Rating: 
Summary: Glorious!
Review: Ron Maxwell has offered up his finest work so far with an outstanding cast and an unbeatable story of one of the finest generals on either side of the War Between the States. Bring your hankie and prepare to be transported to a different time. The spoken word was different and so were the men who fought so bravely for such different causes. Thomas Jackson's portrayal by Stephen Lang is nothing less than magnificent and Robert Duvall breathes life into the character of Robert E. Lee in direct contrast to the bumbling fool Martin Sheen would have us watch in Gettysburg. It's long...and so what?
Rating:
Summary: Warning! Explicit Bible reading!
Review: "Gods and Generals" could have used some tighter editing, just as many of the professional and online reviewers say. But some of their more hostile comments tell more about the reviewers than about the picture. World magazine writer Gene Edward Veith gigged them nicely with this mock content advisory: "Warning! This movie contains explicit Bible reading. Scenes contain graphic depictions of prayer. The language may not be suitable for viewers offended by nonprofane references to Jesus. Viewers are strongly cautioned due to intense moralizing, violently affectionate marriages, and gratuitous displays of selfless behavior." It's hard to portray piety well on-screen, and Hollywood these days scarcely ever tries to do so. But Stephen Lang pulls it off. His Jackson is stern, warm, charismatic and convincing. I had long imagined a film about Stonewall, and this is almost all I could have desired. I had envisioned Ed Harris in the role, as he bears a strong resemblance to Jackson, but I don't think Harris could have outdone Lang or even equalled him. If you doubt Lang's acting chops, just watch him play Pickett in "Gettysburg." What a contrast to Lang's Jackson! Each portrayal has a life of its own. Lang's performance outdoes even the great Robert Duvall, who here and there lets the hint of a "Lonesome Dove" mannerism slip into his portrayal of Lee. "Gods and Generals" is especially welcome in that it contains none of the puerile nonsense that spoiled the recent would-be epics "Pearl Harbor" and "The Patriot." Plodding it may be, but it should at least get credit for its maturity. Here's what I missed in "Gods and Generals" and hope to see in the 6-hour DVD when it is released next year: * Some sense of how Jackson and Lee earned their immense reputations, in the Valley campaign and at Second Manassas. * Some more attention to the Federal commanders, who were the tragicomic foils for Lee's and Jackson's brilliance. In the movie, that parade of bunglers and blowhards is represented only by Burnside. I understand the eventual 6-hour version will include Antietam, so we may meet McClellan there, but I want to see Pope and Hooker huff, puff and fall on their faces, too. * Speaking of bunglers and blowhards, a hard look at the secessionist firebrands who brought the war on might have mollified those critics who found the Southern cause way too idealized in this picture. Especially on the issue of slavery and race, a contrast could have been drawn between Jackson and someone like Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens, who prattled about the "great moral truth" of white superiority. The South's bigotry resided in its politicians, not in men like Jackson. (One critic doubted that Jackson would ever have called the free black cook he hired "Mr. Lewis," as he does in the movie. But "Tom Fool" Jackson was known in pre-war Lexington for tipping his hat to black men on the street. Said he: "I could not be less polite to a Negro than he is to me.") I look forward eagerly to seeing the conclusion of Mr. Maxwell's Civil War trilogy. In the role of U.S. Grant, the Union general who finally took Lee's measure, I'd suggest Russell Crowe. Like Grant, Crowe looks a bit surly, "as if he had determined to drive his forehead through a brick wall and was about to do it." And if Crowe isn't available, just call on Lang again. Embodying Jackson, Pickett AND Grant --- now, THAT would be an acting trifecta!
Rating: 
Summary: The Greatest
Review: A true rarity amongst the typical products out there, this is the best depiction of "Stonewall" Jackson I have yet seen in a feature film. Has a little bit for everyone, but you have got to see it to believe it.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie
Review: It was one of the best civil war movie i have ever seen it and gettysburg... I recomend it to everybody it is ong but worth it there is not enough union scenes i think go buy it
Rating:
Summary: One of the best civil war movies
Review: I liked the movie alot the only downfall was to much jackson and not enough union scenes but was great
Rating:
Summary: This is a Fantastic Movie
Review: This is a great movie. Ignore the PC critics and people who don't understand this movie. These people can't sit through a 4 hour movie and don't no realism if it hit them in the face. There has been a lot of attempts by the pc critics to slam this movie. Judge for yourself. I think that you will agree as to what a masterpiece this film is and want it for your personal library.
Rating:
Summary: History comes to life!
Review: Although the movie was based on a novel, it was filmed with the intent of showing the battles and personal relationships as historically accurate as possible. The reenactors are marvelous. They are the backbone of the film. Robert Duvall looks incredibly like his true relative Robert E. Lee. But the real miracle worker of "Gods and Generals" is Stephen Lang as Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson--a relative of mine. Lang literally became Jackson for the four months he spent filming, and he continues to give presentations at Civil War seminars and other historical events on his experience portraying Jackson who had never been depicted on film before. If there is any justice in filmdom, Stephen Lang will be nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Golden Globe, and an Oscar for best performance by an actor in a leading role in 2004.
Rating:
Summary: Great film!
Review: This film is perhaps one of the most historically accurate films ever made. It shows the horrors, courage, and the true stories of the American Civil War. It comes in a close 2nd place with it's sequel Gettysburg made in 1993 by the same director. The only reasons this film wasn't liked by some is because they said the film was too long and their wasn't enough violence. Well, wars are long and this film shows what really happened. This is also a great film because it doesn't center around the violence. Which means it's perfect for educational purposes and for children to view. It centers around the individuals who fought and died for their beliefs that they thought were right. The story centers around Stonewall Jackson, a higly religious military leader, Joshua Chamberlain, a professor from Maine turned soldier, and Robert E. Lee, one of the great military leaders in all of history.
Gods and Generals is without doubt, one of the best war and historically accurate films ever made!
Rating:
Summary: many viewings here
Review: I saw this film during the few hours it was in the theaters. Gods and Generals has a profound emotional impact if you are willing to let it in. The massive sacrifice made by both sides is made very clear. If you dislike religion and are so thin-skinned that you can't let that go in favor of a realistic portrayal of the times then this film is sure to rub you the wrong way. Technically, the film had highs and lows, but overall we were treated to some amazing views of our history. However, the cannons used in the Civil War did not gently recoil 1 to 2 feet as shown, and, when firing grapeshot at 100 yards, the result was a huge swath of bloody destruction, not just a few men falling over. On the minus side, it is true that the film depicted a remarkably genteel relationship between slaves and their owners, but perhaps something of a contrarian view on this subject is not such a bad thing. I think we all understand now that slavery was a great evil. This movie is not going to reverse that understanding. Also, let's not forget that the overwhelming majority of the South's soldiers were there to defend the homeland, not to specifically uphold slavery (Of course, the result was the same, and we will have to let God sort out their responsibility). I personally thank Ted Turner for this fine film with its unique perspective, and I hope that its poor reception by the critics will not deter him from completing the trilogy.
Rating:
Summary: AN EPIC OF FAITH AND PATRIOTISM!!!
Review: This is the best film of the year 2003 so far! An exciting and emotionally-charged historical epic. Get it and cherish this monumental film forever! Movie/DVD Grade: A+
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