Cold Mountain

( 36 )

Overview

Based on the novel by Charles Frazier, Anthony Minghella's star-studded Cold Mountain is a sweeping tale set in the final days of the American Civil War. Jude Law stars as Inman, a young soldier who, despite an injury, is struggling to make his way home to Cold Mountain, NC, where his beloved Ada Nicole Kidman awaits. In Inman's absence, Ada befriends Ruby Renée Zellweger, who helps her keep up her late father's farm. Meanwhile, in his travels, Inman encounters a menagerie of interesting folks. Also starring ...
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More About This Product

Overview

Based on the novel by Charles Frazier, Anthony Minghella's star-studded Cold Mountain is a sweeping tale set in the final days of the American Civil War. Jude Law stars as Inman, a young soldier who, despite an injury, is struggling to make his way home to Cold Mountain, NC, where his beloved Ada Nicole Kidman awaits. In Inman's absence, Ada befriends Ruby Renée Zellweger, who helps her keep up her late father's farm. Meanwhile, in his travels, Inman encounters a menagerie of interesting folks. Also starring Natalie Portman, Giovanni Ribisi, Donald Sutherland, and Philip Seymore Hoffman, Cold Mountain features original music by Jack White of the White Stripes.
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Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Ed Hulse
Eyebrows were raised when the acclaimed Charles Frazier novel -- set in North Carolina during the Civil War -- wound up in the hands of British director Anthony Minghella, with Australian actress Nicole Kidman and British actor Jude Law cast as the film’s romantic leads, two American Southerners. But as with Minghella’s deft adaptation of The English Patient, his take on Cold Mountain is a deeply satisfying cinematic experience. The film opens in the closing days of the bloody conflict, where the wounded Confederate soldier Inman Law begins a dogged odyssey home to North Carolina’s Cold Mountain, where he hopes to resume his romance with preacher’s daughter Ada Monroe Kidman. Since the death of her father, Ada’s been struggling to farm her land and is relying on the help of Ruby Thewes Renée Zellweger, a resourceful drifter with whom she forms a pragmatic but increasingly fond relationship. Employing lengthy flashbacks, extraordinary settings the film was shot in Romania, and evocative roots music, Minghella does a remarkable job of retaining the book’s multifarious characters and situations -- so much so that, even at 150 minutes, the film seems packed with incident enough for three movies. At times the pace flags, but the rich production and superb characterizations trump the occasional ponderousness. Law and Kidman are equally convincing, and Zellweger richly deserved the Oscar she won for her supporting role. The rest of the large cast is also distinguished, with plum roles going to Philip Seymour Hoffman, Eileen Atkins, Natalie Portman, Donald Sutherland, Kathy Baker, Brendan Gleeson, and Ray Winstone, among others. What’s more, the period is re-created with scrupulous attention to detail, making it easy for viewers to lose themselves in this epic drama.
All Movie Guide
Anthony Minghella's Cold Mountain is at once a beautifully shot, contemplative film about the Civil War South, and a messy, uneven narrative that fails to fully engage the viewer. Chief among the film's problems is its unbalanced mix of romance, war drama, road movie, and ensemble film elements. Considering the fact that this film is, at its heart, a romance, it is unfortunate that the leads lack chemistry. Although part of this may be due to the fact that both actors are playing very internalized characters -- Kidman a shy and unsure belle, and Law a thoughtful, yet introverted, man of few words -- they just do not stir up the requisite amount of passion when onscreen together for their love story to be compelling. There is also little foundation for their relationship in the story line since they barely interact with each other before their separation. Attempts to convey Ada's (Kidman) inner thoughts through voice-over readings of her love letters fall into melodrama, and Inman's (Law) repeated gazing at Ada's daguerreotype falls short of conveying more than escapist sentiments amidst his harsh surroundings. In fact, his decision to desert the Confederate Army seems to be grounded more in his own desire to get away from the bloodshed and death than in acquiescence to her call for his return. Thankfully, there is much more to both of their stories than their supposed love for each other. Though Ada and Inman maintain rather aloof personalities, even in their separate stories, they still have a multitude of other characters with which to interact. The film is bursting at the seams with colorful "country folk," disturbing opportunists, and sad souls -- many populated by recognizable character actors and minor stars. From the sinful Southern preacher played by the always-intriguing Philip Seymour Hoffman to the desperate, widowed young mother portrayed with ferocity by Natalie Portman, these characters are the lifeblood of the film. The larger supporting roles are taken by those in Ada's life, including a devastating turn by Kathy Baker as her neighbor and a moving turn by Donald Sutherland as Ada's wise father. Renée Zellweger's feisty performance as a down-home girl who helps Ada run her farm, becoming her closest friend in the process, may be considered by some as hamming it up or chewing the scenery; however, her character injects life into the film where it would otherwise have fallen horribly flat. The problem with all of these many performances is that they upstage the two leads. In this barrage of characters, even many cameo performers come across as full-blooded, three-dimensional personalities, while Ada and Inman seem more like blank slates. Helping out the film immensely is its wonderful musical score by Gabriel Yared and its many traditional country and folk tunes. The work of Alison Krauss, Jack White, and many other artists really brings the film to life, giving the Southern characters and environment a sense of authenticity throughout. Yared's score imbues the romance with a subtle, understated warmth that it could not have accomplished on its own and works beautifully with the sweeping, gorgeous cinematography. One should be warned that the film is very gruesome and brutal in parts, truly depicting the savagery of war and the anarchy that overran the South as the Civil War was being lost. This brutality, characterized at first on the actual battlefield, but also in many of the characters' heartless actions, threatens to overwhelm the love story and any hope the film seeks to offer. The movie seems to want its romance to be the unifying element, but the love story ends up feeling more like an ineffectual backdrop most of the time, not strong enough to balance out the disheartening elements of the film. Cold Mountain is really a beautifully crafted movie; it's just a shame that many of its disparate elements could not come together to create a cohesive cinematic experience.
Time Magazine - Richard Corliss
A grand and poignant movie epic about what is lost in war and what's worth saving in life. It is also a rare blend of purity and maturity -- the year's most rapturous love story.

A grand and poignant movie epic about what is lost in war and what's worth saving in life. It is also a rare blend of purity and maturity -- the year's most rapturous love story.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 4/15/2011
  • UPC: 031398137313
  • Original Release: 2003
  • Source: Miramax Lionsgate
  • Region Code: 1
  • Presentation: Wide Screen
  • Sound: DTS 5.1-Channel Surround Sound, Dolby AC-3 Surround Sound
  • Language: English
  • Time: 2:34:00
  • Format: DVD
  • Sales rank: 484

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Jude Law Inman
Nicole Kidman Ada Monroe
Renée Zellweger Ruby Thewes
Eileen Atkins Maddy
Brendan Gleeson Stobrod
Philip Seymour Hoffman Reverend Veasey
Natalie Portman Sara
Giovanni Ribisi Junior
Donald Sutherland Monroe
Ray Winstone Teague
Kathy Baker Sally Swanger
James Gammon Esco Swanger
Charlie Hunnam Bosie
Jack White Georgia
Ethan Suplee
Jena Malone
Melora Walters Lila
Lucas Black Oakley
Taryn Manning Shyla
Tom Aldredge Blind Man
James Rebhorn Doctor
Jen Apgar Dolly
Emily Deschanel
Mark Jeffrey Miller Sheffield
Robin Mullins Mrs. Castlereagh
Jay Tavare Swimmer
Technical Credits
Anthony Minghella Director, Screenwriter
Steven E. Andrews Associate Producer, Asst. Director
Maria Teresa Barbasso Art Director
Pier Luigi Basile Art Director
Albert Berger Producer
Tim Bricknell Associate Producer
T-Bone Burnett Musical Direction/Supervision
Elvis Costello Songwriter
Paul Engelen Makeup
Dante Ferretti Production Designer
William Horberg Producer
Ronna Kress Casting
Walter Murch Editor
Cristian Niculescu Art Director
Bob Osher Executive Producer
Carlo Poggioli Costumes/Costume Designer
Sydney Pollack Producer
Ivana Primorac Makeup
Ann Roth Costumes/Costume Designer
David Rubin Casting
John Seale Cinematographer
Ivan Sharrock Sound/Sound Designer
Iain Smith Executive Producer
Sting Songwriter
Luca Tranchino Art Director
Bob Weinstein Executive Producer
Harvey Weinstein Executive Producer
Jack White Songwriter
Gabriel Yared Score Composer
Ron Yerxa Producer
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Scene Index

Side #1 -- Feature
1. The Siege of Petersburg [5:20]
2. "Inman Speaks" [3:52]
3. "It's a Turkey Shoot!" [5:26]
4. Play Something Sweet [2:15]
5. "If it Were Enough Just to Stand" [5:48]
6. Heroes for the Cause [5:00]
7. "We Got Our War!" [6:31]
8. Bitter Chapters of Time [7:38]
9. Back to Cold Mountain [4:26]
10. Ada at the Well [3:22]
11. "My Name Is Ruby Thewes" [2:37]
12. "I'm a Man of God" [2:26]
13. Black Cove Catastrophe [2:11]
14. Ferry Crossing [4:04]
15. "You Never Wrapped Your Legs Around This Inman?" [4:06]
16. "The Tribes of Israel Are About to Flee!" [7:57]
17. Chain Gang [3:59]
18. "This World Won't Stand Long" [2:17]
19. "A Design for Each and Every One of Us" [4:11]
20. "Ruby With the Eyes That Sparkle" [5:20]
21. "Lie Here Next to Me" [6:46]
22. "Yankees Are Coming!" [11:02]
23. "A Cloud Over the Land" [5:24]
24. Lost and Found [8:30]
25. "I Marry You, I Marry You, I Marry You" [7:59]
26. "There Will Be a Reckoning" [7:32]
27. Making Peace With the Past [8:04]
28. End Credits [3:11]
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Menu

Side #1 -- Feature
   Play Movie
   Set Up
      Audio Options
         English DTS 5.1 Digital Surround Sound
         English Dolby Digital Surround Sound
         French
      Captions & Subtitles
         English Captions for the Hearing Impaired
         Spanish
         French
         None
   Special Features
      Feature Commentary With Director Anthony Minghella and Editor Walter Murch
   Scene Selections
Side #2 -- Bonus Features
   Special Features
      "Climbing Cold Mountain" - Documentary
      Deleted Scenes
         Play All
         Scene 2: Cold Mountain Chapel
         Scene 12: Battlefield
         Scene 36: Box Car
         Scene 53: Ocean by the Hospital
         Scene 90: Ada's Bedroom
         Scene 103: Veasey Town
         Scene 110: Old Mill
         Scene 114: Bottom Field at Black Cove
         Scene 152: Sara's Cabin
         Scenes 173-175: Cold Mountain
         Scene 189: Teague's Visit
      The Words and Music of Cold Mountain - Royce Hall Special
      A Journey to Cold Mountain
      Sacred Harp History
      Storyboard Comparisons
         The Siege of Petersburg
         The Swanger Torture Scene
         Sara's Cabin
   Sneak Peeks
      Play All
      Miramax 25th Anniversary
      The Alamo
      The English Patient Collector's Edition
      The Human Stain
      Shall We Dance?
      City of God
      Cold Mountain
      Hero
      People I Know
      The Barbarian Invasions
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 36 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(21)

4 Star

(9)

3 Star

(3)

2 Star

(1)

1 Star

(2)

Your Rating:

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 36 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Cold Mountain Review

    A cinematic representation of the social struggles during the early years of the Civil War, Cold Mountain explores the emotions acquired of characters changed from the extremes of a feuding nation. The plot follows Inman, a desserter of the Confederate army on his way home to Cold Mountain, North Carolina, and also his love Ada. Along the way, Inman meets extremely interesting characters and must also avoid the Home Guard looking for desserters such as himself. This film also explores the role of women that changes when the men in their family must go off to fight in the war. Recently in my high school history class I was assigned a project to watch a historical film and discuss its usefulness to viewers. From watching Cold Mountain, I was shown the perspective of the South during the tribulations of the Civil War. It was interesting to see this perspective, as it was informative of certain aspects that I wasn't aware of. For example, I didn't realize how terrible the crime of dessertion was during this time. It was also interesting to see the role of women portrayed through the actressess on screen. This film is a helpful source in the process of learning about the Civil War. I would recommend Cold Mountain to anyone who enjoys history with a bit of a love story mixed in.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Love and War: A Cold Mountain Review

    Cold Mountain is a historical movie about the civil war. In this movie, after months of war, a confederate soldier Inman is trying to return to his lover Ada. Ada is a young southern bell trying to help out around her father's farm. After her father's death, she is force to run the farm alone with little experience. Meanwhile, Inman is facing his fair share of crazy people while trying to run away from war. One person he meets on his journey back to Cold Mountain is a Reverend named Veasey. When Inman meets him, the drunk Reverend is trying to kill a black girl that he got pregnant. Veasey ends up meeting up with Inman later in the story and together to try to escape to freedom. Back in Cold Mountain, a tomboy Ruby comes to stay at the farm and help Ada. The two form a remarkable friendship that stays strong throughout the movie. Inman continues to meet up with some strange characters including a widow and her baby, a man and his drunk and prostitute "women" and a chain gang. All the while, the homeguards trying to find runaways from war are seaching for Inman. Although all seems hopeless, Ada continues to wait for her sweetheart. After years of battling himself and nature Inman gets the encourage he needs from a wise elder to make it home. When he finally returns home, him and Ada spend his last night together. The next morning, the homeguard finally kills Inman. In the future, you see Ada and Ruby living happily on their farm. The movie ends with Ada and her daughter, who was fathered by Inman. Cold Mountain is a great way to learn about the social aspect of the civil war and i highly recomend it to anyone.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Nice drama and acting

    This movie shows what it was like back in that time period. It also shows how soldiers felt during the war. I liked it alot! It shows a journey of a man wholeft a lady he liked and whent to fight for the confederacy, and now after the war he travels back to her,with yankee calvaries chasing him and differnt people helping him, its a great movie!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Best movie in long time

    Cold Mountain is the movie that gave me hope for the Hollywood film again. Jude Law, Zelwegger, and Nicole Kidman round out a fabulous love story with convincing portrayls of the time and passions of that time.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    One miscast character keeps it from 5 stars

    Don't get me wrong... I liked this movie a lot. But there is one glaring problem that keeps it from getting five stars from me. Nicole Kidman is seriously miscast in the female lead. I think sometimes Hollywood producers will go for the big name star, whether he or she fits the part or not. They figure that a star like Nicole Kidman will sell a definite number of tickets on her name recognition alone. With all the painstaking attention to detail in this movie, it seems like Kidman's inability to fit the role is even more glaring... its the old "trying to fit a square peg into a round hole" deal in my opinion. I'd rather a see a lesser known actress who is convincing as a southern woman, than a big name star who struggles to pull it off. The only other negative is that I felt the pre-war town life in Cold Mountain was a little hoakey and unrealistic. Now on to the good stuff... a Civil War buff can really appreciate the realistic protrayal of a southern soldier's stuggles here - from the fighting, to the decision to desert, to the ultimate "walk" home. The siege of Petersburg is brilliant. Did you catch Grant apprehensively peering out before the explosives were set off in the tunnel under the rebels? I thought the entire journey home through NC was really great. You really get a flavor for the hardship and suffering inflicted on rural North Carolinians during that time. The conflict between the duty to keep fighting and the desire to go home (at the risk of being hung) is very strong here. Finally, I agree that Zellweger, as Ruby Tues, gave an Oscar worthy performance. As a North Carolina mountains native, she just seemed like someone I know. It's not Gone With the Wind, but it's worth watching

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Cold Mountain Warm Hearts

    Brilliant Cast. Remarkable job with putting pieces together. Great love story for any one of any age. I'd recommend this to anyone. Location of the movie was just beautiful. Hardships that the character's over come was tough. Great movie.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    captivating

    amazing, i was sucked into the movie within the first few minutes of the film. costumes, actors, and sets were perfect and the story was beautiful. being a hopless romantic, i have to say the conclusion dissapointed me. although i suppose it just added to the feeling of reality. aside from the rather gloomy ending, i could imagine no other way to make this film any better.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Great for Boys and Girls

    Upon first glance, this movie would seem like a complete guy flick. Full of testosterone, action and fights. In all honesty, however, I loved it to. It's also the story of the human spirit, and the struggle of being a teenager. It almost made me wish I was a guy again, just to share in that laid back comraderie!!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    a masterpiece

    Niccole is at her best..with the best role....this i a movie all you guys in love should watch...go get it..NOW!!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    BREATHTAKING< BEAUTIFUL

    This is my favorite movie of all time! One of the greatest Civil War masterpeaces, with an amazing plot, cast, and musical score. Nicole Kidman's acting was touching, beautiful, and my favorite. She plays a sheltered southern belle, who must survive the war at home, while waiting for her true love, Inman to return from the Civil War. Her acting is superb, and as a fan of her, her performance deserved an oscar and more notice. Jude Law plays Inman, a confederate soldier, that is found caught up in the glory of the civil war. Almost killed, Inman recieves a letter from Ada saying 'Come back to me, come back to me is my request.' Inman, although his heart is is broken from the war, fufills the dreams and wishes of the film, by waking up one early morning, climbing out a window, and beginning a long treck back to his love Ada. Jude Law's preformance was fantastic, one of his best. He definitly deserved an oscar! And last but not least, Renee Zellweger plays Ruby, a strong, southern, work girl, who teaches the ways of farming and life to Ada, while waking her out of her dream. Renee's performance was very good, and brought much beauty and humor to the film. She deserved her oscar! The directing of the Film by Anthony Minghella was amazing, and his masterpiece deserved the Best Picture award. Over all, the acting, scenery, the music, and the story, creates a great epic movie, that deserves so much! This film should have been nominated for the oscars, it is definitly 10 times better then Lord of the Rings. I recommend this film, and hope one day I can be in a film like this! Go buy or watch it now!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Disappointing compared to the book

    I really felt disappointed when I watched this movie after reading the book. In the book, there weren't quite so many sex scenes. I think the movie would have been great if the sex scenes had been eliminated and if the movie followed the book better.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Very Realistic

    I thought this was an extremely good movie. The costumes were fantastic. The scenery was breath taking. The actors were captivating. I would have loved a different ending, but I'm a romantic at heart.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Cold Mountain Rocks

    Recommended

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    this movie sucks

    do not buy this movie, it is no good, don't buy it, it will disappoint you

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Disappointing to say the least!

    If you fell in love with Gone with the wind, like I did, you will be greatly disappointed in Cold Mountain. The sexuallity and the gory scenes of ugliness would not make me want to watch this movie a second time....I had a hard enough time watching it just once. The director also made the Northern troops look like they were all rapist and thieves. I was very surprised at how crummy the soundtrack was as well! Gone with the Wind had charm, beauty and the music was spectacular to hear. The characters taught me so many things with laughter and tears. This is truely what a movie should do, if it's a great one. And that is why you want to watch it over and over again. I'm sure Cold Mountain will only remain around for a short time and then disappear. It made me feel very empty and Cold!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    BEAUTIFUL

    I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS MOVIE IT WAS VERY IMFORMATIVE AND ROMANTIC, BUT ACTION INHANCED TOO. IT WAS THE PERFECT BALANCE BETWEEN THE TWO VERY DIFFERENT ASPECTS. THIS IS A VERY GOOD MOVIE AND I HIGHLY RECCOMMEND IT. ALTHOUGH, AT THE END, GRAB A TISSUE BOX. YOU MIGHT NEED IT.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    great rainy afternoon movie

    I recommend this movie. It is love story but the guys will love the action scenes.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Somewhat Haunting

    Yes,the acting in this movie was supurb,Renee Zellwager was so cute as Ruby,no one could've pulled it off better,she's so embraceable and adoreable. Nicole Kidman made a beautiful Ada,even though they critsize about her staying so pretty and fresh,I'm glad they kept her that way,because in all the dark backgrounds she glows,and you want to be able to see her pretty face. Jude Law was also someone you could feel for,his shyness and awkward nature,you couln't possibly dislike him as Inman,with his quiet voice and saddening face. The charactors really stood out. My favorite colorful charactor was Jack White from The White Stripes as Georgia,the musitian.I really fell in love with him!I was so happy to see White in this movie because I'm so in love with that man and his music!Very cute! I found the movie depressing,it made me sad and lingered in my head until it came out on DVD in June. It's a very good love story. Brilliant! They should make Rifles for Watie into a movie,it's a great book!My mom read it to me and ever since then I've read that book every summer.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Deserved the Oscars

    Sorry to see the previous sad reviews. In my opinion this movie was great! The music may not have been a fancy orchestra, but it was true to the type of music of the times. As for war atrocity, as a Civil War student, I am well aware of the sad things that happened on BOTH sides. Performances by the actors and actresses were tops. Unlike Gone With The Wind, this movie was not romanticized.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    A Civil War Odyssey

    Anthony Minghella's tragedy of the weary soldier who only longs to be with his promised love. The theme is a variation on Homer's Odyssey where, after years of surviving the depravities of war, the hero-soldier undertakes a perilous journey home; reuniting with his loved one only after many trials and tribulations. Although the theme isn't new, the script properly grasps the attitudes and mannerisms of the time. The cinematography and editing is top knotch. Nicole Kidman plays Ada, a preacher's daughter who, in 1860, moves with her father to the rustic bliss of Cold Mountain, North Carolina. Ada falls in love with Inman (Jude Law) but, before their love can be consummated, Inman answers to the call of duty and joins the Confederate Army. Before he leaves, Ada promises to wait for his return and to marry him. By 1864, Inman is a broken man: shocked by the brutal realities of war and seeing no purpose to the carnage. He sees the Confederacy as doomed and, longing for Ada, resigns himself to deserting the army. He begins his long perilous journey from the frontlines to his home. In the meantime, things go from bad to worse in Cold Mountain and Ada is forced to hold the house on her own. Exploiting her fears that Inman may be dead, prospective suitors unwelcomingly court Ada. In the meantime, Ada welcomes a runaway girl named Ruby (Renée Zellweger)to help her with the farm's chores. The climax of the film rises as Inman comes closer to home. Sadly for both Ada and Inman, their reunion is bittersweet. Again, the story is a thematic variation from the Odyssey. The warrior-hero leaves to face the horrors of war and returns only after a long life-changing journey. The acting is great although I think Nicole Kidman was too well groomed for her role. Even if immaculate and beautiful, women of the 1860s didn't look as if they just came out of a Hollywood beauty salon: especially those who lived and worked in a rural setting. A great romantic tragedy that appeals to both men and women. I strongly recommend it.

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