During the Civil War, Confederate soldiers escape from a Union prison and head for the Mexican border. Along the way, they kill a Union courier bearing the news that the war is over. Keeping the message a secret, the captain has his men go on and they soon find themselves in a battle with the Union search party who also is unaware of the war's end.
During the American Civil War, Confederate Lieutenant "Duke" Pritchard is accused of abandoning his men during a skirmish. He is court-martialed and given a dishonorable discharge. Returning home, he finds his fiancée has married his best friend. Pritchard then enlists in the Union Army under a false name, seeking redemption and a chance to prove his courage, but he finds himself facing his former comrades in battle.
A Time for Killing received mixed reviews upon its release. While some critics appreciated its attempt to explore the moral complexities of the Civil War and its action sequences, others found the plot contrived and the character development lacking. It's generally considered a lesser-known entry in the Western/War genre of the era.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce, but those available suggest a mixed reception, with some appreciating the Western elements and war drama while others found the story to be somewhat formulaic.
The film was originally intended to be a more straightforward Western titled "The Longest
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources
