Genres

Visitors Review

2012-05-24 01:49:59

a must-see

An outstanding movie - gripping, subtle, and engaging. Yes, parts of it seem somewhat romanticized for film (Chamberlain's speeches, various wistful glances) but even those are probably not too far from possible truth. One thing which continually stirrs up controversy, apparently, is Sheen's depiction of Lee. I thought it was sensitive, compelling, and possibly quite accurate. Senile? I don't think so. Careless and/or irresponsible? Nope. It is true that his actions in that campaign stirred up his own commanders (who debated it years after the war and Lee's death). I still get chills watching Sheen in this role. Lee's evident sincerity, commitment, and absolute dedication are all apparent. Someone commented that "it's amazing his men didn't shoot him", or something like that... I think this is a remarkably myopic thing to write... remember - this was just one campaign in a long war, and Lee had won many victories prior (and after).

2012-05-23 11:54:19

Not so good movie

A momentous occasion such as Gettysburg deserves better. Hmm, let me see if I can guess the formula they used when making this film - Have a big hollywood name, playing a well known figure stare off into the horizon while delivering a monologue. If not staring off into the horizon, then the figure should be addressing a subordinate. Now apply this formula for 4 hours. Intersperse this with battle scenes that are shown several times but are passed off as unique scenes. Uhhh, I think Meade and Lee where rolling over in their graves when this film was made.

2012-05-23 08:09:30

Best Movie Ever Made

Gettysburg is one of the greatest moveies ever made, and astoundingly accurate. My favorite move of all time. The soundtrack is just as great, and worth every penny. This is a must have movie for people that love good action and drama movies, and any Civil War Enthusiast.

trpdean 2012-05-22 16:38:39

Vivid, well worth seeing, faithful to book,heartbreaking ending

This movie picks up steam as it goes along - leading to its wrenching end,as did the battle. The performance of Richard Jordan as Lo Armistead must be singled out forpraise - his anguish was very moving. I'd loved the actor in The Friends ofEddie Coyle and what a job he does. (It helps that he's given the best linesin the movie). Martin Sheen as Robt. E. Lee is not the first name that wouldcome to mind - but I think he gave a fine performance - his accent wasentrancing. Sam Elliott is perfectly chosen as (and wonderfully played) thewestern General John Buford. I also think Jeff Daniels was absolutelywonderful - conveying so well the different manner of someone who until ayear before, had been a civilian professor, not a colonel. Unfortunatelyalthough I'm generally a fan of Tom Berenger, I wasn't particularly moved byany scene he was in - he kind of walks through it.The movie is written so well - and its pace just fine. There are so manyinteresting scenes, touching on many different aspects of life and war -from the nature of man and race to the paradox of a general loving his armyyet having to sacrifice it. Jordan brought home so well the closeness of thesenior officers to those on the other side. I loved how well they showed the varied purposes for fighting of thedifferent armies, and the occasional reference to a perceived resentment bythe Union soldiers over what they saw as Confederate pretensions to highersocial class. ("They're so arrogant", etc.). The music is first rate - and definitely enhances the drama. The depictionseems quite authentic. Some niggling criticisms: aside from the map at the start of the movie,there is none. Maps would definitely have helped to undeerstand the overallpicture. People commonly refer to directions (from the norht, from the west,etc.) or "we must flank them to the right" and it's hard to understand ifyou haven't read about the battle.The scene with the runaway slave is too abbreviated from the book - itdoesn't have much impact in the movie. Kevin Conway's dialogue and accent was a bit over the top, and the Englishmilitary attache was rather clicheed.For all that General Hancock is referenced, we see very little ofhim.We see the diatribe by General Trimble against General Ewell - but withoutseeing anything of that battle (or Ewell ever), it just hangs there - ratherthan being part of any continuous story. (In the book, Ewell's and Early'sconduct is more discussed - including a wonderful scene by the two withLee). If they weren't going to discuss that side of the battle, they shouldhave left Trimble's (well-played) trembling anger out of the story - itdoesn't belong in this movie.Gen. Longstreet is the star of the book and movie - yet I never sensed fromBerenger the great brooding quality (and he wasn't given any reference tothe fact that his thre children had just died) that he has throughout thebattle - according to the book. Similarly, Gen. Lee's health (his heart andheadaches, etc.) is a constant factor - not shown in the movie.Despite the criticisms, this is a wonderfully done movie - from a PulitzerPrize winning book. It's long - but quite clear, and very deeply moving. Idefy anyone to see the last 1/2 hour and not have tears in their eyes. I'dvery strongly recommend this.

Jeffrey Westhoff 2012-05-21 00:25:42

Ought to be seen for Jeff Daniels' performance alone.

2012-05-20 07:19:41

Farbfest

For a casual viewer, 'Gettysburg' is an interesting and educational look at the American Civil War. Both the North and South's reasons for fighting this bloody conflict are portrayed equally in most respects. However, as a Civil War reenactor, I found this film to be somewhat inaccurate in its portrayal of the common Civil War soldier. First and foremost, the majority of the "grunts" we see marching past the cameras tend to be middle aged men who could stand to lose a few pounds. This can get irritating when you realize that the average Civil War soldier was 21 years old and was usually (at least for the Confederates) very thin from lack of a good diet. There's this huge overweight Confederate NCO who appears at the beginning of the movie who just makes you wanna cringe. And we're supposed to believe that this guy marched all the way to PA from Virginia? Right. Another problem I had with this movie were the fake looking beards. Longstreet's looked like it came right off the shelf at a Walgreen's after Halloween clearance sale. However, my biggest gripe with this film was its sterilzed combat scenes. You never see any blood! Unlike 'Saving Private Ryan' where you see soldiers being blown apart, the men in Gettysburg merely fall down as if they are at a reenactment. Granted, this was originally a made-for-TV movie. But on the big screen, these inaccuracies loom large. Again, notwithstanding the inaccurate portrayal of the common Civil War soldier, 'Gettysburg' manages to teach us that war is stupid and that many good people will die. (Note: FARB is a reenactor word meaning Far-Be-It-From-Authentic)

bradb 2012-05-17 23:38:46

Breathtaking

This is a wonderful film. Although long, it is over four hours of wonderfulfilm making. It is very interesting. Also, it has great acting. I've seenit four times so far. The only thing I didn't like was J.E.B. Stuart'sobviously fake beard.*****

2012-05-17 11:04:41

History Relived

By far one of the most moving motion pictures you will ever see. If you like history you will not be bored at all. If you love history you will rank this as one of the best. This is what I consider an "impact" movie. It's recreation is right on target from what I have ever read about the Ciil War. The acting is fantastic. Do yourself a favor, and relax and enjoy a moment in history that will live forever. Martin Sheen as General Lee .........you can feel the pain as he made some big decsions of which cost his army dearly. Tom Beringer as General Longstreet in which General Lee thought of him as his right arm. I get a chill thinking about this epic. It is to bad that more people do not appreciate this movie. Enjoy and relive a moment in history that no one has ever tried to re-create such as this picture. If it is ever released on the big screen try and catch it again !

2012-05-16 05:07:24

A Momentous Presentation Of An Epic Story

I decided to watch "Gettysburg" again during the 4th of July Weekend. It is truly a momentous presentation of an epic story. The emphasis on the Chamberlains of the 20th Maine and the long distance relationships of Gen. Lew Armistead and Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock introduce a human dimension into an inhumane story.Although Martin Sheen is a bit suspect as Robert E. Lee, Jeff Daniels as Lawrence Chamberlain, Tom Berenger as James Longstreet and Richard Jordan as Lew Armistead combine with others to carry the film.Overall, this is a moving film to watch again and again.

2012-05-15 19:42:05

Gettysburg

After wearing out 2 VHS copies of Gettysburg, this DVD is a joy. Despite the fact that it is Digital 5.0 (no LFE channel), the sound field is good. The widescreen image is very good with only a few digital artifacts. While the film, like the book, touches mainly on the high points of the battle, those points are depicted fairly accurately. While 19th century warfare is difficult to imagine let alone depict, the film does an excellent job of showing the confusion and carnage without a lot of gore. Its very difficult to watch the 20th Maine stand on Little Round Top and not get goosebumps. The acting in this film is outstanding, the actors all seem to realize the power of the material they are given and Gettysburg has the ability to suspend time and draw the viewer into the film. One thing I love is that many scenes are put together like Mort Kunstler paintings giving the movie a classic look and feel. I do miss the Low Frequency Effects channel (and thus only giving 4 stars) Without it, Alexanders cannonade of the Union center is very good. With it, the cannonade would have been awesome and guaranteed complaints from the neighbors. Any Civil War buff should love this film and anyone who likes high drama, fine acting and dramatic visuals will love Gettysburg

Ron-181 2012-05-14 01:21:42

First Rate TV movie:

Originally made by Turner Pictures for TV this movie is exceptionally welldone. An accurate reproduction of the Gettysburg fighting, coupled withfine performances from this group of professional actors. The graphicscene's of the battle only enhance a superior TV production.

mylan_dawson 2012-05-13 15:44:15

Good intentions gone painfully wrong

Horrible film; excruciatingly bad acting (Sheen and Sam Elliott werehorrendous), and painfully poor directing and editing - why or why didtherehave to be background music (and loud music at that) in 98% of the film'sscenes?If it weren't for Jeff Daniels, the movie would have been a totalwaste.

Everum 2012-05-12 23:41:40

Excellent filming, poor interpretation

I must admit that some of the battle scenes were so breath-taking rivetingand well-crafted, my eyes were completely glued to the set as I watchedeverything unfold. However, I must agree with a previous post that the castdid a pretty POOR job interpreting the men that bore colors of blue andgrey. That ended my fascination there when everyone started to talk. Itappeared to me that the directors and producers wanted to glorify the battleeven beyond and that is a total thumbs down. If you're looking ot see aCivil War movie, try "GLORY" instead and skip this.

senorduc 2012-05-12 16:32:58

one of the best war movies ever made, period.

Except for Glory, there are no better Civil War films out there. Based onthe book, The Killer Angels, by Micheal Shaara, this movie gives anaccurateportrayal of the events of the Battle fo Gettysburg. It is clearly one ofthebest war movies ever made, period.

sean08057 2012-05-10 15:19:29

An extraordanary movie

This i can say is one of the best movies i ever saw. I thinks it wasperfect for instince they didn't turn up the gore like the patriot did, theconfederets did what they probably did back then, same as the union, andwatching it was like being in the war (but of course you have a 0% chanceofgetting killed.

ehsfb2001 2012-05-09 23:28:25

Outstanding film

This film does an outstanding job of presenting both politicalviewsin a historically accurate presentation. If you have the usual gnat-likeattention span of modern viwers, the 6 hour epic is not for you.Otherwise, all key aspects of the battle are presented showing thekeyhistorical figures carrying out their correct actions. The 6 hours doesallow the figures dialogue true to the situation. The emotions may seemoverthe top to those who haven't faced death during warfare. To those whohaveknown the experience, the feeling the men have for their comrades ringstrue. The battle scenes especially Pickett's Charge are accurate andcarriedout by Civil War Reenactors.

Richard A. Reed 2012-05-08 20:15:50

Outstanding!

I have the video, have almost worn it out. I wish I wish I wish I had seenit in the theater!A great and understated epic.

boaworm 2012-05-08 08:31:00

Excellent movie !

The movie captures the battle of Gettysburg in a brilliant way. The four(4!) hour long movie does really spend time on what makes a movie great.Itcreates persons, builds up the characters and gives lots of background.Thebattles are beautifully captured on camera, realistic but not violent.

Travis Leigh 2012-05-06 20:28:30

Gettysburg Adress

Well where should I begin. I saw this movie when it came out in thearter.Isaw the movie on VHS and now I have seen it on DVD. If you want arelookingfor a civil war type movie why not check this one out? It is a long movieone should be advised that it is more than a epic than just your ordinarymovie there is out there. But do take the time and rent this or just lookatthe cover for a while and wonder what "Gettysburg" really is all about.Thisepic will answer your questions and help you get an understanding of what"Gettysburg" is. Please be advised that there are many sides to thisconflict not just one side. Remember that this is an epic and is justaboutfour hours long. If you are a busy kind of person who has little time forfour hours well then pass by this one and look for another source ofentertainment! Best of luck to all of you who wish to view a great storyonthe civil war!

2012-05-06 04:42:06

Best Civil War Film I have seen-along with Glory

I visited the real life battlefield and having seen the movie before and after I visited made me realize how good a movie it is. My favorite scenes are Pickett's Charge and the 20th Maine going on a bayonet charge in the woods. What makes the film great is that it was filmed on location and that its on DVD finally. The VHS version is good too but get the DVD if you can.