Admirable But Flawed Epic Worth Watching

Rating: 7/10 (12 March 2015)

"Little Darlings" director Ronald F. Maxwell's admirable but flawed epic "Gettysburg" qualifies as one of the better movies about the American Civil War. Unquestionably, it ranks as the best reenactment of this turning point battle because nobody has tried to mount a similar movie. Nevertheless, "Gettysburg" suffers from several flaws. Initially, the film was designed to be shown on television as a mini-series, so at a four and a half hours in length, it rivals anything that either David Lean or Sergio Leone could have attempted. Second, its loquacity occasionally overwhelms its sense of spectacle, but loquacity constitutes the hallmark of any mini-series. Everybody delivers a speech. Everybody who speaks is typically a general or an officer. Most of the dialogue is straightforward without a shred of irony. Rarely is anything uttered that is quotable. The enlisted men in blue and gray aren't so much heard as seen. On the other hand, Maxwell scores surplus points for apparent authenticity, with dedicated reenactors on up to conscientious American history scholars providing incomparable verisimilitude. Undoubtedly, Maxwell had more than enough to contend with during this sprawling $20-million production. My major argument is tone. "Gettysburg" boasts no surprises and Maxwell generates little momentum. During the actual event, the Confederates arrived at Gettysburg feeling invincible owing to earlier triumphs. Maxwell's Confederates are losers from the start and the music blends nostalgia with tragedy. Indeed, Maxwell treats "Gettysburg" as a national tragedy. Kees Van Oostrum photography is competent, but neither Maxwell nor Oostrum were as adept as they were later when they made the infinitely superior "Gods and Generals." Nevertheless, what salvages Maxwell's film is the magnificently staged Pickett's Charge, particularly the cannon barrages over a smoky battlefield. Tom Berenger, Stephen Lange, Richard Jordan, Jeff Daniels, Sam Elliot, and Kevin Conway stand out as the leaders.