Nicely done

Rating: 8/10 (20 October 2001)

I enjoyed this movie thoroughly regardless of its length--those interested in the subject matter should have no problems there. Chamberlain's charge is a good choice for dramatic focus, tho it should be noted that there was another Union charge similar in nature under similar circumstances the same day. Martin Sheen is a poor choice as Lee--he just doesn't have Lee's statuesque demeanor or dignity, and his acting was not good here (accent was a particular problem). However, there were good depictions of Hancock, Pickett, and Armistead. The dialogue was moving and original (compare Pearl Harbor), important in a war movie, where dialogue can be abstracted from "plot." The cinematography did well all that was needed in an epic movie. Kudos for this one.