human being. not just a mother. >> do americans take civil liberties very serious don't they, kevin? the constitution's vital to be clear. civil liberties are taken pretty seriously, too. >> absolutely. >> and yet, this film when you made it, what was going through your mind about the ethical dilemma facing your character at that time? because he existed. he had to make this decision. >> oh yeah. >> he had to somehow get america forward again from this horrendous civil war. >> yeah it was -- the civil war was a defining moment in our history. it was a time of such fear at the end of the war. the war had ended but enemy combatants were still on the field. it was a fragile piece, at best and he saw the big picture and he felt it, he was really a true believer, and felt this was for the greater good to squelched