Class of '61 (1993) - Once Upon a Time in a Western

The story of three friends, all West Pointers, torn apart by the Civil War, with two heading off to fight for the North and one for the South.

There’s Shelby Peyton (Dan Futterman), who isn’t proud of slavery, but can’t take up arms against his home state of Virginia. Even though he’s engaged to a girl whose family sympathizes with the North.

There’s George Custer (Josh Lucas), eager to ride to glory. And there’s Devin O’Neil (Clive Owen), whose desire to join the fighting is delayed when his loyalty is questioned.

After all, he’s friends with Southern sympathizer Rose Greenhow and his brother insists on fighting for the Rebels.

All paths lead to Bull Run, where the trio learn the high price of war.

The film also follows the plight of Lucius, a young black man who grew up as a friend of Shelby, but is still owned by his family.

As Shelby heads off to fight, his father has decided to grant Lucius, his wife and their unborn child their freedom.

But freedom has been calling to Lucius for a while. And he’s taken a step that makes that gift one that came a bit too late.

Dan Futterman as Shelby Peyton, the young Virginian who marches off to fight for the South in Class of ’61 (1993)

Andre Braugher as Lucius, riding the underground railroad in Class of ’61 (1993)

Review:

Not bad for a TV movie — executive produced by Steven Spielberg — with a focus on the way friendships and lovers are torn apart when war breaks out.

Christien Anholt, the rebelious young member of the O’Neil family, is top-billed.

But Dan Futterman as the young man from Virginia who’s in love with his sister, and Andre Braugher as Lucius, his slave and friend, wind up being the central characters.

In terms of the battle scenes, don’t expect too much. They’re not up to “Glory” or “Gettsburg” standards.

And the ending, with the three friends looking at each other across a blood-soaked battlefield, is entirely too contrived.

Clive Owen as Devin O’Neil, the Northern lad struggling to get a war assignment in Class of ’61 (1993)

Joshua Lucas as George Custer (right), watching the fighting at Bull Run in Class of ’61 (1993)

Directed by:
Gregory Hoblit

Cast:
Christien Anholt … Terry O’Neil
Andre Braugher … Lucius
Clive Owen … Devin O’Neil
Joshua Lucas … George Custer
Dan Futterman … Shelby Peyton
Sue-Ann Leeds … Rose Greenhow
Sophie Ward … Shannon O’Neil
Laura Linney … Lily Magraw
Niall O’Brien … James O’Neil
Dana Ivey … Mrs. Julia Peyton
Len Cariou … Dr. Peyton

Also with: Paul Guilfoyle, Frederick Rolf, Timothy Scott, Beverly Todd, Ed Wiley

Sophie Ward as Shannon O’Neil, the Baltimore girl in love with Virginian Shelby Peyton in Class of ’61 (1993)

Christien Anholt as Terry O’Neil, after being beaten by Northern sympathizers in Baltimore in Class of ’61 (1993)

Memorable lines:

O’Neal: “How is it when (Custer) passes out, I’m the one who gets to wheel him home.”
Custer: “Because you’re infantry, and cavalry always ride.”

Custer, when Peyton threatens to quit West Point to fight for the South: “I’d sleep with the vermin if it’d keep you hear.”
Peyton: “You already do, Fannie. I’ve seen your medical record.”

Sarah, a slave riding a train with her white owner: “Down home, they got lines people of color know they can’t cross. Don’t have to wonder what those lines are neither cause they’re written down in books, they’re plastered on billboards, they’re carved out in branding irons so even a blind n—-r knows his place. Now up here, this here promised land of yours, where they’re so proud about not having no lines that they preach about it from the pulpit like it was the 11th commandment, ‘thou shalt not have any lines’ … They do. Not in no books. Not on no branding irons. Not plastered on no billboards. But in their hearts.”

Custer: “We’ve got a party to go to.”
O’Neal: “Who’s?”
Custer: “Rose Greenhow’s, the grand dam of Washington society.”
O’Neal: “The sessesh lady.”
Custer: “And also a friend of the most beautiful belles this side of Richmond.”
O’Neal: “Isn’t that consorting with the enemy?”
Custer: “Yeah. If we get lucky.”

Peyton: “What’s all this masser talk? You’ve been going on like that ever since I got back.”
Lucius, his black slave/friend: “Well, that’s what you is, ain’t it?”
Peyton: “I never thought about myself like that, and you know it.”
Lucius: “Well, just because a mule don’t see himself a jackass don’t mean it ain’t so.”

Lucius, fleeing via the underground railroad, and wondering around a frightened black: “Anybody here know what’s wrong with this boy?”
Black woman: “Ain’t nothin’ wrong with him. Just ain’t never seen a growed colored boy with a clean back.”