Beautifully crafted, exquisitely photographed and exceedingly well-acted historical drama set during the American Civil War that profitably concentrates on character development rather than action for its success. Southerner Shelby Wade Peyton (Dan Futterman), Irish immigrant Devin O'Neil (Clive Owen) and George Armstrong Custer (Josh Lucas) are 1861 students whose friendship is sorely tested when war breaks out between North and South. Though its subject is very American, the affecting, involving result is an unusually smart, posh and intelligent TV movie.

©ipc tx. Film content from TVTimes