Probably one of the finest Civil War films ever made

Rating: 10/10 (9 April 2007)

The center third of what was to be a trilogy of movies based on a series of Civil War books, this one is awe inspiring. I am not a Civil War buff, my area of historical expertise is more in early medieval history. But I was astounded and overwhelmed by this beautiful and tragic story of the greatest battle of the War Between the States, where the future of the nation was turned once and for all.
A better cast could not be picked. Martin Sheen made you understand the love that the army of the South had for Robert E. Lee, whom even the north honored as a gentleman and a great soldier. Tom Barringer as Longstreetin his finest role to date, as was Stephen Lang as Picket. Jeff Daniels was marvelous as Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and C. Thomas Howell as his brother. Kevin Conway was very believable as the crusty old Irish Sgt Buster. Sam Eliot as Buford gives a powerful performance, and Richard Jordan a poignant place as Armistead (he died very shortly after filming tragically)There are too many others to name as well, but the story is what holds here.
I especially liked the opening narration of Morgan Shepherd which sets the tone of the film. Finally, the music sound score of Randy Edelman is a brilliant counterpoint to the action on the screen. This film should be required viewing by American History classes.