Carolyn: Hi.  The movie that I am writing to you about is forty years old and is still seen on various movie cable channels.  The title is "Shenandoah" and as most of us in the field of history know is set in Virginia during the beginning of the Civil War. The late Jimmy Stewart is the star along with actor Doug McClure and a host of other late 1960s actors who went onto become famous doing movies and television miniseries in the 1970s.

 However the most interesting subplot in the movie is about the young African-American teenager who was enslaved by Mr. Stewart's character's family and is later on in the movie set free by actress Rosemary Forsyth's character who marries into the family.  He has grown close to her young brother in-law (the are both about fourteen) and later on rescued him during a battle scene later on in the movie.  The young man of color after being set free joined the Union Army and if I am correct this is the first time that African-American soldiers are shown  in a motion picture portraying Union soldiers during a recreated battle.  The scene is far too brief by today's standards (think about "Glory") but it indeed "whets the appitite" for more information about the real life participation of people of color in the Civil War and their very active roles in that still most emotionally charged war of all wars that this country has faced.  The movie was made in 1966 and has also been produced on Broadway.  Hope this helps.  Jane Steele.

-----Original Message-----
>From: Carolyn Carpenter <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Jul 16, 2006 7:56 AM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: [VA-HIST] Novels and Movies set in Virginia
>
>I am compiling a list of novels and movies set in Virginia and would
>appreciate any suggestions for additions to this list by the members of
>this discussion group.
>
>Carolyn Carpenter
>
>To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
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Lillian Jane Steele

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