The fiercest battle fought on american soil commands the screen an epic film achievement painstakingly recreating the people and events of fateful days in july 1863. Special features: subtitles in english and french cas/crew interview gallery cast/director filmographies and much more. Studio: Turner Hm Entertainm Release Date: 06/21/2005 Starring: Tom Berenger Martin Sheen Run time: 254 minutes Rating: Pg Director: Ronald F. Maxwell
Three days in the summer of 1863, at a place called Gettysburg. Although it received a theatrical release, this four-hour depiction of the bloody Civil War battle was shot as a made-for-television film. But no taint of cheapness or shortcuts should stick to this magnificent picture (well, except maybe for those phony-looking mustaches). Based on Michael Shaara's book The Killer Angels, this film takes a refreshingly slow, thorough approach to the intricacies of battle. In ordinary circumstances, those intricacies might seem of importance only to fans of military strategy or Civil War enthusiasts, yet in Gettysburg they come across as the very stuff of life, death, and unexpected heroism. If the film has a problem, it's that it climaxes too early: the first long segment, detailing the struggle of a "civilian soldier," Union Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (Jeff Daniels), to hold his ground against long odds, is an enthralling piece of moviemaking. Daniels, in a heartbreaking performance, does his best film work. Other cast members include Tom Berenger, Sam Elliott, and Martin Sheen as Robert E. Lee. Richard Jordan, in his final role, gives a powerhouse performance as Confederate general Lewis A. Armistead. Oh, and you can also try to spot Ted Turner, whose company produced the film, as a Confederate soldier. Writer-director Ronald F. Maxwell seems inspired by the gravity of the battle; long as it is, every moment of Gettysburg is informed by a nobility of purpose. --Robert Horton

Customer Rating:
Summary: When will extended version be available
Comment: Gettsbug's Collectors Edition in 1993 had 17 additional minutes. This should be available on dvd.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A Little Long but an Impressive Achievement
Comment: "Gettysburg" is a film best watched in parts as it is very long (it needed to be lenghty though). This is one of the most accurate civil war films I have seen and an impressive number of reeactors were used in some of the battle scenes. Picket's Charge is particullarly well filmed as is the fighting on Little Round Top. Not all of the battle could be covered even in this epic and the cavalry battle on July third is excluded. The musical score is very appropriate and the film has a fine collection of actors. Jeff Daniels, Martin Sheen, Sam Elliot, and Tom Berenger portray their characters well and surprisingly, all of these four except Elliot look a lot like the historical figures they are portraying. The other actors generally do a good job as well.
Overall, "Glory" is still my favorite Civil War film as a movie, but "Gettysburg" is superb in its own right and unlike many Hollywood films seems fairly accurate.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Best Ever Civil War Movie
Comment: This is without question the absolute best Civil War movie ever made. It is beautifully filmed, expertly directed, and features stellar performances by Berringer and Daniels. If you are a Civil War buff, you must have this DVD in your collection.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Gettysburg
Comment: I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE DVD HAD NO IDENTIFYING LABEL ON THE DISC, THOUGH IT CAME IN A BARE-BONES PACKAGE WITH A PHOTO ON THE PACKAGE. IT LOOKED LIKE A BLANK CD!

SOMEONE FAILED TO CATCH THAT ERROR.

BOB LINDHOLM

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A Classic Piece of American and Film History
Comment: Gettysburg is a stunning film with strong characterization, amazing action and enthralling epic atmosphere. Jeff Daniels does his best film work ever as the Colonel from Maine who does a desperate bayonet charge to stop the Confederate onslaught. That single event held the line. The other actors are stellar, including Tom Berenger, Sam Elliott, and Martin Sheen as Robert E. Lee. I especially liked Richard Jordan (Confederate general Lewis A. Armistead) whose dearest friend was in the Union Army. The heartbreak that Jordan conveys in wanting to see his friend, separated by this war is so palpable that it's just heart renching.

This film is a Must See for anyone interested in America and American History.

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