In fact, here is what I said after seeing the movie for the first time...
Don't get me wrong, I really want to see LFM, but I doubt it will happen any time soon. Even Turner said so.
CWT,
I went to the Indianapolis showing on Wed at the UA complex. I really am unsure of what to say about this movie after seeing it. Gettysburg is a cut below G&G that, I truly believe. However, I do not think this movie will have huge box office returns. I due believe it will due very well in DVD sales and on network TV. I think what we have here is another cult classic.
This is not a movie, but a journey. That, is were the problem will lie for most of the public. I would refer to it as something like "The Stand" something you watch on a Saturday afternoon in your home. We all realize it's nice to take a break and eat a snack. Hell, if you fall asleep you can always hit rewind!
Longstreet and Lee you ask, Well, you see them in rare glimpses on the screen. This is a story about Jackson. Longstreet plays as much of a role as AP Hill in this version. In fact, I think Hill has more lines and is in more scenes. That being said, Conway and Howell steal the show with the scenes they are in. Jeff, well, Jeff is J.L.C. only a little heavier, Hancock the same. Burnside reminded me of a thin Ron Jeremy for some reason! (LOL!) Also, we see the usuall cast of characters from Getty only a little older and wiser from the last 10 years.
This is not Getty, so if you go in thinking that, you will either be very happy or rudely awakened. As for people saying its choppy, yes, it is choppy in some parts. Roll with the punches you know the history and timeline. For those who dont they wont care anyway.
Finally, a Union army that actually gets dirty!! J.L.C. finally gets dirt on that pristine uniform before L.R.T. The guys look a lot more realistic in this flick compared to Getty. No chubby Rebs I could spot. Also, look to the Ist Brigade in training some are in old Revolutionary uniforms. (K, it may be war of 1812, but, you get the point) As for "comic relief" it is in the movie.
I have heard some say this is a very "Pro-Southern" movie, I really did not see it. We may follow Southern Characters however, I did not see the film as "Pro-Southern" I also did not see the film as "Pro-Slavery" if anything it brought into question the very issue of slavery.
I think what some are complaining about is the fact you could have black characters who cared for a family for years and really loved the family, but want to be free also. I guess this is not PC enough these days. Both Jackson and J.L.C. speak on the issue as well as a blach man. Between these three you see it is a complicated issue. Not black and white like we think today.
Battle scenes are better however, I wish they would have made the Stone Wall scenes more violent and with more men involved near the wall. I really though they lost something in sound quality during the Stone Wall scenes. Bull Run had stronger sounds of musket and cannon discharge. So after that, Fredericksburg was sort of a letdown for me. Shoot, it may have been the UA sound system.
I also thought they could have cut down on Fredericksburg, compacted it and gotten the same response from the crowd. They due make up for some of this in the night scenes. We also needed more Chancellorsville! I really was dissapointed when Lee showed up at the burning home! I have always thought of the men in celebration chanting Lee like in Getty. The type of shouting the Union would have heard on Stafford Heights. No such thing here! Well, maybe in the DVD!
All this being said I would give the movie a 3 out of 5 for Civil War buffs and a 2.5 for others. I really think the time and dialogue will turn off the younger crowd ( I really do not expect this to attract a younger crowd). Most people I saw at the movie were in the 40-50 age group. My problem is I cant get the darn movie out of my head! Well, seeing it on Friday also! tee hee!
I really think the DVD sales will be crucial to the making of LFM. I really want to see the other 2.5 hours left on the floor. I think it will only enhance the movie.
Guys, go see the movie yourselves and decide!