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Blood and Fury: America's Civil War: Battle of Fredricksburg (2016)
Where to begin?
Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg, Federicksburg. That's how it is spelled. hint, hint.
The highlight of the episode for me was the attack by both Union and Confederate forces on the modern lamppost in the center of the log cabin town in the woods that was supposed to be Fredericksburg. The storming of the town over the covered bridge was especially inspiring and a new twist on history that I was previously unaware of. If only Burnside had known about it, he would not have needed those pesky late-arriving pontoon bridges! The voice over of the historian talking about fighting house to house, street by street as the soldiers walked through the woods was absolutely ridiculous! It was fun to watch for comic relief, but I am sure that is not what was intended. It does a disservice to the soldiers who actually fought at Fredericksburg.
Blood and Fury: America's Civil War: Battle of Gettysburg (2017)
Nothing says Gettysburg like moose antlers
This production was filmed in Canada and it shows. The set scarcely resembles the actual environs of Gettysburg. Gettysburg is and was a prosperous Pennsylvania town. In this episode, the "town" of Gettysburg is represented by a cabin in a field with moose antlers prominently displayed. One would have to look long and hard to find moose roaming the streets and farms of Gettysburg. In addition, there were scenes that had in them galvanized water troughs and tubs and water coolers. Many scenes have modern barrels everywhere! All the bad uniforms and modern military behavior, movement, and handling of weapons seen in previous episodes continue in this one. As in previous episodes, the commentators were professional historians who are passionate about the subject and relate the stories of individual soldiers clearly. Unfortunately the production of the action scenes failed them badly. If only this had been shot more local to Gettysburg and with a background cast familiar with Civil War military practices and material culture it could have been so much better.
Blood and Fury: America's Civil War: Battle of Nashville (2017)
Depiction of USCT raises quality
In the Nashville episode, the background cast for the USCT did an admirable job portraying soldiers. They were comfortable in how to wear their uniforms and accoutrements and handle their arms. They actually formed lines of battle to fight as was done in the Civil War! The story line was very compelling and the interviewed historians familiar with the subject and clear in their presentations. Still need to work with the Confederate background in terms of authenticity and handling of arms and the artillery look awful and dangerous. Spotted a typewriter on the desk of Lincoln's clerk and telegrapher. If you are going to watch an episode of this series, this might be the one to watch.
Blood and Fury: America's Civil War (2016)
Ruined by the battle scenes
Just watched the Antietam episode. There were top-notch Antietam historians interviewed for this episode. There were several poignant stories about soldiers in this battle effectively woven into the episode. Had I just heard the episode without seeing the accompanying visuals, I would have been much happier. The battle sequences were terrible and negated the good effect of the narrative. I agree with the other reviewers who have commented on the utter lack of proper Civil War infantry drill and tactics in the battle scenes and the horrible uniforms worn horribly by the actors. This horribleness extends to the depiction of the artillery as well. This episode features Battery B 4th US, a unit that incurred 40% casualties in the battle. With the exception of one Napoleon, everything that was shown about the battery was wrong. The drill was all wrong, the arrangement of the cannons one behind the others was wrong, the limber aligned on the oblique with no horses was wrong, the mushroom clouds of canister were wrong. Where's General John Gibbon getting off his horse to raise the elevation screw to lower the muzzle? Where's the 15 year-old Cincinnati paper boy Bugler Johnny Cook earning his Medal of Honor? So much potential in this dramatic story. All wasted.