Watch The Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All

The Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All is a TV movie adapted from a novel written by Allan Gurganus. It follows the story of Lucy Marsden, who became a child bride at 15 years old to her husband, Captain William Marsden, a veteran of the American Civil War. The movie is a period drama that takes place from the 1800s in rural North Carolina, to the 1980s, where Lucy is a nursing home resident.

The story begins with Lucy as an elderly woman living in an assisted living home in 1984. From her wheelchair, Lucy shares her story with a young professor, who is working on a project about the Civil War. Lucy's life story includes her childhood, her marriage to a man much older than her, and her life during and after the Civil War.

As a child, Lucy grew up in a plantation with her father, who was a slave owner, and her mother, who was more nurturing towards the slaves. As Lucy admits and argues, they loved the slaves and cared for them, but with the perspective of the time when slavery was common practice, they did not think there was anything wrong with it.

When Lucy meets Captain Marsden, she immediately falls in love with him. Marsden is kind and sweet, and his chivalry attracts Lucy. Although Marsden is twice Lucy's age, the couple gets married and becomes happy together. However, their happiness is disrupted when Marsden has to leave an already pregnant Lucy to go fight in the Civil War.

Captain Marsden proves to be a resilient captain, but the effects of the war weigh heavily on him, especially after the deaths of his children. Lucy makes it clear that the war was traumatizing, and while she could not understand exactly what he went through, she remained sympathetic to his struggles.

Lucy's life is fraught with heartache and challenges. She, too, has to survive through the horrors of poverty and a war-ravaged community, where resources are limited, and life is harsh. The war's aftermath, coupled with Marsden's own deep-set psychological agony after participating in the brutalities of the war, caused him to return home a changed man.

Despite the many challenges she faces, Lucy stays strong and carries on as best she can. Her resilience is a testament to women's strength during the harsh circumstances of the time.

The movie unfolds through Lucy's experiences and gives viewers an eye-opening narrative of historical events that shaped America. It addresses the harrowing experiences of one woman who lived through America's greatest tragedy and who stayed strong, despite the atrocities she faced.

The acting is noteworthy, with Diane Lane giving an admirable performance as the older Lucy, while Anne Bancroft and Donald Sutherland, among others, also deliver great performances. The costume and set design are exceptional, as the production accurately brings to life the way of life in the 1800s and the difficult times Lucy lives through.

In summary, The Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All is a well-crafted period piece that revolves around a young girl's life in the 1800s to her life as an elderly woman, looking back on her storied past. The movie is a poignant reminder of the strength of women and a testimony to the resilience of the human spirit. This TV movie is well worth the watch for those who want to learn about American history and appreciate excellent filmmaking.