Class of '61

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Class of '61
Class of '61.jpg
GenreDrama
History
War
Written by Jonas McCord
Directed by Gregory Hoblit
Starring Dan Futterman
Clive Owen
Josh Lucas
Theme music composer John Debney
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers Steven Spielberg
Jonas McCord
Producer Gregg Fienberg
Production locations Charleston, South Carolina
Mount Berry, Georgia
Cinematography Janusz Kamiński
Editor David Rosenbloom
Running time90 minutes
Production companies Amblin Television
Universal Television
Original release
Network ABC
ReleaseApril 12, 1993 (1993-04-12)

Class of '61 is a 1993 American war drama television film produced by Steven Spielberg as a projected television series about the American Civil War. [1] It focused on men who were classmates at West Point and separated by the war between the North and the South. Filmed in Charleston, South Carolina and Atlanta, this work was the first collaboration between Spielberg and cinematographer Janusz Kamiński.

Contents

Plot

The film follows the lives of several West Point classmates who fight on opposite sides of the American Civil War, which disrupts their previously close community.

The film also follows the adventures of Lucius, a slave who escapes via the Underground Railroad to freedom. The film cuts between the First Battle of Bull Run and the birth of Lucius' child into slavery.

Cast

Production

Renowned Civil War historian Shelby Foote acted as consultant, and documentary producer Ken Burns was acknowledged for his contributions. He had created the critically acclaimed The Civil War documentary series in 1990. [2]

This was the first collaboration between Spielberg and cinematographer Janusz Kamiński, whose work on Diane Keaton's Wildflower impressed Spielberg to hire him. [3] [4]

References

  1. Hadden, Briton; Luce, Henry Robinson (1992). Time - Google Books . Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  2. "Class of '61 (1993) - Overview". Turner Classics (TCM.com). April 25, 2010. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  3. Mermelstein, David (February 20, 2013), "Spielberg's Eye", Cultural Conversation, The Wall Street Journal , retrieved May 15, 2024
  4. Buchanan, Kyle (November 14, 2012), "How Steven Spielberg's Cinematographer Got These Eleven Shots", Vulture , retrieved May 15, 2024