Civil War History - Gettysburg ForumGettysburg! It's not just a National Park. It's a Civil War Battlefield. For some it's historic and storied past are almost an obsession! All related discussions are welcome here!
I will watch "Gettysburg" at least six times during a year. Much of the attraction is Stuart's incredibly silly beard; secondary to that is Longstreet's. Sheen did a remarkable job as Lee, but he lacked the physical presense of my conception of Lee.
"Beauty" Stuart, under that great beard, had no chin to speak of. Without the beard, and in modern terms, he would have lost his lunch money in every shool he ever went to. But then, Grant wasn't doing all that well until he got the backing of a local Senator.
The war took some rather unlikely characters and elevated them into some rather unlikely positions wherein their particular quirks were very useful.
I thought Gods and Generals was possibly the worst movie ever made, so even guys like Jeff Daniels who did well in Gettysburg were crashing bores, and excellent actors like Robert Duvall were wasted.
Sheen was too dumpy and lacked the necessary grandness or greatness. He was pretty hopeless on a horse too. But I think he understood the role and did something with it. Duvall recited his lines, peeled off the beard and cashed his check.
I don't think Lang really got Jackson, although I confess I couldn't bear to watch the agonizingly slow, static scenes all the way through. G and G betrays the idea of a "moving" picture.
Can anyone understand Jackson from our perspective? Religious in a way tough to understand nowadays, secretive, controlling, inconsistent, talented, his eccentricities make interesting reading, but what does it add up to?
I have to agree that "Gods and Generals was an awful film. I waited for it with such anticipation and rushed to the theater when it came out. I even dressed out in my uniform. At the door I met a fellow who was dressed out as a Reb. "Hello Yank" "Hello Reb" Boy, were people eyeballing us. We talked about how stoked we were about the movie. It was so bad I couldn't wait for it to end. Finally it looked to be over....intermission?!!! I walked out of the theater. So did the Reb. We had a great time ripping the movie. Not quite as bad as "The Blair Witch Project"; but d**m close. My favourite civil war movie is still "Glory"
Calicoboy
__________________ My dear mother:- I have come safely through two more terrible engagements with the enemy, that at South Mountain and the great battle of yesterday (Antietam). Our splendid regiment is almost destroyed. We have had nearly 400 men killed and wounded in the battles. Seven of our officers were shot and three killed in yesterday's battle and nearly 150 men killed and wounded. All from less than 300 engaged. The men have stood like iron....Maj. Rufus Dawes, 6th Wisconsin Volunteers
G &G was certainly a poorly made movie. Just a poorly directed effort all around. But generally as accurate as films can expected to be. Glory, on the other hand, was well made, but rather inaccurate. A trade off no doubt, but hopefully a happy medium can be found. Gettysburg sort of came close to that medium, I suppose.
Gettysburg had some at least interesting character studies. The depiction of movements and events was reasonably accurate and the photography was excellent. I think perhaps the reason I watch it periodically is the music which seems to set the scenes and mood very well. But then I'm a bit partial to Dixie.
The depiction of movements and events was reasonably accurate
I would disagree with that. Compared to other historically based films...then yes, I suppose Gettysburg was a step up. But every scene just is a lightning rod for criticism...very little accuracy in the battle sequences.
Respectfully
__________________ Up men, and to your post! And let no man forget today that you are from old Virginia!
Going back to the original thread of this disscussion for a moment, I think the speech Chamberlain gave was indeed fictional, however there was one speech he gave on the 3rd of October 1889 while revisiting the roundtops that I find very eloquent:
"In great deeds something abides. On great fields something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear; but spirits linger, to consecrate ground for the vision-place of souls. And reverent men and women form afar, and generations that know us not and that we know not of, heart-drawn to see where and by whom great things were suffered and done for them, shall come to this deathless field, to ponder and dream; and lo! the shadow of a mighty presence shall wrap them in its bosom, and the power of the vision pass into their souls.
This is the great reward of service. To live, far out and on, in the life of others; this is the mystery of the Christ, -- to give life's best for such high sake that it shall be found again unto life eternal. "
There was much more to the speech, but this is the last part that I find really wonderful.
Gettysburg is my favorite movie. I also liked Gods and Generals, but not nearly as much as Gettysburg. I think part of the problem with Gods and Generals is that they focused alot on the Confederacy, and centered the movie around Jackson. I like both the South and Stonewall, but I would have liked to have seen more of Hancock, and more scenes out west before the war that the book includes.Does anyone know whether or not Ted Turner will support "The Last Full Measure"? I heard from someone that he won't be making it because "Gods and Generals" didn't do well.
__________________ "But is it wrong to remember the past? I think of it without bitterness. God decreed it---God the all-wise, the all-merciful---for his own purposes. I do not indulge any repinings or reflect with rancor upon the issue of the struggle. I prefer recalling the stirring adventure, the brave voices, the gallant faces: even in that tremendous drama of 1864-5, I can find something besides blood and tears: even here and there some sunshine!" ~John Esten Cooke
But we got more screen time of Longstreets beard than Stuart's, so I don't recall it. Was it worse than Longstreet's?
Didn't like Sheen's tiny Lee hat, would R. E. wear a tiny hat like that?
Longstreet's beard at least looked like it fit him. No self-respecting trick-or-treater would appear in Stuart's. And, yes, Sheen's tiny hat did look like it belonged in a Chaplin movie.
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Thanks for that. I'd say Chamberlain's formal training put him in good stead on that day.
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
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