Directed by Ron Maxwell. First, it was a majorly complex civil war battle recreation, next, it was portrayals of famous civil wars generals in a very broad way, and lastly a very specific interpretation of Stonewall Jackson of the Confederates. Instead Gods and Generals holds no resonance whatsoever meticulously plotting out the details and making this decisive moment in American history interminable at three and a half hours. [Blu-ray]. I recently read Shelby Footes 3 volume narrative, which I found compelling, excellently written and fairly authoritative. Swapping politics for crass platitudes, Gods and Generals is a monumental folly. Jackson appears to be a monster, but was that what the director intended? Stay far away from the three hour-plus Gods and Generals--unless, of course, you need a good nap. Read some reviews to get the verdict from film fans! Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! This prequel to Gettysburg examines the early days of the conflict through the experiences of three men. Highly recommended; don't listen to the critics. The film also tried to do too much: Gettysburg also has its very boring parts, but is unified by concentrating on the major stages of one battle. However for those who love history and have an open mind then this is the movie for you. The period detail is impressive and clearly most effort went into its creation, and the actors make what they can of it, but it is far too long, not enough action and sickly sentimental. This film is about as interesting as a history class except it lasts a lot longer. A labour of love with special interest to history buffs, this epic film is extraordinary in many ways. If the movie was only this, it would have been a much better movie. I think it should be read in order because each story leads up to t …more All I should have to tell you about this film is that Ted Turner plays George Patton's grandfather. The movie caught this perfectly, with Jackson's assumption that God's will is his will -- the scene before the battle on Sunday, the contrast between his sentimental love of children and his 'Kill them all' about his enemies, the constant references to Bible verses ripped out of context. Shop Gods and Generals [Director's Cut] [2 Discs] [Blu-ray] [2003] at Best Buy. The problems this film has are myriad. Great film. I liked Gettysburg and the novel "Gods and Generals" better. What is wrong with the critics....they must have slept through most the film. 'Gods and Generals' is a flawed piece that works better as an educational tool rather than as a feature film. As someone said, just as you do not judge a person by what they think of themselves, you cannot judge an age by its consciousness. In Gods and Generals, Shaara utilizes historically factual material to compose a work that examines the lives of a handful of notable Civil War leaders from 1858 to the summer of 1863 when the battle of Gettysburg occurs. His religious zealotry is offered only as a deep and beautiful faith. Gods & Generals wants desperately to be the ultimate Civil War epic, the film that defines the entire genre. If that doesn't raise some flags I don't know what would. I don't recall seeing one fit, young man among the foot soldiers. Since I started to research and become passionate about the histoeical topic of the American Civil War, I have loved Gods and Generals. "Gods and Generals" is a movie of great integrity and power -- one made by adults for adults. Indeed, Gods and Generals does a fine job proving him right. Stay far away from the three hour-plus Gods and Generals--unless, of course, you need a good nap. The dialog, rigid and awkward, is so bad at times, it is laughable. I'm glad to have seen a different perspective but it seemed to be rather one-sided favoring the South. They say it is pro-slavery. And...intentionally or not...conveys the impression that the film uncritically celebrates the Confederacy. This film is historically accurate, deeply moving, and with outstanding acting by all concerned. Bold choice that will hopefully pay-off in the video/dvd world since it probably didn't in the theatres. Good movie overall but Gettysburg was better. It amazes me that the people who made this film could not see what a mind-numbing, boring turkey they had produced. Price Match Guarantee. I am fairly confident that the majority of Americans will not like nor support this film due to its overall pro-southern emphasis. This is just a Ted Turner vanity project that should have been made for TV. And, IMHO, the General Lee in Gettysburg is a much more real character than the one in G&G (who, however, gets little screen time). The people of these south, having absolutely nothing to deserve any of this, start their own country to defend themselves and a polite, bearded, General named Lee leads them and this other polite, bearded, General named Jackson is his second in command. Imagine watching half of Band of Brothers in one sitting, but with the story moving at a much slower pace. I've seen Gods and Generals twice, and I've enjoyed it both times. War may be Hell, but in this three-and-a-half-hour Civil War epic from Ronald Maxwell, the syrupy monologues and righteous Bible thumping provide the punishment. By. Grueling and plodding, the film is almost the antithesis of `Gone With the Wind,' in that while both films are epic tales told from the viewpoint of the defeated South, `Gods and Generals' (unlike the earlier film) has been essentially drained of all emotion, drama and characterization. ), but it's not nearly as entertaining. For one, all the foot soldiers are old men who are so obviously re-enacters that the action scenes have no weight. worth seeing just for lang and duvall, and the supporting cast is just as impressive. Directed by Ron Maxwell. For all the effort, not half the film which Gettysburg was. Those who have no idea, or interest, as to who this man was should probably stick to such heavyweight box-office competition such as "Agent Cody Banks," "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days," or "Daredevil" instead. Great Civil War film that DOES NOT WHITEWASH slavery. Every shot is fired in sorrow, and there are no villains - except, of course, for the politicians, who remain safely out of the frame. I grant, a clever and courageous General, he deserves all our proper honor. I use this as my basis for the history and narrative of the US civil war. Now he has taken his megalomania to new depths with "Gods and Generals"--- a thoroughly misleading and trite piece of revisionist crap. This movie deserved to fail, and, though I am in some ways sorry that "Last Full Measure" will therefore not be produced, I am apprehensive what these filmmakers would have done with it. I am a big..big fan of the original Gettysburg..and a civil war buff.....I am not sure what happened but it seems like it was made by "Confederate lovers of America".....incredibly one-sided....cheesy preachy dialog... and laughable scenes of Sonewall Jackson praying with his slave to end slavery,(sure that happened!!!! This review is based on the movie and the quality of the movie not the historical accuracy or inaccuracy. Characters both Northern and Southern are portrayed even-handedly, and the historical and social aspects of the film are authentic. The third and final installment, The Last Full Measure, was in pre-production but lost financing and has been suspended indefinitely. Seriously, if you have no idea who Sandy Pendleton is then you have no business seeing this movie. Big mistake, Gods and Generals is the dullest film I have ever seen. Movie Review: Gods and Generals By William B. Feis. This a decent movie and a wonderful tribute to a fine, fine man in General "Stonewall" Jackson, but I didn't rate it higher only because it's not a film I would watch many times. The critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes reads, "Filled with two-dimensional characters and pompous self-righteousness, Gods and Generals is a long, tedious sit. I suppose Gone With the Wind would be criticized the same if released today. FeDe's Review of Gods and Generals. Gods and Generals mimics history by treating slavery as the unacknowledged elephant in the room, the cause behind the cause of the war. Since the story revolves around Stonewall Jackson it will obviously give his point of view on the subject also. This movie accurately shows the events leading up to the war. Every minute of it's close to four hours is worth it. One of the best things about this film is that it does not follow the PC slime that is so prevalent in society. Unfortunately, a re-enactment during a … Revisionist hooey! And Gen. Robert E. Lee (Robert Duvall) who led the Confederate army, was a man who was forced to choose between his loyalty to the United States and his love of the Southern states where he was born and raised. Bad Bad Bad, I watched this thinking I might get a handle on the Civil War - Wrong only religious sentimental claptrap, Bad script, badly acted bad CGI and awful beards. The film "Gods and Generals" is essentially a biographical film about General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson of the CSA. It's the right length to give an earnest and thoughtful account of a great general's life and a turning point in American history, even world history. 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