A Fabulous Tribute

Rating: Null/10 (7 August 2000)

Watch this movie and you will get a great four-hour lesson on America's most important event. In part, Gettysburg teaches us the strategy and important events from the battle. During or before the battle scenes we see the men in charge discuss the plan of attack so the viewer can learn a lot about the astounding achievements and blunders that occurred. As an added bonus, between the battle scenes we watch the various characters discuss the moral and political issues of the war, and while this may or may not be completely realistic (it must have gone on to a certain extent) it serves as some great room for thought. These conversations (particularly between Chamberlain and his sergeant) are quite graceful. No opinions are forced, instead the expressions of the individuals serve as characterization and a chance to consider different viewpoints. The music by Randy Edelman (Last of the Mohicans) is hugely effective, it complements every emotion perfectly. The cast is just as brilliant. Supporting actors C Thomas Howell (Tom Chamberlain), Stephen Lang (George Pickett), Brian Mallon (Hancock) and Kevin Connelly (Kilrain) all especially nailed their characters, but the clear standouts are Richard Jordan and especially Jeff Dainels who apparently geared up for Dumb and Dumber by playing Col. Joshua L. Chamberlain (the huge underdog hero) as well as any actor has ever performed. Jordan, as Confederate Gen. Armstead, brings unparalleled emotion to his powerful, powerful death scene. As it was, Jordan was aware that he himself was dying of brain cancer while the scene was filmed, the result is crushingly authentic.