Spies in Crinoline

This film tells an interesting and little known true story from the American Civil War and mostly does so well. Parts of it are a little slow-paced, however, and the quality of both acting and costumes varies considerably among the characters. The film contains some striking visuals and a few very moving scenes along with some extended gory battle and medical sequences. The lead characters of Antonia, Laura, and Joseph are portrayed sensitively and all resemble their historical counterparts. Intercuts of stills and narration with the reenactor footage help to document the veracity of the story. The film is more a love story than an account of Civil War espionage.