"...we are going to have a fight here sure enough in the morning." - Major General George Meade to Major General Winfield Scott Hancock

Rating: 8/10 (10 December 2019)

I've always been astonished to witness Revolutionary War and Civil War re-enactors line up in precision formation opposite each other in order to undertake hostilities. It appears to be a sure way to die for those who actually did so in real battle, and it amazes me that virtually all soldiers on both sides would enter into such conflict so bravely.
Told predominantly from the Confederate side of the conflict, the Battle of Gettysberg is an epic recreation of the events that took place over a four day span beginning with the first of July, 1863. One comes away with a deep appreciation for the honor and integrity the leaders on both sides demonstrate in their resolve to achieve victory. Dialogue among the respective generals reveal the inner turmoil they carry into battle knowing that in many cases, they will be facing off against family or friends left behind to fight for the cause they believed in. Notable in that regard was the reverence and friendship felt by Confederate General Lewis A. Armistead (Richard Jordan) for fellow West Pointer, Union Major General Winfield Scott Hancock (Brian Mallon). Stating it best was Lieutenant General James Longstreet (Tom Berenger) speaking to General Robert E. Lee (Martin Sheen) in a solemn moment - "Those fellows, those boys in blue, they never quite seem the enemy".
It's hard to imagine the death and devastation that occurred on that Gettysburg battlefield over a hundred fifty years ago, and this picture most likely just barely scratches the surface. Though fatalities on both sides are plainly evident, the film makers did not engage in bloody spectacle that would have rendered the film into a horror show. Of the principal players, it's Martin Sheen's General Lee who commands some of the movie's most poignant moments. The dressing down and building up of General J.E.B. Stuart (Joseph Fuqua) at the same time demonstrated the leader's compassion and firmness of purpose. Lee's acceptance of blame for the loss at Gettysburg may not have been embraced readily by his soldiers, but called attention to his humble acceptance of failure, and a striking demonstration of his character.
This is a movie that can be appreciated by both Civil War fans and those not as familiar with the conflict that tore the country apart a century and a half ago. Probably the hardest thing to do is keep track of the myriad generals throughout the story, as the beards and uniforms tend to blur identities from scene to scene, though it's easy enough to identify the principal players. And then there's the battlefield itself, aptly described by Major General John F. Reynolds (John Rothman) to Brigadier General John Buford (Sam Elliott) just before the outbreak of hostilities - "It's lovely ground."