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Summary: A RIVETING LOOK AT THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG!
Review: This is a very fascinating film and DVD. The movie is by far the best film to come out in the last thirty years about the events of the Civil War. With only little dramatic license taken (the biggest being an inaccurate account of Robert E. Lee's life during the battle), this film is very good. All the members of the cast and production team gave there all into making this memorable film. The DVD is just as memorable. It features a wealth of information on the battle, the making of the film, and theatrical trailers and cast and crew interviews. But I believe the highlight of the DVD to be the commentary track by Writer/Director Ronald F. Maxwell, Military Historian Craig Symonds, Author and Historian James M. McPherson, and Director of Photography Kees Van Oostrum. It offers a wealth of info on the production of the film and the battle at it's backdrop. It is about the battle, but at the core of it, it's about the people who lived through it. Try not to miss this exciting piece of entertainment. Great for History Classes! Grade: A+
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Summary: I didn't think Martin Sheen could do General Lee!
Review: When I heard that Martin Sheen was playing General Lee I groaned. I didn't think he could do it. But he did, and did so excellently. I also greatly enjoyed Tom Berenger as "Old Peete" Longstreet. Let me not be stingy, the all-star cast was great! I loved the charge up Little Round Head. Pickett's charge was also very well done. I have watched this movie several times since aquiring it!
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Summary: The good Lord don't make 'em any better
Review: Movie:It's easy to make a bad Civil War film. It's easy to focus on the racism of the South, or the greed of the North. It's easy to focus on either the bloody desperation of the battles or the heroism of the soldiers, and fail to show how they're linked. It's easy to make a film with a huge cast where most of the actors just show up for work and don't make much of an effort. It's all so very easy. _Gettysburg_ is a great movie because it avoids all those easy traps. The movie faithfully captures the motivations of the Confederate soldiers -- not as defenders of slavery but rather as defenders of a way of life. So, too, are captured the motivations of Federals -- fighting for ideals, whether of Union, justice, or freedom for all men. Laudably, the movie also subtly captures some of the condescension that even Northerners felt for the slaves. Notice that in the scene with the "John Henry" the unnamed black man is talked around, as if he were a child or an idiot; he's never addressed directly. The bloody, desperate work of war is captured very well in the battle scenes, particularly in the scenes on Little Round Top. In that scene, too, the heroism of the Union soldiers in the face of almost certain death is on display. Confederates have their moments of heroism and desperation on the next day, when Armistead's brigade reaches the top, charging into near-certain death. In both instances the slaughter and heroism are presented accurately, as dual faces of a single coin, and they are balanced admirably. Still, the performances of the actors in this film are what makes it great. Lancaster is uneven as Freemantle, but that's the only notable acting complaint. That one low spot is overshadowed by so many fine appearances, it's hard to give them all their proper due. Jeff Daniels puts in his finest performance ever, and Tom Berenger utterly disappears into the part of Longstreet. Martin Sheen's Lee is a little more befuddled than strictly necessary, but otherwise wonderful. Sam Elliott is perfectly cast as Buford, and Stephen Lang is excellent as Pickett. Wm. Sheppard also puts in a wonderful turn as General Trimble. The real show-stopper, however, is Richard Jordan as Lo Armistead. His performance provides the emotional core of the film, dealing most intimately with the Civil War's central irony: these savage battles were fought between friends. His last words in the film sound like a eulogy to every man who fell in the war. Anyone not moved by his final scene has a heart of stone. In short, this is easily the best Civil War film ever made, and arguably the best movie ever made about any war. _Gettysburg_ perfectly blends history with moviemaking, and the result is a work of art no lover of either discipline should be without. DVD Version: This DVD has so much bang for your buck you'd be an idiot not to buy it. In addition to the film, which as I've pointed out is excellent, it carries two well-made documentaries that cover both the history and the film-making quite effectively, a good collection of maps (with commentary), and an excellent commentary track for the film (although unfortunately it does not cover all scenes). This is one of the most relevant set of DVD bonuses I've ever seen. It's almost worth buying the player just to watch this one disk.
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Summary: Wish my history teacher from High School was as interesting!
Review: After watching every possible extra on this DVD, it has become the top pick out of the 175 DVD's I own. This was given to me as a gift, when I got out of the US Army, by a friend who knew how disappointed I became with the way the service was being run in the mid 1990's. After watching this film and becoming more aware of the sacrifices that were made during this war of the states, I found myself proud of my former profession once more. All the characters are played very well, and if you can, take the time to listen to the running commentary on this DVD, you wil learn more about this battle than you ever did in your history class!
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Summary: Civil War Life 101
Review: People, this the best war flick I've ever seen by far. I classify this a Male Tear Jerker! Being ex-military, one can just empathize with the wounded. If you have a civil war ancestor this will give you all the feel of what they went thru. And if that thought don't grip you tightly in the throat, then you must not be alive. Just remember the prequel is being filmed. I hope it continues to be as good as this one.
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Summary: Wonderful!!
Review: I remember going to see this movie when it first came out and I was utterly stunned at the amazing detail not only of the actual battle but of the emotions and thoughts of each character. The excellent portrayal of the men that fought this deciding battle of the Civil War is amazing. Jeff Daniels is the perfect choice for Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. He is a wonderful mix of sensativity and total strength. Tom Berenger is wonderful as Longstreet, showing the moral, ethical and tactical problems he had with the fight at Gettysburg and the fight within himself between military loyalty or morality. It is almost impossible not to get emotionally involved in this movie and feel the pain of each leader and soldier on both sides. Other Civil War movies portary one side( mostly the north) as the ultimate good guy. Gettysburg shows that neither side was good or bad but just fighting for what they believed in and doesn't ask that the viewer chooses a side but instead asks that we feel for everybody on the field. And it isn't hard to do. Whether for historians, Civil War buffs, people who enjoy movies, or anybody that just wants to know more, this epic is worth seeing.
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Summary: Gettysburg History
Review: This movie is a very accurate and complete depiction of the events prior to and involving the civil war conflict that was Gettysburg. Although very accurate, the movie could have been shortened dramatically and still been very entertaining and realistic without losing its edge. The repeated scenes of monotonous dialogue bring the movie down from the splendor that is really there. This was a horrific and important time in our country and for that, I salute the producers of this film for such a fine documentary. However, if you're looking for a quick paced action/adventure film of the Battle of Gettysburg, this ain't it.
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Summary: An American Civil War Movie Honoring both Sides
Review: When Gettysburg first appeared on movie screens in 1993, audiences agreed that it was truly one of the great American war films. Based on the late Michael Shaara's best selling book THE KILLER ANGELS, GETTYSBURG assembled a superb cast including Tom Berenger, Jeff Daniels, Martin Sheen, Sam Elliott, C. Thomas Howell, the late Richard Jordan and 5,000 Civil War reenactors. Filmed on location within the boundaries of the National Battlefield Park and surrounding Adams County, GETTYSBURG is one of the most accurate depictions of a specific military campaign during the War Between the States. Some have criticized the film for concentrating soley on three main battles, but there is signficant attention to detail and magnificently choreographed battle scenes accurately portray the spirit of the July 1863 battle in the film's four-hour plus running time. Martin Sheen's portrayal of beloved Confederate General Robert E. Lee has taken considerable flak. Many Civil War buffs do not like to see General Lee portrayed as an tired old soldier who becomes danagerously over confident, but viewers must understand that this is how Michael Shaara crafted Lee's character in the book. Confederate General Longstreet and Union Colonel Chamberlain are clearly the story's heroes. Both video and DVD versions are presented in a modified letterbox edition with Dolby stereo sound. Both products present excellent quality pictures and sound. The DVD version contains additional features on the Battle of Gettysburg and the making of the film. ...
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Summary: A Near Perfect Movie
Review: As a reenactor and historian, I will always hold this movie in the highest regards. I am not terribly fond of most Civil War movies, but this one leaves nothing to be desired. The acting is very well done, the uniforms and other details are almost flawless, and it is overall the best straight Civil War movie ever made.
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Summary: Masterpiece
Review: Absolutely one of the most moving films I've ever seen in my life. I was in tears repeatedly throughout this 4-hour masterpiece. No one who cares about America and its history should miss this movie.
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