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'.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Taglines:

Fate made them soldiers. Courage made them heroes.

---

Genres:

Drama | History | War

---

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)

Opening Weekend USA:

$913,617, 10 October 1993

Gross USA:

$10,769,960

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$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

Sam Elliott was so in character on set, he would return salutes from reenactors and address uniformed actors by rank.

---

Goofs

When Longstreet is conferring with Hood before the Devil's Den assault, a paved road is visible behind Longstreet.

---

Quotes

[Armistead and Pickett are discussing the charge]
Brigadier General Lewis A. Armistead: What about Garnett?
Major General George E. Pickett: What about him?
Brigadier General Lewis A. Armistead: His leg's hurt, he's going to have to ride up that hill.
Major General George E. Pickett: Damnation!
Brigadier General Lewis A. Armistead: George, order him not to go.
Major General George E. Pickett: General Armistead! How can I do that?

---

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.

---

Connections

Edited into The Making of 'Gettysburg' (1993)

---

Soundtracks

The Minstrel Boy
Words by written by Thomas Moore, tune traditional
Played at the Union church service on the morning of the second day

User Reviews

Not the best, but a great representation of the epic battle of the Civil War

All I hear is people griping about how long this film is. That's not the point. The point is it represents what is considered by historians to be the most important battle of the American Civil War.

I will admit that the length of the film kinda takes away from it, but it is nonetheless good.

Save a few historical gaffes (eg. Chamberlain and the 20th Maine at Picket's Charge - in reality, they were being held in reserve near the Round Tops with the rest of the V Corps), this film is very realistic, using thousands of professional re-enactors to fight the battle scenes, which adds to it.

Many battles and side notes were left out (eg. Vincent was mortally wounded on Little Round Top; or did they mention this, I don't remember), but that is okay, given the film focuses on Joshua L. Chamberlain and the 20th Maine, who saved the day at Little Round Top on July 2.

Skirmishes at the Herr Tavern, McPherson's Hill, Little Round Top, and Picket's Charge were all the fighting I remember. But, again, this doesn't really take anything away.

The sweep and grandeur is helped by the superb cinematography (by Kees Van Oostrum) and great acting on the part of Tom Berenger (Longstreet), Martin Sheen (Lee), Jeff Daniels (Chamberlain), C. Thomas Howell (Tom Chamberlain), Sam Elliot (Buford), and the rest of the superb cast. A standout is the late Richard Jordan as Lewis Armistead, the brigade commander in Picket's division who was killed leading his troops "over the top" against Union artillery.

The battle scenes are excellent; Picket's Charge, in real time, is superb, but the furious battle for Little Round Top is one of the most desperate battle scenes ever filmed. You can feel the fear and tension of the 20th Maine as the 44th Alabama (I believe this is correct) charges up the hill again and again. When Chamberlain and his men finally sweep their opponents off the hill?

I think that it may have been good to portray the charging Confederates as well, since they had many interesting stories among them (e.g., the commander of the 44th, William Oates, had a brother, John, who had been ill with a fever and refused to stay behind, and was mortally wounded in the carnage), and the heroics of such people as Vincent himself, and Patrick O'Rourke (who led his New York regiment in a counterattack that saved Vincent's right flank and was killed in the charge) are neglected, but I'm not complaining.

Despite the length and a few overdramatic speeches, this is a great movie.

Seven out of ten.