An overwhelming effort to capture the spirit of the battle that ultimately led to the making of the country

Rating: 9/10 (9 July 2001)

"Gettysburg" is the cinematic effort by Turner Pictures to produce the spirit and courageous efforts by two armies during the three day battle of the American Civil War which ultimately led to the demise of the army of the Confederacy and an eventual Union victory. Many times, movies based on historical fact tend to be dry, sappy, uninspiring efforts and they leave the viewer with a sense of "So What?" This film does not. It is able to re-enact the saga that was Gettysburg, PA in 1863 without being too overly preachy or hard to take. A bit long, but the film needed as much time on screen to share with the viewers the feelings as expressed by commanders on both the North and the South.
This film has been able to capture on screen some of the most authentic and realistic battle scenes from the time of the Civil War. The members of the cast would be hard-pressed to present their individual characters than they did. Tom Berenger, as Gen. Longstreet, CSA, and Jeff Daniels, as Chamberlain, USA, give strong character strengths to their roles. In good form were Martin Sheen, as Gen. Robert E. Lee, CSA, and Sam Elliott in a role of Major John Buford, USA, upon whose efforts it falls to stem the Confederate advance till other Union forces can reach the battlefield. Richard Jordan, in his last role on film, gives a supreme performance as Gen. Lewis Armistead, CSA, who finds himself having to combat old friends from days past at West Point and in other campaigns.
Lengthy perhaps, engrossing definitely, a must-see or must own, for those who are involved with Civil War history. 9/10