02/09/2003 Entry: ""
Posted by Maynard @ 02:42 PM MST
Gods and Generals
The following is my Dad's review of the new Civil War movie, Gods and Generals. He received two pre-screening tickets and went to see it with my mom. It opens February 21st, 2003. Read on for his review.
Matthew,
Your Mother and I had the opportunity to go see the new movie about the Civil War, "Gods and Generals". An architect I work with, Don, is a Civil War reenactor and was filmed for the movie is some reenactments in 2000 back in Virginia and Maryland. He had several passes for the movie, which was shown in a pre-screening here in Phoenix at an AMC theater. Don's scenes were filmed for the Battle of Antitiem, which was not in this movie.
This was an O.K. movie. It is long and tedious at 3 hr. 45 min. It is a prequel to "Gettysburg" and has many of the same characters and actors. G&G covers the war from the beginning through the Battle of Chancellorsville and is primarily about the life of "Stonewall" Jackson and the 20th Maine Regiment. It is rather preachy and some of the "conversations" are more like sermons. It could have been better with a much better script. The battle scenes are just as well done as "Gettysburg" and you can almost follow the battles. Your Mother's comment was that it didn't tell a story. For someone who doesn't know the war, it could be confusing. If you DO know the war it is confusing since they leave out completely the Penisula Campaigne of McClellen, jumping from the First Battle of Bull Run to the Battle of Fredericksburg, skips Antitiem and jumps right to Chancellorsville. It tells the story of Stonewall Jackson well and the story of the 20th Maine well; but it jumps around too much to make a consistant story line. Ted Turner's cameo appearance is completely unnecessary. Robert Duvall does a better job as Robert E. Lee; however, he doesn't have enough passion for my tastes. Martin Sheen had more passion as Lee in "Gettysburg", but was too stiff and had no personality.
When it comes out, go see it. You will enjoy the story, just don't expect too great a film.
Oh my goodness, I've become a film critic!!!!!
Love,
Dad
Replies: 
(4)
Glory is where it's at.
Posted by The White Mexican @ 02/09/2003 03:05 PM MST
Not to argue, but I will.
Glory is a fine movie (I gave it 4 out of 5 stars on my MovieLens scale), great drama, good characters, but little in actual historical documentary.
I like a movie where I can learn something, and well, Glory didn't cut it.
I imagine there are a few factoids in G&G, but I appreciate "Dad Maynard's" commentary, I'll probably wait for the DVD.
Posted by Jeremy @ 02/10/2003 09:23 AM MST
What do I know.. I'm just a White Mexican. Gringo... if you will. Name some unHolywood movies that make a good movie and still give the factoids you and so many others (including myself) seek. I will have to say, as far as war goes, Patton.
Posted by The White Mexican @ 02/11/2003 01:49 PM MST
If you want entertainment mixed with historical fact, I have a bridge to sell you. Very few movies ever get it right. Even a favorite of Jeremy and me, The Great Escape, condensed the story and glossed over several details. Entertainment wins over historicity when a director is in charge.
Patton got several parts of the story right, but also condensed others and downright falsified some of the story for the sake of the movie.
Posted by Maynard @ 02/12/2003 09:41 AM MST
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