AllMovie

Despite the many books, videos, and programs dedicated to the Civil War, it remains somewhat unfathomable. After all, other great battles from World War I to the Vietnam War have been emblazoned on the nation's consciousness time and time again. The two-part series A Nation Asunder attempts to endow the American conflict with real images. A Nation Asunder, Pt. 1: Brother Against Brother concentrates on the first two years of the Civil War, from 1861 to 1863. Using vintage photographs, footage of war veterans, and dramatic re-enactions, the one-hour release tells of historic battles. The Attack on Fort Sumter, Battle of Bull Run, and Battle of Antietam are created before the viewer's eyes. The Civil War is visually disassembled in this detailed presentation.