Top 10 Historical Films About Southern Plantations

Description: This epic film captures the turbulent life of Scarlett O'Hara during the Civil War and Reconstruction era, showcasing the grandeur and the downfall of Southern plantation life.

Fact: The film was the first to be released on video while it was still being shown in theaters. It also won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Description: This controversial film delves into the brutal realities of slavery on a Southern plantation, focusing on the exploitation and dehumanization of slaves.

Fact: The film was one of the first to openly depict interracial sexual relationships, causing significant controversy at the time.

Description: Set in the 1930s, this film uses the backdrop of a Southern plantation to tell a story of personal redemption and the mystical guidance of a caddie named Bagger Vance.

Fact: The film was inspired by the Bhagavad Gita, with Bagger Vance serving as a modern-day Krishna figure.

Description: While not directly about plantations, this film explores the aftermath of Lincoln's assassination, touching on the broader historical context of the South during Reconstruction.

Fact: The film was directed by Robert Redford, who was drawn to the story for its exploration of justice and civil liberties.

Description: While not exclusively about plantations, this film set in Mississippi during the 1960s captures the lives of African-American maids working in white households, reflecting the broader social dynamics of the time.

Fact: The film was adapted from Kathryn Stockett's novel, which was inspired by her own experiences growing up in the South.

Description: Quentin Tarantino's spaghetti Western takes place in the antebellum South, where a freed slave teams up with a bounty hunter to rescue his wife from a brutal plantation owner.

Fact: The film features a mix of historical accuracy with Tarantino's signature style, including a cameo by Franco Nero, the original Django from the 1966 film.

Description: Based on the true story of Solomon Northup, this film provides a harrowing look at slavery on a Louisiana plantation, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit.

Fact: The film was shot on the same plantation where part of the real Solomon Northup's story took place, adding authenticity to the setting.

Description: Set in a secluded girls' school in Virginia during the Civil War, this film explores the dynamics of power and desire when a wounded Union soldier arrives at the plantation.

Fact: This is a remake of the 1971 film of the same name, but Sofia Coppola's version offers a fresh perspective with a focus on the female characters.

Description: This TV movie follows the life of a former slave from the Civil War era to the civil rights movement, offering a sweeping view of Southern history.

Fact: Cicely Tyson's performance as Miss Jane Pittman earned her an Emmy Award, and the film itself won nine Emmys.

Description: This miniseries chronicles the lives of two friends from different backgrounds during the Civil War, with scenes set on Southern plantations illustrating the era's social and economic divides.

Fact: The series was based on John Jakes' bestselling novels and was one of the most-watched miniseries of its time.