ViewGuide

Created Dec 05, 2010 11:33AM PST • Edited Dec 05, 2010 11:33AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Very Good 3.5

   Preachy Generals and troops driven to the slaughter like cattle. Ah, the civil war. There’s no battle like Gettysburg to highlight the devastation of it all. This movie focuses most on the leaders: Lee, Longstreet, Meade, Chamberlain, Buford. Told with historically accurate events and highlights of personal stories, this movie entertains on all fronts.

4. Acting

   Good 3.0

   Martin Sheen is a natural at the pondering Robert E Lee. My other picks is Jeff Daniels as the famous Maine leader that repelled hordes of rebs at little round top. Great performance as well from Sam Elliot as well as Brig Gen John Buford and Tom Berenger as Lt Gen James Longstreet.

5. Male Stars Good 3.0

6. Female Stars Good 3.0

7. Female Costars Good 3.0

8. Male Costars Good 3.0

10. Film

    Very Good 3.5

    The massive re-enactment was a wonder to see. Just amazing at how brutal fighting engagements at that time were. The movie recreates all facets of life on the march and on the battlefield. At times, it gets a little tedious when it becomes hard to discern one battle from the next – but then again, I suppose it was tedious for the people at the time as well.

11. Direction Very Good 3.5

12. Play Very Good 3.5

13. Music Very Good 3.5

14. Visuals Very Good 3.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 2.1

17. Sex Titillating 2.1

18. Violence Fierce 2.1

19. Rudeness Salty 2.1

21. Reality

    Glib 1.7

    Letters from people at the time notwithstanding, I still find it hard to believe the generals were such soap-box preachers.

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.7

23. Biological Glib 1.7

24. Physical Glib 1.7