Gods and Generals

Rating:
Summary: History brought to life!
Review: Stephen Lang was magnificent as Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson! The emotion and kindness of the man as well as the steely nerves of the general are so well expressed. The viewer is with both sides of the conflict. Is either side right? Is either side wrong? The viewer feels the reasoning and emotions of both North and South, union and secession. Thank you Ron Maxwell for your writing and direction, and thank you Ted Turner for your financial support. Seeing Robert Duvall as Robert E. Lee is extra special as he is related to Lee on his mother's side and looks so much like Lee in the film. The continuity of using many the same actors in the same roles they played in "Gettysburg" (such as Jeff Daniels, C. Thomas Howell, Patrick Stuart, and Brian Mallon) in key roles in "Gods and Generals," however, is much appreciated, as well. But thank goodness that Stephen Lang plays Jackson rather than reprises Pickett in "Gods and Generals"! Jackson is a relative of mine and the heart and soul that Lang poured into the role is amazing and very much appreciated. History buffs should appreciate the hard work and painstaking details that went into producing the film. Yes, there will be nitpickers, but it wasn't their money or their writing or their producing that went into creating this work. I hope that those who are not familiar with the the characters and the battles depicted in "Gods and Generals" will want to learn more and see the film again and again. You will see something new and learn something new with each viewing. This film should be treasured both as a teaching tool as well as good cinema.

Rating:
Summary: A monumental disappointment
Review: I eagerly anticipated the release of "Gods and Generals." The novel is fantastic, as good or even better than "The Killer Angels," which won the Pulitzer Prize. I liked "Gettysburg," the film adaptation of "The Killer Angels." It was long and preachy, but it was faithful to the source material so it's excesses were forgiveable. Maxwell didn't want to leave anything out.

In this film, however, he leaves a lot out. He very nearly abandons the source material completely. He couldn't decide what kind of film to make. At times it seems he wanted a film biography of Stonewall Jackson. That would have been fine by me. Jackson is one of the more interesting characters in our country's history. Stephen Lang is surprisingly good in the role. He seemed to "get" Jackson's quirky character.

But Maxwell sacrificed a great deal of the book to put in ludicrous subplots featuring fictional characters. In his attempt to humanize the south, he went too far. The film is about a war. Suffice to say, there's plenty of potential for action scenes. So there was no need to include what was basically a Civil War-era car chase scene, as a fictional family flees the bombardment of Fredericksburg in a horse-drawn wagon. And the scenes fleshing out Stonewall's friendship with his slave cook are laugh-out loud funny.

So here we have a four-hour movie about the first two years about the Civil War and ... no battle of Antietam. The single bloodiest day in the history of American warfare and Maxwell ... skips it! He sacrificed the biggest battle scene of all to include politically correct revionist filler.

And there's a long scene where the Confederate soldiers celebrate at a jamboree. The scene slows down an already slow movie, but it had to go in the final cut, because Ted Turner has a cameo in it.

Maxwell is adapting the final book of the trilogy, "The Last Full Measure." Here's hoping he models it after "Gettysburg" and not "Gods and Generals."

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Work - Only certain types can appreciate it
Review: This is not your typical movie - One has to expect that. I actually like it, because it is not Hollywood and not slick and polished, but more like about how things really were in the war. Acting of Stonewall Jackson was excellently done and well portrayed in the movie. The level of detail was tremendous, but if you just want a regular fast paced, low detail, low frills movie, then you will hate it...I have watched movies less than half this length and been bored stiff. This is a very complete movie with truth that makes its mark and wish more historical dramas/war movies had this detail, because sometimes it is so hard to beleive what really happened in the past unless you see and understand the smallest details.

Rating:
Summary: bad movie, great songs
Review: Sorry ... We expected so much more. Too long and complicated. Love the songs however by Dylan and Fahl. We expected to love Dylan's, but had never heard of Mary Fahl. She sings like an angel, and her song in the opening credits and Dylan's are the best parts of the movie.

Rating:
Summary: Great Civil War movie
Review: Great movie about the conflict for those who are interested and are able to think about the plot. Action scenes were well done.

Rating:
Summary: Great film!
Review: "Gods and Generals" is one of the most historically accurate films ever made. It shows the horrors, the courage, the sacrifices, and the true stories of the American Civil War. It comes in a close 2nd place with it's sequel "Gettysburg" You would only not like this film unless you were an unpatriotic person who doesn't appreciate American History. Another great thing about this film is that it does not center around the violence of war. It centers around the emotional and couragous aspects of the war. Which means that it is perfect for educational purposes and for children to view! The film is about three officers that struggle to survive the war. The first is Stonewall Jackson, a highly religious military leader. The second is Joshua Chamberlain, a professor from Maine who volunteers for duty after the outbreak of the war. And the final is Robert E. Lee, one of the greatest military minds in all of history.
"Gods and Generals" gives us a real look at history, and is without a doubt, one of the best war movies ever made!

Rating:
Summary: Not for the PC bunch
Review: This movie is the first I've seen which doesn't adhere to the revised history that we have all been taught in the public schools. The true feelings of the Confederates who went to war is made clear. The South was fighting to protect home and family from the illegal war being waged by the north.

Rating:
Summary: Superb Civil War Epic
Review: If you enjoy this film, as much as I did, the nearly 4 hours will fly by, and you'll be wishing for more. This is the theatrical release. The 6 hour version, which I am really looking forward to, might come out in 2004.

The battle scenes were awesome, especially Manassas and Fredericksburg, but to truly love a film, you must learn about and care for the characters. I thought Lang was great as Stonewall Jackson, and they really developed his character.

Was it a perfect film? Of course not. It can't be all things to all people. It is somewhat sanitized, but the battle scenes are violent enough without having to show blood spewing everywhere.

If the film seems as though it is focused on the South, it is because that was the intent. For one thing, the South won those battles, and secondly, Last Full Measure is focused on the North.

Overall, a great film. 4&1/2 stars.

Rating:
Summary: The Movie To Forget For 2003
Review: I enjoyed the director's earlier film, "Gettysburg" so I was expecting to enjoy this film as well. To my disappointment I was aghast at this long, tedious, boring film with one of the worst scripts in decades. I have to admit that I left the theater during the intermission; I could not continue to watch this film.

The battles are full of redundant scenes filmed with the camera almost in the same spot shooting the death of soldiers one skirmish line after another as they boldly march towards the low wall.

And, probably one of the most embarrassing scenes ever filmed by a good actor is Jeff Daniels incredibly lengthy, dreary and overacted monologue to his men as they wait to enter the battle.

The problem with the script, that absolutely ruined this film is that the lines given to the actors to read are actually from the letters written by the real characters. These letters were written in a flowerily prose of the times -- people just didn't speak that way then nor now.

I love epic films, but this is one epic about nothing -- don't waste your time or dollars on this DVD.

Rating:
Summary: Gods and Generals - The Real History
Review: This is a movie that tells the truth. It doesn't simply show the Confederates as a bunch of rednecks who wanted slavery. It shows that they were protecting their lands from the northern invaders (Keep in mind that while I say this, I am not a southerner; I'm proud to be from Maryland). This failed at the box office because of two factors: It's almost four hours long, and the "politically-correct" critics bashed it terribly. Make no mistake, though, this film is a masterpiece. It is an astounding, awe-inspiring journey through the first couple years of the Civil War (and yes, it is mostly about the Confederates, seeing as how they won most of the battles in the beginning of the war). The cast is first-rate. Jeff Daniels is once again amazing in his portrayal as Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. Stephen Lang deserves an Oscar for his role as the religious General "Stonewall" Jackson. While Robert Duvall is certainly more subtle in his performance, than Martin Sheen (in "Gettysburg"), he gives an amazing screen presence to Robert E. Lee.

This DVD is a must buy for any who truly want to know about the Civil War, or just American History in general. It is, so far, the best film of 2003 (most likely to be bested only by "The Return of the King") and is one of the most emotional films I have seen in my entire life.