American Civil War – That Should Be A Movie

That Should Be A Western: Whiskey Chitto Woman by Marguerite Hudson

By C. W. Johnson, Jr. on Tuesday, January 23, 2024

It is called Whiskey Chitto Woman

It is a Western road trip drama.

In the vein of Nomadland

It is like Little Women meets Cold Mountain

It follows determined pioneer woman Ellen Johnson

And naïve teenage boy Sammy Jones

As they take a hazardous journey through the outlaw-infested, devastated countryside of post-Civil War Louisiana to retrieve her husband Aaron whose leg has been amputated.

Problems arise when they encounter highwaymen and Ellen wonders how Aaron will adjust as a disabled man in an agrarian society.

Together their determined pioneer spirit and love will overcome the obstacles in their way and finish their journey strong.

The idea came to me when I was doing genealogy research while reading Whiskey Chitto Woman I found out that Aaron and Ellen Johnson were my great-great-great uncle and aunt.

American Civil War Christmas

That Should Be A Christmas Season Movie Release: God Rest Ye Merry, Soldiers

By C. W. Johnson, Jr. on Sunday, January 7, 2024

It’s called God Rest Ye Merry, Soldiers

It is a War Drama

In the vein of Joyeux Noel

It is like Gone With the Wind meets All Quiet on the Western Front

It follows the common Billy Yanks of The Army of the Cumberland

And the common Johnny Rebs of the Army of the Tennessee

As they battle the elements, their officers, and each other to survive a meatgrinder of a war.

Problems arise when they are thrown against each other at one of the bloodiest battles of the conflict.

Together, their shared humanity, mutual respect and the Spirit of Christmas will help them rise above the brutality of war and show each other grace and kindness.

The idea came to me when I was reading God Rest Ye Merry, Soldiers and was astonished at how mortal enemies showed each other more respect than people removed 150 years from the events do, and how the message of peace and forgiveness as shown by the soldiers Blue and Gray is one our nation desperately needs to hear right now.

My unique approach is a war movie set at Christmastime but takes place after Christmas Day during the 12 Days of Christmastide and in which the changing cultural meaning of Christmas is a major element in the story’s healing climax.

A set piece would be the night before the battle when the regiments of the Confederate and Union armies are lined up and facing each other. The musical bands of each regiment try to outplay the other with different songs. The Northern bands play “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and their version of “The Battle Cry of Freedom.” The Southern ones play “Dixie” and their own version of “The Battle Cry of Freedom.” Then a band starts playing “Home, Sweet Home.” Every band takes up the tune. Then every tongue, Blue and Gray, takes up the chorus. Soon the entire battle lines of both armies are singing the song in unison. When it ends not an eye is dry.

American Civil War Texas Westerns.

That Should Be A Western Miniseries: General Jo Shelby’s Expedition Into Mexico, Part Two

By C. W. Johnson, Jr. on Thursday, December 7, 2023

And if written and directed in the tradition and with the maturity of David Lean, John Milius, and Kevin Reynolds, it could be a classic which blends the action and adventure with thought provoking lessons in the futility of nation building, the arrogance of imperialism, and the empty self-defeatism of refusing to know when to give up, surrender, forgive and bury the past. If told right, Shelby’s Expedition into Mexico could be a healing journey.

American Civil War

That Should Be A Western Miniseries: General Jo Shelby’s Expedition Into Mexico, Part One

By C. W. Johnson, Jr. on Tuesday, September 26, 2023

A set piece would be on July 4th when Shelby draws his men up in parade formation on the banks of the Rio Grande. Five of his officers take the Confederate flag, weigh it down with rocks and wade into the river. Then they gently lower it into the water. Former Confederate officers, officials and soldiers watch from the bluffs on the American side. Mexican soldiers look on from the southern bank. Shelby, in a rare show of emotion, tears off the black ostrich plume from his hat, wades out into the water and throws it into the folds of the flag. Tears run down the cheeks of hardened veterans as the flag disappears beneath the muddy waters. From now on, Shelby’s men will follow his ragged battle-scarred guidon. From then on, this stretch of the Rio Grande will be known as the Grave of the Confederacy.

American Civil War

That Should Be A Movie: The Battle of Antietam

By C. W. Johnson, Jr. on Monday, September 18, 2023

Short Pitch

It is called Antietam

It is in the vein of A Bridge Too Far

It is like All Quiet On The Western Front meets Gettysburg

It follows the common Johnny Reb soldiers of The Army of Northern Virginia

And the common Billy Yank soldiers of the Army of the Potomac

As they fight to survive and win a war for either national independence or national unity.

Problems arise when Johnny Reb’s army is caught spread out and Billy Yank’s army is sent to battle him in head-on, piecemeal attacks.

Now together their individual courage, bravery and humanity will combine to produce dozens of human-interest stories on the Bloodiest Day in American History.

American Civil War Texas

That Should Be A Movie: The Battle of Sabine Pass

By C. W. Johnson, Jr. on Sunday, September 10, 2023

Logline: When 46 hard-fighting Irish-Texan cannoneers face off against an invasion of 15,000, it will result in the only medals issued by the southern Confederacy.

Short Pitch

It is called The Battle of Sabine Pass

It is a war action movie.

In the vein of 300.

It is like Fury meets Glory.

It follows ambitious, jovial Irish officer Dick Dowling

And young runaway drummer boy John Drummond

As they fight to free the Texas coast from Yankee invaders and prejudice against Irish and Catholic immigrants.

Problems arise when most of the Texas army is pulled from the coast and Dowling and his forty-six men find themselves the only ones to stop an invasion of 15,000.

Together their skill, training, dedication to each other and Gaelic love of fighting will result in one of the most lopsided victories of the war.

The idea came to me when I read a paragraph about the battle in The Civil War: Strange & Fascinating Facts by Burke Davis and it grabbed hold of my Irish and Texan descendent soul.

My unique approach is focusing on one unit of artillerymen called The Davis Guard and their struggles with military life, war and bigotry against Catholic Irish.

A set piece would be when Dick Dowling is standing on top of the mud pile called Fort Griffin. He has told the Davis Guard that their officers want them to retreat. “What say you,” says Dowling in a thick Gaelic accent. “No, no!,” reply his men. “Shall we fight,” he ask them. Fight, fight, fight,” they reply in unison. “It’s too hot to walk back to Sabine City,” one jokes. Just then a courier rides up. He carries a small Confederate flag. Dowling grabs the flag, crawling higher on the parapet and waves it toward the approaching gunboats. “Dick Dowling is a dead man before that flag shall come down!”

Target audiences would be men and women 20-70, teenagers, military buffs, action movie fans, history buffs, Civil War reenactors, naval buffs, Navy veterans, service members and their families, Catholics, Irish Americans, Irish people, and of course, Texans.

Audiences would want to see it for its epic stand of fighting Irish against overwhelming odds, its action, adventure, and themes of courage, brotherhood, honor and devotion to duty.

American Civil War

That Should Be A Movie: Carrying the Flag by Gordon C. Rhea

By C. W. Johnson, Jr. on Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Short Pitch

It is called Carrying The Flag

It is a War Drama.

In the vein of Fury.

It is like Glory meets All Quiet on The Western Front.

It follows epileptic washout Private Charles Whilden

And young veteran officer James Armstrong

As they fight to survive the hellish combat of the Overland Campaign

Problems arise when their regiment is almost annihilated and they retreat, disgracing themselves in front of General Robert E. Lee

Now together Charles’ dedication to his duty and James’ respect for him will help them achieve victory and save the army.

The idea came to me when reading Carrying the Flag by Gordon C. Rhea, which is a more exciting read with more intimate details than some novels.

My unique approach would be a focus on a few soldiers, their intimate army life, horrific combat experience, and the effects of their actions upon the overall campaign.

A set piece would be when Charles and James are pinned down in bloody mud by heavy firepower from Union troops positioned atop high ground known as The Bloody Angle. Confederate officers who rise to lead charges are immediately cut down. They can’t retreat across the bullet swept open ground behind them. Charles reaches for the regiment’s battle flag. No words are spoken as James hands it to him. Charles climbs up the barricades, slippery from the pouring rain. Then he begins charging the Angle. Soldiers rise up from the trenches, gather around him and rush the high ground. Charles becomes a target for Union minie balls. He’s hit in the shoulder but continues. He shakes from epilepsy but holds the pole steady. Then he sees that the flag is coming loose from the pole. If it falls and floats away, the charge will falter. He grabs the flag from the pole, wraps it around his body, and, as a human flagpole, rushes on toward the Angle. He and his comrades reach the high ground. Hand to hand combat breaks out as men wrestle in the mud. Finally, the Yankees retreat and the high ground is in the Confederate hands thanks to Charles’s bravery.

Target audiences would be men (18-80), military service members and veterans, war movie fans, history buffs, Southerners, Civil War reenactors, and gamers.

Audiences would like to see it due to its unique battlefield scenarios of the Wilderness and The Bloody Angle at Spotsylvania Court House, themes of courage, bravery, devotion to duty, brotherhood, and redemption, and the human interest story of a washout overcoming his past and epileptic handicap to just once do something significant in his life.

American Civil War

That Should Be A Movie: The Gettysburg Rebels

By C. W. Johnson, Jr. on Monday, July 3, 2023

Short Pitch

It is called Gettysburg Rebels

It’s a War Drama.

In the vein of Gettysburg

It is like Gone With The Wind meets Titanic

It follows adventurous young soldier Wes Culp

And love-struck young woman Jennie Wade

As they choose sides during a colossal national conflict.

Problems arrive when the Confederate army that Wes is in invades his and Jennie’s hometown of Gettysburg.

Together they will make sacrifices for the causes of their own choosing.

The idea came to me when I was studying the Battle of Gettysburg and found out that there was connection between the two human interest stories of Jennie Wade and Wes Culp.

My unique approach is a massive, history changing battle told through the story of common soldiers and civilians on different parts of the field.

A set piece would be when Wes Culp receives a pass from a Confederate staff officer that knows he has family in Gettysburg. He slowly walks down an empty street, no citizens to recognize him and welcome him home since they are hiding from the invading army of which he is a part. He gently knocks on a door, careful not to raise his voice less the neighbors recognize that of a traitor. The door is slowly unlatched and opened. “Why, Wes!” declares his sister Ann. “You have come!” He embraces his sisters, a sister-in-law, and a nephew. It is a family reunion three years in the making but delayed by war.

Target Audiences would be men and women, teenagers, history and military buffs, war movie fans, and readers of historical romances.

Audiences would want to see it for its meta narrative of private individuals against the backdrop of an important historical evet, its themes of courage, bravery, friendship and romance.

American Civil War Courtroom Dramas

That Should Be A Movie: Incident At Otterville Station

By C. W. Johnson, Jr. on Monday, June 13, 2022

Short Pitch
It’s called Incident At Otterville Station.
It’s a Legal Drama.
In the vein of A Few Good Men.
It is like Rules of Engagement meets The Trial of the Chicago 7.
It follows idealist Union soldier Francis Merchant.
And strong slave husband John.
As they attempt to keep a slave owner from selling John’s family during the Civil War.
Problems arise when Union commanders charge Francis Merchant and his fellow soldiers with mutiny for freeing John’s family.
Together they will become the focus of internal political debates in both the Union government and the army command.
The idea came to me when reading the description of John Christgau’s book Otterville Station: A Civil War Story of Slavery and Rescue on Amazon.
My unique approach would be the nuanced experience of Union soldiers juxtaposition with the ambiguous goals of the Union high command and political leaders regarding slavery.
A set piece would be when the Union soldiers who freed the slaves are marched through Jefferson City like common deserters as Lincoln takes the stage in Gettysburg. As they are imprisoned in the basement of an abandoned hotel, Lincoln claims that the United States was conceived in liberty. As the soldiers are put on half rations, Lincoln declares that all men are created equal. As the soldiers convey to each other their feelings of betrayal by their officers, Lincoln declares that a “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
Target audiences would be history buffs and men and women aged twenty-five through sixty-five.
People would turn out to see the film due to the universal themes of nuanced history, ambiguous political intrigue, and common soldiers fighting the system.

American Civil War Uncategorized

That Should Be A Movie: Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Redemption

By C. W. Johnson, Jr. on Wednesday, August 5, 2020

A boy of the frontier grows up to become a slave trader, a brilliant Confederate general, a KKK leader, and then a civil rights activist. Now That Should Be A Movie. Hello, I’m C. W. Johnson, Jr., and today’s book I would like to pitch as a movie is Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Redemption by Shane …