Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: News and Opinion

Today, the Civil War is reduced in the media into simple terms of good guys versus bad guys. But in reality, history tells a much different, more complicated story. At least, that's what Ronald F. Maxwell, Director of epic films Gettysburg and Gods and Generals said in his lecture Tuesday, April 14. Sponsored by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) and hosted by the Tiger Town Observer, Maxwell spoke for approximately an hour and a half about the "role of the filmmaker in telling the American narrative."

It is no secret that Hollywood is been far to the left of the average America, and the social, moral and cultural assumptions that appear in movies reflect that. Yet, there are still some films out there that are made to tell the other side of the story- whether it is fashionable or not.

Gods and Generals is a movie that, as described by Maxwell, is about the men who were left to solve the problems after the politicians failed (He did not leave out the fact that such a theme is still prevalent in today's society). It is a movie about how it was up to young men to fight the battles of the government, and thus makes the connection between the front lines and home front.

Maxwell spoke about a problem that exists today; the fact that the status quo is never questioned. Political correctness is never abandoned and as a result, the North feels by redeemed by history while the South is punished. But according to Maxwell, it is "not the job of filmmaking to reinforce prejudices of critics, elites and even the general public."

Thus, Gods and Generals does not portray a war waged against the evils of the Confederacy. Instead, it illuminates the South in a new light; one that is not often examined by movies, books or any other kind of medium. That is, that the war was not fought over slavery.

Maxwell argued that slavery persisted in the south at the time because of economic issues, not necessarily because of evilness or the moral failures of men. Similar to today's sweatshops and illegal immigration, slavery thrived because of economic reasons. It was cheap labor; pure and simple.

He further went on to say that "while it may be comfortable to assume that all slaves fled north, this is only the dominating story." There were always roads not taken in the Civil War, or other sides that aren't always made known. For example, the movie portrays three black slaves who fight for the south. Though they did not support the Confederacy, they were nonetheless caught up in it.

When asked about some of the negative responses he received for the film, Maxwell said that "most critics were offended and uncomfortable to be asked to rethink the Civil War." Yes, his movie violated political correctness, but that, according to Maxwell is what it means to have the courage to stand on your convictions and not be intimidated. Such a lesson is rarely found in today's new releases.

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