Nitro Video Rating:
PURCHASE THE DVD: Cold Mountain (2003)

Towards the end of the Civil war, an often-wounded soldier tries to make his way home to his sweetheart. To make his journey harder, the local law, made up of men who avoided going to fight, and called the "Home Guard", are treating every soldier who returns home as a deserter, and shooting them.

This 2003 movie based on the novel by Charles Frazier is an excellent movie, although it has a couple of minor flaws. My main complaint is that the first part of the movie gets very draggy. In their attempt to paint deep character portraits, the pace slows and gets close to boring, but as things pick up, the movie consumes the watcher. The battle scenes, of which there are several, are horrific but realistic.

Another minor complaint is that in a brief nude scene, Melora Walters obviously has implants, which looks a little silly in a Civil War film.

Overall, the story is a well-done look at the life and times during the Civil War, the acting is outstanding, and the ending is poignant and sad. This is a must-see movie.