The way to make a truly great film about the American Civil War is dead simple. Just show in an even-handed way what happened on both sides of the line. Respect the humanity, the courage, and the sacrifice of both Northerners and Southerners. Give credit to all who served bravely for the cause they believed in. Make a movie that HAS no bad guys in it, and that has no axe to grind.

That does not take genius...just honesty and evenhandedness.

A good movie does NOT have to have evil people on one side of the confict to be a good movie.

Clint Eastwood recently did two powerful movies about Iwo Jima...the first from the American viewpoint, the 2nd from the viewpoint of the Japanese defenders. He showed the humanity, patriotism, and courage on both sides. That's smart. It's more than smart, it's wise.