Rating: Summary: historically inaccurate - but fairly enjoyable Review: I WATCHED THIS FILM AFTER SPENDING MANY YEARS STUDYING THE CONFLICT AND VISITING MANY BATTLEFIELD SITES BOTH IN THE EAST AND WESTERN THEATERS OF THE WAR. VERY FEW COUNTRIES HAVE PRESERVED THEIR HISTORY AS WELL YOU PEOPLE OF THE USA HAVE. IT IS A PITY THAT THE FILM MAKER RESPONSIBLE DID NOT SPEND A LITTLE MORE TIME EXAMINING THAT HISTORY BEFORE PRODUCING WHAT WAS AT BEST ONLY A REASONABLE TV MOVIE.BUT !!!- DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE BATTLE SCENES LOOKED VERY SANITISED, THE BEARDS ON THE CHARACTERS WERE APPALLING ( MY SONS RE-NAMED THE FILM "GETTYSBEARD"), THAT A.P. HILL WAS PORTRAYED AS A SAN FRANCISCO HIPPY , THAT NO ONE APPEARED TO BE INJURED BY DETONATING SHELLS AND THAT GENERAL LEE SOUNDED LIKE A DEEP SOUTH SHARE CROPPER, I WOULD NOT PART WITH MY COPY OF THE FILM AT ANY PRICE. IT WAS NOT TOTALLY INACCURATE AND AT LEAST SOME ONE DID SOMETHING TO RECORD AN EPIC PIECE OF HISTORY. IT'S SUCH A PIY THAT THE FILM MAKERS HAD TO MAKE IT LOOK SO COMICAL IN PARTS.
Rating: Summary: THE BEST MOVIE EVER! Review: I think that Gettysburg is probably the best made movie ever! The storyline is great, the shots are perfect, and the acting is superb! I am a Civil War Reenactor and I have seen this film 46 times, and it NEVER gets old! I strongly suggest anyone who is interested in Civil War to buy this tape!
Rating: Summary: The Best Civil War Film Review: The film that led thousands to the reenacting hobby. It's the best!
Rating: Summary: aka "The Confederacy has a bad hair day" Review: While this is an excellent movie, based on an even better book, the film does not do justice to history. The worst scene is one where Lee comes riding out and is cheered by the Confederate troops. Actually, this scene was not intended for the film, but was shot of the RE-ENACTORS (who were used as extras) cheering "Lee." It's too modern. Likewise there is too much apology made for the efforts of the Confederacy. While the adored Lee (who is played by Martin Sheen as though he was on tranquilizers the whole time) is given ample screen time, almost no attention is paid to Meade, the Union Commander. Indeed, many would think that Col. Chamberlain and the 20th Maine won the battle all by themselves! While better than most films about the war, it is still Hollywood, not history.
Rating: Summary: Gettysburg Review: Gettysburg is an outstanding war movie. The story is historically accurate, the war scenes are first rate and the drama of that battle is expertly portrayed. No details were spared in the filming of the war scenes which are not only accurate in every way but emotional and realistic. The acting is superb with great performances by Berenger, Sheen, Elliot and Daniels. The drama and dialogue portrayed by them with each other and their soldiers demonstrates the tremendous leadership and motivational qualities that these great men possessed. The motivational speeches to their men captured the emotion of the time. Finally, the uniforms, accents, language, old photographs and period music are splendid.
Rating: Summary: Thrilling, Heartbreaking, Educational Review: Perfect for a long gray rainy day, this movie can transport you into the minds and hearts of our forefathers as they struggle with the moral, ethical, political, and physical problems surrounding this most studied of American battles. The stand-out actor of the movie turns out to be Jeff Daniels as the Union Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. His compassionate portrayal forever elevates my opinion of an actor whose work I had previously dismissed as trivial and shallow. His impression of the college professor from Maine, thrust into heroism by necessity and moral conviction, is absolutely convincing. Randy Edelman's score, with its stirring recurring theme, lends sufficient majesty and weight to the momentous events that are portrayed on screen. I challenge anyone to remain unmoved during Lee's review of the troops preceding Pickett's charge. The transcendent courage of these most nobel of soldiers is as inspiring as it is heartbreaking. If you are an American, it is your civil duty to watch this film. It should be shown in every U.S. history class. If you are from a different culture, this film may offer one of the best insights into the formation of the American character, as complex and multifaceted as that may may be.
Rating: Summary: A brilliant recreation of America¿s most famous battle! Review: "Gettysburg" is one of my all-time favorite war films! It re-creates the Civil War's battle of Gettysburg with superb acting, an excellent screenplay, a hauntingly beautiful musical score, and some of the most authentic and stirring battle scenes I've ever seen in a movie. Based upon Michael Shaara's Pulitzer Prize winning novel "The Killer Angels," this film follows the principal characters, and chronicles the main events, which occurred at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania from July 1-3, 1863. The events depicted in the film are notable for their historical accuracy. Some of the most exciting battle scenes in the film are General John Buford's engagement with the Confederates on the high ground north of Gettysburg on July 1; the defense of Little Round Top by Colonel Joshua Chamberlain's 20th Maine on the following day; and, of course, Pickett's Charge on the final day of the battle. The battle scenes contain plenty of smoke and fire, but are also very tastefully done with a minimum of blood and gore. The acting in "Gettysburg" is excellent throughout. Jeff Daniels , who portrays Chamberlain, probably gives the best overall performance, but Martin Sheen (Robert E. Lee), Tom Berenger (Gen. James Longstreet), Sam Eliot (Buford,) Stephen Lang (Gen. George Pickett), and Kevin Conway (Sergeant Kilrain) also give performances which are outstanding for their realism, grittiness, and historical accuracy. Special mention must also go to the late Richard Jordan, whose portrayal of Confederate General Louis Armistead was consistently eloquent and moving. "Gettysburg" is a long movie; it runs to just over four hours. Still, it held me spellbound from start to finish, mainly due to its dramatic intensity and realistic battle scenes. I highly recommend this outstanding film not only to Civil War enthusiasts, but for anyone who loves a sumptuously produced and well acted war film.
Rating: Summary: It's on DVD, yes yes yes! Review: Gettysburg's biggest flaw is, unfortunately, the casting of Martin Sheen as Robert E. Lee. Sheen's own voice is too distinctive and everytime Lee is on screen, you are aware that it is Martin Sheen playing him. He doesn't give a bad performance, but his own celebrity torpedoes him. Other actors fare much better. Jeff Daniels gives his best performance since Terms of Endearment as Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. Tom Berenger is superb as Longstreet. On the small screen, the cheapness of the fake beards is less obvious, but make sure you have a kick-butt sound system to really do those battle scenes justice.
Rating: Summary: A true masterpiece Review: As a civil war reenactor, I belong to a group of people who put a great deal of effort into teaching the real story, and not just what is in the school history books which are mostly all onesided, and too politically correct. But this is the movie that I suggest new reenactors to watch to get a real feeling for the civil war. And hope that we will all have a chance to learn about this great struggle, and get beyond the lies and make sure this never happens again, while still being proud of our ancestors for dying for what they believe in.
Rating: Summary: My favorite movie, based on my favorite book! Review: This is, by far, the best movie ive ever seen! All of the battle scenes are incredible, and the actors portray the men involved brilliantly. Tom Berenger is especially good as the often misunderstood and underestimated Gen. James Longstreet. This movie is long, but definately worth it!
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