Customer Reviews

Gods and Generals/Gettysburg

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Based on the bestselling novels by Michael and Jeff Shaara, "Gods and Generals" and "Gettysburg" (based on the elder Shaara's "The Killer Angels") are the most excting and emotional Civil War epics ever filmed. The battle scenes are the most exciting and realistic Civil War battle sequences ever put on screen. The acting is phenomenal, with the likes of Jeff Daniels, Stephen Lang, Tom Berenger, Robert Duvall, Bruce Boxleitner, Martin Sheen, Richard Jordan, Sam Elliott and Mira Sorvino, but to name a few of the fine actors and actresses in these two movies. Director Ronald F. Maxwell has created a masterpiece with his first two films, giving rise to the hope that the last film, "The Last Full Measure," will complete what will hopefully be the best Civil War trilogy ever made!
"Gods and Generals" Movie/DVD Grade: A+
"Gettysburg" Movie/DVD Grade: A+
Overall Grade: A+

These two Civil War movies are incredible! Even though they are a bit long, they still are great to watch: especially if you like history. The acting and music (score) in both of these movies are well-done. 'Gods and Generals' and 'Gettysburg' will actually make you feel like you were living during the time of the Civil War while watching them.

Gods and Generals: 4/5
Gettysburg: 5/5

You can't go wrong with this 2 pack edition. These are by far the most accurate historical films made to date. Jeff Daniels does a great job portraying Civil War hero Joshua Chamberlain! These two films won't let you down!

I loved the movie "Gettysburg". I had tried to watch "Gods and Generals" before, and found it boring. However, if you watch Gettysburg FIRST, "Gods and Generals" makes a lot more sense. These are both great movies (and books!)

This is an outstanding film. Based upon Michael Shaara's Pulitzer prize winning book, "The Killer Angels", it tells the story of the battle at Gettysburg, which took place over the first three days of July in 1863. For the most part, the film examines that pivotal battle, one of the bloodiest of the war, from the perspective of the commanders who were calling the shots (no pun intended).

The viewer will be enthralled by the film's recreation of the battle at Gettysburg, which examines some of the militairy stratagems employed and the reasons for them. It attempts to explain how it was that over fifty thousand (50,000) men lay dead or injured at its conclusion. It also recreates one of the most amazing routs in history, when Union Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, defying the odds, held off the Confederates at Little Round Top, part of the high ground that the Union needed to retain at Gettysburg. Chamberlain, who was not a professional soldier but a professor at Bowdoin College in Maine, ultimately received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his valor and success in holding the Confederacy at bay at Little Round Top. Jeff Daniels, who plays the role of Chamberlain, is superlative.

The rest of the star studded cast is likewise marvelous. Tom Berenger as General Longstreet, Martin Sheen as General Robert E. Lee, Richard Jordan as General Lewis Armistead, and Stephen Lang as General Pickett, in particular, all deserve a standing ovation, as does Jeff Daniels. This is a film that attempts to be historically accurate, and it succeeds brilliantly. It does not glamorize war, but shows it in all its heartbreaking reality. It even depicts General Pickett's audacious charge, which saw the loss of an entire division of Confederate soldiers. This is a film entirely about the men who took part in the battle at Gettysburg and the outcome that set the course for the country we know today. Kudos to director Robert F. Maxwell, who directed this film. It is simply a magnificent movie. Bravo!

If you are a Civil War nut, or just like history these two movies are wonderful. Not one sided for either the Union or Confederates, they are both just well done factual movies. Both are very long but never boring. These are for sale at Gettysburg for much more money.

This is a deeply moving film that will give you the experience of the war on both sides. It gave me an understanding of these events that is invaluable.

A good film, but too much sentimentality. Jeff Daniels did a good job, but with Martin Sheehan as General Lee? What happened to Robert Duval?? Tom Berenger is mis-cast. I would have like to have seen President Lincoln somewhere. Film is not focused enough. But the battle scenes were well done.