''Ironclads'' is a 1991
made-for-television movie
A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...
produced by
Ted Turner
Robert Edward "Ted" Turner III (born November 19, 1938) is an American entrepreneur, television producer, media proprietor, and philanthropist. He founded the Cable News Network (CNN), the first 24-hour United States cable news, cable news ch ...
's
TNT
Trinitrotoluene (), more commonly known as TNT, more specifically 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, and by its preferred IUPAC name 2-methyl-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, is a chemical compound with the formula C6H2(NO2)3CH3. TNT is occasionally used as a reagen ...
company about the events behind the creation of from the remains of and the battle between ''Virginia'' and in the
Battle of Hampton Roads
The Battle of Hampton Roads, also referred to as the Battle of the ''Monitor'' and ''Virginia'' (rebuilt and renamed from the USS ''Merrimack'') or the Battle of Ironclads, was a naval battle during the American Civil War.
It was fought over t ...
, March 8, 1862 – March 9, 1862.
Noel Taylor received an
Emmy Award
The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the calendar year, each with the ...
nomination for his costume designs for the production.
Plot
Quartermaster
Quartermaster is a military term, the meaning of which depends on the country and service. In land armies, a quartermaster is generally a relatively senior soldier who supervises stores or barracks and distributes supplies and provisions. In m ...
's
Mate
Mate may refer to:
Science
* Mate, one of a pair of animals involved in:
** Mate choice, intersexual selection
** Mating
* Multi-antimicrobial extrusion protein, or MATE, an efflux transporter family of proteins
Person or title
* Friendship ...
Leslie Harmon is awaiting a court martial when he is brought to
Commodore
Commodore may refer to:
Ranks
* Commodore (rank), a naval rank
** Commodore (Royal Navy), in the United Kingdom
** Commodore (United States)
** Commodore (Canada)
** Commodore (Finland)
** Commodore (Germany) or ''Kommodore''
* Air commodore ...
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith Jr. (December 23, 1805June 27, 1844) was an American religious leader and founder of Mormonism and the Latter Day Saint movement. When he was 24, Smith published the Book of Mormon. By the time of his death, 14 years later, he ...
(
E.G. Marshall
E. G. Marshall (born Everett Eugene Grunz;Everett Eugene Grunz in Minnesota, U.S., Birth Index, 1900-1934, Ancestry.comEverett Eugene Grunz in the U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, accessed via Ancestry.com June 18, ...
) and his son
Lieutenant
A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations.
The meaning of lieutenant differs in different militaries (see comparative military ranks), but it is often sub ...
Joseph B. Smith, Jr. (
Kevin O'Rourke
Kevin Hjortshøj O'Rourke, (born 25 March 1963) is an Irish economist and historian, who specialises in economic history and international economics. Since 2019, he has been Professor of Economics at New York University Abu Dhabi. He was Profe ...
). He deliberately interfered with the militarily necessary demolition of the dry dock at Hampton Roads Naval Base to prevent collateral damage and civilian casualties, as Confederates overran the base.
Harmon is introduced to Miss Betty Stuart, a Virginia belle educated in
Baltimore
Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, and List of United States cities by popula ...
who wishes to help Harmon spy on the
Confederate States Navy
The Confederate States Navy (CSN) was the Navy, naval branch of the Confederate States Armed Forces, established by an act of the Confederate States Congress on February 21, 1861. It was responsible for Confederate naval operations during the Amer ...
at Gosport on the raised and refitted ''Merrimack'', now the ironclad ''Virginia''. Once in the South, Harmon encounters many key naval officers and learns that the armor test on of iron plate is staged to offer misinformation to any Union spies—like him. In reality, the ''Virginia'' boasts of armor and cannot be pierced by any Union guns. Harmon and Betty realize that this information must make it to
Washington, D.C.
)
, image_skyline =
, image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...
to improve firepower to sink ''Virginia''.
However, Betty has a change of heart upon learning that her childhood friend and lover, Lieutenant
Catesby ap Roger Jones
Catesby ap Roger Jones (April 15, 1821 – June 21, 1877) was an officer in the U.S. Navy who became a commander in the Confederate Navy during the American Civil War. He assumed command of during the Battle of Hampton Roads and engaged in ...
, has been reassigned as the second-in-command of ''Virginia'' and is now in danger of death due to the very intelligence she intended to send North. She tries to stop Harmon from going north with the intelligence, but he goes anyway. At the commissioning ceremony for ''Virginia'', she confesses to her now-fiancé Lt. Jones that she had helped Leslie Harmon infiltrate the shipyard and spy for the Union, warning him of the possible increase in firepower. He is stunned and distraught at her betrayal, yet sails to war without turning her in as one final act of love for his traitorous fiancé. ''Virginia'' sails off to break the Union blockade at Hampton Roads. Betty is promptly arrested by Lt. Guilford (Philip Casnoff), an admiral's aide and spy hunter, on suspicion of espionage.
''Virginia'' first approaches as her skipper, Lt. Smith, rallies his men on board to do their duty. Captain
Franklin Buchanan
Franklin Buchanan (September 17, 1800 – May 11, 1874) was an officer in the United States Navy who became the only full admiral in the Confederate Navy during the American Civil War. He also commanded the ironclad CSS ''Virginia''.
Early lif ...
(Leon B. Stevens) of ''Virginia'' rallies his men similarly. ''Congress'' fires a full broadside into ''Virginia'' to no effect. In the ensuing action, ''Virginia'' bypasses ''Congress'', promptly sinks , and returns to sink ''Congress''. Lt. Smith is killed; taking over command, executive officer Lt. Pendergrast orders the ship's surrender. Though ''Virginia''s crew are jubilant, rifle fire from Union troops ashore enrages Captain Buchanan. He goes topside to return fire and is wounded, thereupon ordering Jones to assume command and set ''Congress'' ablaze.
That same night, Lt. Guilford interrogates Betty, who denies being a spy based on an intercepted letter to her from Lt. Smith. She is informed then of Smith's death aboard ''Congress''. When informed that her fate is the gallows if she does not cooperate, she hopes for the courtesy and respect shown an executed spy the day before (whose hanging she witnessed). Lt. Guilford rebuffs her, showing his contempt for her treason when compared to the bravery of the hanged soldier who was honorably fighting for his side.
During the night, ''Monitor'' sails in between the burning ''Congress'' and ''Virginia'' to protect , which has run aground and is defenseless until high tide returns the next day. Only the low tide has prevented ''Virginia'' from finishing off ''Minnesota'' immediately. Captain Van Brunt (Joel Abel) delivers orders to Captain
John Worden (Andy Park) of ''Monitor'', along with Leslie Harmon, who has volunteered his service as a pilot. Worden makes Harmon, familiar with Hampton Roads and CSS ''Virginia'', midshipman on the spot.
The morning of the second day of battle, Jones sights ''Monitor'' and describes her as "the test we face." Worden does his best to engage ''Virginia'' as far from ''Minnesota'' as he can, aided by ''Monitor''s shallower draft, greater maneuverability, and the damage sustained by ''Virginia'' the previous day. As the two ships exchange fire, ''Virginia'' runs aground, but is able to pull free. Jones attempts to ram the ''Monitor'' but fails to do significant damage; Worden orders a return ramming attempt, but is blinded when a shell from ''Virginia'' strikes ''Monitor''s pilot house. ''Monitor'' withdraws, having delayed ''Virginia'' from sinking ''Minnesota''. In view of the damage to ''Virginia'', the exhaustion of his crew, and the falling tide, Jones also decides to retire back to port.
Both sides claim victory, although the ''Monitor'' saved the rest of the blockade from destruction. Her designer,
John Ericsson
John Ericsson (born Johan Ericsson; July 31, 1803 – March 8, 1889) was a Swedish-American inventor. He was active in England and the United States.
Ericsson collaborated on the design of the railroad steam locomotive ''Novelty'', which com ...
(Fritz Weaver), has an argument with Secretary of the Navy
Gideon Welles
Gideon Welles (July 1, 1802 – February 11, 1878), nicknamed "Father Neptune", was the United States Secretary of the Navy from 1861 to 1869, a cabinet post he was awarded after supporting Abraham Lincoln in the 1860 election. Although opposed ...
(Conrad McLaren) over the use of insufficient powder in ''Monitor''s guns to sink ''Virginia'': Welles's officers respond that it was a calculated decision to prevent the guns from exploding and protect the lives of the crew.
Back at Gosport, Lt. Guilford is pleased to release Betty, informing her that she saved ''Virginia'' based on a report by Lt. Jones. Demonstrating Southern chivalry, he was pleased to not have to hang her. In reality, Lt. Jones used Betty's confession the day before to send false intelligence to the Union, which resulted in the lesser powder charges used by ''Monitor''. Lt. Jones tells Betty that he couldn't bear to see her hang, but that he can never be with her again due to her treasonous actions. She is sent north, forever marked as a traitor to her family, friends, and fellow Virginians.
A voice-over narrative indicates that ''Virginia'' was scuttled two months later after Union troops took Norfolk, and that ''Monitor'' sank off
Cape Hatteras
Cape Hatteras is a cape located at a pronounced bend in Hatteras Island, one of the barrier islands of North Carolina.
Long stretches of beach, sand dunes, marshes, and maritime forests create a unique environment where wind and waves shape ...
at the end of the year.
Cast
*
Virginia Madsen
Virginia Gayle Madsen (born September 11, 1961) is an American actress and film producer. She made her film debut in ''Class'' (1983), which was filmed in her native Chicago. After she moved to Los Angeles, director David Lynch cast her as Pri ...
- Betty Stuart, a double agent for the North and fiancée of Lt. Jones
*
Alex Hyde-White
Alex Hyde-White (born 30 January 1959) is an American film and television actor. In 1978, he signed with Universal Pictures as one of the last " contract players" in Hollywood, in a group that included Lindsay Wagner, Andrew Stevens, Gretchen ...
- Lieutenant
Catesby ap Roger Jones
Catesby ap Roger Jones (April 15, 1821 – June 21, 1877) was an officer in the U.S. Navy who became a commander in the Confederate Navy during the American Civil War. He assumed command of during the Battle of Hampton Roads and engaged in ...
, Betty's Southern fiancée and executive officer of ''Virginia''
*
Reed Diamond
Reed Edward Diamond (born July 20, 1967) is an American actor. He is known for the roles of Det. Mike Kellerman on '' Homicide: Life on the Street'', Jason Pillar in season 8 of '' 24'', and recurring character Laurence Dominic on ''Dollhouse' ...
- Quartermaster's Mate (later Midshipman) Leslie Harmon, a Union sailor and spy
*
Philip Casnoff
Philip Casnoff (born August 3, 1949) is an American actor, known for his roles in TV series and on Broadway. He has also been a director.
Early life and education
Philip L. Casnoff was born on August 3, 1949, in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, P ...
- Lieutenant Guilford, Southern navy officer and spy hunter
*
E.G. Marshall
E. G. Marshall (born Everett Eugene Grunz;Everett Eugene Grunz in Minnesota, U.S., Birth Index, 1900-1934, Ancestry.comEverett Eugene Grunz in the U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, accessed via Ancestry.com June 18, ...
- Commodore (later Rear Admiral)
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith Jr. (December 23, 1805June 27, 1844) was an American religious leader and founder of Mormonism and the Latter Day Saint movement. When he was 24, Smith published the Book of Mormon. By the time of his death, 14 years later, he ...
*
Fritz Weaver
Fritz William Weaver (January 19, 1926 − November 26, 2016) was an American actor in television, stage, and motion pictures. He portrayed Dr. Josef Weiss in the 1978 epic television drama, ''Holocaust'' for which he was nominated for a Primetime ...
-
John Ericsson
John Ericsson (born Johan Ericsson; July 31, 1803 – March 8, 1889) was a Swedish-American inventor. He was active in England and the United States.
Ericsson collaborated on the design of the railroad steam locomotive ''Novelty'', which com ...
, designer of ''Monitor''
* Leon B. Stevens - Captain
Franklin Buchanan
Franklin Buchanan (September 17, 1800 – May 11, 1874) was an officer in the United States Navy who became the only full admiral in the Confederate Navy during the American Civil War. He also commanded the ironclad CSS ''Virginia''.
Early lif ...
, commanding officer of ''Virginia'' until wounded by rifle fire
*
Kevin O'Rourke
Kevin Hjortshøj O'Rourke, (born 25 March 1963) is an Irish economist and historian, who specialises in economic history and international economics. Since 2019, he has been Professor of Economics at New York University Abu Dhabi. He was Profe ...
- Lieutenant
Joseph B. Smith, captain of ''Congress'' and Northern suitor of Betty
* Joanne Dorian - Blossom Stuart, Betty's mother
* Beatrice Bush - Opal, Blossom's maid and Betty's confidant
* Conrad McLaren -
Gideon Welles
Gideon Welles (July 1, 1802 – February 11, 1878), nicknamed "Father Neptune", was the United States Secretary of the Navy from 1861 to 1869, a cabinet post he was awarded after supporting Abraham Lincoln in the 1860 election. Although opposed ...
, Secretary of the Union Navy
* Burt Edwards -
Edwin M. Stanton
Edwin McMasters Stanton (December 19, 1814December 24, 1869) was an American lawyer and politician who served as U.S. Secretary of War under the Lincoln Administration during most of the American Civil War. Stanton's management helped organize ...
, Secretary of War
* James Getty - President
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln ( ; February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was an American lawyer, politician, and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. Lincoln led the nation thro ...
* Phil Whiteway - Commander Davis, Union Navy staff officer and member of the Ironclad Board
* Carl Jackson - Cletus, Opal's husband and Leslie Harmon's informant
* Marty Terry - Salome Coyt, Norfolk socialite
* Chris Northup - Spencer Brown, Union spy executed by Guilford
* Joan DeMarrais - Mrs. Fletcher, Norfolk socialite
* Michal Leamer - Ella Mae
* Roy Lind -
Stephen Mallory
Stephen Russell Mallory (1812 – November 9, 1873) was a Democratic senator from Florida from 1851 to the secession of his home state and the outbreak of the American Civil War. For much of that period, he was chairman of the Committee on Na ...
, Secretary of the Confederate Navy
* Greg Baber - Sgt. Collins
* Michael Costello - Lt. Ramsey, chief engineer of ''Virginia''
* J. Michael Hunter - Lt. Simms, gunnery officer of ''Virginia''
* Michael Stanton Kennedy - Pilot Patten, harbor pilot of ''Virginia''
* Gayle Turner - Quartermaster Williams, helmsman of ''Virginia''
* Duke Lafoon - Seaman Yates
* Andy Park -
John L. Worden
John Lorimer Worden (March 12, 1818 – October 19, 1897) was a U.S. Navy officer in the American Civil War, who took part in the Battle of Hampton Roads, the first-ever engagement between Ironclad warship, ironclad steamships at Hampton Roads, V ...
, captain of ''Monitor''
* George Kelly - Lt.
Samuel Greene, executive officer of ''Monitor''
* Ford Flannagan - Ensign William F. Keeler, paymaster and messenger of ''Monitor''
* Mark Ransom Eis - Seaman Stodder
* Joel Abel - Captain Van Brunt of USS ''Minnesota''
* Tom Width - Lt. Austin Pendergrast, executive officer of USS ''Congress''
* Ernie Dunn - Ensign Stone
Alex Hyde-White later portrayed Union Major General
Ambrose Burnside
Ambrose Everett Burnside (May 23, 1824 – September 13, 1881) was an American army officer and politician who became a senior Union general in the Civil War and three times Governor of Rhode Island, as well as being a successful inventor ...
in the 2003 film ''
Gods and Generals''. Also, Philip Casnoff's character in this film is quite similar in accent and personality to his role in the 1985 miniseries ''
North and South North and South may refer to:
Literature
* ''North and South'' (Gaskell novel), an 1854 novel by Elizabeth Gaskell
* ''North and South'' (trilogy), a series of novels by John Jakes (1982–1987)
** ''North and South'' (Jakes novel), first novel ...
'' a few years prior, but with Southern chivalry and without the sociopathy.
In 2017, Hyde-White gave an interview to the "A Word on Westerns" YouTube channel, in which he recalled that most of the film's extras were Civil War reenactors using their own gear.
Awards
This film was nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards including Outstanding Achievement in Special Visual Effects, Outstanding Costume Design for a Miniseries or Special, Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries or Special and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Drama Miniseries or a Special. However it did not win any of these awards.
References
External links
*
{{Delbert Mann
1991 films
American Civil War naval films
Films about capital punishment
Films directed by Delbert Mann
1990s English-language films
1990s American films