A very powerful and passionate movie! This movie will introduce you to what the war was really about (very steadfast & passionate beliefs. It will show you how passionate both sides were. It let's you know why these men fought and died for their beliefs. When I browsed through this chapter in college It really left no big impression on me. I had no feelings about the war one way or the other. President Lincoln freed the slaves and on to the reconstruction period. What the movie does well is this. It gives you a perspective of the war from several Confederate and Union officers. I found myself so caught up in this movie, I was very sympathetic for both sides. So in the end I was happy for the Union. While at the same time, very sad for the honorable southern Gentlemen, general's and their men.

The movie Gettysburg
The movie was based on the epic novel The Killer Angels, written in 1974 by Michael Shaara.
Gettysburg was Produced and directed by Ronald F. Maxwell in 1993. It was filmed on location at the Gettysburg National Military Park. Most everything in the film was true. The film is extremely historically accurate. From The order of battle to when the different divisions showed up at Gettysburg. Colonel Chamberlains bayonet charge on little round top. General James Longstreet's objection to Lee's order to advance on the Angle. You will never have a real idea of what really happened at Gettysburg until you see this great reenactment (movie) of the battle at Gettysburg.

The Cast
The cast was outstanding! Their performances were nothing short of award winning.

Martin Sheen ...General Robert E. Lee
Tom Berenger ...Lieutenant General James Longstreet
Jeff Daniels ...Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
Stephen Lang ...Major General George E. Pickett
Richard Jordan ...Brigadier General Lewis A. Armistead
Sam Elliott ...Brigadier General John Buford
John Rothman ...Major General John F. Reynolds
Brian Mallon ...Major General Winfield Scott Hancock
Kevin Conway ...Sergeant 'Buster' Kilrain

The movie...

July 1st, 1863

The movie starts out a couple of days before the battle takes place(July 1- July 3, 1863). Generals Lee and Longstreet of the Confederacy are going over some details concerning there march on the North. General Mead (Union Commander), nor General Lee (Confederate Commander) had planned on a fight at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. There had been no reports from General Jeb Steuart. He was the forward scout (mounted Cavalry) for the advancing Confederate army. As fate would have it, Jeb was busy farther up north cutting union supply lines and failed to report any enemy in the area. In the mean time General John Buford (Union Scout) also Commanding mounted cavalry is riding into gettysburg. He very quickly realizes the gravity of the situation about to happen,

Buford: Meade will come in slowly, cautiously, new to command... And then, after Lee's army is entrenched behind nice fat rocks, Meade will attack finally, if he can coordinate the army. He'll attack right up that rocky slope, and up that gorgeous field of fire. And we will charge valiantly, and be butchered valiantly. And afterwards men in tall hats and gold watch fobs will thump their chest and say what a brave charge it was. Devin, I've led a soldier's life, and I've never seen anything as brutally clear as this.

General Heth's division was marching into Gettysburg. If Buford couldn't stop the Confederate advance, there would be the "devil to pay" and he knew it. There is a key to warfare that still holds true today, "Hold The High Ground". Buford knew that he had to slow the confederate advance at all cost. So he deployed his two brigades (dismounted Cavalry) on McPhersons Ridge. General Heth Sent up two brigades from his division. He was under the impression that there was just some dismounted cavalry. When his men ran into two brigades of dismounted cavalry, supported by some horse artillery and equipped with Sharps carbine rifles, They were in one hell of a scrap!

Eventually, Buffords cavalry was pushed back. But the delaying action he caused gave the Union troops time to bring up infantry support and cannons. These crucial few hours gave the Union the high ground, that changed the outcome of that battle and possibly the entire Civil War. General Reynolds (commander I corps) and senior officer on the field of battle, Shows up and takes command of the Union troops. He surveyed the situation and sent word to the VI and III corps to march to Gettysburg at once. He was personally placing each brigade, when he was shot and killed by enemy fire. General Hancock arrives and takes command. More Union reinforcements arrive. Then night falls and the Union troops entrench on the high ground.

July 2nd, 1863

Although there were several different battles that occurred at Gettysburg day two (July 2nd), The main battle was the battle of Little Round Top. This hill was defended by Colonel Chamberlain's 20th Maine. Colonel Chamberlain is a was college professor. He is a very complicated but likable person. Colonel Chamberlain and his 20th Maine regiment are the end of the long Union line. He must hold the Little Round Top at all cost. The ensuing battle was among the bloodiest ever on American soil. These men were hit hard by the 47th & 15th regiments from Alabama. When They had no bullets left Colonel Chamberlain ordered a Bayonet charge. It was something to see!!

July 3, 1863

General Lee orders Longstreet to send in Pickett's division (Pickett's Charge). General Longstreet did not agree with this order. He reluctantly orders Pickett to advance. Pickett's division of over 12,000 men march across 1000 yards of open field into the Angle. The attack was preceded by over a hundred Confederate cannon firing on the center of the Federal line (point of Attack). General James Longstreet orders the attack, sadly (as if he could see into the future). General Armistead leads the attack. He gives a short speech before the attack commences;

Gen. Armistead: Virginians! Virginians! For your land, for your homes, for your sweethearts, for your wives, for Virginia! Forward... march!

You will never see a more courageous attack. Pickett's advancing division takes horrendous casualties. What few men that did made it over the rock wall and into a union artillery battery were quickly killed, captured and overran. Over 3,000 men were killed, captured or missing in that one charge. He lost 15 Regimental Commanders, 2 Brigade Commanders and 6 Colonels. Pickett's division was completely devastated,

General Lee rides over to General Pickett, after the failed attack; General Lee orders Pickett to prepare his division for a possible counterattack. Pickett then replied, "General Lee, I have no division now."

Know your history

I think it's very important to know our history. The Civil War is a part of it. This film will give you insights from both sides of the war and accounts of what happened those three days in 1863. There were over 83,000 men fighting for the Union at Gettysburg. There were some 75,000 men fighting for their cause with the Confederacy at Gettysburg. Over 55,000 men were killed or missing at Gettysburg. I think those numbers say a lot.

If you are a Civil War buff, you must see this movie. If you want to learn more about the civil war, watch this movie. I went right out and bought the movie. I have seen it several times and it still gives me goosebumps every time I see Pickett's division march into the Angle!
Martin Sheen (General Lee), Tom Berenger (General Longstreet) and Sam Elliott (General Buford) All give us superb performances with Gettysburg















Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older