A “heart-wrenching” war film starring Jude Law and Nicole Kidman amidst an impressive cast is finally streaming on Netflix.
Cold Mountain, released in 2003, is a drama set during the American Civil War and directed by Anthony Minghella.
It tells the story of a deserter from the Confederate army towards the end of the war, who travels home to reunite with the woman he loves.
The film is based on the bestselling 1997 novel by Charles Frazier and also stars Renée Zellweger, Eileen Atkins, Brendan Gleeson, Kathy Baker, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Jack White, Giovanni Ribisi, Donald Sutherland, and Ray Winstone.
The director said he wanted the film to be as authentic as possible, telling NPR he chose to film in Romania and Transylvania due to the unspoilt nature of the landscape there.
He explained: “We discovered a landscape so pre-industrialized, so much more like a 19th-century exterior than anything I’ve seen in Britain or America.” Cold Mountain, Minghella said, is about “de-glamorizing” the notion of war, adding: “War hurts, and the ramifications of it are hurtful.”
The film was released to critical acclaim, sweeping up seven Oscar nominations – with Zellweger winning for Best Supporting Actress – and 13 BAFTAs. Zellweger also took home a BAFTA for her role in Cold Mountain, as well as a Critics’ Choice Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Golden Globe.
One reviewer wrote on IMDb that it was a “heart-wrenching story about humanity and war”. Another said: “Great tale of a confederate deserter during the Civil War. All-Star cast with great performances all around. If you haven’t seen it, you’re missing something special.”
Someone else posted: “The actors’ performances were phenomenal. Renee Zellweger’s character Ruby adds a lightheartedness to the film at the right times in otherwise a very bleak film. Nicole Kidman is also superb.”
The music also received praise, with one viewer writing: “In addition to this movie winning all kinds of awards the music, and musicians also earned critical acclaim and numerous awards! Well worth watching, over and over! Then purchase the soundtrack and engross yourself in it as well!”
Another said: “I highly recommend you go see `Cold Mountain’. A standing ovation from me for director Anthony Minghella, leads Nicole Kidman, Jude Law, and Renee Zellwegger; and all those involved. A very large, enthusiastic thumbs up.”