Movies About The Civil War

Updated May 1, 2024

Multiple films have explored Movies About The Civil War. Here are 18 of the best ones.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

★★★★

3.5 out of 4 stars

From Sergio Leone, starring Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef, Aldo Giuffrè
Rated R

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is a 1966 Spaghetti Western directed by Sergio Leone and starring Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, and Eli Wallach. The story follows the adventures of three men during the American Civil War: the Good (Blondie, played by Eastwood), the Bad (Angel Eyes, played by Van Cleef), and the Ugly (Tuco, played by Wallach). Blondie and Tuco join forces to track down a hidden Confederate gold shipment, while Angel Eyes is also searching for the same treasure. In their quest, the three men face numerous obstacles, including a treasonous Union Colonel, a hired squad of Mexican bandits, and the unexpected arrival of Angel Eyes' personal hitman. In the end, the trio engages in a classic Mexican standoff, with Blondie emerging as the winner. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is widely regarded as a masterpiece of the western genre and one of Leone's most influential works. The film stands out for its operatic score, expansive cinematography, and iconic shootouts. It is also celebrated for its iconic dialogue, quotable catchphrases, and memorable characters.

Gone with the Wind (1939)

★★★★

3.3 out of 4 stars

From Directors: Victor Fleming, George Cukor, Sam Wood, starring Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Thomas Mitchell, Barbara O'Neil
Rated Passed

Gone with the Wind is a 1939 American epic historical romance film directed by Victor Fleming, George Cukor, and Sam Wood, and produced by David O. Selznick. The film is based on the 1936 novel of the same name by Margaret Mitchell, and stars Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland, and Hattie McDaniel. The film follows the life of Scarlett O'Hara, a strong-willed Southern belle living in the American South during the American Civil War and Reconstruction period. Scarlett is determined to maintain her lifestyle and to protect her beloved plantation, Tara. Along the way, she falls in love with Ashley Wilkes, but their relationship is threatened by his relationship with his cousin, Melanie Hamilton. Ultimately, Scarlett must choose between her love of Ashley and her desire for security and economic stability. With strong performances, stunning visuals, and an Academy Award-winning score, Gone with the Wind is a timeless classic that continues to captivate audiences around the world.

Dances with Wolves (1990)

★★★★

3.2 out of 4 stars

From Kevin Costner, starring Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, Rodney A. Grant
Rated PG-13

Dances with Wolves is a 1990 epic Western film directed by, produced by, and starring Kevin Costner. It tells the story of Lt. John Dunbar, a Union Army officer who journeys to the American frontier to find a new life. After discovering a Sioux tribe and befriending the chief, Dunbar gradually finds himself assimilated into their culture and lifestyle. Ultimately, he must choose between his newfound Indian identity and his loyalty to his American army. Along the way, Dunbar must battle the encroaching white settlers who threaten to displace the Native Americans. The film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

The Searchers (1956)

★★★★

3.2 out of 4 stars

From John Ford, starring John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward Bond
Rated Passed

The Searchers is a 1956 American Technicolor VistaVision Western film directed by John Ford, based on the 1954 novel, The Searchers, by Alan Le May. The film follows a Civil War veteran, Ethan Edwards (John Wayne), who spends five years searching for his niece, who was kidnapped by Comanches. Along the way, he encounters bigotry, violence, and unexpected moments of humanity. Thrust into a landscape of moral ambiguity, Ethan must make a decision between rescuing his niece and murdering her captors. The Searchers is a classic exploration of a man's inner turmoil as he is forced to confront his own notions of morality, justice, and family.

Glory (1989)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From Edward Zwick, starring Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes, Morgan Freeman
Rated R

Glory is a 1989 American war drama film starring Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes and Morgan Freeman. The film tells the story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, the first African-American regiment of the Union Army to fight in the American Civil War. The regiment, led by their white commanding officer Colonel Robert Gould Shaw (Broderick), is filled with soldiers from different backgrounds, all striving for the same cause. Under the guidance of Shaw, the regiment must overcome the hardships of war, the discrimination of society and their own internal struggles to prove their worth and fight for the freedom of their country.

The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Chief Dan George, Bill McKinney
Rated PG

The Outlaw Josey Wales is a 1976 western film directed by Clint Eastwood, who also stars in the title role. Set during and after the American Civil War, the film follows Josey Wales, a Missouri farmer whose family is killed by a group of renegade Unionists. Driven to revenge, Wales joins a Confederate guerrilla band and fights in the Civil War. After the war ends, Wales is pursued by Union soldiers and bounty hunters, who are determined to bring him to justice. With the help of an old Indian fighter, a Cherokee girl, and an outlaw gang, Wales travels across the American West seeking peace and redemption. Along the way, he learns to appreciate the wild beauty of the American wilderness and finds a new home in the Oklahoma Territory.