Gods & Generals
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Movie Reviews of Gods & Generals
Movie Review: An Immediate Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
Ronald Maxwell has taken on one of the most difficult tasks in movie-making, the crafting of an historical period piece about which almost every viewer approaches with a prior attitude, and replacing time-worn icons with flesh-and-blood characters. "Gods and Generals" dispells the mythology of 140 years of rancorous historiography to take its place as the instant classic movie of the War Between the States.The scope is epic, with obvious effort at attention to detail and accuracy, with the recreation of the havoc and savagery of battles fought with weapons far deadlier than the tactics of the day. (A notable exception is the deletion of the carnage of Antietam.) Some may wince at the slaughter at Fredericksburg, but, in truth, if the images of Matthew Brady and others are to be believed, the movie is probably too gentle in its depiction of the gore of battle. More to the point is the metaphor that Irish against Irish in that battle portrays of the truth of the addage of "brother against brother" of the Civil War.
The film's greatest strength lies in its portaits of the storied combatants. Here, the performances shine. Stephen Lang's virtuoso rendering of the complexity that was "Stonewall" is surrounded by an excellent Jeff Daniels's Joshua Chamberlain and Robert Duvall's marvelously muted Robert E. Lee. And Maxwell's faithfulness to Jeffrey Shaara's novel results in the abolition of icons with the inclusion of the intimacy of Anna Jackson and Fanny Chamberlain and the family love that both men cherished.
It is interesting to note that Chamberlain, professor of religion and classic studies, has not yet reached the height of his reputation, which would come at Gettysburg, the film of which has already been made. And Jackson, whose religion is inseparable from his being, dies at Chancellorsville. But director Maxwell unapologetically renders the Christian character of Lee, Jackson and Chamberlain as a fact, in the context of the 1860's mindset. And his doing so is a fulfillment of his duty as an historical film-maker, just as our look at the wives and families of Jackson and Chamberlain are his expositing of truth, not a nod to political correctness.
The Thomas J. Jackson who Stephen Lang brings to life was a slave-owning Presbyterian who saw God's hand at work in everything. Among those things were his starting a black Sunday school (to the amazement and displeasure of the townspeople of Lexington, VA) and paying Jim Lewis, another man's slave, to be his manservant. Impossible? In 2003, most surely, but certainly not in 1861. It is a combination of this kind of complexity and Maxwell's depiction of the great conflict with such circumspection, rare in our video-game-attention-span lifestyle, which gives credence to the joy of reading a letter at home and devotion to a palpable God among men who held hundreds of others' lives in their next decision.
The PC police will cringe at "Gods and Generals." Those who come to this opus without that baggage will be swept along with the intensity of a mimi-ball and most likely come away with a greater appreciation for the character of those whose feiry conviction forged this nation on the anvils of Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.
Movie Review: Deserves 10 stars
Summary: 5 Stars
Without a doubt this is the most historically accurate Civil War movie ever made.Steve Lang did a fantastic Stonewall Jackson. Robert Duvall did a Great Robert E. Lee, and is a superb horseman.
Some people complained the movie talked too much about God, and faith. Well, that is what the most of the people did back then, and especially the Southern people, more so Jackson and Lee. ( there is NOT ONE CUSS WORD IN THE MOVIE!)
Some people complained the movie didn't show 'reality'! ( with blood, guts, etc.) Please use your imagination folks, the REALITY of the Civil War, does not really need to be splashed on the screen.
The other plus's--the authentic REAL Old South accent; and most of the lines read were quotes from REAL history.
If one reads histor; or is from the South, the relationship between the black slave, and her mistress, was just as described in the movie. ( which is a very loving and caring relationship)
[ Northern people always have a hard time realizing this. They don't understand black and white children grew up together, and played together on the plantation. Segeration occured in the North during the Civil war, in all most all areas)
FACT: Stonewall Jackson taught Sunday school for black Children, sent their school money during the war, and like Robert E. Lee, wished to see slavery abolished.
Was Jim ( Jackson's personal cook and aid,) --who was black-- a real character?
Answer: If you know where Jackson is buried, look over your shoulder, and you'll see Jim's grave.
Errors on the Movie: 1.)The Union TORE THE STRINGS OUT OF THE PIANO, and DESTROYED IT. ( though they MAY HAVE played it first)
2.) JEB Stuarts cloak, ( normally red lined--though he may have had one that wasn't)
3.) The Irish Brigade--Here is an interesting point.
The Southern Irish, fought for independence; the Northern Irish fought for Empire and SELF. ( Aggrandizement)
Example: CSA General ( Irish) Patrick Cleburne--"a man should bow down to no man but his creator"
US General ( Irish) Thomas Meager--fought to make a name for himself, and become a strong political figure. ( which was his idea from the start) Meager left the Union army under a cloud of distrust and other crimes were alleged to him)
This movie really states the war for what is was; Independence and leaving the Southern states to fight for what the REAL design of the founding fathers wanted.
The North fought to create and EMPIRE. It shows the CREATION OF THE MONOLITHIC OUT OF CONTROL FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, that we have today.
Further reference reading:
1.)"Cultures In Conflict" by Charles E. Jennings ( Outstanding 113 page book, bluntly truthful. About the religious and cultural differences between the North and South, during the Civil War.--a MUST READ FOR SOUTHERN PEOPLE)
2.) "Lincoln takes Command" by John Shipley Tilley ( Learn through Federal Official Records, Navy Records, etc., HOW & WHY this was started) Forget the myths you were taught in high school, this book has the facts!
3.) The Real Lincoln by Charles C.F. Minor ( Tons of Primary sources in this book--see my review)
Buy this movie, for yourself and your friends, read the books, and learn how the Federal Government came into being.
Movie Review: Lang is superb
Summary: 5 Stars
This is not a perfect movie. I gave it 5 stars based on its perfection comparative to other recent movies. First, the negative aspects: The women's clothes are often very bad. I can spot [store] lace a mile away, and the dresses were often ill-fitting and/or inappropriate for the venue, which I found distracting. The same can be said for the civilian men's clothing. The CG scenes were likewise bad. The film-makers seemed to be laboring under the handicap of never having really studied the classes of people they tried to portray. One of my acquaintances remarked that the Virginia legislature looked like an aging motor-cycle gang. I agree. Like it or not, many of these men were but little removed from Brit nobility. Several acquaintances have remarked on the inappropriateness of Mrs. Pendleton's hair--this is nit-picky, but was, nevertheless, distracting. Many of the minor roles are badly cast--the scene depicting a gathering of Confederate generals was no better, if as good, as what one can see at any re-enactment. I thought Ted should have gotten more for his money. Most disappointing was the score. As flawed as Gettysburg was, the score was magnificent--I expected something comparable for G&G, and it just wasn't there. On the positive side, Stephen Lang WAS Stonewall Jackson. There is really no dichotomy in Jackson's personality--he was an integral man. Lang was able to portray him as such. Truly the most masterful acting job I've ever witnessed. The dialog was appropriate for its time. That's how folks talked. Live with it. The constant affirmation of Faith was likewise authentic. It's easy to mock something that one has no conception of. The apparent dichotomy of slaves who loved their owners yet wanted to be free is unfathomable only to shallow minds, and is, in fact racist. People who would never bat an eye at the loyalty of the physician Keptah to Lucanus and Diodorus in "Dear and Glorious Physician" nevertheless fume when the same attributes are displayed by Confederate negroes--as if they were incapable of loyalty and patriotism surpassing personal interest. For shame. The love story between Stonewall and Anna is powerful, touching, and completely convincing. The film is not afraid to portray the conflict as "Lincoln's War", and deals fairly with the president in including his outrageous message to the Union troops after the slaughter at Fredericksburg. However, more kindness could have been shown to Burnside, who did not, in fact, behave in as arrogant a fashion as the film portrayed. Perhaps this was done to lessen the degree of guilt which ought to have been Lincoln's. Best of all, Martin Sheen did not appear in this movie. The wonderful Robert Duval misses General Lee, but manages to at least do him honor in his dignified and strong portrayal. This is a movie which I will purchase as soon as it is released on DVD. I hope that the director can correct his mistakes before he films "Last Full Measure", but I also hope he will not revert to the political correctness and historical revisionism displayed in "Gettysburg". He has taken a giant step toward making the perfect "Civil War" movie. A few tweaks here and there should do it.
Movie Review: My New Favorite Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
As I have stated in previous reviews that I've written, I despise political correctness in every sense of the word. And when it comes to historical epic movies, I feel there is absolutely NO PLACE for political correctness. That being said, Gods and Generals is not only pretty much HISTORICALLY CORRECT but is totally engulfing to watch, from the southern 19th century language usage (including many original quotes from the period such as the last words spoken by General Jackson as he lay dying) to the way the characters interacted with each other to the war itself. The camera angles played a major role in the feel of this movie as well. The way the whole flick played out gave me the feeling that I was right there, in the company of the major players of that awful war.It was nice, also, to see a Civil War movie that spoke of the reasoning behind the war itself - states rights. Now, no president in his right mind, whether it be Lincoln or, if by some twist of fate, Jefferson Davis, would have allowed any states to secede. As much as I understand why those states wanted to secede, as president, I would have done whatever I could to prevent that from happening. Was the way Lincoln handled it correct? Well, hindsight is 20/20 and that discussion has been played out for over 140 years. We know the route Lincoln did take - right or wrong - to keep the union as one, and this Gods and Generals shows how the beginning of this situation played out, at least from the southern point of view. A little more of the northern perspective would have been nice. Oh well, maybe in the extended DVD version.
Unfortunately, too many people take all of these Hollywood historical movies as fact, and, since that town is run by politically correct liberals who would rather change history to fit the way THEY feel it SHOULD have been, rather than the way it actually was, the majority of movie watchers usually do not get a good part of the truth. And that's a shame and a crime. Gods and Generals is the exception, which is a breath of fresh air. As Jeff Shaara, author of the original book this movie is based, stated in a recent interview (from the Gods and Generals magazine), "Hollywood has a dismal record of portraying history. Historical films have one purpose - to make money - and it seems they have two means of realizing that. One, tell a story the studio thinks the audience wants to see, and thus tilt the story to whatever political correctness is in vogue. The second purpose is to allow one particular big time actor the chance to do 'cool things' on the screen. Though many of these films are entertaining, the one thing missing is any responsibility to give the audience the truth about the event being portrayed."
Do not let the length scare you off. From beginning to end, I was held to my seat, greatly anticipating the next scene when I saw it at the show. Matter of fact, I saw it twice in one weekend - once with my wife and once with my two eldest sons - and I'm ready to see it again!
Gods and Generals, Gettysburg, and the third part to be released next year (whose name escapes me) should be required viewing for all history students in school history class. Historical viewing at its best.
Movie Review: A quiet, classically styled tragedy
Summary: 5 Stars
I saw this movie at the Premiere in DC, and I was blown away by it. The critics saw the flaws in the film, I saw them too, but it all worked together for me. I was impressed that someone actually pulled off making an epic, and the aesthetic beauty of the film, and the genuine warmth, heart, and soul it had, something many a movie lacks these days. Quick rundown of flaws: Some of the history is un-researched (but what can you expect from Hollywood?), especially concerning the costumes. But, despite complaints, the dialogue is correct (yep, those speeches were how they talked. Just go to your local college's library and pull out a war-time newspaper chock full of "going away speeches". Oy),a nd it would have been a shame to revert to monosylables. The script is untidy, but one must keep in mind that this film was originally cut from a 6 hour version, still Maxwell could have done much better with the screenplay. The women in the film were rather awkward and unecessary, though, unlike many, I liked the feminine touch. Some scenes seem to come out of nowhere and lead into nothing, and the movie moves quickly, jumpng over huge portions of time. The movie doesn't follow the book closely at all, choosing to make this the "Stonewall Jackson Movie", which can be an ambiguous (either negative or positive) choice, depending on the viewer. Thus, a great many of the beloved characters and scenes from the book are out.
But on top of all it's flaws, the film has charisma and heart, and does work, at least for me, despite what many of it's critics think. It doesn't feel cliched; rather, it feels fresh. The battle scenes, though lacking in gore, are extremely well choreographed and awe-inspiring. The score is amazing, and there's one song, "Going Home" which plays at the beginning, which is downright Oscar worthy. Stephen Lang brings in a true tour-de-force theatrical performance (he was, after all nominated for a Tony Award for A Few Good Men), in the legacy of many a great character actor. Mr. Lang doesn't have the most startling resemblance of Ol' Stonewall, but his sheer presence convinces you that he is. Jeff Daniels and a plethora of supporting actors deserve kudos for fine performances as well.
The film doesn't lack in poignant moments and, in it's own way, drives home the horror of war in scenes too numerous to count. Unlike many war films these days, this film is quiet. It makes you think, makes you pay attention. In many ways it reminds me of classical plays performed for the stage, or even Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon (though it shares the same thoughtful, intellectual pace and graceful, natural visuals, it moves much more swiftly than dear Barry does).
This is a different film, to be sure. Don't be turned off by counting it's flaws. It has a deep, profound undercurrent that makes up for those. It can alternately wring genuine tears from or inspire it's viewers, without the use of cheap cinematic manipulation; this is a slow cooked film. This is a fine film about our national tragedy, not the best, but certainly fine, respectful, thoughtful, sorrowful, and indeed, stirring.