The Confederate Ironclad (1912) User Reviews

Competition

[boblipton · 7/10 · 15 October 2002]

A superior two-reeler from the Kalem Company. Although Kalem was a popular studio in the first couple of decades of the 20th century, it fell apart, as did most of the Patents Trust companies in the late teens. Certainly, this effort is worthwhile. Good acting, good composition -- unlike Griffith's work, which usually used the right wall as a border, this one seems to use the left wall in various forms. Meanwhile the story involves plots, lovers, and a locomotive chase.

It's all fairly familiar territory to anyone who is familiar with the works of D.W. Griffith, but it's important to see that other people knew what Griffith was doing and could produce works that were as good.

A strange little Civil War film that tries to make BOTH sides happy!

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 28 October 2006]

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.

fascinating early Civil War film tries to take a "balanced" look at things

[OldAle1 · 7/10 · 16 January 2009]

The Confederate Ironclad (Kenean Buel 1912) is an early Civil War film, actually filmed on location in Jacksonville FL by a company specializing in such things, the Kalem Film Company. There was a big boom in all things Civil War at the time, as it was the 50th anniversary, and the Kalem company was one of those that capitalized on the public interest, with this film apparently being one of their great successes. Two young women (one a Northern spy) fight over a young Confederate officer; he mistakenly confides in the spy the location of the Confederate ironclad, which is woefully under-prepared for battle with no fuel for steam. After she sends off a note to the Union and the Northern vessels move in, he realizes his mistake and with the help of his resourceful Southern girlfriend, hijacks a train and saves the day for the Confederacy. Lots of action and an interesting attempt at appealing to both Northern and Southern audiences.

This is extraordinarily well done, the mounting tension in the railroad sequence almost worthy of Keaton. It's from the "Treasures of American Cinema", Volume I (first disc), and like everything else on the set is impeccably transferred and well-scored, with excellent documentation. Any lovers of the early cinema, or American cinema in general, owe themselves a look at these sets.

Very Interesting, In Several Respects

[Snow Leopard · 17 August 2005]

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 Confederate Ironclad review

[JoeytheBrit · 6/10 · 23 June 2020]

It's a Kalem film, which means firstly that it isn't quite up to the standards of the movies being made at Biograph (mostly by Griffith), and secondly that it shows women in a strong, positive light. Here we have two heroines on opposing sides during the Civil War, one of whom foils the plot of the other to destroy the unarmed Confederate Ironclad. An ending designed to appeal to both parties in the war severely weakens what is an otherwise commendable action movie.

Good old silent movie on US Civil War

[guisreis · 8/10 · 12 May 2020]

Visually interesting, well acted, this so old war film portraying a battle in the Civil War between Confederates and Union is a must-see in 1910's filmography. Besides that, it is remarkable, in a war movie, in which male actors are, as expected, overhelming majority, that both the "villain" and the "heroine" are women!