Gods & Generals
|
List Price: Our Price: $2.44 You Save: $3.53 (59%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.47 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Canada
Movie Reviews of Gods & Generals
Movie Review: Best Civil War Combat Ever!!
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie without a doubt is going to be the all-time classic Civil War motion picture. People will refer to this movie over and over, as the centerpiece epic in American military film history. The picture tells the story of the first several years of the epic struggle in our past, that tore the United States apart. Do yourself a favor and go buy this movie, you won't be dissapointed in the least. You'll like it whether a Civil War buff, or a fan of one of the actors. It is a great movie!!It starts with Robert E. Lee turning down the command of the US forces, before the start of major military action in the Eastern Theater and proceeds through the battles of First Manassas, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. The battle scenes are awesome!! The human interest stories are there too, with the drama a war torn nation, the life in the ranks of the army privates and officers in both the Northern and Southern armies comes alive. Plus the love of a husband and wife and the strength and religion that compelled many to fight for their personal beliefs in this war. It shows how religious and dedicated these Generals could be to family and children and how on the other hand they had a ruthless, undeniable fervor for defeated and routing their enemies.
Real life characters like R.E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and Winfred Scott Hancock come to life by, famous, seasoned, well-respected actors, who did a great job. The make-up and period costumes are first rate and the many reenactors, who made up a large portion of this picture, and without them they could'nt have made this movie, are incredible also. From the music by Mary Fahl in the beginning to the death of Stonewall Jackson played by Stephen Lang, the director Ron Maxwell has create all-time unbeatable Civil War epic! Move over North and South, Glory, Red Badge of Courage, Shenandoah, The Blue and Gray, The Horse Soldiers and yes Gettysburg too.....Gods and Generals is has taken it's place as the best Civil War movie EVER!!
Movie Review: Gods & Generals - Top Knotch Entertainment
Summary: 5 Stars
If you believed the critic's and avoided this movie, you have a wonderful opportunity to re-think your decision and see this excellent epic of the Civil War in the comfort of your own home. This is Top Knotch entertainment at it's finest. The Civil War brought to life right before your eyes, the portrayal of a period of history so realistic that it will transport you to the 1860's and offer you a time capsule into the conflict that shaped the future of America and resounded all over the civilized world. Ron Maxwell and a team of expert's have combined with a story so compelling that it leaps from the television screen and into your parlour. Thousands of dedicated reenactors willingly donated their time and authenticity to ensure that the hero's of yesterday are able to depict their reasons for engaging in this most costly of conflicts as well as providing a means of bringing the voices and mannerisms of a time long forgotten for most North Americans. It is a military history on celuloid, a religious experience from a time where men and women made their faith a centerpiece in their lives and soldiers fought for ideals and dreams. It is the defense of hearth and home; a springboard for the fight for liberty and freedom. It brings to life the trials and tribulations of Thomas Jonathan Jackson, his belief and faith in God, his absolute conviction as a soldier do his duty for his country and his loyalty to his comrades in arms. It is the story of Robert E. Lee, Joshua Chamberlain, and Jim Lewis, the cook, servant and friend of General Stonewall Jackson as they live through the tumultuous times of the American Civil War. It is a tale of brother fighting brother, father fighting son in a classic battle to the death in the cause of states rights versus a centralized Federal government that results in a most accurate depiction of the first two years of the War Between the States. A must see and an absolute necessity for any first rate video collection.Movie Review: Positively Marvelous!
Summary: 5 Stars
My family and I have been anticipating this DVD for months, and we got so caught up in it that we posted lookouts to watch out for the UPS truck. After two days of killing anticipation it finally arrived, and I was not disappointed. This movie is a masterpiece! (To put it lightly!)Stephen Lang was great as Stonewall, although despite his appearances, he sounds exactly like Pickett. Hmm, what a coincidence! :) Actually, they are both played by the same man, but in different movies.
The best part of the movie is the battle of Fredricksburg, which was done very well. Even though I knew that the Federals would lose, I was rather hoping that maybe, just maybe, they would win. They deserved to win.
Usually when I watch a Civil War movie I root for the side that they focus on, but this movie was different. They portrayed both sides with such feeling that one part of me wanted the Rebels to win, and another part of me wanted them to lose.
My greatest disappointment is with Lawrence Chamberlain. Sorry to spoil it, but he does not look his age. I know it's been 10 years since they made "Gettysburg" but I was kind of hoping that he would look the same. I think they'll do him better justice in "The last full Measure." He'll probably look more his age there.
To be honest, 'Gettysburg's' soundtrack is much better, but God's and General's isn't that bad. 'Going Home' is pretty good, but Bob Dillan-whose raspy voice sounds like he has a bad cold-sings `Across the Green Mountains'.
One more qualm I had with this movie: not enough Chamberlain. He's my favorite character, and if the movie is anything like the book, "The Last full Measure" should show him a lot more.
This movie was great. As much as I like this version, I can't wait till we get the 6-hour version next year. I hope other people liked this movie as much as I did, and I am eagerly anticipating "The Last full Measure".
Movie Review: A Civil War Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
About twenty-five years ago, when I was in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve, "Soldier of Fortune" used to get passed around. As I watched this film I couldn't help but remember a t-shirt that was always for sale within the magazine's pages: "GOD GUNS & GUTS MADE AMERICA GREAT." That seems to be the message of this historical epic, except that, here, the message is that they made the Confederacy great too.
The film starts out with Robert Duvall, as Robert E. Lee, expressing his sympathy for the Southern cause to a Federal official offering him a high position in the Union Army. The film portrays the Confederates as being moved not as much by support for slavery, but against what they see as an armed invasion of their lands by their own countrymen. We also get to hear the Northerners side of it, and neither side is demonized in this film.
It's not about good guys and bad guys: The film tries to show that both sides had moral reasons for going to war; that men on both sides were brave and honorable; and that Christianity and God loomed large in the hearts of Confederates and Unionists alike. For example, when asked why he is so fearless, "Stonewall" Jackson replies: "My religious beliefs teach me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time of my death. I do not concern myself with that but to be always ready whenever it should overtake me."
The film ultimately tilts to the Southern side, only because it focuses more on Confederate General "Stonewall" Jackson than anyone else. The film takes us from the dawn of the War right up to General Jackson's death by friendly fire at Chancellorsville.
It is a long film - very long - and those with short attention spans may not be able to last to the end. But it is to the Civil War what Mel Gibson's "The Passion of Christ" was to the last day of Christ's life on earth: A Masterpiece.
Movie Review: A great job!
Summary: 5 Stars
I take issue with many of the reviews that have panned GODS AND GENERALS. I have taught American history for over thirty years and have a deep interest in the civil war. The movie isnot perfect and there are ommisions. What we have is the start for providing a new generation of Americans an interest in our
past. The Civil War was a defining moment in American History. Too few Americans understand how that war shaped us as a nation. As Shelby Foote stated in Ken Burn's Civil War, The war made us an"is." GODS AND GENERALS shows that in 1861 many Americans were
unsure where their loyality belonged...to the state or to the nation. This is a conflict many do not understand today.
The film also is the first film to bring to life in a partial and incomplete way on of the key figures of the Civil War - Thomas Jackson. The film is in no way a complete picture of Jackson. A lot is left out concerning his secretivness and
habits, but it is a start. It motivates interest. Certainly, there is room in the future for a more definitive biography of Jackson, but this film introduces him to a new generation of Americans.
I feel many of the critics were overly harsh in some of their criticisms.One deplored that the film gave the impression that the South was victorious. During the time period of the film, it often was. One deplored the lack of "Blood and guts" in the film. To produce a film of this scale, the producers and director produced the best film they could given what would be astronomical costs to do blood and guts special effects.One critic lampooned the film because "all of the actors were talking through beards." Look at our penny and Abraham Lincoln! Beards were the style!
I am looking forward to the film coming on DVD. I hope thet a film of LAST FULL MEASURE lies in the Near future.