Posts
Sometimes a film comes along and something totally different in the real world comes along and causes the film to suffer.For me this is such a film and along with its ungodly length caused me to deduct the 1 1/2 stars from a otherwise fine film that should still be seen.I'm adding a summary from IMDB below to detail the film because I want to state the sad relation to the now that makes it painful to watch.The only other such film I've run across and already reviewed was Exodus.That should be a hint:)Yes back in the days before the civil war abolition was a spark for emotions on slavery and there was no middle ground.Both side were bible quoters.While this film details battles of that war and the lives of some of the combatants it does it in the fervor of the day,especially General"Stonewall"Jackson.That should be no surprise to anyone who has studied that war.Jacksons fervor is well documented. Perhaps its also a tribute to the acting skill of Steven Lang who as Jackson brings a demonic Osama Bin Ladin quality to the role which given the day is totality valid but given today almost unbearable to watch or sympathize with.Realism is sometime to real to watch.Still I recommend with that caveat.Trailer URL follows pix.Try to enjoy.
Based on the best-selling historical novel by Jeff Shaara, "Gods and Generals" covers the events of the American Civil War before the climactic battle of Gettysburg. Seen from the points of view of leaders such as Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, Winfield Scott Hancock and Robert E. Lee, the film begins just after the attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861, and culminates with the battle of Chancellorsville in May of 1863. Directed by Ronald F. Maxwell, the film is an epic, dramatic prequel to "Gettysburg," the classic 1993 film also directed by Maxwell.
Gods and Generals is the second installment of the Michael/Jeff Shaara Civil War trilogy and the second to be filmed. The third and final installment, The Last Full Measure, was in pre-production but lost financing and has been suspended indefinitely. Congruent to the 1992 production of Gettysburg, Gods and Generals is of epic length with a final release running time of nearly four hours, having been trimmed from roughly six. The story opens just before the secession of Virgina and just after Lincoln had called for 75,000 troops to repel the rebellion. Robert E. Lee is offered and declines the command of Union forces. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, an instructor at VMI during the secessionist takeover of the institute, commits himself to the defense of Virginia and is rapidly swept up in a leadership role of the fledgling Army of Northern Virginia. The story follows primarily from the perspective of Jackson, as well as other key figures on both sides, but is decidely emphatic of the Confederate POV. We follow Jackson through three early and decisive CSA victories; Manassas (1st Bull Run), Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville, the scene of his untimely death. The film diverges dramatically from the book version in that the battle of Antietam, a tactical CSA victory, is omitted entirely (it was however filmed but ultimately removed from the final print). Throughout these campaigns Jackson is portrayed as a deeply pious, stern, yet confident and capable commander. The story follows the decision makers, military and political, on both sides and how their actions influence the course of the war through May 1863. Gettysburg, based on Shaaras Killer Angels, picks up the saga from there.
Page last updated by dgl1199, 2 years ago
No comments:
Post a Comment