Civil War Combat: America's Bloodiest Battles

Starring:Civil War Combat
Studio: A&E Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
With beautifully shot footage of reenactors, Civil War Combat illustrates aspects of four particular Civil War battles that are rightfully considered legendary. Filmed on location, the reenactors depict the violent mayhem of the hornet's nest at Shiloh, the valiant charge on the sunken road at Antietam, the carnage in the wheat field at Gettysburg, and the brutal fighting at Cold Harbor. Produced by the History Channel, the episodes all benefit from insightful appearances by historians as well as rangers from the National Park Service. The format of putting the focus on specific points of action in larger battles allows for narratives about specific soldiers and commanders, in both the Union and Confederate ranks, to develop. For instance, the segment on Antietam profiles commanders and individual soldiers from the Union's Irish Brigade and the Alabama regiment they charged during some of the most violent action of the entire war. The Civil War reenactors provide a credible look at how the war must have appeared to participants (though purists will note that some of the reenactors appear too clean and too well fed to have been marching behind Robert E. Lee). The discussions of strategy and the importance of the events depicted, combined with the uniformly excellent cinematography, make this an entertaining and enlightening look at critical events of the Civil War. --Robert J. McNamara

Civil War Combat: America's Bloodiest Battles
Average customer rating:

Excellent productions from The History Channel

a little pro-union

Very well done

THE BEST CIVIL WAR DOCUMENTRY

so so

Civil War Combat: America's Bloodiest Battles
Starring: Civil War Combat
Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 0767026225
Release Date: 2000-08-15

Amazon.com

With beautifully shot footage of reenactors, Civil War Combat illustrates aspects of four particular Civil War battles that are rightfully considered legendary. Filmed on location, the reenactors depict the violent mayhem of the hornet's nest at Shiloh, the valiant charge on the sunken road at Antietam, the carnage in the wheat field at Gettysburg, and the brutal fighting at Cold Harbor. Produced by the History Channel, the episodes all benefit from insightful appearances by historians as well as rangers from the National Park Service. The format of putting the focus on specific points of action in larger battles allows for narratives about specific soldiers and commanders, in both the Union and Confederate ranks, to develop. For instance, the segment on Antietam profiles commanders and individual soldiers from the Union's Irish Brigade and the Alabama regiment they charged during some of the most violent action of the entire war. The Civil War reenactors provide a credible look at how the war must have appeared to participants (though purists will note that some of the reenactors appear too clean and too well fed to have been marching behind Robert E. Lee). The discussions of strategy and the importance of the events depicted, combined with the uniformly excellent cinematography, make this an entertaining and enlightening look at critical events of the Civil War. --Robert J. McNamara

Customer Reviews:

Excellent productions from The History Channel.......2006-10-09

I have not actually purchased this DVD, but I watched every episode of "Civil War Combat" when The History Channel was airing them for the first time several years back.

Each episode of "Civil War Combat" focuses on a particular story within the larger framework of some of the war's major battles. For example, there are episodes centering on The Wheat Field (Gettysburg), The Sunken Road (Antietam), The Hornet's Nest (Shiloh), and the futile Union charges at Cold Harbor. Going even deeper, each scenario centers on a particular unit or brigade (both Union and Confederate) - with particular attention to a key colonel, or Brigade commander, or a Private soldier - that fought in these particular areas of the battlefields. By doing this, the viewer is placed in the shoes of the rank and file and is given a pretty good sense of the desperate figting that ocurred and what these men were experiencing.

The one "negative" I have to mention regarding these presentations is that the producers clearly could not amass the necessary body count of reenactors to accurately portray the numbers of troops involved. For example, in The Gettyburg "Wheat Field" episode, you see a small platoon of Union troops advancing across the field, where they were depicting an entire regiment or brigade. Fighting would be over in a few seconds with such a paltry command taking part in such an attack. So, even though these productions are excellent, the number of troops represented is far from accurate... almost ludicrous.

I have not heard of or seen any new episodes of Civil War Combat in a long while. I'd like to see more episodes in the future. Some scenarios I can think of that I wish were covered originally in the series would be "Gettysburg - McPherson's Ridge" focusing on the Union 1st Corps' (with particular focus on The Iron Brigade) defense of the ridge on July 1st. Also, "Antietam - The Cornfield" focusing on - again - either the Iron Brigade's clash with the 1st Texas, or one of the other many regiments that took control and/or lost control of that sector of the battlefield.

Definitely worth adding to your Civil War DVD collection - whether you're an old Civil War "buff", or a fledgling "buff". I may have to buy these myself real soon.

a little pro-union.......2005-09-10

this film is not for the southern people ,it was very pro-union and viewed the south as un educated people

Very well done.......2004-11-15

Was surprised by the realistic violence of this series. That really make them stand out from other documentaries that use re-enactors.

Cold Harbor and the Wheatfield are the best segments. The maps were very good in helping you keep track of the battle action. Also, these two segments had the best human interest stories.

The Antietam segment was ok; looked like it was 20 men fighting in a city park. The fighting just did not have the impact of the Cold Harbor or Wheatfield segments.

Shiloh segment was really lacking in maps. I have toured the battlefield, and still had trouble following what was going on. For someone with no knowledge of the battle, this segment will be confusing. Also, the main human interest story kind of overpowers the battle story.

Good addition to your Civil War media library.

THE BEST CIVIL WAR DOCUMENTRY.......2004-02-12

Look this is a dvd that not only is boring and tells you words but it gives you the front seat in the battle scene the reanactment is very realistic with blood moans gunshots are acurate. It's the best buy if u don't want to fall and sleep and watch something good buy this and I am a Civil War historian who has studied the war for 10 years so I know what is accurate and what is not.

so so.......2003-10-15

Not a particualarly interesting or information packed video set.
If you are a die hard historian of that era or particularly the civil war, then not much will dissuade you from getting it and you may learn something you didn't know. If you want to learn about the civil war in general and you aren't a scholar, stick to Ken Burns The Civil War.

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