History Forum / War History / US Civil War / October 2006

In a recent article in the U. Va. Alumni magazine, Lee Graves lists Gary
Gallagher's ratings of the 10 most influential CW-related movies in his
life.  The article was entitled "Shades of Blue and Gray The Civil War in
Art and Film."  He also uses a 5-star rating system to grade the movies.

I guess in folks of a certain age the movie "Gone With the Wind" is the most
memorable movie of their youth.  (Gary ranks that movie 5th in his listing.)
I saw it for the first time early in my life and read the book three times
before the age of 12.

There is now a comedy drama that is a parody of "Gone With the Wind."  It is
titled "I'll Never Be Hungry Again."  I saw it last month at the Barter
Theatre in Abingdon, VA.  It is hilarious; I have never laughed and cried so
much during a play.  I recommend it.

I also remember "The Horse Soldiers" and "Shenandoah." Gary mentions
"Shenandoah" as a primary moment in his budding CW interest, but it does not
rank in his 10-best listing.  Neither does he mention "The Horse Soldier."

One of the best movies of my childhood that I remember is "Song of the
South."  The music is great and the story very touching.  My husband who
lived in CN and never saw the film as a child said when he saw it as an
adult that while much was gained by the War, much was also lost.

Since I did not have TV while growing up, I never saw the TV series about
Mosby's Rangers.  I wonder what it was like.  Can anyone who saw that series
tell us about it?

Let's please keep this discussion positive and informative and forego
personal attacks.

HillCity

Joan Logan Brooks
a Southside Virginian through 11 proven generations