Two-parter from Walt Disney's television series was released theatrically in some outlets, and for good reason. It's a nicely cast and well-directed bit of history, earmarked with the Disney company's homespun touch. Young Kevin Corcoran is determined to join a rag-tag Army unit during Civil War times, acting as the troop's "drummer boy". Brian Keith is the gruff-but-likable sergeant who approves his involvement. Appealing history lesson layered with adventure from the book by James A. Rhodes. Director James Neilson, a mainstay at the Disney studios throughout the sixties, does his usual customary work. **1/2 from ****
6 Reviews
More than a company mascot
bkoganbing10 March 2014
Watching Johnny Shiloh again for the first time in 50 years I couldn't help but wondering that this debuted on television in January of 1963. Had it been done a few years later after the Kennedy assassination and us being hip deep in the Vietnam War there would have had an entirely different reaction to the production.
Kevin Corcoran plays young John Clem who wants very much to get into the Civil War, but he's a little too young even to be a drummer boy. But that deters him not the slightest and he leaves his father Regis Toomey and the family farm where no doubt Toomey could use help and joins the volunteer regiment formed from his area with his friends Captain Skip Homeier, Lieutenant Darryl Hickman, and Sergeant Brian Keith.
Let's just say that young Corcoran proves to be more than a company mascot or even more than a drummer boy and General George Thomas gives him his new name of Johnny Shiloh at said battle.
Johnny Shiloh retains a certain amount of pre-Sixties innocence about it and Corcoran who can sometimes be annoying is fine in the part. Brian Keith is at his scene stealing best even with a beard. It's also nice to see Skip Homeier in a nice guy role for once.
Kevin Corcoran plays young John Clem who wants very much to get into the Civil War, but he's a little too young even to be a drummer boy. But that deters him not the slightest and he leaves his father Regis Toomey and the family farm where no doubt Toomey could use help and joins the volunteer regiment formed from his area with his friends Captain Skip Homeier, Lieutenant Darryl Hickman, and Sergeant Brian Keith.
Let's just say that young Corcoran proves to be more than a company mascot or even more than a drummer boy and General George Thomas gives him his new name of Johnny Shiloh at said battle.
Johnny Shiloh retains a certain amount of pre-Sixties innocence about it and Corcoran who can sometimes be annoying is fine in the part. Brian Keith is at his scene stealing best even with a beard. It's also nice to see Skip Homeier in a nice guy role for once.
Excellent Civil War Piece With A Good Disney Touch
denis88814 August 2014
I never knew about this excellent movie of 1962 till I have seen this recently. Excellent work, very warm, fast, not prone to violent scenes, and still very realistic, decent and good at execution. I liked the main character, Johnny The Drummer Boy, a mascot turned to a full Sergeant for his battle valor and his bravery. His mission is very vital to Blue Raiders - to deliver an important message, and then he has to undergo a series of daredevil events, hardships and even small tragedies. But he does well, and he survives to deliver his message to generals and to help the Union win a battle. Nice work, excellent old Hollywood style of filming, great Shiloh battle scene, excellent music score, nice setting and very fine play of main character. The movie depicts true men's friendship and shows real valiance in face of truly frightening events and moments. This is highly enjoyable and very much recommended
Very good Civil War story
mccoll341 September 2000
A thoroughly enjoyable story set during the American Civil War. Kevin Corcoran plays the title role of a Union drummer boy who runs away from home to join his hometown unit, even though he is too young to join legally.
He survives several battles, is promoted to Sergeant, gets captured by the Confederates and escapes back to his unit. He sees the horrors of war (at least as much as Disney will allow in a 1963 family movie)and learns that the enemy forces are made up of people who are just like the guys from his own unit.
A very nice, and surprisingly accurate movie.
He survives several battles, is promoted to Sergeant, gets captured by the Confederates and escapes back to his unit. He sees the horrors of war (at least as much as Disney will allow in a 1963 family movie)and learns that the enemy forces are made up of people who are just like the guys from his own unit.
A very nice, and surprisingly accurate movie.
A Great Portrait Of A Brave Young Man *Spoilers*
LAV25USMC7 January 2003
Warning: Spoilers
SPOILERS This is one of Disney's best TV movies and despite being nearly 40 years old has a message that is timeless and inspiring for all ages. It demonstrates how courage and determination can overcome the worst of things. I have not watched it for many years, but it had such an awesome impact that I can still vividly remember nearly every scene. It is the true story of a idealistic young man named Johnny Clem who wants to be part of the monumental event that is shaping the future of his country, The American Civil War. He sees the men he has grown up around in his little town joining the Union army as a volunteer unit. Wanting to do his part he tries to join as well and is told that he is way too young. But his spirit and determination triumph as he becomes a drummer boy in the unit. He is befriended by a wise and savvy sergeant (one of Brian Keith's best roles) who watches out for him. His unit goes to fight in the battle of Shiloh, where he earns his nickname. When grown men all around him are panicked and running he stands fast and continues to play his drum. I'll leave it at that so as not to spoil any more of the story. Time and again throughout the movie, little Johnny (Shiloh) Clem displays the type of courage that made America great, facing down fear and doing what needed to be done. In real life John Clem went on years later to become a general in the U.S. Army. Stories don't come any better than this, and best of all it is true.
A Great Fun flick from Disney
elskootero8 October 2006
Yeah, back when films weren't always accurate but were ALWAYS entertaining! This film chronicles the Civil War exploits of a real person - John Clem who, at the age of 11 went into the Union Army, killed a Confederate officer at the battle of Shiloh, and earned his nickname. He retired in the 1870's as a Major General and died in (I think) 1913. The film mainly takes play during the war, is a bit over-dramatized, but very well done and VERY entertaining. John Clem was a truly inspirational young man, and Disney does a great job with this one. Kevin Corcoran is great and not annoying, for a change, and Brian Keith does a first class job as his sergeant. This film came out shortly before THE GREAT LOCOMOTIVE CHASE, another Disney great, and is well worth the viewing, and let's hope that Hollyweird gets this one out on DVD before the 3rd millennium!!!
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