Gettysburg (Widescreen Edition) [VHS]
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VHS Movie Reviews of Gettysburg (Widescreen Edition) [VHS]
Movie Review: Shorter Is Sometimes Better
Summary: 3 Stars
I just finished watching this movie for the third time since its release. I still haven't found Ted Turner in the ranks of Confederates but Alfred Hitchcock look-a-likes abounded. I don't think there were very many Civil War troops who were candidates for lap band surgery.
On the bright side, this is a story that needed telling but four hours worth? Turner's bias shows in portraying the Confederates as noble defenders of liberty with strong personalities. Union troops were mere androids (Chamberlain's 20th Maine the exception). Kudos to Jeff Daniels for a fine job portraying Col. Chamberlain. Cut the campfire prattle and the remaining 2 1/2 hours would be a pretty good and accurate film.
In September, I'll be in Gettysburg for my fifth visit. I make a point of paying respects to those buried there - especially the unknowns. This time, I think I'll add an apology for the shoddy treatment of Union soldiers by Mr. Fonda.
Movie Review: Read the BOOK!!!!.
Summary: 3 Stars
After having seen the movie Gettysburg about 10 years ago, and after having researched it for a 7th grade project in the 1970's, I finally got around to reading "Killer Angels".
It may be a cliche, but as they say "the book is much better".
If you have NOT read the book, but have seen the movie, I urge you to consider the book.
While the movie gives you live actor battle scenes that you simply don't see anymore in today's CGI dominated movies, the book does a much better job of getting you inside the head of some of the main characters. It highlights how Buford's important role early on is almost forgotten in history, how incompetent most of the top brass was in the Union army, what a great if reluctant leader of men Chamberlain was, and how Longstreet struggled with the iconic Lee's tactics throughout the battle.
As for efficacy of the acting in the movie having the same emotional impact as the book, overall I think it is a mixed bag. Most of the actors in the movie are just OK, but Jeff Daniels as Chamberlain stands out. His speech to the 2nd Maine about what they are fighting for, and the bayonet charge still brings a lump to my throat. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I think Tom Berenger was TERRIBLE as Longstreet. His lines were deadpan and nowhere did I see his internal angst during the battle which was very well represented in the book. I also think that the book was as fair a depiction of the character of the men on both sides as possible, while the movie's depiction of the "Cavalier" gentlemen officers of the Confederate Army was a bit "over the top". Many of them seemed overly sentimental and "foppish", especially Pickett.
In any case, my verdict is good (but long movie), GREAT, GREAT book.
Read the book!
Movie Review: Why do I praise this work
Summary: 5 Stars
Many years ago I entered my favorite Chicago bookstore, Abraham Lincoln Bookstore, shocked to find a large display of a new book The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. My personal grudge against Mike Shaara goes back to 1964 when we were both at Florida State University. What is my reason for relating all this? If I can change my attitude toward the author, anyone can give him a second chance. It still hurts me to give five stars to this work. But the following reasons make it necessary:
1. The book is very well written. Mike had many choices how to work the story. I probably would have made it unreadable by including too many characters. Mead was barely mentioned. John Hood could have been played up more considering his importance later in the war, but it didn't belong in this work.
2. I disagree with not only Mike but many professional historians that the Battle of Gettysburg is overrated. Considering this I'm surprised at how well the author related this story. I have no problem with the historic content of this book or the later movie.
3. The characterization in the book and the movie is superb. This is fiction, but excellently done fiction. If I had not been curious about this work I probably would never have picked it up. I am glad I did read it and even glad I saw the movie.
Movie Review: Gettsburg
Summary: 5 Stars
Excellent depiction of the battle and the events that surrounded it -form both sides of the conflict. An excellent pictorial for those history buffs.Movie Review: Gettysburg
Summary: 5 Stars
The best movie protraying the War between the States. Follows the book "Killer Angels" very well. I saw this in theatres two times and own three copies of the DVD. I wish it would come out on Blu Ray and/or directors cut with the missing scenes.
I also wish that a movie company would pick up the third book of the trilogy. Seems like the story is not complete, however, this movie covers the events of July 1,2, and 3 of 1863.
Highly recommend for History/Civil War buffs.