The Red Badge of Courage

Audie Murphy stars as Henry Fleming, a young Union private who insists he isn’t afraid of dying. In 1862, the 304th New York Infantry is camped near the Rappahannock River in Virginia, waiting for orders to move upriver and engage a formidable Confederate force. While on sentry duty, Henry exchanges tense words with a hidden Confederate across the river who warns him to watch for the “red badge”—a battle wound that could mark his fate.

As the regiment advances, Henry’s resolve wavers. The march forward is marked by a growing anxiety as the hour of battle nears, and his friend Tom Wilson urges him to steel himself. The troops push ahead with a confident exterior, but Henry’s fear proves to be a heavier burden than he expected, and he deserts when the clash erupts. He later learns his unit won the engagement, yet the prospect of returning home is shadowed by the fear of derision.

Back among his comrades, Henry slips back into the march and longs for a genuine sign of courage—the so‑called red badge. The Tall Soldier Jim Conklin John Dierkes, a stoic presence among the men, is driven to delirium by his injuries and dies from blood loss, a brutal reminder of war’s toll.

In another moment of chaos, Henry becomes separated during a panic‑stricken retreat. A fellow soldier panics, and Henry tries to calm him but is knocked unconscious by a blow from a rifle stock. He wakes to find himself reunited with those who remained and fabricates a head injury to Tom, hoping his absence won’t be noticed and that he can slip back into the ranks without judgment.

The regiment is pressed back into action, and Henry experiences a surge of renewed fervor as he charges toward the Confederate lines before being ordered back into formation. While the men fetch water at a creek, they overhear a General plotting to sacrifice the 304th in a suicide attack. They report the plan, yet the troops decide to fight on, bound by duty and courage. Amid the smoke and the casualties, Henry seizes the flag after the color sergeant falls and attempts to rally his comrades. He even encounters the Confederate flag bearer, who falls, leaving Henry momentarily holding both banners as the 304th gains the upper hand.

A fellow soldier reveals that officers had praised Henry’s bravery, a praise that rings hollow to him. He confesses to Tom that he deserted the day before, and Tom admits he deserted too but was caught and forced back into battle. The 304th presses on, and Henry’s thoughts drift toward a future where peace might be possible, tempered by the hard lessons learned on the field.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:24