"For all you civil war buffs this is a fine film. It's roughly an hour
program in the same vein as any A&E type civil war re-enactment. This film
follows the civil war experience of Colonel Oscar Jackson as based on his
diary. The graphic depictions at times gives a feel for what it must have
been like to be in the war."
- Civil War buff from NY, review on amazon.com
"The use of intriguing camera angles, period music and high quality sound
effects and maps heighten the drama as seen through the eyes of dedicated
soldiers who marched, fought and died under the union flag."
- Carol Holzberg, Booklist
"Based on Jackson's journal, which was eventually published as The
Colonel's Diary 50 years after the war, this video personalizes the war
for viewers as few programs can. Vintage photographs, clear maps and
graphics and realistic live action combine to provide a powerful
experience for those with an interest in this critical time in America's
history."
". . . intriguing and sure-to-be-popular title." - Dwain Thomas and William Raney, Harper-Collins in LIBRARY JOURNAL
"Left for Dead tells an engaging story of the war through the eyes of one
young man who, like so many others, was forever changed by it. Jacksons
is a compelling story, and his personal reflections provide a refreshing
perspective on war and its aftermath." - Brenda Wilt, Civil War Times Illustrated
"Michael Kraus is at it again in this wonderful new piece based on the
true story of The Colonel's Diary. This production covers the Civil War
life of Oscar Jackson and his involvement with the 63rd Ohio. The
struggles and battles Jackson experiences are told through strong riveting
reenactments. The attention to detail and bloody scenes place the viewer
right on the battlefield while the story is backed by narration and
pictures. It is an interesting and very informative documentary which
certainly captures the gore, panic and horrors associated with combat in
the Civil War. Great camera angles and different approaches to filming are
certainly a bonus for the viewer in this production. This DVD is a must
have for anyone following the Civil War especially those interested in
learning about the western campaigns. Three Cheers for Kraus and Company,
'Hoorah! Hoorah! Hoorah!'" - Todd Newman, Cedarburg, Wisconsin, review on Amazon.com
"As Paul Andrew Hutton stated, 'If we seek today to know something more
than strategy and tactics employed by the generals, to something more
closely to the men who faced the volleys of mini balls and grapeshot, we
must first attempt to overcome the distance that separates our modern
sensibilities from the lives of the soldiers who marched, fought and
died.'"
"To understand the Civil War, you must first attempt to understand the
great armies that opposed one another. To understand those armies, you
must try to understand those individuals who pledged their oath of
allegiance to those great armies and their loyalties to the nation they
envisioned. This documentary on Captain Oscar Jackson of the 63rd Ohio
conveys just that. It takes one man, out of the 3 million who marched and
fought, and makes the 3 million who marched and fought, one man. Oscar
Jackson's story needed to be told." - Richard DeCarlo, Civil War reenactor
|