Mighty fine recreation of an American tragedy

Rating: 9/10 (18 November 2007)

As a Brit with a keen interest in American history I looked forward to seeing this epic. Despite a couple of niggles, already mentioned in previous reviews, I thought it was very fine depiction of an American tragedy that was one of the great turning points in history. Not just of American history but for all of us in the free world, if the Union had not held. Sad as that is for the brave and honourable people of the South, think how different the next centuries could have been with a divided America. For me the definitive reading is Shelby Foote's hefty 3 volume account "The Civil War : A Narrative". If you want to nitpick over some of the detail in the film, this is the book. Even in four hours or so the complexities of the events during those few days in Pennsylvania could not possibly have been fully covered. So some license should be given to the makers of this excellent film for taking a liberty or two. E.g., I find it hard to believe that Col. Fremantle, observer for the British Coldstream Guards, would allow himself to be seen mincing around holding a cup of tea, making a complete arse of himself, in front of senior Confederate Officers. And certainly not in uniform, (which he wasn't), but that's showbiz.