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Gettysburg (Widescreen Edition)
Availability:
In Stock
Price:
$14.98
$4.46*
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| Part No: | B00003CXA6 |
| Manufacturer: | Turner Home Ent |
| MFG Part: | 053939613926 |
| Customer Rating: | 4.5 / 5.0 |
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Depicts the famous Civil War battle which was the turning point of the war.
Three days in the summer of 1863, at a place called Gettysburg. Although it received a theatrical release, this four-hour depiction of the bloody Civil War battle was shot as a made-for-television film. But no taint of cheapness or shortcuts should stick to this magnificent picture (well, except maybe for those phony-looking mustaches). Based on Michael Shaara's book
The Killer Angels, this film takes a refreshingly slow, thorough approach to the intricacies of battle. In ordinary circumstances, those intricacies might seem of importance only to fans of military strategy or Civil War enthusiasts, yet in
Gettysburg they come across as the very stuff of life, death, and unexpected heroism. If the film has a problem, it's that it climaxes too early: the first long segment, detailing the struggle of a "civilian soldier," Union Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (Jeff Daniels), to hold his ground against long odds, is an enthralling piece of moviemaking. Daniels, in a heartbreaking performance, does his best film work. Other cast members include Tom Berenger, Sam Elliott, and Martin Sheen as Robert E. Lee. Richard Jordan, in his final role, gives a powerhouse performance as Confederate general Lewis A. Armistead. Oh, and you can also try to spot Ted Turner, whose company produced the film, as a Confederate soldier. Writer-director Ronald F. Maxwell seems inspired by the gravity of the battle; long as it is, every moment of
Gettysburg is informed by a nobility of purpose.
--Robert Horton
| Gettysberg | 2010-09-04 | 5 / 5 |
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| This is another Ted Turner masterpeice.I've seen this movie many times and I'm amazed how well it is done.In a way it's like being there.It's hard to imagine swo many Americans being killed in a 3 day battle.Martin Sheen played Lee and did a incrediable job.The entire show is well casted from top to bottom and interesting througout.A Must have .Gilbert Campagna |
| Were the Confederates really that inept...? | 2010-08-30 | 3 / 5 |
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| From a movie-making and entertainment perspective this is a pretty good flick, but the portrayals of the Confederates is just plain weak. Robert E. Lee is seen as indecisive and a bit frustrated with the lack of his commanders' abilities to provide him with any useful information about the Union positions while the Union commanders appear to be cool, calm and collected, well-trained and able to make snap decisions. In fact, this imagery is consistent from top to bottom on both sides. The Union troops are all dressed in the same blue uniform and all show that they received good training before embarking on maneuvers. Even the 'deserters' are well-mannered men who fight valiantly. The Confederates, on the other hand, look like a rag-tag assembly of untrained farm boys who know nothing of disciplined fighting. Historically speaking the Confederates wore gray uniforms, but in this movie they wear just about every color under the sun and look more like a mob than an army. I realize that the North won the war and '...to the victors go the spoils...' but this is carrying it a bit too far. In one particular battle scene in the woods at the top of a hill the Union troops are badly outnumbered and are hoping to just hold the South off to give their other units more time in some battles below, but...voila! Here come those hillbillies running up the hill straight into the muzzles of the Union rifles just itching to get shot. Instead of digging in and engaging the Union from a secure position those 'rebs' just kept on running into the spray of bullets and died in droves. After several repeated drives the Union soldiers ran out of ammunition and had to use bayonets. Bayonets against bullets usually means defeat...but not when you're up against F-Troop. The movie is fairly well made and entertaining, but if you're looking for a more factual re-enactment, watch The North and The South. |
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| This movie provides a great overview of this famous three-day battle in Pennsylvania. It is about the battle with only minor introductory material. Jeff Daniels is fantastic in this film. He made a moving speech to a small group of deserters about the reason to fight. It may sound like an obligatory speech about the abolition of slavery but with Jeff Daniels, it comes of sincere and moving. There were similar moments from the Confederate side about why they too thought the war was justified considering all they wanted to do was to quit the Union and be left alone with their own country. If one is willing to set aside the moral issue of slavery (no one should), one could see why the south felt this way. The film made sure in the begining and at the end that the audience could property recognize and identify the actors in character and the actual historic figures they represent. It is a very nice touch. The acting is good with the obvious exception of Martin Sheen playing General Robert E. Lee. His Lee was wooden, insignificant and not at all the majestic and larger-than-life figure that history has come to recognize Lee. His poorly done and high pitch southern accent is quite bothersome to the degree of being silly. It is almost enough to ruin the film's realism. The movie avoided the bloody carnage that historical accounts have left us. In the film, the dead and dying are relatively clean cut. A more modern movie would seek to be more realisitc in this area. The battle scenes are nevertheless very impressive. The difficult defence of the left flank of The Little Round Top by Colonel Chamberlain's men and the artillery exchange of the two sides just before the start of the Pickett's charge on the last day were both very fine battlefield scenes. The scenes depicting the consecutive firing of the large guns just before the charge are very impressive. The film does provide and excellent overview of the battle of Gettysburg. I highly recommend it for anyone about to visit Gettysburg or after you have done so for a visual review of what you have learned from your visit. It is also for those who appreciate Jeff Daniels as an actor. |
| Leadership from the least likely of people | 2010-08-13 | 5 / 5 |
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As a retired army officer and an adjunct history professor I thought it was important to review what I consider the best war movies depicting the challenges of leadership and the command of men.
"Gettysburg" is one of the best movies showing how leadership is displayed from some of the least likely of people, like a college professor of rhetoric! The movie follows the historical and personal events surrounding and including the decisive American civil war battle. The defense of the Little Round Top by the improbable leader Union Col. Joshua Chamberlain (Jeff Daniels),(who was recently teaching rhetoric), and Pickett's Charge are highlighted in the three day battle that was a turning point in the Civil War. The movie is shown from the perspectives of both sides. Other important leadership emphasis is on Longstreet and Lee's relationship as they have differing strategic opinions.
Another great movie showing how one man who leads his men properly can overcome insurmountable odds.
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| Great Movie, came better than expected | 2010-08-02 | 4 / 5 |
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The movie was in mint condition and even arrived earlier than expected. Granted my company's mailroom slowed it down getting it to me, it still came early.
Thanks. |
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