Superb -- Under-appreciated

Rating: Null/10 (17 July 2011)

One of the best war films ever made, and certainly one of, if not THE, best Civil War film of all time. Superb casting, great direction, and transcendent performances from virtually every member of the cast. Why this film wasn't even nominated for Best Film in any award group is beyond me. The cast is stunning. From Morgan Freeman, Andre Braugher, Matthew Broderick, Cary Elwes and (especially) Denzel Washington down to the least bit player, everyone turns in a stellar performance. Broderick, who was 25 and 26 when the film was shot, bears a resemblance to the real Col. Shaw, who was, himself, in his early twenties when he commanded the Massachusetts 54th Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Great attention was paid to mid-19th Century patterns of speech and usage. I have seen this film more than twenty times and have never failed to be moved by it.