71 Films About the American Civil War

During the Civil War, a Union Cavalry unit undertakes a risky mission deep within Confederate territory to destroy an important railway hub. The soldiers, led by their resolute commander, are joined by a doctor whose sharp personality clashes with the…

Captain Lafe Barstow leads a Confederate patrol through the deserts of California and Nevada, hoping to build a Western army for the Confederacy. After saving a stagecoach carrying Johanna Carterr from an Indian attack, the patrol is stranded on a…

During the American Civil War and Reconstruction, the spoiled daughter of a Georgia plantation owner unexpectedly finds passion and self-discovery as she becomes involved with a cynical businessman. The film tells a story of romance set against a backdrop of…

During the Civil War, two lifelong friends become enemies, fighting on opposing sides in a desperate struggle for control of a seemingly unassailable mountain.

In 1861, three friends from West Point find themselves on opposing sides of the Civil War, leading to devastating outcomes. The story also follows Lucius, a slave belonging to Shelby Peyton, who kills a slave trader and flees.

"The Heart of a Soldier" tells the story of Henry Fleming, a young Union soldier in the American Civil War. After showing cowardice in his first battle, Henry tries to improve his image by exaggerating his injuries to his friends.…

This film depicts the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. It is based on the book by Jim Bishop.

Teenage cadets at the Virginia Military Institute, shielded from war, are thrust into a brutal reality when they're ordered to defend the Shenandoah Valley. They must face the harsh realities of the adult world.

This is the story of Abraham Lincoln's challenging last months as President. As the country grapples with civil war and a nation shifting towards change, Lincoln works to bring an end to the conflict, reunite the nation, and abolish slavery.…

Near the end of the Civil War, cavalry officer Amos Dundee leads a mixed group – Union soldiers, captured Confederate soldiers, and skilled trackers – on a dangerous mission into Mexican territory. Their objective: to stop a powerful Apache tribe…

This film explores the Battle of Gettysburg, examining the conflict through both individual experiences and the broader military strategy.

In post-Civil War South, Laurel Sommersby fights to keep her family farm going after her husband, Jack, is declared dead. When Jack suddenly returns, Laurel is conflicted – relieved yet wary of his difficult personality. She soon notices he's changed,…

After the Civil War, a veteran seeks peace on his family's farm. Instead, he faces a growing feud with a ruthless cattle rancher who is aggressively threatening them.

After the Civil War, former Union Colonel John Henry Thomas and ex-Confederate Colonel James Langdon form an unexpected alliance. Thomas leads a group to Mexico to sell horses to the Mexican government for $35 each, while Langdon guides displaced Southerners…

After enduring countless miles and fierce battles, a unit of brave African-American cavalrymen arrives at a rough frontier town and is forced to walk instead of ride, facing disrespect. However, their Native American adversaries offer them honor, naming them "Buffalo…

Charlie Anderson is a farmer living a peaceful life in Shenandoah, Virginia, with his family. His quiet existence is disrupted when the Civil War begins – a war he doesn't want to be a part of. But when Union soldiers…

Set in post-Civil War America, the story follows a man determined to find his niece, who has been kidnapped by a Native American tribe and taken into the wilderness. He journeys across difficult terrain, facing harsh conditions and his own…

In 1862 Indiana, a family of strict Quakers lives by their deeply held belief in peace and non-violence. Living according to these principles is difficult enough, but their world is tested when Confederate soldiers pass through their land. Forced to…

This period drama tells the story of a disgraced Union officer given a final chance at redemption. He must lead a group of convicts on a dangerous mission behind enemy lines to recapture Fort Holman from the Confederate Army. The…

April 14, 1865. A single gunshot. An assassin's desperate attempt to kill the 16th President of the United States as he attended a performance. In that instant, the course of American history shifted irrevocably. This is the most significant crime…

This intense film follows Wales, a highly skilled but isolated man who seeks revenge after his family is murdered. His quest for vengeance leads him to a group of outcasts who find refuge with him. Though he prefers solitude, Wales…

During the Civil War, Captain John Hayes is involved in a crucial, yet largely unknown, campaign. His mission: to transport gold to Union banks via a small town in Colorado, all while facing opposition from Southern sympathizers determined to prevent…

Red Skelton stars as Aubrey Filmore, a well-meaning but somewhat naive bellboy with aspirations of joining the Union's secret service during the Civil War.

Detective Allan Pinkerton, employed by the Union, develops a strong interest in Rose O'Neal Greenhow, a prominent Southern woman who is secretly working as a Confederate spy.

North Carolina, 1863. The Civil War is in full force. This story follows Melody, a bright seven-year-old, and her mother Sarah as they fight to survive on their farm amidst the hardships of war.

"Johnny Shiloh" is a 1963 television film, originally broadcast in two parts on "Wonderful World of Disney in Color." It was later released as a single feature film internationally and is now available on DVD as one film. "Johnny Shiloh"…

A group of Confederate prisoners escape to Canada with plans to rob banks and destroy the town of Saint Albans, Vermont. Their leader spends time in Saint Albans to plan the attack, becoming increasingly drawn to the town and particularly…

This film dramatizes the 1865 trial of Henry Wirz, the commandant of the infamous Confederate prisoner-of-war camp at Andersonville, Georgia.

Young Willie, a Confederate soldier, joins Lieutenant John Singleton Mosby and his daring band of Civil War raiders. Through a friendship with a Union soldier and the help of his cousin Oralee, Willie discovers the realities of both love and…

In the midst of the Civil War, Union spy Andrews is tasked with leading a group of soldiers into the Confederacy to sabotage their railway lines. Their mission faces unexpected obstacles when the train's conductor discovers their plot and fiercely…

This documentary follows General William Tecumseh Sherman's famous "March to the Sea" across Georgia and the Carolinas. It uses advanced filmmaking, including CGI, special effects, and historical recreations, to tell the story.

A former Confederate soldier seeks a doctor to help his mute son cope with his mother’s death in a house fire. His search takes an unexpected turn when he is wrongly accused of a crime and imprisoned. A local woman…

When a former rebel officer returns to his decaying plantation to see his wife, he's arrested. A sympathetic Union officer helps him escape, but everyone is soon recaptured and sentenced to death. Desperate, Virgie and her uncle plead with President…

In 1864, during the American Civil War, Mexican cattleman Alvarez Kelly provides the Union army with essential livestock. Unexpected events force Alvarez to change his loyalties and serve a different side. The film explores adaptability, loyalty, and survival amidst the…

A Confederate Colonel, dishonorably discharged, escapes to the Everglades and joins forces with four other Southern men who have also deserted. The group must navigate the treacherous swamp, confront their inner struggles, and evade hostile Seminole warriors while fighting for…

Amidst the Civil War, a seemingly innocent foal is born to Union soldier Jim Rabb's mare. Despite orders to eliminate it, Rabb keeps the colt as a source of hope during a desperate time. The foal inspires the men of…

This extensive documentary offers a unique perspective on the U.S. Civil War, focusing on the experiences of soldiers directly involved in the fighting. By centering the story on those on the front lines, the film sheds light on the realities…

During the Civil War, Confederate officer Roy is assigned to Missouri. His mission: to dismantle outlaw gangs who are masquerading as Confederate supporters.

In the aftermath of Abraham Lincoln's assassination, Mary Surratt becomes the only woman charged as a co-conspirator. Facing widespread public hostility, she must depend on a hesitant lawyer to expose the truth and fight for her survival.

During the Civil War, Union soldiers arrive at a Confederate farm seeking supplies and decide to stay until one of their own recovers from an injury. A weary Union captain develops feelings for the mother of the family, whose husband…

CSS Hunley recounts the remarkable true story of the crew aboard the manually powered submarine CSS Hunley during the Siege of Charleston in 1864. It's a tale of bravery amidst hardship, highlighting the Hunley's unprecedented achievement as the first submersible…

During the American Civil War, a family faces destruction. Abner Beech (Billy Campbell), a principled farmer from upstate New York, defends his beliefs through free speech at a time when the nation is deeply divided.

During the American Civil War, a young Southern woman named Laura Lee faces a difficult situation. A small group of wounded Confederate soldiers, led by a determined Rebel officer, are held captive by their Union captor in an Arizona fortress.…

Summer 1863. In Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army advances toward Washington D.C., hoping to secure victory for the Confederacy. Union Army Commander General George G. Meade develops a defensive strategy to stop Lee's advance, leading to a…

During the Civil War, a Union soldier finds refuge at a remote girls' school in the Confederacy. As he grows closer to the students, he becomes the object of their affections. He uses this situation to his advantage, but resists…

Ironclads is a 1991 television movie from Ted Turner's TNT that details the story of how the CSS Virginia was built from the wreckage of the USS Merrimack and the naval battle between the Virginia and the USS Monitor in…

This is the largely true story of Abraham Lincoln and his close U.S. Marshal, Ward Hill Lamon. A Southerner with a talent for banjo, Lamon repeatedly prevented assassination attempts on the President and provided crucial support to Lincoln throughout the…

Set during the Civil War, a group of young women at a Southern boarding school shelter a wounded Union soldier. Their efforts to care for him ignite intense feelings, sparking complicated relationships and challenging societal norms.

Ambrose Bierce, a celebrated writer known for his brilliance, sharp temper, and passionate nature, was considered a master storyteller of the late 19th century. In 1890, he shared his newly published Civil War stories with novelist Gertrude Atherton and young…

During the Civil War, a quiet drifter, a ruthless assassin, and a clever Mexican outlaw form an unlikely partnership. They're united by a single goal: to retrieve a strongbox holding $200,000 in stolen gold from both the Union and Confederate…

A cavalry unit defends a small town from Native American warriors.

This film recounts the Confederacy's final major invasion of the North in July 1864, focusing on their attack on Washington, D.C., which threatened to cripple the Union war effort. The campaign follows Confederate forces from Richmond to Petersburg, then to…

In the chaotic wilderness during the 1864 Battle of the Wilderness, three Union soldiers and three Confederate soldiers become separated from their units as darkness falls. Lost and alone in the treacherous woods, they unexpectedly encounter each other by a…

In the midst of the Civil War, Confederate soldiers inadvertently unleash a malevolent voodoo spirit that had been smuggled in by slave traders. The entity then takes control of both Union and Confederate corpses, assembling a formidable undead army with…

The film follows five West Point graduates who face a harsh punishment just before graduation for fighting with classmates. Instead of starting their military careers as planned, J.E.B. Stuart, George Armstrong Custer, and three friends are assigned to Fort Leavenworth.…

Directed by Whitney Hamilton, *My Brother's War* is a Civil War drama about Grace Kieler, who disguises herself as a man to take her brother's place in the Confederate army and shield him from the war's brutality. While serving, she…

During the American Civil War, Robert Gould Shaw commands the Union's first all-black volunteer unit. Leading these soldiers into battle, Shaw confronts both Confederate forces and prejudice from within his own army. The film explores courage, determination, and equality during…

Following the end of the Civil War, Colonel Morsman Carver is determined to find and kill Gideon. This relentless chase carries them across harsh landscapes – from snowy mountains to dry deserts – far from society and into a deeply…

To regain his honor and prove his loyalty, Major Lex Kearney undertakes a dangerous undercover mission. Previously dishonorably discharged for perceived cowardice in battle, he now has a chance to redeem himself by stopping a series of raids aimed at…

The film focuses on the personal and professional life of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, a gifted but unconventional Confederate general, from the start of the American Civil War to the middle of the conflict.

1862, American Civil War. Following the Union defeat at the Second Battle of Bull Run, Major Allen, head of the Union's Secret Service, recruits actress Gail Loveless as an operative. Her mission: to go undercover and gather intelligence within enemy…

Gettysburg and Stories of Valor is a 3-hour, 2-disc DVD collection that showcases the Gettysburg battlefield's scenery and features a documentary compilation of 30 stories about Gettysburg and the Civil War. Narrated by Keith Carradine, the collection combines live footage…

Following the Civil War, a retired Union Colonel seeks revenge for a betrayal. Haunted by the death of a friend, he journeys to find those who betrayed them during a key mission. Traveling through a fractured nation, the Colonel struggles…

Following a disastrous battle, Captain Jared Heath, a disgraced Union soldier, and his indifferent commanding officer, Colonel Claude Brackenbury, are removed from active duty. They are assigned to lead an unlikely team on a secret mission: protecting a U.S. Treasury…

Tom Selleck and Sam Elliott are brothers Mac and Dal Traven, based on a Louis L'Amour story set in post-Civil War America. After fighting on different sides of the war, they return home to find their family in trouble. Their…

Against the backdrop of the American Civil War, a wounded Confederate soldier named W.P. Inman deserts his unit to return to his wife, Ada, and their farm. His journey south is fraught with danger, while Ada, with help from a…

In the midst of the Civil War, a young man eagerly enlists with the Union army, seeking fame and distinction. However, his initial combat experience shatters his illusions about war.

In 1863, Newt Knight, a Mississippi farmer, works as a medic for the Confederate Army. He opposes slavery and prefers tending to the wounded over fighting the Union. After his nephew dies in battle, Newt returns to his family in…

A deaf woman living in isolation is terrorized by a violent stalker who invades her home.

"Ride with the Devil" follows four people on the Missouri/Kansas border during the Civil War. Each seeks truth and justice amidst the conflict, revealing how people endure in uncertain times. The characters are a loyalist, an immigrant's son, a freed…

During the Civil War, Confederate Captain Robert Adams (Julian Adams) struggles with conflicting loyalties. He is deeply devoted to the Confederacy, yet fiercely loves his Northern wife, Eveline McCord (Gwendolyn Edwards). Based on a true story and produced by his…