One must remember that this is primarily based on "The Killer Angels"

Rating: Null/10 (7 June 2002)

Anyone who has ever walked the hallowed ground on which the epic three day battle of Gettysburg will appreciate the breathtaking beauty of the film. People have, and undoubtably will criticize the four-hour length, the iffy accents and the "contrived speeches", but one cannot dispute the fact that this film was made by hundreds of people who see those three days of history as more than just a battle. That is what really comes through in the film. The outright respect and love displayed by re-enactors and stars alike is a wonderful thing to see. Based on Michael Shaara's "The Killer Angels" it attempts what no other Civil War movie had before, to try and show both sides of the story: In order to see more than just "The North was right, and so it won"; and so it can be forgiven certain discrepancies. As a student (it is officially my college major and area of interest) of the Civil War, I enjoy this movie for it's scenery (It was actually filmed on the battlefield); it's superb characterizations: Jeff Daniels as Chamberlain, Tom Berenger as Longstreet, Stephen Lang as Pickett, Sam Eliot as the unsung hero of the battle, John Buford, and a heart-rending performance by Richard Jordan as 'Low Armistead. I cannot wait to see Gods & Generals when it comes out in theatres this September (It premiers only three days after the 140th anniversary of the battle of Antietam, which will be featured in that film)