Andersonville

Andersonville Review

I have always been a fan of John Frankenheimer, and though his later efforts were not critically well-received, I believe it may be time for a reappraisal. I suggest Andersonville as a starting point.

I watched this film twice, before watching it again with Frankenheimer's commentary. It was like watching another movie. Listening to John (sadly, now deceased) discuss these young actors, and how he set up some of the shots -- many involving thousands of extras -- I came to deeply respect both John and this film.

Bear in mind that they had only sixty days to shoot this, and on a limited budget (and they lost several canisters of completed film and had to reassemble the cast and rebuild the set 9 months later!), and you come away deeply impressed with the artistry and efforts of all involved, particularly the costume and makeup folks who worked on this picture.

As John says, this film is not about war, but more about man's willingness to endure anything to survive. Several of the large-scene fight sequences are astonishing, as is the trial scene that vindicates and upholds the rule of law even in horrific conditions.

For me that is something that resonates and is instructive even today.

Andersonville Overview

No Description Available.
Genre: Feature Film-Drama
Rating: NR
Release Date: 1-JUN-2004
Media Type: DVD

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