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Strike the Tent (2005)
Profoundly Touching Film
The Last Confederate: The Story of Robert Adams is not your typical US Civil War movie. Yeah, there's the usual battle and conflict, but what really makes this film stand out is its focus on a love story between two people from different sides: Captain Robert Adams II from the South and Eveline McCord from the North. Their romance is at the center of everything, and trust me, you'll feel every high and low right along with them.
What's good about this film is that it doesn't just bash one side and praise the other. It's not all about the war and doesn't paint the North as the bad guys. It's more about the people involved and shows that there were good folks on both sides.
Take, for instance, the scene where the slaves of the Adams family step up to defend their masters from Union soldiers. Now, you might be wondering why they'd do that. The film actually shows the Adams family treating the slaves well, like when they're always thanking them for their help. It's clear that there's respect and decent treatment going on here, and it's not just a simple master-slave dynamic. This scene shows that things were more complicated and human than we often think. The loyalty the slaves showed by defending their masters? It feels earned and genuine in the context of the film.
Despite of that, it's not just the South that gets a nuanced treatment here. The Union soldiers are shown in different lights as well. Sure, there are scenes where they're downright cruel, like when they kick Captain Robert Adams II who was simply carrying his injured friend, Nelson (Eveline's brother), and another one when they kill Nelson, following his escape with Adams from prison, rather than arresting him again and return him to confinement. But it's not all one-sided. There's also a moment where a Union soldier refuses to shoot a defenseless Adams. It's like you can see in his eyes that he's had enough of the war, that killing another soldier, especially one who can't fight back, just doesn't make sense anymore. It's these kinds of details that make the characters feel real and the story more engaging.
Perhaps, this moment of compassion from the Union soldier that makes Adams realize something that is actually very important to him. It's early 1865, and the fighting has started to feel fruitless. That unexpected mercy might have been the turning point for Adams, the moment he decides that it's time to stop fighting and return to his beloved Eveline. It's a powerful scene that encapsulates the futility of the war and the yearning for something more meaningful, like love and connection.
For an indie film, The Last Confederate nails it. The story's tight, the direction's spot-on, and it doesn't feel like anything's out of place. It's a fresh take on a period that's been done to death, but here it feels new and engaging. That's why I find that this film is a winner. I, myself, who is not from South Carolina or the South, let alone the US, thoroughly enjoyed the film. Rarely I finish a film in one sitting, but this film managed to make me do just that. All in all, if you're looking for a different spin on the US Civil War, one that's more about people and less about battle lines, give this film a watch. It's got heart, soul, and a story that'll stick with you. Perfect for anyone who loves a good love story with a side of historical drama.