Behind the Scenes of Ron Maxwell’s New Civil War Movie, COPPERHEAD
By Evy Baehr, Managing Editor
Movieguide® had the opportunity to speak with Ron Maxwell, the director of Gettysburg, Gods and Generals, and now Copperhead.
COPPERHEAD is a civil war drama that begs the question of whether the North should go to war against the South. This was a very controversial decision during this time period because it involved families against each other, brothers and fathers fighting for different sides.
Question: How do you get passionate about the stories that motivate you to produce?
Maxwell: I have to have a visceral connection with the story, and I have to feel like I want to tell it and that I’m the one to tell it. I have to believe it. The emotional intellectual connection with the material.
Question: You tend towards historical pieces. Was that your intention when going into the entertainment industry?
Maxwell: Maybe in a subconscious way because I’ve been interested in history my whole life, since my boyhood. It’s been a great, great abiding interest with me. It’s always been an interest of mine to go to another place, another time and recreate it.
Question: What kind of research did you do for this movie?
Maxwell: …I love doing research. Some people find it as a chore. If I didn’t tell myself ‘Ron you have to make the movie,’ I would just research for life. I would just go to the library, and in my case I’ve a library in my own home, so I don’t even have to go the library any more. It’s my idea of paradise. I absorb it. I get to the point where it’s like I know the material. Then, I start the script. Then, I have all my research around me so I can go back and check the date and the place and details. I don’t start writing the script until I feel like I really know the material.
Question: COPPERHEAD is based on a book by Harold Frederic. What inspired you about that book?
Maxwell: He was an eyewitness. He was a boy during the civil war so he lived through the events as they unfolded [on] what we call the ‘home front.’ So his voice is authentic. When I came across his novel, I was impressed with the characters and the ideas and the dialog, and I thought it would make a terrific film. It shows a side of American society during the civil war that quite frankly we’ve never seen in the popular culture. So it was new for me, and I know it’s going to be new and intriguing for an audience.
Question: What about the movie’s faith elements?
Maxwell: It’s clear that this particular community in 1860s is a 100% Christian believing community. They even belong to the same congregation. The movie poses a question to Christian audiences of how do you live it, this Christian life, when it’s not always so obvious.
Editor’s Note: You can take a look at our full review of Ron Maxwell’s movie COPPERHEAD at the following link – https://www.movieguide.org/reviews/copperhead.html.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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