and Abraham Lincoln.  Robert, his oldest who wants to be in uniform rather than at school.  He finally gets his wish, being placed on Grant's staff.  Tad, his youngest is dealing with the death of the middle brother, Willie.  He views lithographs of slaves, and is very much interested in the freedom of the slaves.
The other actors do a very good job.  You would think a movie spending much of its time showing congress would be boring.  In this case it was not, because the story took place in congress, and the manipulations, name calling, and in some cases restraining of one's opinions to get the amendment passed, were fascinating. Tommy Lee Jones as Representative Stephens from Ohio was terrific.
A very enjoyable movie.

Movie Review: Shirley Temple in ***^The Littlest Colonel (1935)

This is a movie about family relationships, and coming to terms with our feelings and pride so we can have love within our families.  This is a post Civil War movie.  Colonel Loyd (Lionel Barrymore) becomes upset when his daughter runs off and marries a Yankee.  He swears to never speak to her again.  His daughter, and granddaughter return to the home some years later, while her husband tries to make something of himself in the West.  They had been with him before coming home, and while in the West Lloyd Sherman (Shirley Temple) had been adopted by a regiment and made an honorary colonel.  After returning she has relationships with her grandfather, but not her mother.  It is going to take some major crisis for people to cross this bridge.  Other noted stars are Hatie McDaniel who works as a house servant, nannie, and will later be the first African American to win an Oscar.  Bill Robinson aka Bo Jangles performs a couple a tap numbers which are enough to enjoy this movie.  He and SHirley Temple perform a number going up the stairs which is delightful.

Movie Review: ***^Column South

Column South is a 1953 movie starring Audie Murphy as a Calvary Lieutenant, Jed Sayre, at an outpost watching the Navajo Indiana, during the period of time leading up to the Civil War.  This movie has the Native American conflict, overlayed by maneuvering of the pending war.  The Navajo are at peace, but the new Captain and her sister don't see things that way, and are distrustful of the Native Americans.  This distrust almost leads to a battle.  In the end it is the Confederate sympathizers who almost screw up the peace, as they are stealing supplies, and blaming it on the Navajo.  They are also trying to force a conflict, so as to require more supplies they also hope to steal.  They are also preparing for the war and hoping to steal the West and the access to California gold.
As luck would have it, Sayre, and the Captain's sister don't like each other, but this is only to disguise their true feelings of love for each other.
I found this movie entertaining.  I didn't recognize Audie Murphy as I watched, other than knowing the actor was familiar.

Music review: *The Civil War Musical

I was excited to bring this CD home from the library.  I like music, especially musicals.  I also like stories of the civil war.  I had also heard good things about this musical.  However I must admit that it left me a little disappointed.  Maybe my expectations were too high.

I really enjoyed the poetry, the stories and the histories.  It was the music where I was disappointed.  It didn't capture he spirit of the Civil War for me.  It seems it was more the country singer, or the blues singer, singing of the war and the period, but not true characters, and that is what makes a good musical, the characters.

Yes, it had its intriguing stories.  The husband writing to his wife just before he faces battle and is killed, the struggle of the slave to be free, the glory and the pain of war.  But the music was too modern.  I would have preferred more period type music.  It seems it was trying to mimic Les Miserables in some aspects, in others it was a country ballad and others soul, but never figuring out its own identity.

Some parts were very moving, especially the poetry:
Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise.
Up from a past rooted in pain
I rise.
Dr Maya Angelou's words are very moving ; as are those of Frederick Douglas.
Where slavery is, there liberty cannot be
Where liberty is, there slavery cannot be
The contest must be decided, and decided forever...

These words made me stop and think.  I have always felt our country did wrong in supporting slavery, and then civil rights abuses; but at the same time I always sympathized with the South, the underdog.  I realized that any government that supported the institution of slavery had to fail.  As Frederick Douglas pointed out, there is no liberty where there is slavery.  The slave holders where also prisoners of an economic system that should have long been abolished.

There are a couple of other key moments of dialogue.  President Lincoln reading the Bixby letter, made famous by the movie "Saving Private Ryan."  "I pray that Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement."  Mrs Bixby lost five sons in the war.  The words of General Joshua Chamberlain, who as a General accepted the surrender of the Confederate arms at Appomattox, but when he was a Colonel was assigned to defend the Union left flank at Gettysburg.  If the left flank had folded, the Union line would have folded, and the outcome of the battle would have been different.  When the ammunition of his men was exhausted, instead of sounding retreat he called for a charge.  This one stroke of military genius likely changed the outcome of the war.  He is quoted as saying, "In great deed something abides."  I think that is why the Civil War fascinates me.  There were many great deeds in that war on both sides.

There are some songs that I enjoy.  Amy Grant and Bryan White singing "With these Hands" is very moving.  The concluding song "The Glory" also touches a cord.  However, to me, the music leaves something to be desired.  I was looking for more a stories of the men and women, with period music.  I could not recommend this CD.