Field Of Lost Shoes

As a VMI grad this movie is of particular interest to me. I don't know what the routine is now, but when I attended, the Rat class was shown two movies, Zulu, and Brother Rat. Brother Rat was filmed over 30 years before I attended and even today I get a kick out of how the Institute looked pretty much the same as it did in 1938, and how little in general things had changed. If they're still showing the new Rats movies, I hope Field of Lost Shoes is one of them.

In the heart of the Shenandoah Valley lies a little town called New Market. It is a peaceful, quiet little village. But on May 15th, 1864, the peaceful hills would be witness to the horrors of war, as Confederate and Union forces clashed. The battle has never had the fame of Gettysburg, Antietam, or Shiloh. But for the men who fought this horrific battle, the impact would be no less horrific. Perhaps no more so than for the 274 Cadets from the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia, who marched 80 miles to serve as relief troops for General John C. Breckenridge’s Confederates, only to be ordered to take position in the center of their lines. For the only time in American History, an entire student body would come under enemy fire, and prove their mettle in a dramatic charge that turned the tide of battle. The story of those cadets from VMI, and the impact it had on the battle, is the subject of the film Field of Lost Shoes.Directed by Sean McNamara (Soul Surfer), and featuring a mixed cast of fresh faces and well-knowns, Field of Lost Shoes won the Best Dramatic Feature Award at the GI Film Festival. Sadly, the film came in under the radar, when it received mixed reviews, and an all too brief theatrical release in September of 2014, following a release on DVD and Video on Demand earlier this month. However, after viewing the film, I cannot help but feel that this movie deserved a better release strategy. For this is, in my humble opinion, the finest film yet made on the events of the American Civil War. From the very beginning of the film, to its closing moments, the movie serves as a moving tribute to the Virginia Military Institute, and the cadets who served at the Battle of New Market.While the film does cover some of the strategic, political and social aspects of the war, the film keeps most of its focus, and rightfully so, on seven members of the Corps of Cadets from the Virginia Military Institute; seven young boys and men who would go on to fight in a battle that would change their lives. Six of these men are based on actual cadets who fought at the battle. It is through these boys that we get to see the affects of war on the men who fought it, and how these young lads, men who had never before been in battle, showed true bravery in the face of an enemy. Making their story the main story, showing the hopes, dreams and beliefs of every single one, gives the story its soul, and creates a very powerful, dramatic, and tragic film.From an historical standpoint, the film is definitely one of the more historically accurate films made on the war. Like the film Glory, the actual story of the VMI Cadets at New Market is dramatic in itself, and needs little embellishment. The attention to detail in terms of drill, uniforms and equipment is truly remarkable. The Battle of New Market is dramatically recreated, showing the horrors and tragedy of armed conflict without becoming too graphic, making it a film that children over the age of 10 could be shown.Casting wise, the film does a great job. All of the young actors who portray the Cadets focused on in the film doe a great job in their roles, making us understand who they were, what they believed in. The believability of the actors in their roles makes us care for them, so when the battle comes, and they come under fire, we actually worry about their fate. Of the supporting roles, all are good. But the standout of the cast is Jason Isaacs (The Patriot, the Harry Potter series) as Confederate General John C. Breckenridge. His portrayal of the former Vice President of the United States is truly wonderful. Isaacs has done his homework, and his performance is truly the highlight of this film.The script for the film, written by David Kennedy, Thomas Farrell and Ron Bass, does a terrific job of presenting this wonderful story in a 96-minute film. Surprisingly, despite covering the story of the Cadets, as well as the overall story of the battle itself from the points of view of Breckenridge, Union Captain Henry S. DuPont (A surprisingly convincing David Arquette), and others who play a part in the making of this battle, is told in a way that anyone who sees it will not need to know the history of the war to understand what is going on. The rest of the crew, and the amazing cast, do a great job of conveying the story.In closing, Field of Lost Shoes is the finest film ever made on the events of the American Civil War, and the young boys from the Virginia Military Institute who fought at the Battle of New Market on May 15th, 1864. It connects us on a personal level with the characters, making the events more relatable, and more tragic. It presents the story in a way where all those who view it will understand the political, social and military aspects of the story without it becoming confusing, or impersonal. Anyone interested in American history, or in exciting, dramatic stories, will find much to love in Field of Lost Shoes.Grade: 10/10, or A+

She saw and got this movie so she can watch again!

As a history buff, I really wanted to love this movie since it told the story of the VMI cadets at the Battle of New Market, which is such an interesting event. However, I was bothered by a few things that led me to give this only 3 stars. First of all, the southern accents were really overdone and just, well, bad. . .as a Texas girl, I know what authentic southern accents are supposed to sound like! Secondly, the movie seemed to be overly strained in order to hammer the point that maintaining slavery was the main objective of all/most Confederates and abolishing slavery was the overriding goal of all/most Federals. As a student of history, I submit that it is well-known (but probably not honestly admitted) that abolishing slavery was not the goal of Lincoln or most Northerners until the last couple years of the war--and frankly, it was not a noble endeavor to give freedom to the oppressed but simply a war measure designed to weaken the South. (Read the text of the Emancipation Proclamation if you need proof of this: the text says that if the seceded states will come back into the Union, slavery will be allowed to continue as before. Plus, areas already under Federal control are specifically exempted from this order--they were allowed to keep their slaves until the 13th Amendment later legally ended slavery.) Finally, I love movies that try to be historically accurate with the little details and in my opinion, "Field of Lost Shoes" missed the mark on several things. For example. the public, passionate kiss between one of the VMI cadets and his sweetheart contradicts what is know about the standards of the day for upper-class youth . Now I'm not saying that young people never kissed back then, because of course human nature doesn't change. What I am saying is that the scene where the two young lovers enjoy a prolonged kiss at a dance, surrounded by others, would have been a terrible social breach and the (omnipresent) chaperones-- and mamas, lol!--would not have allowed it. So, in summary, this movie was okay and it was probably worth the 9 bucks I spent on it.

I love films about the American Civil War. A group of cadets, some very young, are unexpectedly put into combat and distinguish themselves in the process. Another admirable but sad instance of young men relishing the prospect of combat during which some will die, others will be wounded (to one extent or another) & all will be inevitably affected by the stress of combat.Others, their parents, siblings, uncles & aunties get to pick up the pieces thereafter. War usually reflects the total failure of a handful of men to lead the dispute to a successful resolution and often fails to achieve anything like the results to justify the deaths, injuries, destruction & cost.I think that any purchaser needs to understand that they will be buying a film basically about a boy's boarding school (for the most part), there is little combat but who needs to see much of boys, some as young as 10, being shot or blown up by cannon?

A little known incident in the American Civil War, but beautifully told. Go with the old school approach to historical epics and you’ll love it.

I got this on the strength of Gettysburg & Gods & Generals, based on true stories on the American Civil War, this film fits somewhere in the middle, good battle scenes but not enough, too many slow bits, but if any interest in this period it's a decent movie.

Not good ... A wasted effort for all concerned.

Great movie from the ACW.A company of southern boys who should only have been reserves, suddenly charge the North and win the battle of day, but at a high price. If you’re into ACW, the movie is worth watching.