Gods And Generals [DVD] [2003]

This may be a little in the shadow of ‘Gettysburg’, but nevertheless it is a fine work. The Battle of Fredericksburg sequence is without equal.

True stor of a colourful general fighting for the confederatea, nicknamed "Stonewall" Jackson. Good actors, good fighting scenes. A film I can recommend

This is a stunning depiction of both battles and personalities of the early Civil War, using primarily the story of the brilliant General `Stonewall' Jackson as its `hook'. It is based on the book by Jeffrey Shaara, which was the first in a trilogy. The second of the books has already been filmed, as Gettysburg, by the same team that made this movie.The movie did not fare well at the box office, putting the movie of the last in the trilogy in doubt - which is a shame, as there is a lot to be admired here. Where Gettysburg was first and foremost a historical re-enactment of the pivotal battle of the Civil War, this movie focuses far more on the characters and personalities, and even home life, of the main protagonists. Yes, it's a mite long - it covers a lot of ground though. It takes us from the start of the war, with Robert Duvall as Robert E Lee rejecting the overall command of the Northern army to join the confederate army protecting his home state of Virginia, through to the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.The battles scenes are as authentic as could be, and satisfyingly achieved not through Lord of the Rings style CGI, but actual historical battle re-enactors (over 7000 were used). The best thing about these battles is that the sense of strategy and purpose behind them is much clearer than normally seen in movies such as these - you always have the idea that above the ground level horror and confusion there is a reason for it all. This is in keeping with the second half of the title, the generals view on warfare and battles.The first half of the title, God, permeates the entire movie. Stonewall Jackson was an intensely religious man (as the excellent short documentaries show), whose views and talks with God had a profound effect on his style of command and personal courage. Most of the characters have some relationship with God, as both sides claim to have God on their side and both pray for victory.The movie is full of memorable moments - the two soldiers from opposite sides who meet on the river on Christmas Day to share tobacco and coffee, the time in Fredericksburg when the Irish divisions on both sides are forced to fight each other, the moment when Jackson finally breaks down in tears - not at the death of his soldiers, but when the 5 year old girl he has befriended dies of Scarlet Fever. This all brings a sense of humanity to the movie that Gettysburg had in smaller amounts.The language may be one of the factors that put people off - it is archaic to the point of sounding pompous to our ears, and yet sounds authentic to the period. There are many apt and well voiced quotes from poems and scripture - which certainly drag the movie out, but to my mind at least make the movie a more complete one.Finally, credit must go to the score of Randy Edelman and John Frizell - the combination of stirring and emotional music, with songs of the day and new songs in the titles, make for an entirely perfect combination.All in all, a definitive version of the early Civil War and General Jackson's life, which while flawed in terms of length and pace, is a rewarding viewing experience.

You have to 'open your mind' to fully enjoy this film. In my opinion it should have been titled General 'Stonewall' Jackson as it is, in truth, about this man, his role and beliefs. View the commentaries before you watch the film as this helps you to get your head straight culturally - and that is important. The British and Americans are endemically Christian nations of various denominations but 'God' is a much bigger element of 'raison d'etre' in this film than he would ever have been in Britain at that time and, even to this day, bible bashing is big business in the US whereas here it is not. How often have we heard George W Bush refer to God in connection with justifying a means to an end. We don't do this and, unless you absorb and accept this, you will not enjoy this film. Try not to dwell too much on the ironies of 'God v slave ownership'/both sides believed that they had 'the Lord' on their side etc.Now, the film itself. I have read other reviews that talk about the 'sanitisation' of the battle scenes and them not being portrayed in their true nature, the horrific injuries etc. Initially I thought that these views were rather goulish but, on reflection, I tend to agree and am left thinking that the battle scenes could have been better portrayed. Why are there no plan views from above showing the respective positions of the two armies? There are scenes that imply the greater military strategical skills of 'Johnny Reb' compared to the Union generals (there are Generals all over the place by the way - I lost the plot on who was who and wondered why so many were necessary?)In one of the three battles the Unionists have to climb a long hill, surmounted by a stone wall behind which are the largely protected Confederates. In addition to this the Confederate batteries, in addition to the protected muskaters, blow seven bells out of the advancing Union forces - who would appear to have no artillery of their own? Quite bizarre but, again, a plan view of the battlefield would have helped if only to perhaps endorse the view that the Union command were on a hiding to nothing!!The uniforms are confusing, particularly at the beginning - again listen to the commentaries under 'extras' and, whilst that improved thereafter, what happens?......the Union army then put on trench coats that are blue grey and makes them look like Confederates again!I enjoyed this film and will now watch Gettysburg as that, historically, followed this film and I will watch the documentary 'The American Civil War' in order to get a rounded opinion but suspect that I will be left with the ultimate, predicatable view that wars are often not worth the cost. Even to this day there are clear political and cultural differences between the North and the South and I wonder if they would be less so had this war never happened. Maybe Obama's determination to 'unite the country' may deliver but I think it would have a greater chance if he came from Mississipi and not Illinois.I did not particularly like Jackson's portrayal in the film (due probably to accurate history but 'give me break' when emphasising his religious beliefs with the hypocricy of it all). Robert Duvall's portrayal of Robert E. Lee is much more viewer/listener friendly although he looks like he's 70 years old - was he?One final point. Who are the guys in red uniforms fighting for the Unionists seen particularly at the beginning - Europeans?