Tag Archives: American Civil War.
American Civil War Christmas

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

By 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.

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American Civil War

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

By 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.

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American Civil War

That Should Be A Movie: The Battle of Antietam

By 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.

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American Civil War

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

By 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.

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