Civil War: The Untold Story

With the possible exception of World War II, no other military conflict has been the subject of so much cinematic attention as the Civil War. This five-part PBS-aired series focuses less on the events and personalities that have been the subject of now-classic productions and instead zeroes in on the military campaigns in what it calls “the West”—here meaning the western fringes of states at war in the region between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River. Narrated by Elizabeth McGovern, and featuring several Civil War scholars, filmmaker Chris Wheeler's Civil War: The Untold Story combines dramatic re-creations with 3D maps to illustrate life and warfare in the 1860s, although the genuine emotional power comes from archival photographs of the era and the heartfelt letters and diaries written by those in the middle of the struggle. Perhaps the most disturbing element addressed is the plight of escaping black slaves, who sought refuge behind Union lines but were often met with a racial hostility in the North that seemed violently at odds with the Union's goal of eradicating slavery. DVD extras include archival footage from the 50-year anniversary observance of the Siege of Vicksburg, and a viewer's guide. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (P. Hall)