Passed | 1h 9min | Drama, War | 1951
Compared to World War II and the Vietnam War, equally important conflicts such as the American Civil War (1861–65) aren’t covered as much—at least in the realm of cinema. But back in 1951, visionary director John Huston made a film about a detachment of young Civil War soldiers: “The Red Badge of Courage.”
It’s a raw, unflinching film that is gorgeously shot by cinematographer Harold Rosson, and features some excellent performances by both its main and supporting cast. The film is based on author Stephen Crane’s 1895 novel of the same name.
The film opens during the spring of 1862 as a regiment of the Union Army is performing drills in an encampment near the Rappahannock River in Virginia. A young soldier named…