The Blue and the Gray

Infobox Television Film
name = The Blue and the Gray


caption =
format = Historical, drama
runtime = 296 min (Recut 2005 Version) / 381 min (Original 1982 Version)
creator =
starring = John Hammond
Stacey Keach
Lloyd Bridges
Gregory Peck
country = USA
network = CBS
first_aired = November 14, 1982
last_aired = November 17, 1982
num_episodes = 3
amg_id = 6224
imdb_id = 0083387

"The Blue and the Gray" was a 1982 TV mini-series set during the American Civil War starring John Hammond, Stacy Keach, Lloyd Bridges, and Gregory Peck as President Abraham Lincoln. It was produced by Larry White and Lou Reda, in association with Columbia Pictures Television, then owned by The Coca-Cola Company.Originally networkcast in three installments, the 8-hour "Blue and the Gray" is a sprawling adaptation of a story concept by American Civil War historian Bruce Catton. "The Blue and the Gray" was first telecast November 14, 16 and 17, 1982. The series was filmed in Arkansas. ~ Hal Erickson, Allmovie. [http://movies.msn.com/movies/movie.aspx?m=117076&mp=syn MSN on the mini-series.]

ynopsis

The plot revolves around the families of two sisters; Maggie Geyser and Evelyn Hale. The Geysers are southern farmers from Charlottesville, Virginia. The Hales own a small newspaper in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The Geysers are generally indifferent to the issue of slavery but are sympathetic to the Southern cause.The lone exceptions in the family is son John, an artistic young man who becomes sympathetic to the plight of southern slaves and free blacks. The Hales are pro-Union and anti-slavery but like many northerners at the time they hope for a peaceful solution to the nation's problems.

The drama begins in 1859 when John Geyser, the primary protagonist, becomes bored with life on the farm and travels to Pennsylvania to work as an artist correspondent for the newspaper of his uncle Jacob Hale, Sr. John's first assignment takes him to the trial of abolitionist John Brown where he meets and befriends the mysterious Jonas Steele, a former Jayhawker and Pinkerton detective.

After falling out with his family over the issues of slavery and secession over the Christmas of 1860, John returns to Pennsylvania for good. John's three brothers Matthew, Mark, and Luke will eventually serve in the Confederate Army. His three male Hale cousins Jake, Malachi, and James join the Union Army. Caught "betwixt and between", John will not fight for the South but is unwilling to bear arms against his own brothers. After being reunited with Jonas Steele, who has joined the Union Army as a scout, John becomes a war correspondent for Harper's Weekly. John travels with the Union Army and witnesses many of the important events of the Civil War including First Bull Run, The Peninsula Campaign, The Siege of Vicksburg, The Wilderness, Lee's surrender at Appomattox and Abraham Lincoln's assassination. The Battle of Gettysburg is a prominent focal point of the story although John Geyser does not witness it firsthand. During the course of the war John meets and falls in love with Kathy Reynolds, a Washington socialite turned battlefield nurse. The two families share a poignant reunion after the end of the war.

Cast

DVD

It has been released on DVD in 3- and 2-disc sets. The first was released on November 06, 2001, and the second on July 26, 2005.

ee also

North and South (TV miniseries)