The Last Confederate: The Story of Robert Adams

Being a native of South Carolina, I just truly "lived" in this movie. The actors 'became' the characters and I could feel what it was like during that turbulent time.

This is not a "slick" film one way or the other. Gwendolyn Edwards makes you want to bow and offer her your hand for a promenade; Julian Adams makes you realize what true Southern men went through during that time: it was not easy, nor pat, nor automatic. It was a time that was hard on all Southerners.

This film made it natural that you identify with the characters: they were not heroes, supermen, or plastic celebrities. They were real people.

I'll add this to my collection, and that is a rare honor indeed. Movies are so cheap and easily attainable that it's not worth the time and trouble to buy them. But I will definitely buy this one so that I always have it near to hand.

A million thanks to Julian and Weston Adams and to Gwendolyn Edwards. You all made it so real and so natural.

Thank you.

Jim Kirk

Paris, Tennessee

In 1860 Captain Robert Adams of South Carolina (Julian Adams) falls in love with Eveline McCord from Pennsylvania (Gwendolyn Edwards). Their challenges during the Civil War are chronicled. Eveline's brother and his wife are peripheral characters (Joshua Lindsey & Amy Redford), as is the comrade played by Eric Holloway.

Based on a true story, "The Last Confederate: The Story of Robert Adams" (2005), originally titled "Strike the Tent," is a Civil War story produced, written, and directed by the descendants of Robert and Eveline, which compelled critics to write it off as a 'vanity project.' The low budget (about $1 million) is comparable to "The Colt" (2005) and "Pharaoh's Army" (1995), but with a story akin to "Cold Mountain" (2003).

This is basically a Western transplanted to the Eastern Front of the Civil War. The tone is lyrical in a pleasant way that entrances the viewer, but the brutalities of combat are also depicted. Gwendolyn and Amy Redford (Robert's daughter) are beautiful and Adams makes for a convincing protagonist. The ironies of war are shown, e.g. The hero mercilessly mows down four Union soldiers and then is spared for unknown reasons by a Federalist.

The film runs 1 hour, 36 minutes, and was shot in South Carolina (Columbia & lower Richland County), North Carolina (Wilmington & another area), Georgia (Conyers) and Maryland (Hagerstown). Mickey Rooney and Tippi Hedren have small parts.

GRADE: B-

When I sat down to watch the 2005 movie "The Last Confederate: The Story of Robert Adams" (aka "Strike the Tent"), I must admit that I was expecting a bit more of a war drama. Sure, I wasn't familiar with the story upon which the movie is based, so I didn't know what I was in for here. But I was expecting a tad more than what directors A. Blaine Miller and Julian Adams delivered here.

Sure, "The Last Confederate: The Story of Robert Adams" was watchable, and it provided adequate enough entertaining for a single viewing. But this was hardly an outstanding or memorable movie set in the time period of the American Civil War.

The acting performances in the movie were actually good, but it was just a shame that the characters in the movie were a bit too bland and generic. They were simply lacking more spark and more dimensions for me, in order to feel like wholehearted and complete characters in the story.

I will say that the sets, props and atmosphere in "The Last Confederate: The Story of Robert Adams" definitely felt like it took place during the American Civil War, and that was something that added to the overall enjoyment of the movie.

I am sure that this 2005 movie will provide adequate entertainment for viewers familiar with the story, or for viewers looking for a love story set within the American Civil War. However, I was expecting a bit more warfare and action, so I was somewhat disappointed with this movie.

My rating of "The Last Confederate: The Story of Robert Adams" lands on a mediocre five out of ten stars. This is not a movie that I will be returning to watch for a second time.

The Last Confederate is a film conceived and brought to the screen by its star Robert Adams. Apparently with considerable help from the South Carolina Film Commission and state government. It certainly presents the Confederate cause in the best possible light, something of particular interest to South Carolina since it was those folks who were the first to secede and get the drums beating out a fast tempo.

After saying that it's also a good romantic film showing the love of star Adams's great great grandfather Julian Adams and his Yankee sweetheart from Pennsylvania played by Gwendolyn Edwards. With flashbacks to the Ante Bellum period we see Adams in the last days of the war knowing full well the cause was lost, but as he says it they're now fighting for a way of life. Of course the question of slavery is kind of glossed over as you would expect.

As romance however the film is first rate. After being taken prisoner and spending time in Elmira, the Union's Andersonville Adams and two friends escape and go to Pennsylvania because that's not what his captors would think he would do and because Edwards has fled there to be with her grandfather, an aged Mickey Rooney. Rooney his scenes mostly in bed delivers a fine performance, a man you can watch live almost his entire almost century life on the big and small screen.

The romance has some real poignancy to it. The film was shot on a lot of actual locations for the story. As history many will find it suspect.

Strike the Tent is a beautifully shot film that captures the external and internal conflict of the civil war and a families history of the period. Julian Adams shows strong acting ability in portraying the story of his family and the tough choices that have to be made for love and country.

I enjoyed the pace of the movie and have to comment again on the impressive cinematography. I can't tell but if this was shot digitally and transfered kudos to the production team in the final print. The story tells how true love overcomes all obstacles in its way. The film effectively captures a country split ideologically, socially and geographically and the plight of South Carolinians protecting their home and lands from the onslaught of war, illness and tyranny. It depicts the weary soldiers seeking not only victory but revenge and the plunders of war. Tragic in its honest depiction of the sacrifices both armies and families had to endure. In the end, the love that is all but impossible is the only thing that will never die in this historical memoir. Thanks again for sharing this remarkable story of your family. I look forward to seeing the film again once it is released on DVD. I enjoyed this first effort and look forward to other projects from these promising film makers.