Customer Reviews

Gettysburg Video Post Civil War Series Volume 3 [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

We're some of those weird parents who try to do educational things with our kids. So when we decided to take a trip to the Gettysburg battlefield, we had a mandatory showing of the video at home first. Of course a few in our ranks weren't too thrilled with the whole idea. But they (somewhat) reluctantly sat down to watch the movie. It caught their interest, and when we arrived at the battlefield a few weeks later they were at least curious.

When we took the personally guided tour, they were thrilled to recognize actual scenery from the video. They couldn't wait to "storm" Little Round Top as they had seen in the film. Later, they loved climbing the rocks in Devil's Den as they saw the soldiers do. And they all pointed out places where certain characters had appeared. And when it was over, they all agreed (and it's not easy to get 3 teenagers and 1 pre-teen to agree on ANYTHING) that the trip was great because of the movie.

Three months after the trip, the film played on television and you couldn't pry any of them away from the set!

Any historically-based movie that can draw four kids together like that has to have some value and worth. Our undying thanks to all involved in its production for providing our family with the experience!

I saw this movie at the UpTown movie theatre in DC. It was great. The battle and the men came alive to you. It stays pretty true to the Killer Angels. The battle scenes aren't too intense for young viewers. It does have some historical inaccuracies. However, if you don't mind that and are interested in the Civil War you'll enjoy it. It also gives a good overview of the entire battle. What I mean is that it is easy to see the strategies behind certain attacks. I don't like how they made JEB Stuart look like he just want on a joy-ride. My great-great-grandad rode with him. He said that they were cut off from the rest of the army.

This Movie is the greatest because of accuracy of Historical details, the acting, and it was taped on the original field of battle. This movie shows the blunder of Lee. It shows how God must have been watching over the North when Chamberlain happened to move to the center of the line. It shows how the men loved Lee, and how the North started their slow upward climb after being defeated for almost 3 strait years.

This movie is a must see.

For those of us who like BOTH history and the fiction based upon it, this is a superb film. There will always be those folks who will find fault with great stories and they do have valid criticisms. With this film, they dont have much. Those historians out there who carp about accuracy should be aware of the constraints on the film makers. At least the producers READ the novel before they made the movie. The actors portrayed the characters as THEY interpreted them. All things considered GETTYSBURG is a fine film, and THE KILLER ANGELS a fine piece of literature. Share both with your family and friends. Visit the battlefield and see the film again.

Yes "Gettysburg" is long, some of the acting wooden, the music sometimes a bit overbearing, and the re-enactors obviously better fed than the battle's real participants. But it is a moving, entertaining and special film that anyone with even a passing interest in the Civil War should see.

My only beef is with viewers who take it too literally. Shaara's "Killer Angels", on which the film is closely based, is a great novel, but it is not serious history. It won the Pulitzer Prize, after all, for FICTION.

Shaara's Longstreet does not fit well with the judgments of most historians. Lee's words to the returning survivors of Pickett's Charge are considered by many to be wildly out of context. Chamberlain's role, while important, is overstated at the expense of others who were equally, if not more responsible for the Union's holding Little Round Top.

I highly recommend "Gettysburg" and "Killer Angels," but purchase a copy of "A Killer Angels Companion" by D. Scott Hartwig. While not the final word, Hartwig's slim book will help you draw the line between fact, fiction, and dramatization and actually increase your appreciation for the sacrifice of so many.

This movie was just OK for the first time, I do have to say. Just OK. The cinematography is spectacular, but the big thing that pisses me off about the film is the length and score. The music just keeps playing when you want it to end. During every battle scene the loud, obnoxious, booming music plays. Have it like "Saving Private Ryan". Use the music sparingly and it makes for a better film. The music is overused. And if you are going to use music, please try to use a variety...all of the music used in the film is so loud. The length could have been chopped down to 2 and 1/2 hours basically. With all of the bad acting in between the battles that could have been eliminated. Sure, don't have just battles, but at least make the acting a little bit more realistic and interesting. The cinematography is excellent as are the battles, but I would have enjoyed it more, again, without all the music. Try "Glory" if you want a better Civil War film, and try Steven Spielberg's awesome "Saving Private Ryan" for an awesome WWII film.