Peter Seo 04/12/12 Elizabeth Caruso English 1102 The Brothers The movie "The Brothers" will be different

from any other war-like movies in the Box Office history. The movie has a background of the Civil War, but it carries a whole different side story about the two siblings presented in the movie. With famous movie director, Steven Spielberg, "The Brothers" will take you to breath-taking adventure that you will never forget. The story of two brothers who fought for freedom, honor, and to find each other will steal your tears and move your hearts. This movie is going to be the number one action-drama movie in 2012. While digging up the remains at the Civil War battlefield to set up a memorial site, the excavation team notifies an elderly man that they identified some remains of his own. Hunter Brawley was a Civil War veteran and he believed that the remains may be his lost brother's and therefore, drove over to the site with his granddaughter. On the way to the memorial site, Hunter experiences flashback and recalled the memories that he had with his brother during the Civil War. The story then shifts to South Carolina in April 1861, where the Brawley family lived. The Brawley's worked at the fruit market and Jonathan had a different job at the shoeshine stand to pay for his younger brother Hunter's education and send him to a successful college. The Brawley's had a tough living but they lived happily because they had each other as a family. However, on April 12 1861, there was an attack at the Fort Sumter and the war broke out as soon as Abraham Lincoln was elected as a President. The chaos erupted across the nation and the Brawley's decided to flee away to his Uncle's in Georgia. While they were

preparing for an evacuation, Confederate forces forcefully drafted innocent slaves and young white men for their army. Young Hunter was confused in the chaos and got conscripted into the Confederate army. When Jonathan found out about what happened to Hunter, he tries to get him off the train. However, Jonathan also got conscripted and sent to the battlefields. The brothers survive their first artillery strike in Battle of the Shiloh though Hunter nearly died of a heart attack in shock. Because of Hunter's medical condition, Jonathan asked his commanding officer if it's possible to send Hunter home. However, he was told if he can earn the highest award for a Confederate soldier, his brother can be sent home. For sake of Hunter's future, Jonathan willingly volunteered for many dangerous suicidal missions. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal, but Hunter said to his brother that he is concerned Jonathan is risking his life for the glory of being appreciated and having attention. Soon in the Battle of the Bull Run, many died in both sides. However, during the battle, Jonathan captures an important Union captain and was finally awarded with the medal; however, a close friend of Hunter died in the process, frustrating Hunter. After Jonathan received his medal exchange for his comrade's death, the relationship between two brothers was tense. Back at the base, while Hunter was in a resting shelter, Jonathan talked to the command officer for Hunter's return. The moment when Jonathan left commander's tent, the Union forces surprise attacked the base. Jonathan, brutally injured and barely conscious from artillery attack, noticed that the resting shelter was burnt down. Jonathan, in terror, had a mental destruction and lost consciousness because he was so shocked that Hunter died.

In fact, Hunter had been transferred to a military hospital, after barely escaping the burning cell, One of his comrades told him that Jonathan was never found but he doubts Jonathan deserted. The next day, he learns from Confederate military officers that his brother

had surrendered to the Union army. Afterward, he immediately rejoins the army to fight at the Battle of the Gettysburg, but is denied permission to fight. Hunter escapes his camp and runs to the Union site, surrendering to them and claiming that he is Jonathan's brother; Jonathan became the leader of an elite Union troop. They send him with an escort to validate his claim, but the North was getting attacked by Confederate forces, and Hunter's escorts were killed by gunshots. Hunter fought his way through the soldiers before the feared Union Infantry Unit commanded by Jonathan, arrives to reinforce the Union lines. The appearance of Union elites turns the tables and forces the Confederates to retreat. After killing a few Confederate comrades and not recognizing his own brother, an enraged Jonathan tries to kill Hunter. The two fight while Hunter begs his brother to recognize him. When Jonathan is about to shoot him, he is wounded by a bayonet strike. Hunter tries to carry him off the battlefield, but is wounded himself as well. Hunter kept reminding Jonathan that they have to stay alive and go back to their family and Jonathan finally recognizes his brother. Hunter refuses to retreat without Jonathan, but he convinces him to leave, promising that he will meet him back at home. Jonathan presents Hunter a silver pen which Hunter had owned, but was retrieved by Jonathan at the site of the burnt shelter; it was a gift from Jonathan earlier, in hopes of sending Hunter to a university. Hunter refuses it and gives it back to Jonathan, requesting in tears to give it back to him when they would meet again. Jonathan promises this and also promises to finish the shoes he was making for Hunter when he went back, and sends Hunter off. The wounded Hunter retreats while Jonathan holds off the Union infantry with a machine gun, providing cover for the retreating Confederates. Union forces finally kill Jonathan in a barrage of bullets. Jonathan gives one last look at his desperately fleeing brother before, with a look of satisfaction from saving his brother, he dies on the battlefield.

The film returns to the modern day, and the now aged Hunter is shown at the excavation site, examining Jonathan's dug-up items, including the long-lost silver pen, and begging his brother's remains to speak to him, quoting their promises made on the battlefield. It is ironic that the silver pen ends up in the possession of Hunter in this situation where he reunites with the remains of his brother, Jonathan, for the last time he saw his brother, the two promised that the next time they meet, Jonathan will give the pen back to Hunter.

Portraying from Spielberg's best piece "Saving the Private Ryan", the movie, "The Brothers" was made to make an impact on people's lives in modern days. The action, touching drama, and the full reality of the war shows the foundation of the brotherhood of two siblings. It is a beautiful film and is the peak of the emotional mountain that these brothers embarked upon, putting all their differences aside.