 Second Batch of Civil War DVDs
Dear List Members:
Civil War Battlefields by Timeless Media Group, is composed of old black and white civil war action movies that appear to have been taken from the 1950’s or before, as well as still shot photos and drawings. Very few color shots are in this DVD. Re-enactors are there however, very limited. This is definitely not an entertainment DVD but, more of a factual story which covers these battlefields: Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania and Appomattox. The DVD is peppered with interviews of Michael Musick and DeAnne Blanton of the National Archives. Both clearly are not ‘the best speakers’ but, speak from the wealth of documents within the National Archives; thus more of an educational DVD. I will also warn that this DVD is painfully lengthy. Thank goodness for a pause button or to restart it when you end a battlefield topic. For those who have been following the story of Jenny Wade, who died at Gettysburg as a civilian casualty--she was not baking biscuits--she was baking bread. There was a female soldier who was killed in Pickett’s Charge. She was discovered when the burial crew rifled through her body for possessions before they buried bodies. It shows a map of where positions were of these Generals and their lines in the battles; I’ll add that General D. Sickles’ sailent was way-way out of line and almost an island.
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Gettysburg - Three Days of Destiny The Battle For The Soul Of America: Richard Child directing. All I can say is, that whom ever deemed this a winner for awards, even never heard of groups--I’d hate to see what didn’t win. Anyway--back to the DVD. The first thing that is obvious--is that you can see modern vehicles rather obviously. One shot, you can see a Chevy pickup going down a lane where the tents are. The re-enactors (God Bless ‘em) but, they were so monotone that there was difficulty in thinking this was an ‘re-enacting’ for the director instead of a rehearsal. It really went on as more of a rehearsal and a ‘good ‘ole time’ and though I think the details were spot on, as far as events, people and such; you can clearly see they did not have the entire Gettysburg Military Park at their disposal. It was so cramped that it was painful to watch. You can see several re-enactor clothed cameramen who had bag like things over their handheld camcorders. I actually felt sorry for them all. They were dealing with what they had but, to let such huge bloopers make it into the film was disappointing. I do appreciate the horses properly representing with their characters though.
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Gods and Generals a Ted Turner Picture. All I can say is, compared to Gettysburg by Ted Turner--it was a little disappointing. I think by trying to fit so many battles into one picture, was a mistake. I realize it was covering Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, The Wilderness and Vicksburg before Lee invaded Maryland heading to Gettysburg--It was taken away by prolonged ‘personal lives’ of the focused characters; General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, played by Stephen Lang; who would be Pickett in Gettysburg. It was a bit hard to see him in both roles. The actors for Col. J. L. Chamberlain and brother Tom Chamberlain, as well as General Winfield Scott Hancock was a pleasure to remain as was in Gettysburg. The effort was there to bring it all together but, the only real ‘tear jerker’ was when General ‘Stonewall’ Jackson, to whom had played like a father to a little girl that he befriended who’s daddy was in the war; then learned of her death and crying deeply. I appreciate the details of the horses, to include ‘Stonewall’ Jackson riding Little Sorrel--really near identical to the horse over a hundred years ago. I also think General Lee was best played by Robert Duvall and was mounted on a better mount than Robert Sheen in Gettysburg--Duvall was on a large horse…not small horses like in Gettysburg. Re-enactors did a fantastic job. I think the DVD should have focused on one battle per DVD. I’d buy the ‘set’ per se, if there was more meat to these battles. But, I would still buy it for both entertainment and education purposefully. I can only assume why these battle shots were so short, was that these other battlefields are so surrounded by modern development--that there wasn’t but so much to work with. I've seen the battlefields around Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania and The Wilderness, to include Bull Run/Manassas Battlefields--they are surrounded by development. Note: Another movie was mentioned called "Last Full Measure that was part of this trilogy--Apparently, it never made it to production, perhaps due to the death of the man who producer Maxwell. Noted also was the death of the gentleman who played Confederate General Kemper
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Gettysburg by Ted Turner - A wonderful DVD. Other than small things, like General Buford’s white horse “Grey Eagle” not being represented--perhaps due to the gray horses available didn’t fit Sam Elliott; a truck seeing exiting the battlefield as Buford is with Colonel Devin and panning the battleground to be--it is a truck but, it too can be assumed to be a covered buggy. Little detail oops but, this DVD had full access to the battlefield and it showed! I appreciate Tom Berenger as General Longstreet and it was good to see many of the actors from Gods and Generals, to include both Chamberlains, Major Taylor (aide-de-camp for Lee), General Winfield Scott Hancock and though played Stonewall Jackson-- it was good to see Stephen Lang as Pickett. Good acting and dedication to the Battle of Gettysburg. Note: The musical scores from the movie are available on a music CD "Gettysburg." What is missing sadly, is the drum and fife playing of "The Minstral Boy" which is an Irish toon however, I've yet to find any who has played it better than those men and boys who played it in the scene off "complete and general absolution"--They should have their fine work recorded for all of us to enjoy.
All movies were bought through Amazon.com
Sincerely,
M. E. Wolf
Last edited by M E Wolf; 02-17-2008 at 12:00 PM.
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