A movie describing the American Civil War. Released in 1999. The film director did not describe the large-scale war directly, and did not reflect the magnificent scenes of the battle of Chanslersville at the Battle of Gettysburg, but instead focused on several small towns in western Missouri. The caption at the beginning of the film said: "On the western border of Missouri, it is not the army that fought the civil war, but the neighbors. The local jungle guerrillas in the south fought a bloody battle with the occupying Union forces and the pro-Northern guerrillas. War. No matter which side you go to, there is danger, but people in the gap between the north and the south are even more dangerous."
Here is what happened to these people living in the gap between the north and the south. The beginning of the film is a peaceful scene. The sun was shining, and on the green lawn, Rhodes’s friend’s sister was holding a wedding. The usual blessings from the pastor, the tears of the daughter who married farewell, the singing and dancing of relatives and friends, the warm banquet under the big tree, all these were uncommon scenes. Only in the conversations between people at the dinner table, one can vaguely feel that the war is approaching. But no one thought that the war would come so soon. That night, the northerners were killed, the town was ransacked, the house was burned, and the friend's father was also killed. Peace no longer exists. Seeing all this, Rhodes did not go to the north like other German residents, but joined the southern guerrillas. Since then, he began the years of "riding with the devil". They attacked northern residents, fought with the northern army, murdered and looted. Injured and recuperated, unexpected love, and friends around me die or leave one by one. After experiencing all these joys, joys and sorrows, Rhodes matured.
The American Civil War was the only civil war since the founding of the United States, which lasted 4 years. Regarding the Civil War, the information I have seen is slightly different from the knowledge I have obtained in peacetime. The cause of this war is not a war of slavery and anti-slavery, but a war of separation and anti-separation. The six southern states withdrew from the alliance and started anew. Of course Lincoln quit. So it started. After more than two years of fighting, the "Proclamation on the Emancipation of Slaves" came out. The purpose of Lincoln's "Proclamation on the Emancipation of Slaves" was to cater to the psychology of the people in the north, to obtain the support of the blacks, and to dismantle the power in the south. In order to pass the "Declaration" smoothly, Lincoln also tried his best to organize the small actions of ganging and sealing officials to make a wish. Nevertheless, the "Proclamation on the Emancipation of Slaves" still has epoch-making significance. It abolished slavery and laid the cornerstone of Lincoln's great man. In this war, no matter the north or the south, people have firm beliefs. The South must maintain the existing order, and the North must maintain unity. Which side to lean towards is often a difference of one thought for everyone. However, the "time is also the trend", the ultimate victory is on the side that has grasped the trend of the times. However, in the United States, where most people were illiterate at the time, few people could really recognize the trend.
The background of the film is arranged in the western part of Missouri. Although it is controlled by the Northern Army, most of the local people belong to the South. In addition, the Northern Army’s limited control over here has caused a mixture of various concepts and various forces. According to ours It is said that this is a guerrilla zone. In the tragic war, neither party can care about morality. No matter which party occupies any town, the first thing that is unlucky is the people who live here. They all vent their resentment on the innocent people and kill them. Life becomes extremely fragile. In the film, Rod accidentally saw his neighbor Afboden among the prisoners. He walked forward and chatted affectionately with a few words from his hometown. Out of compassion, Rod used the name of sending a letter to the southern army. , Let Boden go. But who expected that after Bolden returned, he immediately caught Rod's father and killed him. What's more, Rod's father is pro-northern. After invading the city of Labor, Rod was held in grudge for preventing Peter Maxson from killing him. In the subsequent battle with the Northern Army, Pete wounded Rod with a backhand. All of these, are they very similar to the chaos during the Bingwu years? People have become popular, there is no friendship, no family affection, and even no justice, and they have fallen into a group of murderers. No one is sure whether he will still be alive in this world tomorrow. Life and death are only in an instant.
There is such a scene in the film. At Mr. Yifan's dinner table, they talked about the construction of Laocheng.
Charles: "That city was the beginning of the Yankees invasion."
Ivan: "I am not referring to the number of people and the abolition of slavery, but the building of schools. Before they built a church, they built a school. The daughter of the farmer's son, a tailor, was taught to read and write."
Charles: "Literacy doesn't help holding a hoe or shooting a gun."
Ivan: "No, not so. Mr. Charles. I mean they bring all children into school. Because they want everyone to have a free way of thinking, free from the constraints of customs and ethics. So they will Win. Because they want everyone to live and think freely. And if we don’t do this, we will defeat. We only care about ourselves."
Charles: "You mean, we have no purpose in fighting?"
Yifan: "Not only that, you are fighting to defend the traditions of the South. It's just that traditional life doesn't exist anymore."
Mr. Yifan can see clearly. The reason why the North will win is that they conform to the historical trend. But if you think about it again, no matter what the South or North demands, there is actually no difference between justice and injustice. Each has its own reason. Just like when we shouted to defend this and that, in all fairness, did we really defend something? Does this behavior really make sense? Therefore, after the war, Lincoln adopted a very tolerant attitude, instead of holding accountable for the war, but as soon as possible to dissolve the hatred, heal the wounds, and establish a new order. Lincoln is a sensible man. Think about it again. In the American Civil War, there were too many accidental factors between victory and defeat. Let us assume that the South has won and separated from the United States smoothly. Is it better for today's world?
The portrayal of the black Hult in the film is also very unique. He was a black slave, and his neighbor friend George bought him and set him free. He was illiterate, but wanted to understand the world, so he kept a lot of letters picked up on the battlefield, begging Rod to read for him these letters that others thought was meaningless, and get his own insights from them. He is brave in combat, simple, and endures the cold eyes of others, but he also has his own thinking. When Rod said to him: "When George bought you, you are already free." Hult said, "That can't be counted. Only God can give me freedom. Mr. George I love him, but be his friend. , It’s no different from being his black slave. I will never be someone else’s slave again.” At the end of the film, he bid farewell to Rod and Su Li, although he was reluctant to give up, but he was determined. He stepped on his horse, raised his hat high, and ran to freedom.
War is always cruel. The Civil War killed 780,000 people and disintegrated countless families. It also brings permanent trauma to the living. But at the same time, the war also prompts people to think: Why is this happening? Although wars have brought great suffering and sacrifices to people, in fact, every war has made human civilization take a big step forward. In this way, human society constantly overcomes ignorance and ignorance, and walks forward steadfastly.
Several actors in the film are outstanding. Rod went from immature to mature, Pete's violent, Hult's calmness, Yifan's profoundness, and Su Li's gentleness. He has a bright personality and is very touching.
The director of this film is Ang Lee. I have seen some action films and romance films directed by him. Such as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", "Lust Caution", "Fantasy Drifting of Juvenile School" and so on. Unexpectedly, he also directed war films like "Riding with the Devil". Especially for a Chinese director who has no connection with the American Civil War, it is not easy. Before coming to film, he must have made up for that period of history. From the film, we can also feel a little bit of the oriental sentiment that is slightly different from the Hollywood style. Especially the attention to detail is excellent. Of course, this exquisite attention to detail is also different from that of Japanese director Hirokazu. What we pay attention to is that there is something to say and something to say, even if it is a very inconspicuous plot, it needs to be echoed. For example, during the looting of the city of Lao by the guerrillas, a drunk soldier slaughtered him, and he was silently watched by a child. In the end, the child killed the soldier with his own hands. Also, after Rod was injured by Pete, he told Hult that he wanted to kill Pete. According to the plot development to the end, Pete does not appear is also a very complete story. But the choreographer deliberately let the desolate Pete appear one last time and gave an explanation. At this time, Rod made a very wise treatment, showing the brilliance of humanity, and making Rod's character more plump. This is a wonderful and deliberate stroke of Ang Lee.
My score: 7.5.
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