Worth owning

Rating: 7/10 (4 July 2012)

I am a New Zealander of Scottish ancestry who has family in Virginia and N. Carolina. I see them at clan meetings from time-to-time.
I am told that the family has a unique claim (to fame?) regarding Gettysburg. Major Thomas Turnbull commanded the Union artillery at the trees that are now called the 'High Watermark of the Confederacy'. Opposite him were 5 cousins lining up for Picketts Charge. Thomas's battery is credited for killing one of the cousins, supposedly the only known case of family/family killing at Gettysburg.This gives the battle, and thus the movie, more than trivial interest, especially as I have trudged it twice now.
The movie is far from perfect. It is long, over focuses on certain individuals, and is somewhat over dramatic in parts. To little is made of crucial mistakes on the part of the CSA (such as Lee's ambiguous orders to seize the Round Tops, which were not carried out, and cost the CSA the battle).
No real explanation is given for the prolonged absence of the CSA cavalry and there is to much focus upon the Union Maine Regiment. Other critical engagements, such as the Peach Orchard, are ignored.
For the most part, the acting is very good, the historical accuracy fine, and the general feeling about the movie is good, but it does seem to get confused as to whether it is a documentary or entertainment.
However, the good parts easily outweigh the rest and I would recommend it.