This is a pretty good short feature anyway, with plenty of action and an interesting story, but it might be even more interesting as a piece of history. Its portrayal of the two sides in the Civil War is surprisingly non-partisan and believable, and it features two appealing heroines who rise well above the male characters. It is also a fortunate example of a movie in its era for which the original musical score has still been preserved.
The story features Miriam Cooper and Anna Q. Nilsson as rivals, not only for the attentions of a Confederate officer (played by Guy Coombs), but even more importantly in their political loyalties. Cooper always worked well in the role of a woman who was attractive but sad or neglected or endangered. Nilsson's upbeat energy also works well as the Northern spy. Their two characters are far more courageous, intelligent, and loyal than any of the male characters on either side of the conflict.
The heroism and loyalty of the two women puts both North and South in a positive light, and in a way that a battle scene alone probably could not have done. The "Confederate Ironclad" itself is a very realistic touch, and the story seems quite plausible as a fictional example of the kinds of incidents that developed as a result of the South's determined efforts to upgrade their navy despite having such limited resources.
All of the technical aspects of the movie are solid, and the story is told at a good pace. The many outdoor scenes help considerably in adding to the atmosphere. Finally, it's very nice that the original musical score is still available and can be reproduced. It adds a little extra to the feeling of being able to go back in time to get an interesting taste of movie history.
The story features Miriam Cooper and Anna Q. Nilsson as rivals, not only for the attentions of a Confederate officer (played by Guy Coombs), but even more importantly in their political loyalties. Cooper always worked well in the role of a woman who was attractive but sad or neglected or endangered. Nilsson's upbeat energy also works well as the Northern spy. Their two characters are far more courageous, intelligent, and loyal than any of the male characters on either side of the conflict.
The heroism and loyalty of the two women puts both North and South in a positive light, and in a way that a battle scene alone probably could not have done. The "Confederate Ironclad" itself is a very realistic touch, and the story seems quite plausible as a fictional example of the kinds of incidents that developed as a result of the South's determined efforts to upgrade their navy despite having such limited resources.
All of the technical aspects of the movie are solid, and the story is told at a good pace. The many outdoor scenes help considerably in adding to the atmosphere. Finally, it's very nice that the original musical score is still available and can be reproduced. It adds a little extra to the feeling of being able to go back in time to get an interesting taste of movie history.