Not really the movie of the Director's cut is way more better than the theatrical cut.
I still have to disagree. I felt it was more a movie for CW buffs and a melodramatic snooze fest at that. Glory had a tight narrative w a balanced three act structure. Gettysburg even worked in this way somewhat, Lee and Longstreet's differing opinions on how to conduct the war came to a slow boil and then exploded during Pickett's Charge. Chamberlain wasn't sure of his ability to lead these veterans and men into combat and then is tested by fire at LRT.
But there wasn't anything like that in GaG. Jackson stayed exactly the same and we watched him religiously push his men through various battles while making speeches on the cause. Zero inner conflict (which while historically accurate, only makes him interesting for CW buffs).
Chamberlain was a philosophical college professor who joined up and his only conflict was learning battalion evolutions which was a foregone conclusion that he would learn them because as they said "you pick up on things quick".
You have one of the best actors of the DeNiro/Pacino generation as Lee and you literally gave him nothing to do. And it was there. Men were so hesitant for him to take command and openly talked/plotted behind his back when he took over the ANV. Perfect for drama and for him to prove himself. Did they use this? Nope.
As other's have said, I know they wanted to do a trilogy. However, someone should of stopped them and said: This wasn't a great book and it won't hook people outside of CW buffs. Last Full Measure was better and if they had focused on the Wilderness campaign with the third act being Cold Harbour (direct co-relation to Pickett's Charge) and just focused on Grant and Lee it would of been a better film. Grant going in to confront Lee, knowing he has detractors everywhere. Conflict abounds. Lee desperately trying to fight a defensive war as supplies and men dwindle, a man mournfully aware this might be the end but fights anyway. Inner Conflict abounds. On top of that, you have a real chance to show the horrors of the CW with this campaign.
I get why you like it and not trying to detract but I don't really feel the Director's Cut added anything that wasn't already an issue in the theatrical cut.