"Gettysburg" presents a paradox concerning slavery ...

Rating: 10/10 (19 July 2003)

for a war that was supposed to be fought over slavery , this movie presents a paradox .. only one black person is presented . I was impressed with Martin Sheen's performance as General Lee , and Berenger's role as General Longstreet. Porter Alexander's role as General JEB Stuart should had been deleted or presented differently. The film falls short in allowing the viewers not to gage the full discomfort and disgust felt by General John Bell Hood in protesting Lee's orders not to be permitted to attack the federals behind Little and Big Round Top mountains. Also missed is the importance of union general Reynolds, as the last general invited to become the next federal commander instead of being ordered to become its commander like was done with Meade. The largest cavalry clash up to this moment in time between Stuart and Custer was completely overlooked and not even mentioned as well. Its impossible to be able to present all aspects of this battle of course, but I felt it would had only added a few more lines to the script and minutes to the film to acknowledged these events. All in all the best civil war military film I think ever made. Much better than "Gods and Generals" which followed ten years later (2003).