The movie is all about two lady spies (one from each side) and their attempts to either save or have an ironclad under construction destroyed. However, this is an odd film. It isn't odd because it's about the US Civil War, as in the 1910s many such films were made. Much of this probably had to do with the success of BIRTH OF A NATION (actually made just after THE CONFEDERATE IRONCLAD) as well as the fact that some Civil War veterans were still alive at the time and were celebrating the 50th anniversary of the conflict. No, what makes this such an odd film is that it actually tries to make BOTH Northerners and Southerners happy by letting both sides win, of sorts! And because of this gimmick, I think it negatively affects the impact of the film. While of some interest to historians and silent film buffs, the film overall is a bit of a dud--as there were better examples of this type of film being made at the same time period.
Review of The Confederate Ironclad
The Confederate Ironclad
(1912)
A strange little Civil War film that tries to make BOTH sides happy!
28 October 2006