Gettysburg (1993)

In 1863, the Northern and Southern forces fight at Gettysburg in the decisive battle of the American Civil War.

Director:

Ron Maxwell (as Ronald F. Maxwell)

Writers:

Michael Shaara (novel), Ron Maxwell (screenplay) (as Ronald F. Maxwell)

Stars:

Tom Berenger, Martin Sheen, Stephen Lang

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Berenger	...	Lieut. Gen. James Longstreet
Martin Sheen	...	Gen. Robert E. Lee
Stephen Lang	...	Maj. Gen. George E. Pickett
Richard Jordan	...	Brig. Gen. Lewis A. Armistead
Andrew Prine	...	Brig. Gen. Richard B. Garnett
Cooper Huckabee	...	Henry T. Harrison
Patrick Gorman	...	Maj. Gen. John Bell Hood
Bo Brinkman	...	Maj. Walter H. Taylor
James Lancaster	...	Lieut. Col. Arthur Fremantle
William Morgan Sheppard	...	Maj. Gen. Isaac R. Trimble / Narrator (as Morgan Sheppard)
Kieran Mulroney	...	Maj. G. Moxley Sorrel
James Patrick Stuart	...	Col. E. Porter Alexander (as Patrick Stuart)
Tim Ruddy	...	Maj. Charles Marshall
Royce D. Applegate	...	Brig. Gen. James L. Kemper
Ivan Kane	...	Cap. Thomas J. Goree

Storyline

The four and 1/4 hour depiction of the historical and personal events surrounding and including the decisive American civil war battle features thousands of civil war re-enactors marching over the exact ground that the federal army and the army of North Virginia fought on. The defense of the Little Round Top and Pickett's Charge are highlighted in the actual three day battle which is surrounded by the speeches of the commanding officers and the personal reflections of the fighting men. Based upon the novel 'The Killer Angels'.

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Plot Keywords:

american civil war | battle of gettysburg | hug | gun | robert e lee character | 

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Taglines:

Fate made them soldiers. Courage made them heroes.

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Genres:

Drama | History | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language and epic battle scenes

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 October 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Killer Angels

Filming Locations:

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$10,769,960

Company Credits

Production Co:

TriStar Television, Esparza / Katz Productions, New Line Cinema

Technical Specs

Runtime:

271 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby SR (35 mm prints) DTS (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Three Chamberlain brothers were at Gettysburg, although only two are in the film. John Chamberlain was a doctor who had come down to visit his brothers, Joshua and Thomas. When Lee invaded Pennsylvania, John stayed with the 20th Maine to help. He treated the wounded of the 20th Maine on Little Round Top, and helped afterwards at various field hospitals. Joshua said "Split up, another close one like that and it could be a bad day for mother" to John and Tom after a shell exploded in the trees over their heads as they climbed up Little Round Top together.

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Goofs

At the climax of the 20th Maine's counterattack on Little Round Top, a Confederate officer nearly shoots Col. Chamberlain with his pistol, a British-made Kerr revolver. While this incident did occur, Chamberlain specifically stated in his memoirs that the Rebel carried a "big Navy revolver," which the Kerr was not.

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Quotes

Gen. Buford: [as the Confederates try their first attack] Got one brigade in position and that's all. We got the best damn ground around and they're hitting me with one brigade... lovely. Lovely!
[turns around and looks with his binoculars for Gen. Reynolds, seeing no sign]
Gen. Buford: Damn!

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Alternate Versions

A VHS Collectors Edition was realeased and contained a copy of the extended edition of the movie with extra footage, a copy of the soundtrack, a map, photos of the Generals Lee, Longstreet, Buford and Colonel Chamberlain, a Minie bullet and book featuring the artwork of Mort Kunstler.

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Connections

Referenced in Late Night with Seth Meyers: Anna Kendrick/Timothy Spall/Martha Stewart (2015)

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Soundtracks

Rock of Ages
(uncredited)
Lyrics by Augustus Montague Toplady and music by Thomas Hastings
Played outside the Confederate headquarters

User Reviews

Gets Better Each Time

Utterly superb dramatization of the turning point battle of the Civil War. A clash so enormous in scale that whoever won, was destined to win the war. Brilliantly directed and screenwritten with top notch moving performances by all. Almost makes you understand why so many people are into those reenactment things.

I think to fully appreciate the more intelligent war films, you almost have to know the battle in detail going in. The movie uses dialogue to try and explain whats happening, but its extremely hard to conceptualize without the aid of graphics. I'm not saying you won't enjoy this film without a firm grasp of the battle details, only that you will enjoy it much more if you are able to do a little reading beforehand. Either way, see it. I am truly amazed by the depth of feeling all these guys were able to put into this project. Daniels and Berenger, in particular, give Oscar caliber performances. A total home run.