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Amazon.co.uk Review
Thanks to generous funding from media mogul Ted Turner, first-time director Ronald F Maxwell was able to make an almost word-for-word adaptation of Michael Shaara's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Killer Angels. Running over four hours, Gettysburg (1993) splits into two convenient parts for TV viewing (although a 70mm print was given limited theatrical release). This story of three bloody days of conflict in July, 1863 (an unimaginable 50,000 casualties), is divided equally between Union and Confederate forces. On the Union side, Jeff Daniels is the quietly heroic Colonel Joshua Chamberlain; Sam Elliott is utterly convincing as General Buford, the Union cavalryman who holds the Confederate army at bay on the first day. Martin Sheen plays an oddly subdued and vacillating General Lee--a controversial portrait of the legendary Confederate chief--while Tom Berenger, despite being almost hidden underneath an enormous authentically period-style beard, is strong and authoritative as General Longstreet (whose opposition to Lee's plans gave many in the Confederacy a reason to blame him for the disaster at Gettysburg). Chamberlain's last-ditch defence of Little Round Top, which prevented the Union forces from being flanked on the second day of battle, forms the climax to the first half; the heartbreaking Pickett's Charge--the Confederates' disastrous frontal assault on the entrenched Union lines on the third day--is the movie's greatest set piece and one of the most compelling reasons to endure a little too much stodgy dialogue (lifted directly from the novel) and an apparently over-reverential attitude to the subject-matter. But much of this movie was made in and around the actual battle site, so it's only to be expected that the cast and crew tread carefully, as if literally under the watchful eyes of the men whose lives they are re-enacting. And re-enactment is the key: with a cast of thousands in splendidly detailed period costumes, cannonades galore and massed ranks of musketry, the sheer scale of the military spectacle is endlessly impressive. If as a piece of filmmaking it has many faults, as an historical re-enactment Gettysburg is unsurpassed--even by the epic Waterloo (1970), which drafted in a large chunk of the Russian army as Napoleonic extras. --Mark Walker
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
58 of 61 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
"Gettysburg" is based on Michael Shaara's novel "The Killer Angels," and both works focus on this crucial battle on July 1-3, 1863 through from the perspective of five key figures: The first day of the battle is dominated by Union Calvary General John Buford (Sam Elliot), who slowed the Confederate advance to preserve the precious high ground for the Federal army. The second day comes down to the efforts of Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (Jeff Daniels) and the 20th Maine, who hold the extreme left end of the Army of the Potomac at a crucial moment in the battle. The third day focuses on the clash of wills between General Robert E. Lee (Martin Sheen) and his veteran commander James "Pete" Longstreet (Tom Berenger), who have been arguing offense versus defense throughout the battle, climaxing in the fatal finality of Pickett's Charge. The focal figure of the Charge is Confederate General Lowell Armistead (Richard Jordan), who must attack the position defended by his best friend Winfield Scott Hancock, made all the more poignant by the fact that this was Jordan's final role; he died from a brain tumor the same year this film was released.
However, it is the character of Chamberlain who emerges as the hero from this film. Chamberlain was featured as well in the celebrated PBS documentary "The Civil War," and the result is that he has become the idealized citizen-soldier or gallant knight of the Union army. The result of his military and political career is almost as fascinating as his defense of Little Round Top, for which he received the Congressional Medal of Honor. Jeff Daniel's performance is certainly the finest of his career to date, and he gets to give an eloquent speech on the Civil War as a fight to make other men free. His interplays with veteran Sergeant "Buster" Kilrain (Kevin Conway) deal with the war on a philosophical level, which is not surprising because the man is a college professor. But in the heat of battle he proves himself, and while we cannot imagine ourselves being Robert E. Lee, we can identify with Chamberlain. The end result is that the best part of the film comes not at the end, but before the intermission.
Every year I watch "Gettysburg" on the four days covered in the film, June 30 and July 1-3 (then on the 4th of July I watch "1776"). Only "Glory" is on this level in terms of depicting Civil War battles. This film touches me with the opening credits, where the photographs of these real soldiers are replaced with those of the actors playing them. This is quite evocative, especially when Randy Edleman's evocative score swells as we see the face and name of George Pickett. Even if you have never seen this movie you have undoubtedly heard Edleman's score, which has been used to advertise several films and for the closing credits of the Olympics broadcast. It should have been nominated for an Oscar.
29 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Perhaps the greatest battle ever fought on American soil, a battle which changed American history forever, brought to the screen by Turner Entertainment gets a worthy DVD release. Released on a single disc which is a flipper, it is supplemented by extras which are worthy of the price alone. There is a very good documentary The Making of Gettysburg which should be seen by all movie enthusiasts and historians alike. It can be seen how much actual work and detail went into the making of this extraordinary picture. Also allows the viewer to develop a greater understanding of the events of the battle and the effect it had not only on the two armies involved, but also on the United States as a whole. The movie itself has already been well reviewed, therefore it needs no further comment from me. Suffice to say, it is a good buy indeed, and should not be missed.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Got this in advance of a trip to the US and a visit to the battlefield. Plus points are the great battle scenes and that it was mostly shot on location. Thus it is a good guide to at least selected parts of the battle. Pickett's Charge in particular is fantastic. It is also a very cheap DVD.
Minus points include a pretty lame script with some dodgy acting as well. Somehow the 19th Century speeches just dont sound right. There are also (as some have noticed) some of the worse stick on beards in film history. The re-enactors who provided the extras also look much older and fatter than you would have expected soldiers of the time.
The film also shows its age with a very sanitised view of the battle, no blood, no pain, no-one wounded. People just go "urg" and fall over. Saving Private Ryan it certainly isnt.
However if you are interested in the battle it is the best there is and I watched it with my kids (no unsuitable violence!) and it was a good introduction before visiting PA itself. This is particularly the case for those from the UK who are unfamiliar with the history and the characters.
The book on which it is based, The Killer Angels, is well worth getting as well.
Minus points include a pretty lame script with some dodgy acting as well. Somehow the 19th Century speeches just dont sound right. There are also (as some have noticed) some of the worse stick on beards in film history. The re-enactors who provided the extras also look much older and fatter than you would have expected soldiers of the time.
The film also shows its age with a very sanitised view of the battle, no blood, no pain, no-one wounded. People just go "urg" and fall over. Saving Private Ryan it certainly isnt.
However if you are interested in the battle it is the best there is and I watched it with my kids (no unsuitable violence!) and it was a good introduction before visiting PA itself. This is particularly the case for those from the UK who are unfamiliar with the history and the characters.
The book on which it is based, The Killer Angels, is well worth getting as well.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Gettysburg - the movie
A striking film, but I think that it has been cut down from the version that I saw at the public premiere in Gettysburg twenty years ago. Read more
Published 6 days ago by trb
Boring - truly utterly mind numbingly pointless
Jeeze what a crap film. Almost 3 hours of DULL. Compare this to the superb "the lost battalion"
While I write; there is in the background, rising, stirring music. Read more
While I write; there is in the background, rising, stirring music. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Tim
Okay
Could have done with a bigger budget! Good actors but a little hammie. If this film was made now it would be epic but the battles seemed very B movie to me.
Published 5 months ago by EGGY6198
I don't like it
Given that there are almost only positive reviews, I want to leave my testimony as I didn't like it. Read more
Published 6 months ago by TommasoG
gettysburg double sided dvd
great service a brand new film for a few pounds perfect quality every film i have wanted i have found on amazon for a few pounds
Published 6 months ago by june tate
Another Ted Turner masterpiece!
This DVD was to replace a very old, and worn out, DVD.
Anyone who has an interest in the American Civil War should buy this DVD along with 'Gods and Generals'! Read more
Anyone who has an interest in the American Civil War should buy this DVD along with 'Gods and Generals'! Read more
Published 7 months ago by Terence Jones
A GOOD BUT OVERLONG AND DIALOGUE-HEAVY EXPERIENCE!
In the summer of 1863 America is in the grip of a brutal civil war. Confederate leader Robert E Lee (MARTIN SHEEN) decides he can bring the Union army to battle and achieve the... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Napoleon
Easy viewing after good service
Thsi disk was exceptionally prompt in delivery, even better than the first estimate. Viewing quality very good also and at last a chance to see the whole thing in one... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Ian Garrow
Incredibly Moving film but worth 4 hours?
Name a film that is 4 hours long.
There are the The Lord of the Rings films which come close at 3 hours a piece and a full version of Hamlet is said to be nearly 4 hours but,... Read more
There are the The Lord of the Rings films which come close at 3 hours a piece and a full version of Hamlet is said to be nearly 4 hours but,... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Magic Lemur
What a waste (of life)
From an historic point of view this shows just how far humans will go. The waste of life was huge. We haven't learned a thing.
Published 9 months ago by John Casey
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