An interesting premise forms the war drama Two Flags West. Confederate POWs are offered their freedom by Northern troops if they agree to swear allegiance to the Union and fight in a blue uniform against Indians. Joseph Cotten is a colonel in gray, but when he leads his men to follow Cornel Wilde, he gets demoted to a second lieutenant. Cornel is a decent guy who respects the Southern sentiments, but Jeff Chandler is cruel to his new soldiers. He's also cruel to the Indians and cruel to his sister-in-law, who lives with him in the dangerous fort.
Linda Darnell plays a Spanish widow (although her accent when she spoke Spanish was so atrocious I couldn't understand a word she said!) and every man in her life is in love with her. Jeff, her husband's brother, obviously desires her even though he never sends a kind word her way. Cornel is sweet and shy, but just as obviously would do anything for her. Joe, the new kid in town, recognizes her appeal but is far more concerned with the Confederacy, his current battle, and controlling his men. You'll see some faces that will be very familiar if you've seen a lot of westerns: Jay C. Flippen, Noah Beery Jr., and Arthur Hunnicutt.
This isn't the most famous Civil War movie by any means, but it is a very good one. Had Gone With the Wind been made just a few years later, Joseph Cotten would have certainly played Ashley Wilkes. He makes a great Southern gentleman, a stark contrast to Jeff Chandler's rudeness and perpetual grumpiness. Seriously; can't that fellow ever smile?
Linda Darnell plays a Spanish widow (although her accent when she spoke Spanish was so atrocious I couldn't understand a word she said!) and every man in her life is in love with her. Jeff, her husband's brother, obviously desires her even though he never sends a kind word her way. Cornel is sweet and shy, but just as obviously would do anything for her. Joe, the new kid in town, recognizes her appeal but is far more concerned with the Confederacy, his current battle, and controlling his men. You'll see some faces that will be very familiar if you've seen a lot of westerns: Jay C. Flippen, Noah Beery Jr., and Arthur Hunnicutt.
This isn't the most famous Civil War movie by any means, but it is a very good one. Had Gone With the Wind been made just a few years later, Joseph Cotten would have certainly played Ashley Wilkes. He makes a great Southern gentleman, a stark contrast to Jeff Chandler's rudeness and perpetual grumpiness. Seriously; can't that fellow ever smile?