COMMENTS (25)
Show In Reverse Order
Add Your Comment
Become a Fan on Facebook!
Welcome to The Battle of Little Sayler's Creek! I look forward to your comments!
From David George in Los Angeles, CA
I really got drawn into this film (The Battle of Little Sayler's Creek) in ways I didn't expect to. Sitting down to watch for a short while, I ended up watching the entire film in one sitting. Having grown up in NY, I'd learned about the Civil War, but watching this film I found myself gaining insights t...o aspects I'd never even thought about. (One was that women fought in the war.) This is not all about battles; it's about life, politics, the things of life. I may not have seen this film if I hadn't met @DavidGeorge in person. I hope that's not the case with everyone else. It's a worthwhile film for everyone.
From Deborah Shadovitz in LA
it was amazing for me to be able to learn so much detail about a bit of history I only know in broad strokes, but on another level - the commitment of these guys and the detail they go to, the fascinating world of battle re-enactments. Truly fascinating.
From sasha (sashacd@orev.co.uk) in london, uk
What a fun movie. I always wondered about peope who did these re-enactments. Pretty eclectic, eloquent bunch. And so many of them! You've got to admire their committment. The film maker does a great job of showing the depth of knowledge, some of it pretty arcane (check out the medical specialist!) of all the different players. Terrific film.
From Brian in Los Angeles
Wow, great site! The movie looks really interesting.You have put your heart and soul into this one.;as well as your wallet. Looks just like one was there at Little Sayler's creek, way back in 1865? Hope it does well. Charles
From Charles in UK
Fascinating! I've heard about the reenactments of the Civil War, but your film has brought this to life in beautifully shot detail. Music is impressive, too. Kudos.
From Susan Haymer in Los Angeles
Have followed your project from the beginning, You have crafted a wonderfully educational film that is evocative, moving and fascinating. Well done, mate!
From Michael Hoppe (hoppe@thegrid.net) in Portland, Oregon
Very well done, entertaining and historically informative.
From Roger (usmusic@bellsouth.net) in miami beach, fl
Poignant, mesmerizing music in combination with visuals, and educative. Shows how the fingers of the quite distant past reach into the present touching lives even today...
From Adil Rehman
This is a fascinating documentary packed with details that only Civil War re-enactors would obsessively gather. There is no typical voice-over guiding you through -- the re-enactors themselves tell the story. As a result, you get both the Northern and Southern points of view as to the reasons the war was fought. Cameras follow both camps over three days and nights. You come to understand the romantic appeal and the connection to their ancestors that 1865 Virginia has to these "Living Historians". The film builds to the climactic battle scene. This is a play war; no one is killed and the blood isn't flowing, but oddly, the horror is implied at every turn. The filmmakers conspire with the re-enactors to re-create the war as theater while blurring the line between fact and fiction with the use of the real Brady photographs from the period. I also found the music to be hypnotic and captivating (and original, I believe). Very satisfying and informative film. I enjoyed it.
From C. McCune
Dear Mr. George: As an amateur military historian, I'm aware of the importance that such little known actions such as Sayler's Creek played in the course of warfare, as opposed to the better known general engagements. What makes this battle (like Bentonville NC, which I've visited) important is that it was a virtual last stand by soldiers who already knew in their hearts that the war was lost. That soldiers are prepared to lay down their lives for their cause under such conditions may be considered foolish by some, but it also represents loyalty and valor of the highest order. This is a project that both Northerners and Southrons- and all American citizens and veterans- can be proud. It defines our heritage as a nation. Personal question. I'm not an occultist. Nor am I obsessed with these endless "ghost stories" featured on cable outlets. However, when filming the scenes on the actual battlefield, did you or any of the re-enactors ever get an eerie sense of unseen "onlookers"? It's said by some that such spots are the most haunted of all. Had to ask!! Best wishes and thanks.
From Steven Mark Pilling (stvplln@aol.com) in Houston TX
Dear Mr. Pilling: Regarding your question about ghosts: I have never seen any, ever - on or off the battlefield at Sayler's Creek and tend to disbelieve such claims. However, several of the reenactors claim to have encountered ghosts or apparitions and some even believe that they are reincarnations of soldiers/ancestors who died on this battlefield. Some of these stories are touched on in our Documentary and in the audio recordings that accompany the Slideshows in our "extras" portion of the DVD.
From David George (Paradoxpix@aol.com) in Los Angeles
HI I AM A REENACTOR IN ENGLAND MY REGIMENT IS THE 23 VIRGINIA COMP A its briliant ! best wishes
From FRANKIE (FRANKIECOWBOY@HOTMAIL.CO.UKE) in ENGLANDHI
very well made film
From Harry Paige
Nice ovrerview, but the uniforms are too clean,get rid of the cigarette. I've been there.Done that. These guys,look like Texaco Rangers. Get a little dirty,your suppose to be portraying soldiers at the end of the WAR of NORTHERN AGGRESSON. I served with the 2nd South Carolina Inf., in the movie, Gettysburg.So I know of where I speak. The South shall rise AGAIN.
From Larry Julian (larryhob1@verizon.net) in Leominster,Mass.
Wonderful. Gave me goose bumps! Miss you guys.
From Valerie Steinau (rdsteinau@cinci.rr.com)
Check out the new review from MovieRoomReviews.com: http://www.movieroomreviews.com/the-battle-of-little-saylers-creek-dvd-review
From David George (Paradoxpix@aol.com) in Los Angeles
I would like to thank David George and Lisa Arden for their commitment to this endeavor. I received my copy yesterday in the mail and immediately put it in the DVD player and for the next hour was spellbound by all of the hard work and creativity. I am the Chairperson for Sayler's Creek Reenactment and Preservation Committee, Inc. We have been hosting these reenactments at this State Park since 1978 and this documentary not only helps us to show the lengths our reenactors go to to honor and preserve the history of our Nation,but gives an accurate accounting of both sides of the conflict. The reenactors and this committee are long overdue in being recognized. We,since our incorporation in 1989 have helped to keep this park as it was back on April 6, 1865 and have donated over $62,000 to this State Park. I cannot THANK David and Lisa and their crew for all of their hard work on what is ultimately an awesome job. Our committee will continue to help this park as it is a special place to all of us and we are committed to finishing what we have started. This film has only fueled our fire more. I wish everyone would purchase this film and take a step back into time for just one hour not to mention the slide shows that are also contained in this film.Thank you not just to the film crew but all of the reenactors who were there to make this possible. Happy Holidays to all and Hooray to David and Lisa again. Wendy Lee Oliver , Sayler's Creek Reenactment and Preservation Committee, Inc. 434-223-2053
From Wendy Lee Oliver (loenterprize@kinex.net) in Farmville, Virginia
bravo. really well done. imaginative, well thought out, visually interesting, though provoking. Makes me want to know more, about the reenactors, and the times depicted. Thanks.
From michael pitkow in Los Angeles
My Great Grandfather, John P Wingfield, was wounded and captured during this battle. He was with the 34th Va Infantry. He had 5 boys and 2 girls and he died in Bedford, VA my hometown about 1918.
From Don Wingfield (samblotz@aol.com) in Franklin TN
Great job, great music and I want to share a bit of history you might be very interested in. Baseball is the game that came out of the Civil War as a uniting event for our people. However, the game was played in ireland, England, and back in Europe in the 1700's. I travel the world teaching the game and want to present the global impact of this "Civil WAR Game". I have seen it bring countries together in spite of religious, economic, or cultural differences. Maybe we can find a way to bring this to the world via your talents. I have the story ready too go. Just need the right director. I will be looking forward to your reply. Frank Fulton 434 489 4544 frankfulton@verizon.net
From Frank fulton (frankfulton@verizon.net) in Danville, Virginia
Ohio Historical Marker at cemetery in Massillon, Oh. : Private William R. Richardson Burial Site of Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient As a member of the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Calvary that fought at the Battle of Sailor's Creek in Virginia on April 6, 1865, the last major battle of the Civil War, Private William Richardson was personally recommended by General Phillip Sheridan to receive the Medal of Honor for bravery. Private Richardson was the only survivor of an eight man recon group sent to investigate the strength and position of Confederate troops. His information was invaluable toward the defeat of enemy forces that day. Private Richardson is buried with his comrades by the Civil War Soldiers Monument.
From Robert Haag (rhaag@neo.rr.com)
The Ohio Historical Marker in Cemetery Massillon, Oh. beside William Richardson's Ohio Historical Marker: ROBERT PINN During the Civil War in 1863, twenty-year-old Massillon farmer Robert Pinn enlisted in the 5th Regiment, Company I, United States Colored Troops (USCT) at his first opportunity, saying "I was very eager to become a soldier, in order to prove by my feeble efforts the black man's rights to untrammeled manhood." At the battle of New Market Heights in 1864 Richmond campaign, he assumed command of his company after his unit's officers were all killed or wounded - and was himself wounded three times. For his meritorious conduct Pinn received the Congressional Metal of Honor, one of four African Americans so honored from the 5th USCT. Following the war he attended Oberlin College and became a successful Massillon attorney. He died in 1911 and is interred here.
From Robert Haag (rhaag@neo.rr.com)
I wish I could be more positive about this effort, but the battle you are describing has no resemblence to the battle of Sailor's Creek (spelling by the park itself). You made no mention of Holts Corner, Marshall;s Crossroads, the Lockett Farm, the Hillsman House, all of which were vital parts of the battle. By the way, Sailor's Creek Battlefield is 20 miles from Appomattox Courthouse, not five. None of the terrain in your film looks familiar, and I am pretty acquainted with the battlefield. Neither army was camped at Sailor's Creek on the night before the battle, and the Union Army had not been chasing Lee for months. Both armies were entrenched at Petersburg until Lee evacuated on April 2, four days before the Battle of Sailor's Creek. There is no old barn on the battlefield as depicted in this film. I find it very difficult to believe that anyone could accept this as an explanation or depiction of the Battle of Sailor's Creek.
From J McParland in Virginia
J. McParland: I'm not sure if you watched our film. You may have seen our preview which is 9 min our film is 60 min plus extras. There is a whole section on the Hillsman House and the Sayler's Creek Battlefield is where we shot with the approval of Wendy Lee Oliver (Chair of the Sayler's Creek reenactment and Preservation Committee). The barn we shot in is on the property close to the building where the re-enactors sign in. Our film is a record of this particular reenactment and the history as told by the reenactors themselves. Thank you for your interest.
From David George
