Pharaoh's Army
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Actor: Chris Cooper, Kris Kristofferson, Patricia Clarkson, Richard Tyson, Robert JoyBrand: Lions Gate
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0; English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 90 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-07-20
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Lions Gate
DVD Reviews of Pharaoh's Army
DVD Review: Civil War masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had a DVD copy of "Pharaoh's Army" in my home collection for several years, and have watched it at least a half-dozen times, each time thoroughly enjoying this little-known, Indie film that escaped my attention when it was first released in 1995. First-time writer/director Robbie Benson deserves a lot of credit for this beautifully crafted, realistic, and subtly moving film about a slice of just a few days in 1862 during the Civil War, and a small group of foraging Union soldiers, whose lives briefly and tragically intersect with a woman and her 11 year old son on their back-woods Kentucky farm. Reportedly based on a true story, this short 90 minute film captures more of the tensions that were behind the American Civil War than scores of other big-battle epics about that singular American conflict. Those looking for massive battle scenes and sweeping panoramas of smoky battlefields should look elsewhere- but if you are a contemplative sort who appreciates fine acting, beautifully framed cinematography scenes, and a subtle and moving musical score, this film will suck you in like few others. Without anything more than several carefully spaced bits of dialogue between the few principal actors, this film speaks volumes for the North-South tensions that resulted in the Civil War, and the enduring impact that conflict has had on the USA to this day.
Sarah Anders (Patricia Clarkson) and her 11 year old son (Will Lucas) are trying to survive on their small Kentucky farm during 1862- her husband off fighting for the South, and their means of existence critically dependent on a few chickens, a cow, and tilling their land for crops to eat. Enter Captain Abston (Chris Cooper) and his small band of 4 Union soldiers, sent to forage food and supplies for the larger Union army campaigning in the area. Needless to say, what they want is what Sarah and her boy need to survive. After one of the Union soldiers is accidentally injured by falling on a pitchfork in her barn, the small squad is forced to stay for several days to allow the soldier to recover from his wound. The 4 supporting actors filling the roles of the Union soldiers (Chicago, Rodie, Newt and Neely) are excellent in their small roles- the sparse dialogue perfectly fits the times, and also speaks volumes about the reasons why ordinary farmers, butchers, and ordinary folks took up arms against each other. The two leads (Cooper and Clarkson) provide a wonderfully understated interaction of North vs: South, a human microcosm of the vast war. Kris Kristofferson has a brief but powerful presence as the local Southern preacher, with a black slave Israel (Mac Miles) who eventually initiates the inevitable violence that shatters the building tensions on the farm. No spoilers here, but the climax of this movie left me very moved, and stuck with me for a long time. The narrator's voice (that of the young boy, spoken in retrospect many years later) is also intersperced perfectly throughout the movie, and compliments the story very well.
The soundtrack is also very understated and subtle, and fits the time and the story in a beautiful way.
Cinematography is A+: the clothes and uniforms are very accurately detailed, and all the actors look their part. And for once, a period movie that also avoids modern slang language, and has the actors use dialogue that would be appropriate for 1862.
I give this movie 5 stars without reservation, but only for the viewer interested in a more contemplative take on what the Civil War was all about. I liken it in many ways to "Ride With The Devil", though the latter also clearly is more of an action film.
Civil War buffs will certainly appreciate all the subtle nuances of this film, but it's worth viewing even if you aren't of that ilk.
I just wish it had been a little longer. A real hidden gem.
Description of Pharaoh's Army
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