Marbles and Bullets (2025)

Shuler Hensley is Samuel Barnett, a Confederate deployed on the Rebel flank at the Battle of the Wilderness.

He’s about to fire at the advancing Yankees when a young black boy walks into the sight of his rifle.

The Confederates charge. Barnett grabs the youth and carries him to safety, suffering a gruesome gunshot to the chest in the process.

When he regains consciousness, his chest is bandaged and he’s surround by young slave children and a healer named Mr. Magian.

Jeremiah (Christopher Lawson-Palmer), the youth he saved, is there too. He announces that he has a purpose: To guide Barnett home.

Barnett wants no part of that. He wants nothing but to get back to the war, to kill more Yanks and to make sure the slaves stay in chains where they belong.

His journey with Jeremiah changes his viewpoint. And Barnett slowly comes to realize that his only salvation lies in a journey home and not back into the darkness of war.

Shuler Hensley as Samuel Barnett threatens a wounded Union soldier at gunpoint in Marbles and Bullets (2025)

Christopher-Lawson Palmer as Jeremiah, crying for the fallen comrades Samuel Barnett can’t grieve for in Marbles and Bullets (2025)

Review:

The first few minutes of this film feature the unconvincing use of re-enactment footage, Confederate officers so overweight they don’t look like they could march 100 yards without collapsing, and a Cherokee fighting by Barnett’s side. The Cherokee isn’t even trusted by his own commanders.

So you’ll be forgiven if the film’s opening has you thinking you’ve stumbled into low-budget movie hell.

Stick with it and it gets better. Much better once Barnett and Jeremiah begin their journey. In fact, it winds up being quite an impressive little independent film.

Just understand this: It is not a traditional film with a traditional plot line. You’ll be watching Jeremiah, the most unlikely of guardian angels for a Rebel soldier, lead Barnett on what the film’s promotional material calls “an otherworldy journey home through a parallel wilderness.”

Some of their encounters along the way are too heavy-handed for the film’s own good. Others are whimsical. Some are touching. And the cinematrography is impressive throughout.

The film marks the directorial film debut for Richard De Witt and the first major film role for young Christopher-Lawson Palmer.

Kelly Shipe as Adena Barnett, Samuel’s husband, just wishing he would come home from war in Marbles and Bullets (2025)

Alex Watson as Emmit, a Union bandsman blinded at The Wilderness but still protective of his instrument named Beatrice in Marbles and Bullets (2025)

Directed by:
Richard De Witt

Cast:
Shuler Hensley … Samuel Barnett
Christopher-Lawson Palmer … Jeremiah
Kelly Shipe … Adena Barnett
Cylk Cozart … Mr. Magian
David Dwyer … Gen. Rum
Michael A. Candela … Birdman Whaller
Alex Watson … Emmit Elsworth Decatur III, saxomonist
Enya Flack … Miss Minty / Harriet Tubman
Lena Alliso … Chloe
Peter Candela … Cherokee Kid
Nikki Estridge … Walks on Wind
Emma Thorne … Clara
Limitless James-Arthur Williams … Uncle Tom
Curt Willis … Johnny Reb
Marcy Conway … Marcy
Jeff Delaney .. Confederate deserter
Eshayla Foley … Clara
Shielia Wofford … Medicine Woman
Celeste Wilson … Lizzie
Sonya White … Pickle Annie

Runtime: 108 min.

Cylk Cozard as Mr. Magian, the healer who treats Barnett after he’s wounded in Marbles and Bullets (2025)

Michael A. Candela as Birdman Whaller, too wrapped up in inventing for a brighter tomorrow to worry about today’s Civil War in Marbles and Bullets (2025)

Memorable lines:

Samuel Barmett, after the Battle of the Wilderness: “i used to be able to see home in that big ol’ marble.

Samuel Barnett to Jeremiah: “You and me’s done. But my fighting ain’t.”

Samuel Barnett to Jeremiah: “I saved you. You did what you did. We’re as even as two foot-long snakes. Nothing more.”

Samuel Barnett to Jeremiah: “You gotta know, boy. Whatever you do in life, it sticks to you like tree sap. Never goes away. Never.”

Gen Rum to Samuel Barnett: “With wings of fire, fly like hell to heaven.”

Samuel Barnhart: “Home is always far away, especially when you’re trying hard to get there.”

Enya Flack as Eliza and Harriet Tubman, urging Jeremiah to pursue ‘great dreams’ in Marbles and Bullets (2025)

Nikki Estridge as Walks on Wind, the Native American who helps guide Jeremiah and Samuel Barnett on their journey in Marbles and Bullets (2025)

Shuler Hensley as Samuel Barnett examines the bullet dug out of his chest following the Battle of the Wilderness in Marbles and Bullets (2025)

Christopher-Lawsoon Palmer as Jeremiah examines the ‘big ol’ marble’ Samuel Barnett used to be able to ‘see home through’ in Marbles and Bullets (2025)