Rating: 
Summary: The Greatest Civil War Movie Ever
Review: I have been a Civil War buff since I was practically in diapers and even though I found it rough for a movie, found it very realistic for a Civil War movie especially if you want to compare it to Gone With The Wind (Just kidding) But really, I agree with the people who think the Civil War should be tought in more detail and the three movies they should show in which I have copies of all 3, are Gettysburg with Martin Sheen and Tom Berenger, Glory with Morgan Freeman and Andersonville which stared William Shatner and many other find actors. Gettysburg and Andersonville are the two best Civil War movies for acting and for portrayal of what war was really like. I hope this review was helpful for everyone and I wish you all the best of luck in your studies of the history of our beloved country, the United States of America.
Rating:
Summary: Beyond Outstanding.
Review: I personally believe that the American Civil War should be taught in much greater depth than it currently is in public schools. I feel that in studying the Civil War a student could learn so much about politics, human nature, racism, families, economics, strategy, tactics, management, leadership, courage, initiative, tact, morality, friendship, compassion, inovation, health, irony. And the list just goes on and on.The more that I learn about the Civil War the more amazed I become at how totally untrue many of the assumptions that I had about our most crucial conflict are. To clarify. It was economics and stupidity that had more of an impact on the conditions in many civil war prison camps be they Union or Confederate. Particularly at Andersonville a better and seperate sewage system could have been set up. The men were forced to drink from the same water source that was used for human waste. And certain actions that may have been viewed as just acts of cruelty were in reality simple economic facts of life. For example the Confederacy was economically devistated by the war. They barely had enough food to feed their own troops let alone the thousands of prisoners. Cruelty had little to do with that fact. It should also be noted that conditions in many Union (northern) prison camps were just as deplorable. I particularly appreciated how the indignation of the Union soldiers came out when they were informed that prisoner exchanges had ceased because the Confederacy would not treat black prisoners like white ones. In short many Union soldiers had no great love for blacks just like their southern counterparts. Horrific, graphic, and intense. A masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: LONG BUT MORE THAN WORTH IT
Review: I saw this movie back in middle school (eighth grade?) and I was SHOCKED by what I saw. I couldn't believe how horrible things were at that time. My teacher could not have chosen a better movie to depict this time period. Bravo! and many thanks to teachers who show this.
Rating:
Summary: Good enough to watch numerous times
Review: I watched this movie twice back-to-back when TNT debuted it a few years ago because I couldn't believe how horrible the prison was. After buying the video I watched it again twice. Then a few months later, I watched it back-to-back again. I know it sounds like I don't have a life, but it's the only movie I've ever watched so often, because this is one of the best Civil War movies I've ever seen.
Rating: 
Summary: A good ole Rebel, New Orleans
Review: I will not watch the movie "Andersonville" until they make a movie called "Elmira"(the camp in Elmira, N.Y., the worst of the Union prison camps had 35% death rate).
Rating:
Summary: Humanity at it's worst
Review: If you are looking for a feel good movie,well,this isn't it.This film shows the horrors and despair of one of the most infamous POW camps in the Civil War,Andersonville. Once again Ted Turner has the insight to bring the personalities of the soldiers into play. This is the same formula that made "Gettysburg" such a great film. If you want "light & breezy" don't watch this film. If you don't mind a hard dose of cruel reality that war brings,this flicks for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Poor Historical Accuracy
Review: It appears that the producer/s of this particular film used quite a few unreliable sources in the production of this film. Capt. Henry Wirz is portrayed as the original nazi (he was a swiss immigrant), a shallow, sadistic man who had absolutely no concern about the wellfare of prisoners in his charge. The fact is that the horrendous conditions at Andersonville (Camp Sumter) were the product of southern war shortages, not the product of a psychopath. Moreover, the battle royal between the raiders and the regulators depicted in the film never happened. In reality, Sgt. Key's (Limber Jim) regulators arrested the raiders with the help of the confederate guards and the courts-martial occurred at the insistance of Wirz, not the prisoners. Finally, only 11 men are known to have been shot on the deadline. However, in the film, confederate guards are portrayed as indiscriminately shooting a prisoner for fun, implying that such shootings were common. All this might make for excellent film drama but, it is extremely poor history. So, what is good about this film? The movie does depict the stockade and the terrible living conditions within quite accurately. But if you want to learn what really happened at Andersonville, I suggest you invest your time in reading William Marvel's book Andersonville: The Last Depot.
Rating:
Summary: Poor Historical Accuracy
Review: It appears that the producer/s of this particular film used quite a few unreliable sources in the production of this film. Capt. Henry Wirz is portrayed as the original nazi (he was a swiss immigrant), a shallow, sadistic man who had absolutely no concern about the wellfare of prisoners in his charge. The fact is that the horrendous conditions at Andersonville (Camp Sumter) were the product of southern war shortages, not the product of a psychopath. Moreover, the battle royal between the raiders and the regulators depicted in the film never happened. In reality, Sgt. Key's (Limber Jim) regulators arrested the raiders with the help of the confederate guards and the courts-martial occurred at the insistance of Wirz, not the prisoners. Finally, only 11 men are known to have been shot on the deadline. However, in the film, confederate guards are portrayed as indiscriminately shooting a prisoner for fun, implying that such shootings were common. All this might make for excellent film drama but, it is extremely poor history. So, what is good about this film? The movie does depict the stockade and the terrible living conditions within quite accurately. But if you want to learn what really happened at Andersonville, I suggest you invest your time in reading William Marvel's book Andersonville: The Last Depot.
Rating:
Summary: Ted Turner's politically correct opus
Review: Looking to cash in on the success of the "Gettysburg" movie, TNT brought in a big name director to helm this miniseries about the worst prison camp of the Civil War. The movie has a great look, is well directed, beautifully filmed and has some solid performances. But one can't shake the overwhelming feeling that this is just another media attempt to bash the south and stereotype white southerners as cruel and dimwitted. My ancestors fought for the Union and if I had lived back then I would have too. But I can smell Ted Turner's attempt to brainwash viewers with his politically correct message despite the fact it has been so skillfully hidden behind the varnish of this lavish production. Do yourself a favor. Bypass this "feel good about feeling bad" movie and read a quality history book about Andersonville instead. END
Rating:
Summary: Civil War Reality Check
Review: The Civil War has a lot of different meanings to a lot of people. Many of us know of the great battles such as Gettysburg and Antietam, but few remember the horrors of the Civil War prison camps. Andersonville brings that reality to life. More than 12,000 Union soldiers died at Andersonville in the short time it was open. Most died from disease and the lack of food or the unsanitary conditions they were forced to live with. Many were even killed by some of their own. This movie is straight forward and direct. There are no great battles depicted, no great charges or heroes leading an attack. There is only the brutal reality of life in a Civil War prison. The movie takes you inside the walls and almost makes you one of the inmates as you get caught up in the harsh conditions and the inhumanity. The Civil War was a great time in our history but it was also a terrible one too. Andersonville is definately a Civil War reality check. For anyone with an interest in the Civil War and who wants to know the good along with the bad, then this movie is a worthwhile purchase.
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