And it has lived on in our fiction and our art.
It has even occasionally found its way to the big screen.
In this vein, we have assembled 12 of the best Civil War movies right here.
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Hence why this 1951 film is considered a mutilated classic in some circles.
The result is a fascinating, frustrated mess.
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11.
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10.
The film didnt live up to such lofty aspirations, but it did net Zellweger her much sought-after Oscar.
Inman, a fleeing soldier that will cross his devastated homeland to find his lady love.
Both men are there when a Confederate soldier attempts to gun down Grant after the Battle of Shiloh.
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8.
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7.
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6.
Hence, this relatively low ranking on a Civil War list.
But it makes for a powerful backdrop in one of the best Westerns ever made.
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5.
The film succeeds on both fronts thanks to two secrets, Daniel Day-Lewis and Doris Kearns Goodwin.
During this period, Lincoln outmaneuvered the pro-slavery Democrats in Congress and incalculably passed the 13thAmendment.
But with Day-Lewis performance and Spielbergs heartstring pulling, it makes him all the more monumental.
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4.
Its worth following over that wall.
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3.
Instead, neighbors slaughtered neighbors based upon political persuasions.
It was guerrilla warfare between Americans.
Ergo, Jake must be a Bushwhacker.
A dense drama, it deserves more recognition than it has known.
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2.
Scarlett goes from apathetic reveler to destitute survivor to triumphant schemer.
She even finds time to pine for her supposed best friends husband during all these years.
Dont worry Rhett, you still got the last word.
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1.
But it was one gallant rush that has been eulogized and memorialized for generations.
This is also the basis of Edward Zwicks wistfulGlory, a film about this heroically doomed charge.
For a movie about war, it is in two moments away from the fighting that most linger.
He knows where his fate lies.
For each, its a victory over the wars original root cause.
