In addition, UA athletic director Frank Broyles portrayed one of Lincoln’s doctors in the deathbed scene, which was filmed at a former factory in Springdale (Washington and Benton counties). A scene involving cannon fire and cavalry charges was shot on the Markham Hill meadow, near Razorback Stadium. It served as the setting for Ford’s Theatre, where Lincoln was assassinated. The park historian served as the military coordinator and technical advisor for the movie, and also arranged for more than 300 local Civil War reenactors to participate in the battlefield scenes.Īt the University of Arkansas, scenes were shot at various locations on campus, including the historic building known as Old Main. These included the Angus McLeod House in Fort Smith and the Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, where the Battle of Bull Run scenes were filmed. Cy Sutherland, architect and professor in the College of Architecture at the University of Arkansas (UA) in Fayetteville, worked with the production company to find appropriate historic buildings and sites in the area. Anticipating the potential economic impact by the film company, local involvement by northwestern Arkansas businesses and civic groups ultimately brought the production to Arkansas. In addition, scenes were shot at the Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park in Prairie Grove (Washington County).īoth Arkansas and Kentucky were originally considered by the producers for shooting The Blue and the Gray. Towns in which the movie was filmed include Eureka Springs (Carroll County), Fayetteville (Washington County), Fort Smith (Sebastian County), and Van Buren (Crawford County). The plot revolves around two families, one living in Virginia and the other in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, following their various viewpoints and the arc of their involvement with the war.Īlthough the fictional story is largely set in Virginia, the miniseries was filmed almost entirely in northwestern Arkansas. Set during the Civil War, the title refers to the colors of the uniforms that were worn by the Union army of the North (blue) and those of the Confederate states in the South (gray). Thomason produced two episodes of the miniseries, and longtime western actor Lloyd “Arkansas Slim” Andrews had a minor speaking role. Thousands of local citizens auditioned for roles as extras and positions as crew members, with many ultimately being hired. However, for many, the presence of legendary film star Gregory Peck, who portrayed President Abraham Lincoln, was the most memorable. The large cast included such actors as Lloyd Bridges, Colleen Dewhurst, Stacy Keach, Geraldine Page, Rip Torn, Robert Vaughn, and Paul Winfield. It aired for three nights on the CBS television network in November 1982.
The Blue and the Gray was a three-part television miniseries that was filmed primarily in northwestern Arkansas in 1981.
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