Gettysburg

Rating:
Summary: An excellent film
Review: Anyone remotely interested in history especially the civil war should see this movie. It is historically accurate for the most part and is very well made even though it was originally filmed as a made for tv film to be shown on TNT. I do like that it was shot at the actual battlefield and used reenactors as extras. If you like history and own a DVD player but do not have this film but it now you will not regret it.

Rating:
Summary: None Left That Own the T-Shirt -- but some still dream....
Review: Three miles from my house here in Bedford, PA are ancient scars in the side of a mountain. They were entrenchments dug during the Gettysburg Campaign -- in case General Lee's forces headed north to cut off railroad lines at Altoona. Those trenches were dug by locals but never used. They are still clearly discernible.
My great grandfather was Bedford County, PA's last living Civil War veteran (he died in 1942 at age 96). He was in a PA Regiment that MISSED Gettysburg: his unit was at Vicksburg which fell the same day the battle in PA ended.
I have viewed this movie many times. Its careful attention to tactical details seems perfect. The actors are well-cast despite somewhat ersatz-looking beards and moustaches. However, considering July in PA and wool uniforms the real soldiers wore, I doubt they were much "handsomer" than our actors.
A comment on General Lee. Some have objected to Martin Sheen's portrayal. Lee, at the time, was suffering from an increasingly harsh heart condition that, in time, would take him. I believe that was factored into the movie, although subtly. Sheen shows his understanding of this generally little-known fact.
Chamberlain and Longstreet were excellently played, as was CSA General Armitage. In fact, considering the complex nature of this work (not a 'film' but a 'work') Mr. Maxwell rates high praise.
I visit the National Military Park at Gettysburg when my spirits flag. Every time I reclaim my honor and love for being a U.S. citizen. No matter which side, the men for whom Gettysburg is portrayed, all were heroes.
The real difference? Today we are callused of spirit. The men of Gettysburg's time had a refreshing naievete' and sentimentality. We might be better people if we laughed and cried easier -- and for real reasons and not artifice.
CAPT Steve Myers, USN (Ret.)

Rating:
Summary: Gettysburg
Review: This movie is great! I watched it over and over again. The battle is awesome and historically acurate. the confederates are wonderful. The music goes perfect with the movie and Randy Edelman who composed the music should be given a medal. Watch this movie. Watch this movie. I beg you, for Virginia (you'll understand when you see the movie), watch the movie! At the double quick! Buy the movie!

Rating:
Summary: Spectacular
Review: A movie truly on a grand scale. Depicting the true horror of this terrible war. America ripping itself apart and inflicting wounds that are still with us today. The only down point of the film was Martin Sheen in a less than spectacular performance as Robert E. Lee.

Rating:
Summary: This is as close of the Civil War as you're gonna get!
Review: Being the Civil War reenactor I am, I decided to watch this movie. Even though you can call it a "guy movie", it's still good enough to watch, if you don't mind all gory things and stuff like that. My group (8th KS, it's in the credits...look!) is in it, as well as many other reenacting groups; they protray accurately what the men did 139 years ago. This movie also takes an inside look at what generals and other military leaders were discussing behind the lines. Even though there are some mistakes (mostly errors and not factual) it's still great. The prequel to this movie (which is a book by Michael Shaara, or his father) called "Gods and Generals" will be released later in 2002. A couple of my friends (including one relative) are in this movie as extras. I would say that if you liked "Gettysburg", read "Gods and Generals" and see the movie. I don't which group of people to recommend this to, but history buffs and who ever likes war. I'm expecting "Gods and Generals" to be as good as "Gettysburg", but if it isn't then...oh well! To wrap it up, "Gettysburg" is a good Civil War movie.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best Civil War films
Review: As a woman, it's hard to be enthusiastic about a war movie, yet with Gettysburg I am just that. The book was enthralling - the movie true to the book. To watch the personal struggles each general faces when ordering his men into battle and sure death is captured very well. Berenger, in a wonderful performance as General Longstreet, truly captures Longstreet's agony when ordering his men to march across a one mile open stretch into blazing guns. Daniels, as Chamberlain, gives a moving performance as he tries to rally his men to fight for the cause. Probably Jeff Daniels best role to date. Richard Jordan's performance as General Armistead, is the most moving of all as he discusses with Longstreet, his personal dilema with raising his hand against his best friend. Truly a struggle between brothers, friend against friend. Well done! A must see. A must read, as well!!

Rating:
Summary: Not Realistic, BUT good sound track!
Review: As an extra in the movie and a high school history teacher, I guess I have a point of view different than most. From the beginning of the film (when a 400 pound Confederate sergeant who is suppose to have walked all the way from Virginia) stops someone from entering his picket line to the horrible looking ... beards of Longstreet and Jeb Stuart; there are too many inaccuracies to mention.
It is true that the director (Ron Maxwell) had a limited budget; that he had to take re-enactors as extra's for the movie (which means the average age & weight were all wrong) but that doesn't excuse his use of different film for the Picket Charge scene. No one can miss that he filmed Pickett's Charge at different places and at different times of the day. The worst part of the film is the acting job of Martin Sheen as General Lee. If Lee had really behaved this way it would be a wonder that his own men didn't shoot him. It is beyond me why Maxwell allowed Lee to be portrayed as a horrible commander and as borderline senile to boot.
At least the South is not portrayed as the evil slave beating stereotypes, although it is clear that the Yankees are the true hero's in this film....

Rating:
Summary: There's nothing I don't like about this movie
Review: This brilliantly choreographed, acted, and filmed movie tugs at my very emotions every time I watch it. Not only is the movie beautiful in its portrayal of the Union and Confederate leaders, it is also historically accurate and objective in its story and setting. The movie draws you into the intensity of the battle and leaves your heart pounding at the end of the film. I especially enjoyed the portrayals of Richard Jordan as Lewis Armistead and Stephen Lange as General Pickett. Although a lengthy film, its story commands your attention every moment. I was also delighted with the music (Randy Edelman) and how well this beautiful soundtrack blended with the events in this great epic.

Rating:
Summary: Reality Fiction
Review: Arguably, Gettysburg was the most crucial battle ever fought by Americans; for it determined, in the final analysis, whether the American system of government was to exist. Having said that, however, it must be remembered that the battle was fought as a series of blunders and mistakes by the various commanders. This movie makes clear the important results of these errors, and it strongly points out the "fog of battle" that surrounds any military action; a condition any commander would recognize. As history, this movie is much closer to reality than to fiction, and is highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: an epic!
Review: not only my favorite war movie of all time, but my favorite movie all time. period. i would love to have seen this on the big screen. the pictures in this move are incredible. i've visited the gettysburg battlefield, devil's den and all the other famous locations. this picture brought back all those memories! this movie contains an all star cast with each portraying his character brilliantly. two moments that stand out for me: #1 Armistead talking to Longstreet about the last time he talked with his close friend Hancock and the emotion displayed. #2 Longstreet half-heartedly ordering Pickett to charge with the wave of a hand knowing they were charging into certain defeat and death. i love this movie and recommend it with no reservations whatsoever. enjoy!