Ironclads [VHS]

The movie's cast is highlighted by Virginia Madsen and E.G. Marshall.

The story line includes hints of a love triangle involving Madsen and a Union naval officer and a Confederate naval officer. While this part of the movie lacked some sincerity, it helps one realize that large numbers of people had friends and relatives on both sides during the Civil War.

I must say that I awarded this movie only three stars because the acting was not top-notch, the romance was not particularly romantic, and the drama was not especially dramatic. The reason it deserves at least three stars is two-fold. 1) When Madsen is faced with personal dilemma and questions her loyalties and motives, her mother's slave servant puts things into perspective for her by saying that things would not be so hard to put into perspective if she (Madsen) had been born a black slave. 2) The battle scenes, though somewhat lacking in the special effects department, were still quite good and may represent as accurate a portrayal of the battle between the ironclads as has been produced for the screen.

I would do a few things differently if I had a chance to do this movie over. I would cut or drastically minimize the romantic triangle. I would expand the opening scenes of the Union's withdrawal from the Gosport Naval Base, thus enhancing the premis for the story. I would also expand the role of the slaves who were used as couriers to smuggle information across enemy lines.

I recommend this movie to anyone who has interest in the American Civil War and to those who enjoy stories with a sea setting. If, however, you are looking only for an action adventure or a gripping drama, this movie will not satisfy you.

If you are looking for another Civil War era naval story that has more drama, check out the movie, "The Hunley."

I liked "Ironclads" but I didn't love it.

3 stars.

Alan Holyoak