Gods and Generals follows the Civil War from before its beginnings, nearly up to the battle of Gettysburg.  Actually, it seems to almost be more of a biopic of Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson than anything.  The majority of the film focuses on him and his "Stonewall" brigade, and the film more-or-less ends with his death.  It is highly biased in this regard, and if you've got any prejudices against this, well, then you're going to be disappointed.  Going in I expected this, and was actually somewhat surprised and pleased with the outcome here.  (See my later comment regarding the "Gods" aspect of the title!)

The acting.  That's more like it.  I'm not sure if it was direction or what that made the difference here, but Robert Duvall absolutely did not disappoint me as Gen. Robert E. Lee.  He made Martin Sheen's effort in Gettysburg look amateurish, (sorry!)....  And Stephen Lang was stellar as Gen. Jackson.  I didn't even recognize Bruce Boxleitner under that beard as Gen. Longstreet, although the character's role here was minor compared to in Gettysburg.  Speaking of facial hair (lol) kudos for the makeup team for at least making everyone look "au natural" more so than the last go round!

I think the pacing was superior here as well.  Firstly it was clearly delineated into it's five separate segments, which I'm assuming correlated to how it was shown on television.  I also didn't feel like there were any scenes that were overly drawn out like in Gettysburg.  When you're talking about 4+ hours of screen time, this is important.  I will have to go back and view Gettysburg again to compare this to it.

You'll recognize a lot of faces returning from Gettysburg here as well, including Jeff Daniels as Col. Chamberlain, C. Thomas Howell as the younger Chamberlain, William Morgan Shepard as Gen. Trimble, Kevin Conway as Sgt. Kilrain, among others.  All of whom, along with the entire supporting cast this time, really shined.  I didn't find myself rolling my eyes at any of the "extras" like I did in Gettysburg, either.  That I remember anyway.

I am confused, though, at the inclusion of the strange subplot involving John Wilkes Booth.  I kept expecting the picture to follow through all the way to this subplot's logical conclusion, but it never did.  I'm not sure why it was included at all, to be honest.  It really does nothing except show his disdain for the Union and his hatred for Pres. Lincoln, and without concluding that, it makes no sense to me at all.

I also have a theory on why this, and Gettysburg, seem to be so focused on, and in a lot of ways "sympathetic" towards the Confederacy's cause.  Keep in mind that both of these movies/mini-series were produced by and for one of Atlanta's favorite sons, Ted Turner for his networks.  Is this somehow indicative of his own personal politics?  I don't know, its just a theory.  I hope that its not the case.  He does have cameos in both films, and his appearance here was almost self-serving.

As a mini-biopic of Gen. Stonewall Jackson, Gods and Generals really is a success.  The "Gods" bit referring, likely, to the legend that surrounds both Jackson and Lee in the history of the Civil War.  In the end, though, they prove to be only ordinary men.

As for the Blu Ray, I'm chalking up the superior picture and sound to the technology available at the time of production.  It's really a wonderful presentation.  The sound is excellent, with the surround channels kicking in as those slugs whiz by, and the LFE's hammering home as the cannons fire.  The picture is equally superior, (and in full scope BTW), but you really can't compare the two movies in this respect.  I did notice one scene (but only one) with the annoying "low light noise" problem.

I'm not sure I recommend this one as much as a school history lesson, as it is significantly more violent and bloody in parts.  Not many, but the ones that are show quite a bit, that it could prove problematic.

So, yeah, I'm going a full on 8/10 here.  As an overall package I felt this to be the superior of the two.

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Gods and Generals (Two-Disc Extended Director's Cut in Blu-ray Book Packaging) List Price: $34.99 Sale Price: $15.99 You save: $19.00 (54%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

Description

Reedited from beginning to end with amplified scenes and an added subplot, this all-new 2-Disc Extended Director's Cut of Ronald F. Maxwell's Gettysburg prequel restores his original vision of the fierce allegiances and combat of the early American Civil War. From Jeffrey M. Shaara's bestseller, this commemorative release coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the North/South conflict incorporates an hour of footage never seen before. The story of actor and future Presidential assassin John Wilkes Booth (Chris Conner) is newly integrated throughout the narrative alongside the legendary heroism of Joshua Chamberlain (Jeff Daniels), "Stonewall" Jackson (Stephen Lang) and Robert E. Lee (Robert Duvall). And the battle of Antietam is now included along with the fateful clashes at Manassas, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.

DVD Information

Binding: Blu-ray
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Brand: Warner Brothers
Manufacturer: Warner Bros.
Original Release Date:
Actors:

• Jeff Daniels
• Stephen Lang

Reviews

Related posts:

1. Gettysburg (1993/2011, Director’s Cut, Blu Ray)
2. The Last Samurai (2003, Blu-ray)
3. Tears of the Sun (2003)
4. Saints and Soldiers (2003)
5. The Fog of War – Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara (2003)

This film chronicles the events on both sides, surrounding the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863.  It does so in a pretty good "historical drama" type of format, with some caveats... keep reading.

First off.  The Director's cut weighs in at a whopping 271 minutes.  Which seems like a lot (and it is) but consider that the original was "only" 261 minutes.  So pencil in a full afternoon for this one.  Once you get going into it, it really doesn't seem like that long, thankfully.  But I think I can spot the scenes that were left on the floor originally.  At least some of them.

I also can't speak to the historical accuracy of much (if any) of the movie, I haven't' done my homework, so keep that in mind.

I have to say, that this really could be more of an epic/classic film than it is.  It suffers on a few points, unfortunately.  The soundtrack being one of them.  I see plenty of reviews about how "emotional" and "moving" it is.  It actually could be, if it didn't sound like it came from a computer.  From the beginning, it had that "canned" feel to it.  A minor pick I know, but when you're dealing with 4+ hrs of screen time, it matters.

Second, there are some scenes which, and I should pick my words carefully, felt like they were either afterthoughts, rushed, reshoots, or something I'm not sure of.  The acting in them was wooden, especially (and surprisingly) at times from Martin Sheen (Gen. Lee) and Tom Berenger (Gen. Longstreet) ....  On the other hand, Jeff Daniels (Col. Chamberlain) and Sam Elliot (Gen. Buford) had it down.  I'm not sure whether or not to chalk this up to character acting or what.  It is decidedly difficult to recreate a persona based on written accounts and photos, which I suspect is what happened here.

On the other hand.  Once you get past some of the "closer in" talking heads scenes, as a historical battlefield drama it really is quite good.  I'm talking epic-scale.  Forget about your computer generated armies here, folks, what you have is hundreds of re-enactors out there on the battlefield recreating one of the bloodiest scenes of the Civil War.  It is really an impressive and jaw-dropping sight.  The movie also manages to convey just how particularly dreadful conditions were, how completely wasteful battles like this were, and the widely disparate conditions between officers and "grunts."

I did find it curious (as others who have reviewed it) that this movie would seem to side more with the Confederacy in its presentation.  The (drawn out) scene with Gen. Lee rousing the troops before the charge was a particular example of this.  A disproportionate amount of screen time seemed to be given to the South "behind the scenes", maybe due to Sheen and Berenger, getting them more screen time, who's to say.  I suspect some of the Lee scene, and some of the more lengthy battle scenes may have been dropped for the original release, maybe someone who has seen both can comment.

There are some poignant moments on the side of the Union, as well, particularly as it pertains to Chamberlain and Buford and their respective men.   Good stuff that should not be overlooked, but more could have been done with them.   A scene with the younger Chamberlain brother (C. Thomas Howell) and some captured "Rebs", is also not to be missed.

As for the Blu Ray presentation...  Not bad at all.  The sound inparticular is brilliant.  When those cannons start firing, hold onto your seat, because you will feel it there.  Picture wise, it appears to be an accurate and faithful representation of a '93 film, grain and all.  Not a bad thing, just don't expect crystal-clear HD.  No visible "black noise" to be found.  I have not delved into the extras yet, either.  The "book" retail packaging is a nice touch, tons better than those cheap little blue plastic things, and will stand out for sure on your shelf.

I would highly recommend this movie, even parts of it, as an educational tool in the classroom.  (Spread out over an entire week to be sure!)  It isn't particularly gory (it could have been), and no profanity or "adult bits" that I recall.

I will have to go back and watch this again, maybe a couple more times.  I think the length itself causes a bit of that "too long, didn't read" syndrome, which can cause you to stop paying real close attention.  And it did happen to me a couple of times.  Who knows, it may grow on me more!  I will have to do my homework next time as well

I have to cave, though, despite the things I didn't like above and give Gettysburg a 7/10.  The sheer scope of the film alone is worth it, and if it gets you interested in history then even better.  Overall, I actually did enjoy it when it was over, believe it or not.

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Gettysburg: Director's Cut (Blu-ray Book Packaging) List Price: $34.99 Sale Price: $20.49 You save: $14.50 (41%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

Description

Marking the 150th-anniversary commemoration of the Civil War, Ronald F. Maxwell’s acclaimed film now arrives in a Director’s Cut featuring 17 minutes of compelling additional footage. Filmed at actual battle locations and full of authentic details, this rousing and soulful movie plunges you into the heat of the bloodiest battle fought on American soil. History comes alive with intense and spirited battles as well as the dilemmas, motivations and fears of the leaders. Tom Berenger, Jeff Daniels, Martin Sheen and Stephen Lang star in this magnificent epic based on Michael Shaara's Pulitzer Prize-winning The Killer Angels.

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

DVD Information

Binding: Blu-ray
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Brand: Turner
Manufacturer: Warner
Original Release Date:
Actors:

• Tom Berenger
• Martin Sheen
• Stephen Lang
• Jeff Daniels
• Richard Jordan

Reviews

Related posts:

1. Gods and Generals (2003/2011, Blu Ray Director’s Cut)
2. Stalingrad (1993)
3. Sniper (1993)
4. Heaven & Earth (1993)
5. Battle: Los Angeles (2011)

As mentioned in my previous post, we're giving away ONE pair of the newly released Blu Ray editions of Gettysburg and Gods and Generals in association with Warner Bros.

All you have to do is this:  Give the WarMovieBlog Facebook page a 'Like.' (Check the right-hand sidebar also...)  If you're already one of our fans then you're already entered!  The only stipulation is that you must have a US mailing address. I will randomly pick one of our Facebook fans to receive one copy of each movie.  The deadline is Monday May 30th (Memorial Day in the US) by 7pm Central time.  That's it!  Not only that but by 'liking' the FB page you'll get links to our reviews on your wall!

	Gods and Generals (Two-Disc Extended Director's Cut in Blu-ray Book Packaging) List Price: $34.99 Sale Price: $15.99 You save: $19.00 (54%)

	Gettysburg: Director's Cut (Blu-ray Book Packaging) List Price: $34.99 Sale Price: $20.49 You save: $14.50 (41%)

	Gettysburg / Gods and Generals (Limited Collector's Edition) [Blu-ray] List Price: $84.99 Sale Price: $45.98 You save: $39.01 (46%)

Related posts:

1. Gods and Generals (2003/2011, Blu Ray Director’s Cut)
2. Gettysburg (1993/2011, Director’s Cut, Blu Ray)

Gods and Generals Extended Director’s Cut is director Ron Maxwell’s newly re-edited 4-hour- 40-minute version, with one hour of new footage added, including amplified scenes and new subplot, never-before-seen footage and new bonus features.

Reedited from beginning to end with expanded scenes and an added subplot, this all-new 2-Disc Extended Director’s Cut -- a prequel to Maxwell’s companion film, Gettysburg -- restores his original vision of the fierce allegiances and combat during the early American Civil War. From Jeffrey M. Shaara’s best seller, this commemorative release adds the story of actor and future Presidential assassin John Wilkes Booth, newly integrated throughout the narrative. Also, the Battle of Antietam is now included, along with the fateful clashes at Manassas, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, plus camp life scenes. Oscar winners Robert Duvall (Tender Mercies) and Mira Sorvino (Mighty Aphrodite) star along with Jeff Daniels (Good Night and Good Luck), Stephen Lang (Avatar) and Bruce Boxleitner (TRON:Legacy) in this magnificent film .

Gettysburg: Directors Cut is Maxwell’s acclaimed film about the legendary 3-day battle and will be available for the first time on Blu-ray, featuring 17 minutes of compelling additional footage. Filmed at actual battle locations and full of authentic details, this rousing and soulful movie plunges the viewer into the bloodiest battle fought on American soil. History comes alive with intense and spirited battles and the dilemmas, motivations and fears of the leaders. Tom Berenger (Inception), Jeff Daniels, Martin Sheen (TV’s “West Wing”) and Stephen Lang star in this gripping film based on Michael Shaara’s Pulitzer-Prize-winning book, “The Killer Angels.”

As I said, I'll be posting details of the giveaway promotion soon!  So stay tuned!

	Gods and Generals (Two-Disc Extended Director's Cut in Blu-ray Book Packaging) List Price: $34.99 Sale Price: $15.99 You save: $19.00 (54%)

	Gettysburg: Director's Cut (Blu-ray Book Packaging) List Price: $34.99 Sale Price: $20.49 You save: $14.50 (41%)

	Gettysburg / Gods and Generals (Limited Collector's Edition) [Blu-ray] List Price: $84.99 Sale Price: $45.98 You save: $39.01 (46%)

Related posts:

1. Gods and Generals (2003/2011, Blu Ray Director’s Cut)
2. Gettysburg (1993/2011, Director’s Cut, Blu Ray)

Well, maybe not action so much, but the 2000 issue of Civil War Films of the Silent Era takes us back to the time before World War I, before the notion of a "war movie" had even become ingrained in our culture. These three films provide an interesting perspective, but still seem to carry similar themes you'd see today. I'll cover each of these separately, and then end with my complaints about this nearly-excellent collection....

The Drummer of the 8th (1913) (Spout, IMDB)

The Drummer is a sad story about sacrifice. A young drummer wants so badly to join up with the Union army, and join his older brother, that he runs away from home. He does manage to join up, although in a different unit, and heads off to war. He writes a letter to his parents saying "I'll be back through that way with the regiment soon! I'll see you then!"

What really happens is that he winds up getting himself killed. As his family, brother included, prepare a big celebration, and are anxiously awaiting the return of their boy.... The union train shows up and the soldiers deliver instead a flag-draped casket *to their front door*

Eeek. How's that for a statement?

BONUS! I went back and found this on YouTube! Check out Drummer of the 8th for yourself!!

The Coward (1915) (Spout, IMDB)

The longest of the three films, and quite honesly the best, was The Coward. The story follows one rich southern boy, (whose father was a decorated Colonel) as he struggles with the choice between duty and sacrifice vs. self-preservation. As the Confederacy holds a recruiting drive in his town, he chickens out, but is forced to enlist, nearly at gunpoint, by his father. While on patrol, he's spooked by a rabbit, and then a wandering farmer, and flees back to his home and his mother's arms.

His father, rather than face the shame of having a deserter and coward in the family, packs up and decides to go back in his son's place. "A Winslow *will* answer at roll call tomorrow!"

When the Union marches through town, and occupies his home, he overhears the officers describing a weakness in the lines. With this information, he realizes that he can help the Confederate cause, and rushes off to give the information and a stolen map to the Rebel general. In the process, he winds up in Union uniform, and, as irony would have it, is shot and wounded by his father.

Eventually, his father learns that he's shot his son, and it isn't until he learns of his heroic deed does he come around and accept his son back to his arms.

Really not a bad story, I have to admit, and particularly well-executed.

Granddad (1913) (Spout, IMDB)

Granddad was the most difficult of the three to wrap my head around. Really this film isn't about "the war" but rather about its veterans, which is kind of a compelling theme for such an early picture. You also gain a little insight into the period....

The short version: Old whiskey-drinking Granddad (A Union vet) gets run off by his son's new wife, one of these religious-types who is fervently anti-liqour (pre-prohibition politics anyone?) He winds up in the poorhouse working in the dirt.

Meanwhile, a wounded Confederate veteran comes around looking for Grandpa. It seems that during the war, "Jebus" (yeah, thats his name!) saved his life when he was wounded, rather than kill him. He's come back to pay his respects, and he (through a flashback) tells the story to the rest of the good-old-boys at the local establishment.

Well, as fate goes, Granddad is discovered by the "wife" and his doting granddaughter at the poorhouse, right about the same time the old Rebel finds him. Unfortunately he's just suffered a heart attack (or something equally bad) and is on his death bed.

He's buried with full military honors, in quite an impressive display for such an old (and short) film.

The problems with this set? First off, the sound. These are silent films, and as such, they would have been shown with either no accompaniment at all, a live person on a piano, a phonograph recording, or maybe even a 'player' piano reel. Unfortunately, the producers of this compilation give the films a full-on orchestra sound track, and at times (especially for Drummer) use an electronic-y sounding piece. Dudes! If you're going to do this, do it right!! They even went so far as to add really bad pops and whistles as sound effects during the battle scenes. Now, I'm no expert on silent films by any stretch, but I think that's taking it a bit far. I'd think at best there might have been a guy making his own sounds as the film played, but, brother.

The Coward was the best of the transfers by far, it looked really spectacular. The other two... well, I noticed a lot of "color noise" in the picture, which usually indicates a poor-quality digitization. One thing that struck me about these as well, was the change in "tint" between scenes. Again, not being a silent film expert, I really didn't understand this.

Let me explain a bit further. During night scenes, for example, the picture would take on a bluish hue, when things were candle-lit, everything turned sort of red. I could conceivably see this happening for real, as something added during the production of the reel itself, but it looked like a digital add-on. I really can't say, because I just don't know.

And one thing that had me scratching my head was how few "dialog" plates there were! The few silent films I've ever seen have had a lot of dialog shown inbetween scenes, and all three of these were especially empty in that respect. The first and third had all of the scenes titled, and The Coward had some dialog, with some information on a few screens. The end result is that you had to infer a lot (or read some lips) to really figure out what's happening.

So, Civil War Films of the Silent Era turns out to be an educational experience more than anything. I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in the history of war movies, or a student of film history. I'd even go as far as saying you might recommend this to your school history teachers, as part of the Civil War lessons.

Related posts:

1. World War I Films of the Silent Era (1917/1975/2002)
2. CNN on “War Films”
3. Run Silent, Run Deep (1958)

Stephen Crane's classic novel, "The Red Badge of Courage", about a boy who becomes a man through the trials of his experience in the Civil War is turned into a glossy Cliff Notes version here.

Starring Richard "John Boy Walton" Thomas, his less-than-stellar performance *is* the highlight of the hour.  Which is about all the longer this made-for-TV fiasco is (thank goodness!)

The production is mediocre, and I quickly grew weary of the strings-and-harmonica "country" soundtrack they plastered on here.

Better yet, sit down and just read the book.  I'm sure most of us had to read it at one point in our schooled past, but it might warrant a second look....

Technorati Tags: red badge of courage, richard thomas, stephen crane, 1974, civil war, classics, simply awful, dreadful

Related posts:

1. Courage Under Fire (1996)
2. Hearts and Minds (1974)
3. Gods and Generals (2003/2011, Blu Ray Director’s Cut)
4. Glory (1989)

1989's Glory continues that legacy. Starring Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes, and Morgan Freeman, its the story of one of the few all-black Union companies formed during the war, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.

In itself, Glory is a fine picture. The performances by the above four are nothing short of spectacular. The battle scenes depict just what a terrific nightmare and waste of life warfare in the period was. And it portrays the conflict of the North vs. the "property owner" mentality of the seceding South brilliantly.

And of course you have typical "military" moments such as supply issues, conflict within the ranks, etc. etc. etc.

For all its greatness, though, one thing bothers me about Glory. At times it comes across as purposefully, over-the-top, politically correct. There are numerous scenes which, of course, looked at today you can't help but read into them what the director and writers put into them. I (much as I hate to say it) think though that such moments in reality wouldn't have given the actual participants much, if any pause at all. Times being what they were and all. Context being everything you know.

Some of the violence is a bit on the light side, some of it not. But if you can allow the PC-ness of parts to slide, then Glory is one you can't miss. You might be able to catch this on HDNet Movies again in the near future (as I was able to.)

Technorati Tags: glory, movies, civil war, reviews

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Glory (Special Edition, Repackaged) List Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $10.58 You save: $9.41 (47%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Description

The heart-stopping story of the first black regiment to fight for the North in the Civil War, Glory stars Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes and Morgan Freeman. Broderick and Elwes are the idealistic young Bostonians who lead the regiment; Freeman is the inspirational sergeant who unites the troops; and Denzel Washington, in an Oscar® - winning performance (1989, Best Supporting Actor), is the runaway slave who embodies the indomitable spirit of the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts.

DVD Information

Binding: DVD
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Brand: Sony
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Original Release Date:
Actors:

• Matthew Broderick
• Denzel Washington
• Cary Elwes
• Morgan Freeman
• Jihmi Kennedy

Reviews

Related posts:

1. Paths of Glory (1957)
2. Casualties of War (1989)
3. War Requiem (1989)
4. The Iron Triangle (1989)
5. Born on the Fourth of July (1989)