The Legend of Van Dorn
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| The Legend of Van Dorn | |
|---|---|
 Official poster | |
| Directed by | Shane Stanley |
| Written by | Lee Wilson |
| Produced by | Brad Wilson Alan Dysert Scott J. Jones (executive producer) Alan McKenna (co‑producer / line‑producer) |
| Starring | Lee Wilson Ellie Patrikios Joe Lando D. B. Sweeney David Meadows |
| Cinematography | Joel Layogan |
| Edited by | Shane Stanley |
| Music by | Steve Dorff |
Production companies | Film Read LLC Saddle Brook Productions Dysert Communications |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Legend of Van Dorn is a 2025 American historical drama film directed by Shane Stanley and written by Lee Wilson.[1] The film is based on the final chapter in the life of Confederate General Earl Van Dorn, focusing on events that led to his assassination in 1863. It later screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025 as part of Artist View Entertainment’s lineup.[2][failed verification]
It stars Lee Wilson as General Van Dorn; Ellie Patrikios as Jesse Peters; Joe Lando as Dr. George Peters; D. B. Sweeney as the Union spy Standsted; and David Meadows as General Nathan Bedford Forrest.[3]
Plot
[edit]Set during the American Civil War, the film follows General Earl Van Dorn, a charismatic but controversial Confederate cavalry leader. It dramatizes his affair with Jesse Peters, the political and personal fallout, his strategic raids, and ultimately his assassination in Spring Hill, Tennessee.[1]
Production
[edit]Filmed in Columbia, Tennessee, in late 2024. It later screened at Cannes in 2025.[4] Production design was by Nate Griffin, costumes by Christian Michael Shuster, art direction by Ruby Guidara, casting by Alan Dysert.[5]
Cast
[edit]- Lee Wilson as General Earl Van Dorn
- Ellie Patrikios as Jesse Peters
- Joe Lando as Dr. George Peters
- D. B. Sweeney as Standsted
- David Meadows as Nathan Bedford Forrest
- Andrew Reid as Lt. Manning Kimmel
- John James as the Mayor
- Charles Ambrose as General Red Jackson
- Jay DeMarcus as General U. S. Grant[3]
Historical context
[edit]Earl Van Dorn was a Confederate Major‑General known for his aggressive cavalry tactics and controversial personal life. He was killed in May 1863 by Dr. George Peters, who caught him with his wife.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Legend of Van Dorn, The". The Film Catalogue. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ "The Legend of Van Dorn". World Screen Events. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ a b "The Legend of Van Dorn – Full Cast & Crew". Moviefone. Retrieved June 13, 2025.[non-primary source needed]
- ^ Jameson, Kerri Bartlett (October 9, 2024). "A kind of mini‑Hollywood: Confederate general biopic wraps in Columbia, raising the town's cinematic profile". Main Street Maury. Main Street Media of Tennessee. Retrieved June 12, 2025.[dead link]
- ^ "The Legend of Van Dorn Cast and Production". Legend of Van Dorn. Retrieved June 14, 2025.[non-primary source needed]
- ^ Carter, Arthur B. (1999). Tarnished Cavalier: Major General Earl Van Dorn. University of Tennessee Press. ISBN 1-57233-047-3.