Rating: Summary: Gettysburg Very Nearly Perfectly Accurate Review: As a Civil War buff, I found the film to be very historically accurate with only a few fictional moments. Ronald Maxwell undoubtedly researched this battle for years and came out on top of all other depictions of that battle that turned the war. The defense of Little Round Top and Pickett's Charge was so real that I had to visit the site once again to replay it in my mind. Sheen as Lee was brilliant, Berenger portrayal was irreproachable and the casting of the entire film was near perfection. The part of Sgt. Kilrain, while fictional, was inspirational and encompassed the spirit of someone who must have been in that battle. While more men died at Gettysburg in three days than in the entire Viet Nam war, one has to be seriously moved to imagine the scope of that battle that changed the war and saved the nation. "Gettysburg" will remain in the halls of great films forever.
Rating: Summary: THE Civil War film, hands down Review: Gettysburg is perhaps one of my favorite war films, and when I think of Civil War films, this is the first picture to come to mind. For me, this film is nearly perfect in every way: the characters, the acting, the music, the direction...it blew me away the first time I saw it, and it blows me away even to this day.As I said, the acting is perfect in all roles, my favorite being Tom Berenger as Longstreet and a role that proves to me he is an underrated actor. Armistead, as well, proves a fine role, and the look on his eyes as he leads his men on Pickett's charge will strike you exactly how he must have felt on that day. The music is simply glorious - and I must confess I own the actual soundtrack. It fits the setting and the mood perfectly, and can almost be touching at times. It'll stay in your mind and your heart even after seeing the movie. Finally, there is the cinematography and directing, which captures the moments perfectly. Like Abel Gance's films, "Gettysburg" will often recreate a Civil War painting right on the screen (some of them are even shown in the opening credits). The long-shot battle scenes, especially Pickett's charge, give you the feeling you are actually there, and while the film does not have the gore of battle, you do get the sense of the violence and carnage there on the battlefield. A beautiful film that captures the period and draws you in with it. Bravo.
Rating: Summary: Good but not great Review: Gettysburg is a 'fairly' good 'made for TV' movie. It's portrayal of an inept Robert E. Lee does make you wonder how the Civil War could have gone on for so long, though. Of course, what could you expect from a movie that has cameos of Ted Turner and Senator Byrd? The re-enactments of the fighting is pretty good. Although you do find yourself wondering where everyone is. The movie doesn't really convey the idea of a titanic clash of 'Armies' when they only show a few dozen men at a time. I don't know, maybe they had to stay under a tight budget and couldn't afford a lot of extras. One thing, that I doubt would have cost them and would have made the movie immensely more believable, would have been to replace Martin Sheen. Mr. Sheen played Robert E. Lee the same way he played his part in 'Apocalypse Now'. It's hard to understand how the eye rolling, mumbling, bumbling and almost incoherent General Lee that Mr. Sheen portrayed could have inspired anyone to fight. Much less tired, hungry and barefoot Confederate soldiers. Like I said, it's OK. But, wait till you find it on sale to buy it. Or better yet, rent it. You probably won't want to watch it again anyway.
Rating: Summary: A true masterpiece! Review: Gettysburg was one of the top 10 movies I've ever seen in my life. I am a reader, and am so inevitably disappointed by movies that I was completely amazed how good it was! Never the student of history, I so loved Gettysburg that I hastened to read the book on which it is based, The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. From there, I've been devouring everything I can get hold of on the subject. That's how much impact it had on me! The only possible improvement I can imagine is a different casting of General Lee. Martin Sheen doesn't look anything like him, and his accent was nothing close to Virginian (and I'm not even a Southerner). I agree with the other reviewers who've said Robert Duvall makes a better Lee. All the other castings were perfect. 4 hours isn't long enough...you'll find yourself hating for it to end! I really can't recommend this movie enough!
Rating: Summary: Additional footage Review: There is nothing I would like to add to the already insightful reviews of this truly historical and entertainting film. What I would like to say is, when is Turner going to release this film with the additional footage I have seen in TBS broadcast of the film but not included in the VHS or DVD release ?
Rating: Summary: Boring Review: This film was on TV a few years ago and I tried to watch it. One of the first red flags was Martin Sheen playing General Robert E. Lee. Egads! What an insult to General Robert E. Lee! Robert Duvall was a much more believable Robert E. Lee in "Gods and Generals." And did you know that Robert Duvall is a descendant of General Lee? Yes. Click on the trivia facts link on the "Gods and Generals" page here at Amazon. Duvall even kind of looked like Lee, which I cannot say for Sheen. I have seen some negative reviews of "Gods and Generals" saying it was too much dialogue and not enough battle. Thats interesting, since I thought "Gettysburg" was too much talk, and just plain boring. And sorry to repeat myself but Martin Sheen playing Robert E. Lee puts this movie in the toilet for me.
Rating: Summary: Gettyburg Review: This is a good long movie that doesn't feel long. I enjoyed it totally. Jeff Daniels finally had a character that I liked his as. I think he deserved an Oscar for this role. Unlike Gods and Generals, which is a long movie that feels longer, this was quite entertaining.
Rating: Summary: Thank you Review: Thank you to the people who got this film back in print on DVD. This is my second favorite Civil War film (the first being "Gods and Generals"). This DVD has some good extras on it like a fascinating commentary by Ron Maxwell, Kees Van Oostrum, Craig Symonds, and James McPherson. They not only provide technical commentary on the film, but historical commentary on the events and characters as well. There is also a great 1 hour documentary on the making of the film with interviews with the director, producers, cast, crew, Shelby Foote, Ken Burns, reenactors and more. I highly recommend this DVD. If you have not seen "Gettysburg" yet or "Gods and Generals," then I recommend watching "Gods and Generals" first and then "Gettysburg" so that you will be watching them in historical order.
Rating: Summary: Big Let Down Review: I can't belive that some of these reveiwers were watching the same movie that I saw. This movie was OK with history, but too many vorbose monologes for me. Everyone was going on and on with long speeches which told a lot but were way to boring. Martin Sheen was a terrible Robert E. Lee. His acent was not belivable at all, he sounded more like he was from South Boston rather than Virginia. And what was with his hat? Wasn't he carrying it most of the movie? Did they pay someone a lot to do his hair and that is why he almost never wore it? I am a big Civil War person and have a great interest in the time but this movie was soo long that I thought I actually spent the 3 days the battle took. I would have given it a 1 except the history was fairly close to the way it was.
Rating: Summary: Great Movie in Bad Times... Review: What had brought this movie to light for me, was a visit to Gettysburg in July 03. Recommended by the Gettysburg tour guide as being the most factual, this movie doesn't dissapoint. The Facts, the Actors and the visual display of an actual battlefield make this One of the Best Movies ever made on the Civil War! A MUST HAVE FOR ANY DVD COLLECTION as well as a War we must Never Forget!
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