| Photos (See all 55 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 6) |
| Donzaleigh Abernathy | ... | Martha | |
| Mark Aldrich | ... | Adjutant | |
| George Allen | ... | Confederate Officer | |
| Keith Allison | ... | Capt. James J. White | |
| Royce D. Applegate | ... | Brig. Gen. James Kemper (as Royce Applegate) | |
| Bruce Boxleitner | ... | Lt. Gen. James Longstreet | |
| Bo Brinkman | ... | Maj. Walter Taylor | |
| Mac Butler | ... | Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker | |
| Robert Byrd | ... | Confederate General (as Robert C. Byrd) | |
| Shane Callahan | ... | Bowdoin Student | |
| Billy Campbell | ... | Maj. Gen. George Pickett | |
| David Carpenter | ... | Rev. Beverly Tucker Lacy | |
| John Castle | ... | Old Penn | |
| Jim Choate | ... | Brig. Gen. Bernard Bee | |
| Martin Clark | ... | Dr. George Junkin | |
| Christopher Clawson | ... | Charles Beale (as Chris Clawson) | |
| Kevin Conway | ... | Sgt. Buster Kilrain | |
| Scott Cooper | ... | Lt. Joseph Morrison | |
| Devon Cromwell | ... | Cadet Charlie Norris | |
| Ryan Cutrona | ... | Brig. Gen. Marsena Patrick | |
| Jeff Daniels | ... | Lt. Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain | |
| Scott Davidson | ... | Sam Beale | |
| Mia Dillon | ... | Jane Beale | |
| Justin Dray | ... | George Jenkins | |
| Robert Duvall | ... | Gen. Robert E. Lee | |
| Robert Easton | ... | John Janney | |
| Frankie Faison | ... | Jim Lewis | |
| Miles Fisher | ... | John Beale | |
| Keith Flippen | ... | Maj. Gilmore | |
| Bourke Floyd | ... | Longstreet's Courier | |
| David Foster | ... | Capt. Ricketts | |
| Dennis E. Frye | ... | Griffin's Aide | |
| Joseph Fuqua | ... | Maj. Gen. J. E. B. Stuart | |
| James Garrett | ... | Brig. Gen. John Curtis Caldwell | |
| Karen Starc | ... | Lucy Beale (as Karen Goberman) | |
| Alexander Gordon | ... | Martha's Older Son | |
| Patrick Gorman | ... | Maj. Gen. John Bell Hood | |
| Phil Gramm | ... | Virginia Delegate | |
| Bo Greigh | ... | Pvt. Pogue | |
| Fred Griffith | ... | Brig. Gen. Robert Rodes | |
| Karen Hochstetter | ... | Roberta Corbin | |
| James Horan | ... | Col. Cummings | |
| Conn Horgan | ... | Pvt. Dooley (as Con Horgan) | |
| C. Thomas Howell | ... | Sgt. Thomas Chamberlain | |
| Ben Hulan | ... | A Lieutenant | |
| Sam Hulsey | ... | Julian Beale | |
| Alex Hyde-White | ... | Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside | |
| Lydia Jordan | ... | Jane Corbin | |
| Charles Lester Kinsolving | ... | Brig. Gen. William Barksdale (as Les Kinsolving) | |
| Damon Kirsche | ... | Harry McCarthy | |
| Lew Knopp | ... | Jackson's Courier | |
| Stephen Lang | ... | Lt. Gen. Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson | |
| James Thomas Lawler | ... | Another Looter | |
| Matt Letscher | ... | Col. Adelbert Ames | |
| Matt Lindquist | ... | Johann Heros Von Borcke | |
| Jeremy London | ... | Capt. Alexander 'Sandie' Pendleton | |
| Doug Lory | ... | 2nd Irishman | |
| Brian Mallon | ... | Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock | |
| Dan Manning | ... | Maj. John Harman | |
| Edward Markey | ... | Irish Brigade Officer | |
| Thomas B. Mason | ... | Old Man in Fredericksburg | |
| Jonathan Maxwell | ... | Capt. Ellis Spear | |
| Malachy McCourt | ... | Francis Preston Blair, Jr. | |
| Terry McCrea | ... | A Captain | |
| Andrew McOmber II | ... | Young Corporal | |
| Rosemary Meacham | ... | Hattie | |
| Marquis Moody | ... | Martha's Younger Son | |
| Peter Neofotis | ... | Wounded Maine Soldier | |
| Mark Nichols | ... | Surgeon in Fredericksburg | |
| Carsten Norgaard | ... | Maj. Gen. Darius Nash Couch | |
| Tim O'Hare | ... | Lt. Col. Clair Mulholland | |
| Sean Pratt | ... | Dr. Hunter Holmes McGuire | |
| Jasmyn Proctor | ... | Martha's Daughter | |
| John Prosky | ... | Brig. Gen. Lewis Armistead | |
| Kyle Prue | ... | Wounded Maine Soldier | |
| W. Joseph Quam | ... | 1st Irishman | |
| Ted Rebich | ... | Looter #3 | |
| Kali Rocha | ... | Anna Morrison Jackson | |
| Dana Rohrabacher | ... | 20th Maine Officer | |
| Tim Ruddy | ... | Pvt. McMillan | |
| William Sanderson | ... | Maj. Gen. A. P. Hill | |
| Noel Schwab | ... | Colson's Officer | |
| William Morgan Sheppard | ... | Maj. Gen. Isaac Trimble (as Morgan Sheppard) | |
| Christie Lynn Smith | ... | Catherine Corbin | |
| Michael Sorvino | ... | Federal Soldier | |
| Mira Sorvino | ... | Frances Caroline 'Fanny' Chamberlain | |
| Stephen Spacek | ... | Capt. James Power Smith | |
| Dana Stackpole | ... | Lottie Estelle | |
| Matthew R. Staley | ... | Lt. Boswell (as Matthew Staley) | |
| David Stifel | ... | Rev. David S. Jenkins | |
| James Patrick Stuart | ... | Col. Edward Porter Alexander | |
| Stephen Sullivan | ... | Federal Soldier (as Stephen Leonard Sullivan) | |
| Buck Taylor | ... | Brig. Gen. Maxcy Gregg | |
| Tyler Trumbo | ... | Young Wellford | |
| Ted Turner | ... | Col. Tazewell Patton (as R.E. Turner) | |
| Christopher Crutchfield Walker | ... | A Looter | |
| Trent Walker | ... | Pvt. McClintock | |
| Scott Watkins | ... | Brig, Gen. Raleigh Colston | |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Jeremy Beck | ... | Rob Lee, Jr. (uncredited) | |
| Richard Bekins | ... | Maj. Gen. Oliver Howard (uncredited) | |
| John D. Bert | ... | Maj. Charles Marshall (uncredited) | |
| Paul Boccadoro | ... | VMI Drummer / Soldier (uncredited) | |
| Lance Carter | ... | McCarthy (uncredited) | |
| Robert Randolph Caton | ... | Gen. Kemper's Aide (uncredited) | |
| Bill Chemerka | ... | Train Station Passenger (uncredited) | |
| Michael L. Colosimo | ... | Soldier (uncredited) | |
| Chris Conner | ... | John Wilkes Booth (uncredited) | |
| Greg Cool | ... | Soldier (uncredited) | |
| Jonathon Demers | ... | Maj. Gen. Richard Ewell (uncredited) | |
| John Calvin Doyle | ... | Union Soldier (uncredited) | |
| Pamela Fischer | ... | Colonial Woman (uncredited) | |
| Robert Freeman | ... | Himself - Gunner (uncredited) | |
| Lawrence Gaughan | ... | Maj. John Pelham (uncredited) | |
| Shaun C. Grenan | ... | Soldier (uncredited) | |
| Gary Gustin | ... | Confederate Soldier (uncredited) | |
| Jeremiah Hornbaker | ... | Core Group Officer (uncredited) | |
| Cooper Huckabee | ... | Henry T. Harrison (uncredited) | |
| Natalie Hultman | ... | Civilian (uncredited) | |
| Dan C. Johnson | ... | Soldier (uncredited) | |
| Rick Kain | ... | Civilian (uncredited) | |
| Robert Knott | ... | Maj. Gen. D.H. Hill (uncredited) | |
| Ben Kullman | ... | Soldier (uncredited) | |
| Marcus Lawrence | ... | Soldier (uncredited) | |
| Frosty Lawson | ... | Soldier / Bugler (uncredited) | |
| Bruce Lindsay | ... | Union Soldier (uncredited) | |
| Marty Lodge | ... | Caesar (uncredited) | |
| Eric U. Lowman | ... | Soldier (uncredited) | |
| Barry McEvoy | ... | Marion Sibert (uncredited) | |
| Brian Merrick | ... | Jackson's Winchester Aide (uncredited) | |
| Matt K. Miller | ... | Brig. Gen. Charles Griffin (uncredited) | |
| Herb Mitchell | ... | Union Officer (uncredited) | |
| Jared Morrison | ... | Union Soldier / Officer (uncredited) | |
| Fergus O'Fay | ... | Confederate Soldier (uncredited) | |
| Chris Potocki | ... | Stage Manager (uncredited) | |
| Andrew Prine | ... | Brig. Gen. Richard B. Garnett (uncredited) | |
| Robert Rice | ... | Civil War Soldier (uncredited) | |
| Rob 'Captain Rob' Robinson | ... | Soldier (uncredited) | |
| Schatar Sapphira | ... | Southern Girl (uncredited) | |
| Jeff Shaara | ... | Officer in Audience at Minstrel Show (uncredited) | |
| Thomas Silcott | ... | Washington (uncredited) | |
| Bryan Stefancyk | ... | Soldier (uncredited) | |
| William Stine | ... | Soldier (uncredited) | |
| Leonard Termo | ... | Glazier Estabrook (uncredited) | |
| Tom Thompson | ... | Soldier (uncredited) | |
| Dechen Thurman | ... | Minnis (uncredited) | |
| Michael A. Valenzano | ... | Confederate Soldier (uncredited) | |
| Parker Webb | ... | Grey #1 (uncredited) | |
| John Whelan | ... | Accordion Player (uncredited) | |
| Keith E. Whitehead | ... | Confederate Soldier (uncredited) | |
| Jason Wickersty | ... | Soldier (uncredited) | |
| Antonio Zarro | ... | Soldier (uncredited) | |
Directed by | |||
| Ronald F. Maxwell | |||
Writing credits(WGA) | ||
| Jeff Shaara | (book) (as Jeffrey M. Shaara) | |
| Ronald F. Maxwell | (screenplay) | |
Produced by | |||
| Suzanne Arden | .... | associate producer | |
| Moctesuma Esparza | .... | executive producer | |
| Dennis E. Frye | .... | associate producer | |
| Nick Grillo | .... | co-producer | |
| Robert Katz | .... | executive producer | |
| Ronald F. Maxwell | .... | producer | |
| Mace Neufeld | .... | executive producer | |
| Robert Rehme | .... | executive producer | |
| Jeff Shaara | .... | associate producer | |
| Ronald G. Smith | .... | co-executive producer | |
| Ted Turner | .... | executive producer | |
| Robert J. Wussler | .... | associate executive producer | |
Original Music by | |||
| Randy Edelman | |||
| John Frizzell | |||
Cinematography by | |||
| Kees Van Oostrum | |||
Film Editing by | |||
| Corky Ehlers | |||
Casting by | |||
| Joy Todd | |||
Production Design by | |||
| Michael Z. Hanan | |||
Art Direction by | |||
| Gregory Bolton | |||
Set Decoration by | |||
| Casey Hallenbeck | |||
Costume Design by | |||
| Richard La Motte | |||
| Maurice Whitlock | |||
| Gamila Smith | (uncredited) | ||
Makeup Department | |||
| Patricia Androff | .... | key makeup artist | |
| Susan Buffington | .... | hair stylist | |
| Leo Corey Castellano | .... | additional makeup artist | |
| Leo Corey Castellano | .... | key makeup effects | |
| Vanessa Davis | .... | key hair stylist | |
| Leslie Devlin | .... | makeup artist | |
| Joseph P. Hurt | .... | makeup effects artist | |
| Philip Ivey | .... | hair stylist | |
| Rachel Kick | .... | assistant makeup artist | |
| Taylor Knight | .... | key hair stylist | |
| Dionne Pitsikoulis | .... | makeup artist | |
| Rosalee Riggle | .... | assistant hair stylist | |
| Manlio Rocchetti | .... | hair stylist: Mr. Duvall | |
| Manlio Rocchetti | .... | makeup artist: Mr. Duvall | |
| Janeen Schreyer | .... | key makeup artist | |
| Rita Troy | .... | hair stylist | |
| Isabella Wiley | .... | wig maker: E. Kupitz (uncredited) | |
Production Management | |||
| D. Scott Easton | .... | unit production manager | |
| Elpe Villard | .... | production supervisor | |
Visual Effects by | |||
| Tim Angulo | .... | visual effects director of photography | |
| Jenny Arata | .... | production coordinator: MetroLight Studios | |
| Judith Bell | .... | compositor: MetroLight Studios | |
| Elissa Bello | .... | rotoscope artist: MetroLight Studios | |
| Randy Brown | .... | compositor: MetroLight Studios | |
| Jeremy Burns | .... | compositing supervisor: MetroLight Studios | |
| D. Walt Cameron | .... | compositor: MetroLight Studios | |
| Natalie Carroll | .... | administrative assistant: MetroLight Studios | |
| Richard Choi | .... | system supporter: MetroLight Studios | |
| Steve Clarke | .... | visual effects artist | |
| Peter de Bay | .... | roto artist | |
| Jon Bon Dionne | .... | 3D animator | |
| Pete Dionne | .... | 3D artist: ToyBox | |
| Randy Egan | .... | senior Inferno artist | |
| Christopher Elke | .... | visual effects coordinator | |
| John Follmer | .... | head of production: MetroLight Studios | |
| Mathias Frodin | .... | compositor: Metro Light Studios | |
| Adam Howard | .... | visual effects supervisor: Complete Post Inc. | |
| Matt Hullum | .... | visual effects producer: MetroLight Studios | |
| So-ok Kim | .... | compositor: MetroLight Studios | |
| James W. Kristoff | .... | executive in charge of production: MetroLight Studios | |
| Brian Krusic | .... | chief technology officer: MetroLight Studios | |
| Michael Lloyd | .... | digital matte artist: MetroLight Studios | |
| Heather MacPhee | .... | compositor: MetroLight Studios | |
| Chad Malbon | .... | visual effects coordinator | |
| Shannon McGee | .... | technical director: MetroLight Studios | |
| Roger Mocenigo | .... | digital compositor: Metrolight | |
| Reynaldo Mollinedo | .... | production supporter: MetroLight Studios | |
| Carlos Morales | .... | rotoscope artist: MetroLight Studios | |
| Erik Nordby | .... | Inferno artist | |
| Ariel Oclarino | .... | senior systems administrator | |
| Doug Oddy | .... | digital artist | |
| Con Pederson | .... | 3D animator: MetroLight Studios | |
| Tania Richard | .... | matte painter | |
| Justin Paul Ritter | .... | visual effects supervisor | |
| Lorraine Rozon | .... | visual effects producer | |
| Chris Ryan | .... | CGI supervisor: MetroLight Studios | |
| Dobbie Schiff | .... | executive producer: MetroLight Studios | |
| Thomas G. Smith | .... | visual effects producer | |
| Adam Stern | .... | digital compositor | |
| Matthew Talbot-Kelly | .... | Inferno artist | |
| Matthew Talbot-Kelly | .... | digital compositing artist | |
| Bridget M. Taylor | .... | digital artist: Metrolight Studios | |
| Mike Tosti | .... | production technology | |
| Jon Townley | .... | visual effects supervisor: MetroLight Studios | |
| Brian Wawzonek | .... | Inferno artist | |
| Jerry Weil | .... | 3D animator: MetroLight Studios | |
| Jerry Weil | .... | digital artist: Metrolight Studios | |
| Michael Whang | .... | systems administrator: MetroLight Studios | |
| Benjamin J. Wylie | .... | 3D animator | |
Stunts | |||
| Brian Avery | .... | stunts | |
| David Barrett | .... | stunts | |
| Stanton Barrett | .... | stunts | |
| Chris Branham | .... | stunts | |
| Brian Brown | .... | stunts | |
| Ryan Brown | .... | stunts | |
| Richard Bucher | .... | stunts | |
| Tony Donno | .... | stunts | |
| Brian Duffy | .... | stunts | |
| Dale Gibson | .... | stunts | |
| Sean Graham | .... | stunt double | |
| Tad Griffith | .... | stunts | |
| Tad Griffith | .... | utility stunts | |
| Gene Harrison | .... | utility stunts | |
| Jim Hart | .... | stunts | |
| Chris Howell | .... | stunt coordinator | |
| David Brian Martin | .... | stunts | |
| Eric Miranda | .... | stunts | |
| Mark Norby | .... | stunts | |
| Eric Norris | .... | stunts | |
| Casey O'Neill | .... | stunts | |
| Jason Rodriguez | .... | assistant stunt coordinator | |
| Monty L. Simons | .... | stunts | |
| Mike Watson | .... | stunts | |
Animation Department | |||
| Frosty Lawson | .... | animator: soldier and bugler | |
Casting Department | |||
| Craig Campobasso | .... | casting associate | |
| Sam Phillips | .... | assistant to casting director (as Samuel Phillips) | |
Costume and Wardrobe Department | |||
| Linda M. Boyland | .... | costumer | |
| Toby Bronson | .... | key set costumer | |
| Jim Broomall | .... | costumer | |
| Brian Callahan | .... | costumer | |
| Carl Curnutte III | .... | set costumer | |
| Robert DeGrazia | .... | set costumer | |
| Catharine Fletcher Incaprera | .... | costume shop supervisor | |
| Catharine Fletcher Incaprera | .... | costume supervisor | |
| K. Drew Fuller | .... | key set costumer: second unit | |
| Deborah Latham | .... | key set costumer | |
| Boyd Miles | .... | costumer: Hagerstown pre-production | |
| Kathie Pierson | .... | costume tailor | |
| Gregory H. Starbuck | .... | cap costumes | |
| Maria Vaughan | .... | cutter/fitter | |
| Maggie Burke | .... | consultant: costumes (uncredited) | |
Editorial Department | |||
| Travis Dultz | .... | additional editor | |
| Joe Fineman | .... | post-production consultant | |
| Marc Pollon | .... | assistant editor | |
| Bill Daly | .... | post-production executive (uncredited) | |
| Valance Eisleben | .... | high definition editorial services (uncredited) | |
| Brian Q. Kelley | .... | editor: additional material (uncredited) | |
Music Department | |||
| Elton Ahi | .... | score mixer | |
| Bruce Babcock | .... | orchestrator | |
| Stuart Balcomb | .... | orchestrator | |
| Robb Boyd | .... | assistant music editor | |
| Brian Bulman | .... | assistant music editor | |
| Larry Campbell | .... | musician | |
| David Franco | .... | music supervisor | |
| Isobel Griffiths | .... | orchestra contractor | |
| Lisa Jaime | .... | music editor | |
| Andrew Kinney | .... | orchestrator | |
| John Lissauer | .... | song arranger and conductor | |
| Jon McBride | .... | music score coordinator | |
| Don Nemitz | .... | orchestrator | |
| Lolita Ritmanis | .... | orchestrator | |
| Carl Rydlund | .... | orchestrator | |
| Jari Villanueva | .... | musician: trumpeter | |
| Rick Winquest | .... | music scoring mixer | |
Transportation Department | |||
| Charles E. Bauer | .... | driver | |
| Robert Brubaker | .... | driver | |
| Vic Cuccia | .... | transportation captain | |
| Roy A. Grace | .... | driver | |
| Michael Luckeroth | .... | transportation captain | |
| Randy Luna | .... | driver | |
| A.J. Mink Jr. | .... | driver | |
| Jim Petti | .... | transportation | |
| Dan Romero | .... | transportation coordinator | |
| Michael Sean Ryan | .... | transportation co-captain | |
| Gerald Titus | .... | transportation co-captain | |
| Douglas A. Walk | .... | transportation captain | |
| David Wang | .... | driver | |
| Tom Whelpey | .... | driver | |
| Dean Winton | .... | driver | |
Other crew | |||
| Wayne Arnold | .... | second assistant: second unit | |
| Michael Atlan | .... | assistant: Mr. Maxwell | |
| Ed Bearss | .... | historical consultant | |
| John D. Bert | .... | military advisor | |
| Dawn Blacksten | .... | location coordinator | |
| David 'Happy' Bone | .... | wrangler | |
| Gabor Boritt | .... | historical consultant | |
| Joe Cacciotti | .... | assistant location manager | |
| Robert Randolph Caton | .... | horseback riding double: General Robert E. Lee & General Darious Couch | |
| Robert Randolph Caton | .... | stand-in: Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson | |
| Michael L. Colosimo | .... | core company of re-enactors | |
| John Crowder | .... | location manager | |
| Gina D'Orazio | .... | production office coordinator | |
| Lee Davis | .... | script supervisor: second unit (as Lee Bigelow) | |
| Gil Dean | .... | wrangler | |
| Sandra L. Dixon | .... | second assistant accountant | |
| Larry Donahue | .... | assistant chef | |
| Frank J. Ellison | .... | accountant | |
| Patrick Falci | .... | historical coordinator | |
| Billy L. 'Butch' Frank | .... | wrangler gang boss | |
| Brian Avery Galligan | .... | production assistant | |
| Keith Gibson | .... | historical consultant | |
| Karl O. Gilbert | .... | projectionist | |
| Monica Goldstein | .... | travel coordinator | |
| John Goode | .... | military advisor | |
| Dana C. Heim | .... | core group coordinator | |
| Dana C. Heim | .... | military advisor: second unit | |
| Vic Heutschy | .... | unit publicist | |
| Dan C. Johnson | .... | core company of re-enactors (as Daniel Johnson) | |
| Timber Kislan | .... | payroll accountant | |
| Nancy Klein | .... | first assistant accountant | |
| Norman Knoerlein | .... | office production assistant | |
| Paula Kramer | .... | assistant production office coordinator (as Paula Piepho) | |
| Ben Kullman | .... | core company of re-enactors | |
| Stephanie Lovell | .... | set production assistant | |
| Karl Luthin | .... | wrangler | |
| Erin Meehan | .... | production assistant | |
| Janet Melody | .... | set tailor | |
| Dawson Nolley | .... | assistant accountant | |
| Miguel Nájera | .... | adr voice | |
| Damon O'Daniel | .... | assistant: Robert Rehme and Nick Grillo | |
| Sam Phillips | .... | apprentice (as Samuel Phillips) | |
| Brian Pohanka | .... | set historian | |
| Russ Richards | .... | re-enactor liaison | |
| James I. Robertson | .... | historical consultant | |
| Christopher Rock | .... | assistant location manager | |
| Scott Rorie | .... | set production assistant | |
| Jenniphur Ryan | .... | asst. production coord. | |
| Marvin Schroeder | .... | wrangler | |
| Taffy Schweickhardt | .... | payroll accountant | |
| Jennifer Slatkin | .... | assistant to producer and director | |
| Mark Snell | .... | historical consultant | |
| Jonas Spaccarotelli | .... | production assistant | |
| Craig Symonds | .... | historical consultant | |
| Philip Wayne Tatler IV | .... | post-production staff assistant | |
| Rock Taulbee | .... | stand-in: Kevin Conway | |
| Tom Thompson | .... | core company of re-enactors | |
| Tom Trigo | .... | location manager | |
| Drew Vandervelde | .... | production assistant | |
| Charlie Ward | .... | wrangler | |
| Don Warlick | .... | re-enactor liaison | |
| Don Warlick | .... | re-enactor security | |
| Wayne W. Whited | .... | production coordinator | |
| Jason Wickersty | .... | core company of re-enactors | |
| A. Wilson Green | .... | historical consultant | |
| Charley Armstrong | .... | location scout (uncredited) | |
| Frank Barron | .... | projectionist (uncredited) | |
| Gary Gustin | .... | on-set medic (uncredited) | |
| Michael J. Harker | .... | completion bond company representative (uncredited) | |
| Mark Holland | .... | projectionist (uncredited) | |
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| Gettysburg | Glory | The Longest Day | The Fighting 69th | Cast a Giant Shadow |
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| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Drama section | IMDb USA section |
My View in Summary: Overall, I enjoyed the movie (despite some of its apparent flaws), and I plan to see it again in the theater, as well as purchase the extended version when it comes out on DVD. I liked Gettysburg and the novel "Gods and Generals" better. I am fairly confident that the majority of Americans will not like nor support this film due to its overall pro-southern emphasis.
What I liked about the movie: I thought Lang did an excellent job portraying Jackson. I was deeply moved by his final scene in the film.
The attention to detail was good; overall it was historically accurate--with some exceptions.
The costumes looked good.
I appreciated the show of how Christianity influenced many in the Civil War, such as Jackson and Lee.
I liked the fact that many from Gettysburg reprised their roles in this film, although there were some who couldn't, which was a little disappointing.
What I didn't like or wished was better about the movie: The fake beards were more than obvious in this film, with the exception of Jackson's and Lee's, but this is relatively minor to the overall film.
I thought, with maybe the exception of the Fredericksburg battle, the depiction of the battle scenes were not nearly as well done as in Gettysburg; but to be fair, there were more battles to cover in this film. Gettysburg only had one, meaning more time could be given to the details of the battle.
The battle of Antietam was not in the movie at all, not even mentioned, which is very disappointing given its significance and effects.
Some of the CGI is poorly done (i.e., very obvious), but, again, this is a small part of the movie and in my opinion neither makes nor breaks it.
Some of the speeches were a bit stiff and seemed contrived, particularly Chamberlain's speech before the battle of Fredricksburg.
Not enough time was given to developing the characters of Lee, Chamberlain, and Hancock, all of whom are important in the novel. In fact, in contrast to the film, the novel gives most time to Lee, not Jackson. To be fair, however, novels usually are better than their film counterparts given the constraints of time.
My thoughts on some of the common complaints about the movie: Some complain there wasn't enough realism as to the carnage of war. To that I say there was enough to get the point across, and for myself, it is refreshing from time to time to see a movie that doesn't rely too heavily on blood and guts. This is not meant to be a blood and guts movie. The novel is even less bloody. Anyone who wants to see a blood and guts war movie should buy or rent Saving Private Ryan, Full Metal Jacket, Hamburger Hill, the Patriot, Braveheart, etc.
Others complain that there were too many poetic speeches. Indeed there were many speeches, but that was also true of Gettysburg, which most view as a good movie. I didn't mind the speeches so much other than they sometimes truncated the character in such a way that the audience fails to see their visceral humanity. As stated above, the only speech I thought was a bit over the top was Chamberlain's before the battle of Fredricksburg. It seemed forced, showy, and odd that the whole regiment would stand motionless and quiet for so long to hear him go on and on. Clearly it was intended to be a poignant moment showing historical parallels between the American Civil War and Roman history. But the whole scene ends up feeling staged and apathetic.
Others complain about the strong emphasis on religion. As stated above, I found this emphasis refreshing, for certainly Jackson and Lee were very devout Christian men. Christianity was a part of the ethos of this country at that time and affected many in both north and south.
Still others complain about the pro-southern perspective being so strong. While I admit there is an imbalance between the northern and southern perspectives, which clearly favors the southern view, I also think this only stands to reason, since the overall focus of the film is clearly on Jackson, a southerner. And given the fact that many other movies often underplay the southern perspective (i.e., it was fought over State's rights) or ignore it altogether, some will find this movie's emphasis a refreshing change. On the other hand, the clear downplay of the role and effect of slavery in this film will no doubt trouble many Americans.
Finally, others complain that the movie is too long. But I find this to be a misnomer. What most really mean by this is that the movie is not entertaining enough to justify such a length. This is not the first long film in cinematic history. Other films were very long and yet praised as wonderful (Terms of Endearment, Dances With Wolves, Gone with the Wind, Braveheart, Lord of the Rings, etc.). The real issue here, I believe, is that this movie for many is too "slow" or "mundane" in their estimation. This, I think, is a result of our becoming so accustomed to roller coaster rides at the movies. If it isn't constantly exciting or humorous or action-packed, it needs to be short. I suppose that in a TV age wherein we are accustom to pure entertainment compacted into ten-minute blocks of time separated by pithy, entertaining commercials, this complaint ought not surprise us, given the historical orientation of this film. But I think such a complaint is evidence of a deeper cultural problem, which should concern us all.
My opinion who will like this movie: many Historians, Teachers, and Homeschooling parents; most southerners; Civil War reenactors; many Christians.
My opinion who will not like this movie: Most northerners, most African Americans, many Liberals, most in Hollywood.
My opinion on how the movie will fare: It will likely not last long in the theaters. Most critics will hate it. It will come out on DVD/Home video sooner than most movies. It will likely not rake in as much money as it cost to make. However, I hope to be proven wrong here. Though not without flaws, I believe it is worth seeing and discussing.