Civil War Era Film Series to feature movies made on location in Natchez

The Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration organizers have put together a wonderful film series of movies set in or around the time of the Civil War, that were filmed all or in part in Natchez, with the exception of the film, Glory. Make plans to come see them in the Natchez Visitor Center Theater on the following dates and at 4 p.m. each showing.  Admission is Free!• July 14, 2012: The Adventures of Huck Finn, filmed in Natchez in 1993. Set in the 1840s during the era of slavery, the story features a young white boy, his friend, Jim, a runaway slave, and their adventures along the Mississippi River. The story is a preamble to America’s Civil War, 1861 to 1865. It stars Elijah Wood, Courtney B. Vance, Robbie Coltrane and Jason Robards.• Aug. 11, 2012: Episodes based on John Jakes’ book, “North and South.” They will focus on secession and the beginning of the war. The 1985 film stars Patrick Swayze, David Carradine, Elizabeth Taylor and Jean Simmons.• Sept. 8, 2012: Raintree County, is a film set in 1862-63 based on Larry Lockridge’s novel, “Shade of the Raintree.” It involves a Northern abolitionist who marries a Southern woman, and eventually leaves her to joins the Union army. The 1957 movie stars Elizabeth Taylor, Montgomery Clift and Eva Marie Saint.• Oct. 13, 2012: The Horse Soldiers -A film involving horses and soldiers, set in 1863. Starring John Wayne and William Holden, it is based on the story of Grierson's Raid through Mississippi in 1863. Mike Gemmell of Natchez, in 1959 a cadet at Jefferson College, will discuss the making of the movie at the college.• Nov. 10, 2012: Part of a mini-series based on “Beulah Land,” a book by Lonnie Coleman. The film covers pre-war to reconstruction, with one episode dealing with Sherman's March through Georgia in late 1864. Stars of this 1980 film include Lesley Ann Warren, Don Johnson, Hope Lange and Eddie Albert.• Jan. 12, 2013: A made-for TV film set during Reconstruction and based on Howard Fast’s novel, “Freedom Road.” It gives a view of post-war turmoil from that of black freedmen, as portrayed by Muhammad Ali, and of white sharecroppers, as portrayed by Kris Kristofferson.• Feb. 9, 2013: Glory - A 1990 film not made in Natchez that is based on two novels, Lincoln Kirstein’s “Lay This Laurel” and Peter Burchard’s “One Gallant Rush.” Set in 1862, it traces the first formal unit of the U.S. Army made up entirely of African-American men. Stars are Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman.