Rating: 
Summary: My Favorite movie of all time
Review: Gettysburg has to be my favorite movie of all time. I am disappointed that the extra scenes are not part of the DVD, for those explained in a little more detail the Confederate debacle in front of Cemetery Hill. Although there are some historical flaws, and some of the beards are pretty goofy looking, I felt that the movie was historically accurate. I think there should have been more details about the second day then there was. Not once in the movie was the bloody fight of the first Minnesota mentioned (The book passively mentioned it). However, the drama of Chamberlain's charge gets me every time I see it, as does Pickett's charge. To top it off, Randy Edelman's soundtrack is beautiful and appropriate. I have to admit that I have only seen it through one time (However, I have probably seen it a dozen times if I combine the partial viewings.) I recommend this movie to anyone willing to sit through the 4 hours plus.
Rating: 
Summary: WHY ONLY ONE DISC
Review: You have got to understand. I love this movie. Being a reenactor myself, i take great pride in watching the movie not only for historical purposes, but to also see some of my friends in it as well. BUT WHY one disc?? Why do I have to turn over the disc to watch the second half of the movie. Its a shame. Movie like this coming out on dvd. Its what dvds are specially known for, their compression to have more room on a disc. Why not just have the movie itself on one disc and the extras on another. I would well pay the extra money for it. For that I give this dvd 4 stars. Maybe in the future they will reconsider their fault and make it 2 discs.
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Summary: Gettysburg- It'll make a Northerner out of you...
Review: I am a tried and true Southerner, but slavery was detestable and Jeff Daniels' depiction of Col. Chamberlain making the suicidal charge down Little Roundtop was the convincing scene of the entire movie. Sure, some things may have been a little "dressed up" for the film, but overall the heart and soul of the men who really participated was there. Just look at Richard Jordan if one doubts this! C'mon fellow Southerners...we got our butts kicked but this country needed to be rejoined. Gettysburg is a fair depiction of both sides and I salute the cast and crew who made this movie. Now, let's see a recreation of The Battle of Brandy Station...
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Summary: Incredible recreation of The Killer Angels
Review: One of the best books ever, on the Civil war, is Michael Shaara'a "The Killer Angels." This movie faithfully recreates this excellent historical novel. Jeff Daniels is appealing as Lawrence Joshua Chamberlain, the hero of Little Roundtop. Martin Sheen is a stoic Robert E. Lee. Tom Berenger is convincing as General Longstreet (who became Lee's right hand man after the death of Stonewall Jackson) as he desparately attempts to convince Lee not to attempt "Pickett's charge." It will always be debated whether Longstreet was right, i.e. the charge was doomed to failure, or whether it failed because Longstreet had too many misgivings in implementing it. The actual conversations and face to face interplay between Lee and Longstreet, as depicted here, are fictional but the broader historical truth is that Longstreet was indeed reluctant and attempted to change Lee's mind.Robert Jordon's performance as General Louis Armistead was moving and showed the tragedy of this war which made dear friends into enemies. Another great feature of this DVD is that it has, as most DVDs do, lots of additional goodies (such as a short documentary) as well as the movie itself. The beauty of this movie is that it is easy to separate the fictionalized interactions from the historical truth. This is one of the best pieces of historical fiction from which to learn actual history since the historical backdrops are accurate. I highly recommend the book "The Killer Angels," and I just as heartily recommend this DVD.
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Summary: A terrific re-telling of one of America's greatest battles
Review: Gettysburg will astound filmgoers and historians alike. As a civil war buff myself, I was intrigued by the depth of character in both sides of the conflict, portrayed by Martin Sheen, Jeff Daniels and Tom Beringer. You learn about the personality of the leaders of both sides of the battle, and you begin to feel for both of them. Martin Sheen is wonderful as Gen. Lee, and he shows the man to be warm and compassionate to his fellow soldiers and countrymen. Tom Beringer shows the same grit and determination in his role, as a man tested to the end. The choreography is excellent, with literally thousands of extras involved. I own the VHS version, but if you plan to buy it on DVD, you will get a full-length audio commentary full of facts about the battle. the film take it's sweet time, and is several hours long, but it gives the filmaker time to show the details of the way war was and still is fought, with all the emotions showed in full. By the end, you will have witnessed one of the greatest tellings of a pivotal moment in our history. No matter which side was the rightous one, both suffured and prospered respectfully during this terrible conflict, which is shown at it's most accurate in this film.
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Summary: Gettysburg (DVD)
Review: I just purchased the movie Gettysburg in DVD from Amazon and am extremely happy with the content. I am amazed at all the information that can be put into this DVD. As another reviewer has already stated, I was disappointed that it was not the extended version, as that version contains many scenes that explain the movie better. For instance, when Lee is discussing the rocky hill that Gen. Ewell failed to take, in the short version you're left not quite knowing which hill, but the long version explains that it is Cemetary Ridge. The extended version is incredible and I would like to see that offered. But that notwithstanding, this movie is absolutely magnificent. I would recommend it to anyone.
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Summary: superb from start to finish
Review: i had the good fortune of seeing this movie during its limited theatrical release in 1993. i left the theatre with puffy eyes and muscles sore from four hours of tension. this movie will make you want to buy a bigger tv. outstanding.
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Summary: Excellent story, but not the long version!
Review: I saw this movie in theaters originally, and have been waiting for the DVD for a long time. Unfortunately, they didn't put the expanded version on the DVD. The version they've run on TNT several times contains additional scenes not in the theatrical release, such as additional scenes around the Lutheran Seminary with Sam Elliot, and a meeting between Lee and Ewell after the first day. There were several other small added scenes throughout the TV run version, and it's disappointing that these weren't included on the DVD. However, it still remains one of my favorite Civil War movies, even if a bit romanticized. Highly recommended simply for the sense of importance it lends to Gettysburg as a battle and the Civil War as a whole.
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Summary: One of the Finest Historical Films
Review: One is used to viewing historical movies with the knowledge that what you are seeing is not real history, but simply based on historical events. Gettysburg is not only based on history but is an accurate portrayal of the most famous battle of the Civil War. The movie is amazing accurate, but is far from a documentary. It does a wonderful job of intertwining historical fact and drama. While the battle scenes are well done, especially the battle for Little Round Top, the movie excels in the personal stories. The interplay of the West Point comrades in the Union and Confederate armies is especially touching. Particular attention is rightly devoted to Confederate General Armistadt and Union General Hancock. These two long time friends truly cared deeply for each other and knew that they would face each other during Pickett's charge. The fact that they lay wounded, Armistadt mortally, feet from each other, provides further irony. Another strength of the movie the fact that it takes on the tough historical questions that the battle raised - the chief one being whether Lee should have engaged Meade at Gettysburg or elsewhere. The conflict is brought to the screen through crisp dialogue between Lee and Longstreet. The dialogue is first class; however other than the fact that the failure of Pickett's charge may have proved Lee wrong the broader historical aspects of Lee's decisions are not dealt with. This was a great movie. Even though I knew the outcome before the movie started I enjoyed it and have watched it several times. At times I felt that I was with General Burford and the Iron Brigade at Cemetery Ridge, General Chamberlain and the 20th Maine atop Little Round Top or General Pickett as he began his ill fated charge. One can not ask more out of a movie.
Rating:
Summary: Well worth the price
Review: This dvd is packed full of goodies, I can't believe they fit it all on one dvd (both sides). The music, the cast, the script all come together in one of the finest films since Gone With the Wind (and just as long!). A lot of credit also goes to the thousands of reenactors who's expertise made each and every "extra" matter. The film isn't all you get, wait there's more! Also included is the directors commentary, the making of Gettysburg, and a Dory Shary documentary with more history. Each teaches you more and more about the actual event. The historians who speak with the director explain so much that the film cannot. You will be very moved by this film. See GLORY if you're hooked now and want more films like this. Only one thing that bothered me about this dvd. In the director's commentary there are such long gaps of silence while the movie is playing that you wonder if you lost the commentary. Then after a half hour they start talking again. So many scenes could have been discussed if they were only more forthcoming. MANY THANKS TO TED TURNER FOR FUNDING THIS PROJECT...BRAVO!!
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