Rating: 
Summary: Unfairly maligned
Review: Gods and Generals is a good film overall, with many poignant moments and an excellent performance by Stephen Lang as Stonewall Jackson. After the critical skewering it received, my expectations were low, so I was pleasantly surprised when I finally saw it. I now recognize that most of the criticism of the movie can be attributed to the political correctness of those (i.e., Northeasterners) who cannot tolerate a movie that portrays historical figures of the Confederacy sympathetically without counterbalancing that sympathy with the Northern viewpoint. However, no "equal time rule" applies to filmmaking, nor should it. Two other points: the film is beautifully photographed, and has a lovely title credits song by Mary Fahl. I recommend this film.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent and Very Realistic Movie, Historically Accurate!
Review: This film is done so well, and it saddens me to see those people who criticize it as being done poorly!!! This movie, perhaps, is NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT, and also has a lot of "GOD" in the movie, which of course, may bother those who are not true believers. Too Bad! This movie, after I have watched it three times, is more and more beautiful, and the music is superb! The battle scenes are not, perhaps, as intense as the movie, "Gettysburg", but that movie is about one entire battle, not several! The acting was done very well, and I do so look forward to the last sequel, "The Last Full Measure"! Also, to those people who keep saying that there was too much "flowery" speech in this movie, you should go back into records from that period of time, and you will see that the people were much better educated, and spoke more poetically, while using "CORRECT" English, not the slang, and poorly used English that people use in the present!!! This movie is a real keeper, and if you have half a brain, you will find this movie to be entertaining, as well as very educational!!! If you are a great fan of movies like "Dumb and Dumber", then you will probably be disappointed. Your loss...
Rating:
Summary: Civil War Epic
Review: This movie focuses on Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee as men of faith and integrity who led the Confederate forces during the Civil War. A brief look at the Union side is given, complete with anti-slavery arguments, but basically this is the war from the Confederate viewpoint. The officers on both sides are shown as family men who left their wives and children in order to fight for the principals they believed in. Emphasis is given to Jackson's strong Christian faith which sustained him and his family through difficult years of the war and strengthened his leadership skills. Battle scenes are done without the usual blood and gore which have become almost standard in today's movies. The acting is well-done, especially considering the long and lofty speeches which the actors are required to give. The views of pre-battle settings in Virginia are beautiful and give the viewer some idea of what the Confederacy was fighting for. The movie is over 3 hours long, but is interesting enough to keep the viewers' interest.
Rating:
Summary: Not For Those Ignorant of True History.
Review: Gods and Generals does what so few movies do: portrays the Confederates as HUMAN BEINGS. For some reason, 90% of the people in this country seem to think the Confederacy was a bunch of drooling biggots who were hell-bent on keeping blacks as slaves. You'd have to be a buffoon to think this way, and Gods and Generals is far more historically accurate than most civil war movies. The south is portrayed as it was: not men fighting to keep slavery (does anyone really think that half the union seceded and allowed hundreds of thousands to die b/c of SLAVERY?! Read a history book you chumps.) but rather as men fighting for their land and their loyalty to their state. Gods and Generals is long, but delightfully so. If you're impatient or you have ADD, then by all means, don't buy this movie. The battle sequences are fairly authentic and the performances, especially Duvall's, are perfection. So, in short, if you're viciously ignorant of true history, don't bother with this movie, b/c you're probably too dumb to understand the truth when it beats you over the head. I suggest you pick up a few dozen history books, talk to a few historians, THEN watch this film, that way you'll actually comprehend what you're viewing.
Rating:
Summary: Not Five Star, but Worth It
Review: I will say on the onset that I though GETTYSBURG was a better movie. However, God?s & Generals is certainly worthy of your time and attention. Like GETTYSBURG, G & G does a splendid job in character development. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson WAS a pious man. Based on some of the other reviews that I have read this fact annoys some. But this is a historical fact that would have been a true distortion of the truth if it was excluded for political correctness concerns. While many others like Duvall as R E Lee, I personally preferred Martin Sheen. Like GETTYSBURG, G & G does a superb job in keeping with the historicity with one notable deletion; and that is the absence of the battle of Antietam. This was "America's Bloodiest Day" and should have been included. I have read some reviewers whine and complain about the film's length -- all I have to say to them is to get over it and be grateful for an enjoyable educational experience. Unlike GETTYSBURG G & G does NOT offer an excellent sound track. I enjoyed the GETTYSBURG sound track so much I bought the CD. One last thing I would like to comment on. Ted Turner had no business putting himself in the movie. Ken Burns had a very brief moment in GETTYSBURG but at least he earned it with his fine work on the documentary on the Civil War. Though I do not know for certain I wonder if Turner participates in G & G just on a fanciful whim. -- K.K. Dunn, Kansas City
Rating: 
Summary: Whatever happened to...???
Review: I understand that the movie had to be keep within some time limits, but how can you have a movie about the beginning of the Civil War without mentioning a few things. Gen. McClellum and his poor battles; how Lee came to lead the Army of Northern Virginia; and how about Antietam (I think it was kinda important). Do away with some of the lengthy religious dialouges and use this time more wisely.
Rating:
Summary: A good movie with some major flaws....
Review: Overall, I enjoyed the historical accuracy and brief battle scenes. Robert Duvall makes for an excellent R. E. Lee. But unfortunately there were more than a few things that irked me. First and foremost would be heroic portrayal of the God fearing moral confederates against the evil union empire. I don't know how many times over I heard some form of "What kind of president would raise an army against his own country?" line. I'm not sure, but maybe a president that doesn't take to kindly to one of his country's forts (Fort Sumter that is) being fired to begin the whole shabang. I noticed that this movie made no reference to this at all. Also glaringly abscent were any references to any Union victory at all, most notably Shiloh and Antietam. I'm not saying they should've showed the battles, but at least said something about them. The battles that were shown were the three biggest Confederate victories. Also disturbing was the loyalty of slaves to their masters. The only slaves depicted in this movie were treated as family and equals, which sadly was not the case. Also the portrayal of Stonewall as being kind and caring towards his men was a bit off. Jackson is seen historicaly as general his men feared. They loved him because he won battles, there's no doubt about that. But he was also a very harsh and unforgiving man. This was a good portrayal of the one side of the war they wanted you to see. But any bright spots were outshined by Ted Turners devotion and partiallity to the South.
Rating:
Summary: What a disappointment
Review: After hearing of all the work and committment to accuracy that went into this production, and having just finished the book, I had high expectations for the film. Far too high, I'm afraid. Not only did the production virtually strip out the Union officers, it portrayed the remaining Confederate offcers in two dimensions. I was so disappointed, I didn't even finish the video. To it's credit, the unpaid Civil War re-enactors did a fine job portraying the battles. Beyond that, the movie doesn't do the book or the characters the justice they deserve. Do yourself a favor and spend your three hours starting the book - you'll have a tough time putting it down.
Rating: 
Summary: Who knew The Civil War Could Be This BORING!
Review: I was really looking forward to this movie. The actors. The director. All the elements for a GREAT movie were there. Although the filmatographie is great, the story of the Civil War is told in such a poor fashion that it makes it a boring movie. Knowing about the Civil War helps, but not for 3 hours! You're better off picking up a show from PBS, much better and more lively.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Movie about the Civil War
Review: Despite it's length, this is a great movie. The battle scenes are excellent. The emotion is overwhelming. The determination of each side is inspiring. This is a well rounded movie. It not only opens your eyes to the reality of the Civil War, it also makes you feel as though you are there. At times I believed that I was watching the battlefield from afar. The actors and actresses are great, but I was particularly affected by Stephen Lang as Stonewall Jackson. He is the movie. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to see a great movie, and to everyone that loves history.
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