Rating: 
Summary: "Gods and Generals" should be renamed "Stonewall"
Review: Jeff Shaara wrote a terrific novel about the first three years of the war in "Gods and Generals" the book, but Ronald Maxwell writes "Gods and Generals" the script as a tribute to general Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. The movie is more or less a biopic about the heroic general and the Confederate cause. Maxwell here tries to be as objective as possible, but he is dissilusioned to the point of generals talking to and praying with slaves. It just didn't happen.Under-appreciated actor Stephen Lang is Jackson, and many people will agree with me when I say that he deserves an Oscar nomination. Veteran actors Jeff Daniels, Robert Duvall, and Mira Sorvino play incredibly slim parts as Chamberlain, Lee, and Fanny Chamberlain, with the majority of actors from "Gettysburg" also return to play their parts. On paper, it is a terrific cast, but the script itself is not worthy of their talent. Why don't novelists write scripts? I mean, look what Michael Crichton and David Koepp did with "Jurassic Park". I'm sure Shaara could have helped Maxwell greatly. Clocking at just under three hours, the movie is well worth your time. Lang is terrific as he holds this picture by himself. Daniels and Duvall don't have enough lines to really make a connection with. Surprisingly, I give the second best performance to Sorvino (who I thought was washed up before this), who only has a couple lines and a monologue, but she performs greatly and with much emotion. Duvall, with less lines, is better that Martin Sheen, and Daniels just barely makes the cut in the film. He looks like he gained some weight, and he also looks dirty and disheveled through most of the film. Call it war reality, but then how do you explain the clean and cut officers in "Gettysburg"? The film does have it's faults. All I want to see is some reality. I want to see a "Saving Private Ryan" in the Civil War era. We all know that weapons back then were just as bad as in the World Wars. If you want people to understand what both sides were fighting for, you must show some kind of blood and gore. There was some in G&G, but not enough. Also, the CGI that was promised to give of us some of that blood and epic battle-scope did not. They were overused, and the city shots looked like they were painted - I wasn't impressed. Once again, I'm sure the DVD will give us the character that was needed in the film, and more association with Chamberlain and Lee - but not in the movie. The battle scenes were adequate (my favorite shot being the wide angle of the Confederates running through the Union lines in Chancellorsville), the score by Frizell and Edelman was fantastic, while Stephen Lang gives one of the best performances of his life. A definate view for the Civil War buff, but a questionable view for the everday Joe.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best war movies I have seen
Review: I went to see "Gods and "Generals" last night. It lasted till 11:00 PM and it had and intermission. It was probably equall to "Saving Private Ryan". The movie was really gory and shouldn't have been rated PG-13. The acting was excelent, and the writting was very good also. It had no big special effects, but it had a lot of fighting. If' you didn't like "Gettysberg", you probalby won't like this. In this movie, it focuses on the southern side most of the time. Overall this movie is probalby the best war movie I've seen (besides Saving Pvt. Ryan).
Rating:
Summary: THE DVD: IT'S ALMOST HERE!
Review: "Gods and Generals" comes on DVD July 15. Special features include:
-Commentary by Ron Maxwell, James I. Robertson, Jr., and Keith Gibson.
-3 Behind-The-Scenes Documentaries.
-Music videos by Bob Dylan and Mary Fahl
Get it and remember it! Movie Grade: A+ DVD Grade: A+ (Maybe)
Rating:
Summary: Gods and Generals in true light.
Review: I was very suspicious of this movie in the beginning. I never believed that Hollywood could or would produce a movie that actually shows the true historical facts about Southern leaders and the cause of INDEPENDENCE for which they fought and died, or that Hollywood would actually show the yankee army as they really were. A mostly uncontrolled mob of rapist, thieves, and murderers, whose only superiority to the South was in numbers. Numbers of men, arms, and supplies and an endless supply of new immigrants for cannon fodder.
Only the real Idiots, biggots, or those with a social agenda to push are condemning this movie as fictional or false. Those that have an open mind or have actually studied true documented historical facts from federal, state, and personal sources, will know the difference in this movie and the lies and propaganda that has been shoved down the publics throat since the north decided they had to cover up what they had just done to the South.
This movie is a must see. True Southerners will find themselves cheering for the South in battle scenes as the bad guys get theirs, and crying unashamed as Jackson breathes his last, and there is a sense of lost hope for the Confederacy, but it will also swell you with pride for the sacrifices our Southern ancestors made, and the true Honors they are due.
Rating:
Summary: Another Shot At Revisionist History
Review: Let's make this short and sweet. First, I am in total agreement with Mr. Hancock (reviewer) of North Carolina. This is a magnificient film and it is the most historically accurate of the theatrical productions concerning the War For Southern Independence I have seen (and I have seen many). The only flaw in the film is Jeff Daniels' obligatory speech concerning slavery being the cause of the conflict. Any serious student of the war knows better. Rather than complaining, perhaps you revisionists should spend more time studying history. I quote your Democratic President Harry Truman, "The only thing new in the world is the history that you haven't learned."
Rating: 
Summary: Civil War buff, highly disappointed
Review: I've been to Gettysburg eight times and many other battlefields, I've seen the Movie "Gettysburg" over 200 times and read the book Gods and Generals three times, after the release of this movie was pushed back a half year, seening it was a lifetime disappointment. This movie was a four hour, boring, and without a plot. Important characters were left out, The srceenplay was nothing like the book, They even left out the bloodest battle of the war. It contained long speeches that went no where. To sum it up, After Years of waiting to see this I couldn't wait for it to be over. It was a disappointment of a lifetime.
Rating: 
Summary: HIstorically accurate and enlightening
Review: More than anything else, Gods and Generals is a history lesson, with great attention by the movie staff to accuracy of details. Stephen Lang portrayed Stonewall Jackson as I had envisioned the real man, a religious fanatic, an eccentric soldier, and a devoted husband. Indeed the acting and dialogue were not as brilliantly accomplished as was in Gettysburg, and Robert Duvall's role as Robert E. Lee was not convincing. However, the movie offers a great education in actual civil war events and the people that lived the time. I highly recommend this movie for everyone in the family.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and Terrible Time of Fury and Accurately Portrayed
Review: Gods and Generals was an accurate portrayal of the book. The actors were excellent and many times the portrayals were so poignant, they brought tears to my eyes. The events which led up to and preceded the first major battle were detailed, and subsequent battles were also remarkably done well. However there were many scenes from the book left out and given that the DVD is over 6 hours long, it is understandable they made the cut, and decided to concentrate on 3 characters, mostly General Jackson, and Lientenant Chamberlain with some of Robert E. Lee added in. There was also some events in the war up to Chancellorsville that were not depicted or adequately depicted. First(Not adequately depicted) and Second Battle of Bull Run. Before that the Battle of Seven Pines; Jacksons own early campaign to secure Virginia from the federals; and the Battle of Antietam (All were not depicted). One can understand this. There was a couple of interesting suspicious military moments at the Battle of Fredericksburg. First off, General Barksdale's defense of the town at the river. General Lee had to order General Barksdale's small force of men from that defensive position to allow the federals to come to Lee's defensive position at the stone wall. The federals literally poured cannon fire and rifle shot into Barksdales's position and it did not have any effect whatsoever. There were not many casualties at all and the federals did not gain the river by all of a sudden gaining the upper hand and causing the Confederates to retreat, therby allowing the federals to finish building their bridge. Second, the defense at the stone wall. The Confederate Casualties at the Stone Wall were virtually nill. The Federals were not that accurate against the stone wall. Many of the Confederate casualties were from other positions. The Federal casualties were accurately depicted. All in all an excellent movie. I really enjoyed it, especially the Going Home song by Mary Fahl. I look forward to buying the DVD.
Rating:
Summary: As Real As It Gets
Review: If you are a Civil War buff or if the heroism, chivalry, gallantry, sacrifice, courage and the kindredness of that period move you - then you cannot fail to be moved by this film. Although it is very long at 4 hours, it is packed with historical detail. In uniforms, speech, battle details and many other aspects. It is about as real as we will ever be able to retell the Civil War story. It focuses a lot on Stonewall Jackson but covers many other aspects of Civil War military and civilian life. Many people identify with this war so much and on so many levels, because it is close in time, because it was brother against brother, because many artifacts and places are still visible, still touchable. This film will augment your ability to relive this period in every way. I heartily recommend.
Rating:
Summary: A great movie despite very negative critical reviews
Review: I've read about two dozens of critical reviews from major national newspapers on this movie with the highest score being C and lowest being D-. Despite this, I enjoyed the movie very much and am waiting for its summer release on DVD. The movie does have its flaws. The sentiment tilts too much to the South and its cause and the movie devotes so long to the depiction of Jackson that we can call it "Gods and Stonewall."
Besides, Lee and Chamberlain seem to be lethargic compared with their appearance in "Gettysburg." This is understandable. After all, they are now ten years older than when they made "Gettysburg." I hope they can correct this problem in the "Last Full Measure."
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