This film, Cold Mountain, directed by Anthony Minghella, has been one of my favorites for some time now and I especially enjoy watching it in the falltime. It's an epic war-romance film set during the Civil War and the Siege of Petersburg. The story is based off the award winning novel by Charles Fraizer. It exceeds in every film category with every ingredient I love about a movie; from it's historical setting, it's great story, great acting, great visuals, and a great score/soundtrack. It was released in 2003, nominated for 7 academy awards, and in my opinion can truly be considered a modern classic.
The Story
Charles Fraizer's novel incorporates the dramatic format of love in the time of crisis. This story line especially resonates with me since it's bases around a real historical crisis. Consider other successful stories such as Doctor Zhivago, Reds, Gone with the Wind, and Titanic to name a few. All romantic stories set in the backdrop of a terrible, historic event. This recipe of mixing history and romance brings forth such great insight as well as powerful drama; no doubt one of the reasons Cold Mountain is such a great catch.
The story is set in the town of Cold Mountain, North Carolina during the 1860s at the start of the Civil War. Ada moves to town with her father, the preacher, and she quickly catches the eye of a quiet woodworker, named Inman. The two have a very brief relationship consisting of short conversations yet very strong feelings for one another. Before they can take their relationship to the next level, the War breaks out, and Inman must leave to join the Confederate Army. Before he parts, the two share a very passionate kiss, and Ada tells him she will wait for him.
After several years separated by war, Ada's father dies and she begins to struggle and lose hope on her farm in Cold Mountain. She looks into a well and sees a vision of Inman returning to her that gives her hope. She writes to him begging that he pleaes come back to her. When he received the letter, Inman is also war-weary having suffered terrible injuries at the Siege of Petersburg. Knowing well that he can be executed for treason for deserting, he leaves the army to return to his love at Cold Mountain. His journey home however is a perilous and full of many obstacles (it's a theme very similar to the Odyssey, in which Odysseus journeys back to his faithful wife Penelope after the Trojan War )
Meanwhile, as Inman travels to Cold Mountain, Ada finds support on her farm from a resourceful laborer named Ruby. With Ruby's help, Ada is able to salvage her land and generate enough produce to get through the winter. However the two soon find themselves in a conundrum when they begin aiding several deserters including Ruby's father. This catches the attention of the local militia known as the Confederate Home Guard, who are keen on hunting any deserters and supporters. It appears a confrontation is inevitable between Ada and the Home Guard, however not before Inman reunites with his love at last, in perfect timing.
Ada doesn't recognize him at first, however is then reminded of the vision she saw in the well and they embrace dearly. The two make love and have a quick marriage. They then make plans to live apart until the war ends for her safety. However before they can part, they are confronted by the home guard and a shootout takes place in the mountain. Inman is shot as he fends off the threat and tragically dies in the arms of Ada. Several years later Ada and her daughter live peacefully on the farm with Ruby and their loved ones.
The Characters of the Film
It's especially enticing to see historical novels adapted to the screen because it gives us a chance to witness a period only known in books. The setting of this film takes us back to North Carolina of the 1860s. Anthony Minghella employs numerous techniques to establish the backdrop. It begins with scenes of the war and is contrasted by the the beautiful town of Cold Mountain, located high up in the country meadows of North Carolina. Then there's the costumes, the dialects, and the top quality acting which truly establish the period. The cast in this film is full of star-power, each actor playing a distinctive character that accentuates the flow of the story.
The character of W.P Inman is a shy and quiet country worker, true to his southern ways yet also a hopeless romantic at heart. This portrayal by British actor, Jude Law, was very emotional and won him an Oscar nomination. He says very little in the film, however his expressions and emotions are quite convincing throughout the film.
The character of Ada Monroe is the cliche country belle, daughter of the preacher, who must endure a terrible conflict. She falls for Inman all too naturally and is then separated from him before they can get to know one another. She then loses her father as well as her slaves and must survive on a farm without any labor experience. Ncole Kidman does an excellent job in bringing her charm and passion to this character.
One of the favorite, most lovable characters of the film is no doubt Ruby, a homeless farmer, who comes to Ada's help in a dire time. She is spunky as she is resourceful and just the motivation and companionship Ada needed to salvage her land. This entertaining character won actress Renee Zellweger her first Academy Award.
Ada's father, Reverend Monroe is played by Donald Sutherland. He is a peaceful character filled with the spirit of God, against the war, and very grateful for the companionship of his daughter. His departure from the story is Ada's turning point.
The characters of Sally and Esco befriend Ada at Cold Mountain and offer her support until they are discovered for harboring their deserting children. They are played by Kathy Baker and James Gammon.
The father of Ruby is also a very enjoyable character played by Brendan Gleeson. He is a Confederate deserter, who treated his daughter poorly before the war however eager to make amends with her. He convinces her that he is a changed man through his new found love of the fiddle.
The antagonist of the film, is Teague, captain of the Home Guard who has his eyes set on Ada as well as her land. He is a cruel sadistic villain, played by Ray Winstone, who shows no mercy towards deserters.
Other notable characters Inman meets along his trail are an immoral priest played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, a whisky brewer who shelters and betrays him played by Giovanni Ribisi, and a widowed woman who shelters Inman, played by Natalie Portman.
Historical Look: The Battle of the Crater
Although the story is set during the Civil War, it can hardly be considered a war film and is much rather a romantic drama. There is one great battle at the beginning (The Siege of Petersburg) and several skirmishes with Union soldiers and Confederate Home Guards throughout Inamn's journey. It's fair to say the war in this story is used primarily as a barrier between Ada and Inman. Nonetheless it still provides juicy historical insight to this bloodiest war on American soil. The opening scenes of the Battle of the Crater are quite surreal.
In June of 1864, the Siege of Petersburg was one of the final major campaigns of the Civil War. The siege was initiated by the Union Army under the command of General Ulysses S. Grant and Ambroise Burnside at the city of Petersburg, Virginia. They were met by a defiant Confederate force led by Robert E. Lee and William Mahone. It was a very drawn out siege, 9 nine months of trench warfare extending over 30 miles from Richmond to Petersburg. One of the first major confrontations of this siege was the Battle of the Crater, considered by many the most catastrophic battles of the war.
The battle unfolded on July 30th of 1864 under the command of Gen Ambroise Burnside. The Union plan was to pierce the Confederate lines through a major explosion within a mine. However after the explosion, the Union soldier's charged themselves into a crater in the ground, where they found themselves trapped and cornered. At that point the advantage quickly turned to the Confederate's favor. Gen. William Mahone lead a counter-attack on the confused Union soldiers in what has been labeled as a "turkey shot". The casualties were very high for the Union army and a total embarrassment for Gen Ambroise who resigned as a result of this disastrous defeat.
Musical Look: Bluegrass and Fiddle
One of the defining characteristics of this film is it's original folk soundtrack. It was produced by T Bone Burnett (who also did O Brother Where Art Tho) and features tracks from several famed musicians such as Jack White, Alison Krauss, Elvis Costello, and Sting. There's also an original score to the film, composed by Gabriel Yaread, (The English Patient, The Talented Mr. Ripley) which was nominated for an Oscar. One of my favorites melodies in the film is the piano composition of "Ada Plays." There were also two songs in the film nominated for Oscars; "Scarlet Tide" and "You Will Be My Ain True Love".
This soundtrack does an incredible job of driving the mood in this 1860's war/love story. It incorporates elements of bluegrass, gospel, blues, country, and folk music. This type of music is usually not my preference, (especially country) however I do enjoy folk rock and cultural music. Over the years I have begun to admire the fiddle and bluegrass for unique cultural sound, especially come fall time. Some of the fiddle tracks I especially enjoy in the film are "Ruby with the Eyes that Sparkle" and "Great High Mountain".
Another unique musical element of this soundtrack is it's Christian Choral pieces by the Sacred Harp of Liberty Church. This song inclusion is no doubt a historical reference to the protestant influence of the 1800s. In the film, the town of Cold Mountain is very united in their church and this is demonstrated by their a-cappella worship songs. One in particular that riles the emotions is "I'm Going Home" performed in great harmony before the news of the Civil War breaks. Whether you prefer christian, gospel, or catholic music, one can't deny the powerful lyrics and melody of this tune.
Here is a full list of the movie's soundtrack:
| 1. Wayfaring Stranger - Jack White |
| 2. Like A Songbird That Has Fallen - Reeltime Travelers |
| 3. I Wish My Baby Was Born - Tim Eriksen, Riley Baugus & Tim O'Brien |
| 4. The Scarlet Tide - Alison Krauss |
| 5. The Cuckoo - Tim Eriksen & Riley Baugus |
| 6. Sittin' On Top Of The World - Jack White |
| 7. Am I Born To Die? - Tim Eriksen |
| 8. You Will Be My Ain True Love - Alison Krauss |
| 9. I'm Going Home - Sacred Harp Singers At Liberty Church |
| 10. Never Far Away - Jack White |
| 11. Christmas Time Will Soon Be Over - Jack White |
| 12. Ruby With The Eyes That Sparkle - Stuart Duncan & Dirk Powell |
| 13. Lady Margret - Cassie Franklin |
| 14. Great High Mountain - Jack White |
| 15. Anthem - Gabriel Yared |
| 16. Ada Plays - Gabriel Yared |
| 17. Ada And Inman - Gabriel Yared |
| 18. Love Theme - Gabriel Yared |
| 19. Idumea - Sacred Harp Singers At Liberty Church |
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