Sherman's March

In 1986, Ross McElwee made a journey documentary titled Sherman's March. This is considered a journey documentary for multiple reason's. Not only does Ross McElwee physically go on a journey in Sherman's March, but the documentary is also a spiritual, psychic, and emotional journey. Ross McElwee's intention is to replicate General Sherman's march. However, the film turns into McElwee trying to find romance with a southern woman.

Masculine conquest plays a significant role in Sherman's March. In addition to the fact that the original subject of the documentary was the historical Sherman and his military conquest and that the films ends up about the search for a woman, there are several other aspects that add to the film's masculinity. A phallic camera is used throughout this documentary, meaning that the camera shows the sexual power of the man. One example of this is when McElwee films Pat doing her cellulite exercises. When Pat mentions that she does not have underwear on, McElwee turns off the sound and just watches. During the film, McElwee also works on his car and talks about his dreams of nuclear war. Both are considered to be very masculine.

Sherman's March represents observational cinema. McElwee hides behind the camera and observes the people and actions which are taking place around him. Sherman's March could also be considered a participatory documentary to some extent because McElwee does interact with and talk to the people he is filming. It is a reflexive documentary since it is about Ross McElwee himself. Except for when McElwee shuts off the audio on the camera, Sherman's March uses synchronous sound. At one point in the film, the audience can barely hear the conversation McElwee is having with his old crush because of all the background talking and music. Sherman's March does make the audience feel something emotionally. They start to feel bad for Ross McElwee after being so unsuccessful in finding a woman. It almost seems like McElwee is a feminine character because all the women in his life end up taking charge.