Good movie, but gory and the ending wasn't my favorite

Rating: Null/10 (7 January 2004)

Spoiler Alert I wanted to see this movie because I am a civil war buff. Characters were great and credible, Renee Zellweger was exceptional. Nicole wasn't very realistic. I thought it was probably an accurate portrayal of the war and conditions for those left behind, but it was too gory for me. I thought the Home Guard was a little too conscientious in their work, but don't know, it may be historically accurate. There are some breathtaking scenes of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I have to say the camera work was excellent, even though it was shooting gory stuff I didn't care for. I also didn't care for the ending, but it was expected - with everything that happened, there was no way those two were to live happily ever after. I don't like birds, and there were too many in it for my taste.