Gettysburg - Extended Edition [Blu-ray] [1993] [Region Free]

I saw Gettysburg for first time about 8 years ago on a rental DVD, bought it, and have watched it several times since then!! I would say Gettysburg and Casablanca and High Noon are my 3 favorite movies! I love history, and love to read about the Civil War, I particularly have enjoyed reading several books on Ulysses Grant.(amazing figure, to come from working in his father's tanning shop, to becoming such a great general that Lincoln would say, "I have a general!" after the ones before had been rather duds! I was pretty much blown away by this movie. Jeff Daniels blew me away, from near the start when he talks to the mutineers, the movie had me. The parts I was most moved by and just stunned by were when Richard Jordan (Gen. Armistead) talks to Tom Berenger (Gen Longstreet) about the possibility that he may face in some battle his good friend (from those days in California just before war broke out) union General Hancock, (Longstreet tells him Hancock is here at Gettysburg!) unbelievable acting by Jordan, just stunning and so sad--he knows he will probably die and gives Longstreet some papers to give to Hancock's wife in case he, Armistead, dies. Then Jeff Daniels as Col. Joshua Chamberlain should have been given the Oscar!! (was he even nominated?) His Battle of the Little Round Top is my next favorite part of the movie, probably close to 30 minutes long. As another reviewer points out here (on 4/10/2000 "A very good civil war movie") historians view "this small unit action" (by the part of the 20th Maine) to be one of the defining moments of history--I would think they probably mean world history, as I guess historians feel if Little Round Top was lost, Gettysburg would have been lost, the South would have won the war, and American history would be very different--this great experiment in democracy failed!!! Jeff Daniels is just stunning as he realizes there is nothing left to do ("if we stay here we can't fight --(they have run out of bullets) and we leave they will run over us and the whole hill will be lost " (to paraphrase what he said) and thus the battle will be lost, the war will be lost, and the country will be lost. So the only thing they can do is to take the desperate measure of drawing their sabers and charging. It is just stunning to see the faces of his men as he is telling them this, his Major Ellis Spears asking , "You mean charge?" and the men are stunned, but Chamberlain says, "Well, we'll have the advantage as we are going downhill." I just feel the whole Little Round Top 30 minute sequence is some of the best movie making ever!! The music, Jeff's talking to his men, the camera work and the music as he moves up and down his line of men. When he yells, "Bayonets!" he looks absolutely crazed, I love that either the director or Jeff felt he should look crazed as he yells at the top of his lungs so all can hear him, I mean it is almost ludicrous how crazy he looks--his eyes bulge out-- when he yells "Bayonets" but I think it was neat that he did this, he is trying to yell as loud as he can, and at this point who wouldn't be crazed--you may die in a few seconds, your brother may die, and your dear friends and fellow soldiers may die!!! And when Major Ellis yells charge and then Chamberlain yells charge and down the hill they go--into history--well, unbelievable movie making and gorgeous music!! The last part I love, but no one here I think has commented about, is the absolutely poignant 2 scenes with Gen Longstreet (Berenger) and his artillery commander, the 28 year old Col Porter Alexander played by the English/American actor James Patrick Stuart (who I see is in the TV show Supernatural--which I have never watched but am going to! to see his movie and TV credits just google him). The first scene, Longstreet is talking to Alexander about making sure he fires enough artillery to clear the Union cannons off Cemetary Ridge before Pickett can move, and then a short while later, the 2nd scene is utterly poignant: Alexander tells him that they had to move the remaining ammunition further to the rear so union cannons wouldn't destroy it, and Longstreet is frustrated as there are still too many union cannons firing; their conversation you might not get the first time, I didn't, because they are practically yelling at each other to be heard, it is noisy, but then watching it again, I listened better, and understood better what they were saying; Longstreet ends by telling him (paraphrasing) "Just keep firing, we have got to clear those cannons off that ridge!!" They salute each other, and Alexander kind of lets his hand fall from his salute in a hesitant, defeated way, as Longstreet turns and leaves; and Alexander then takes off his hat in the most dejected, sad, and poignant manner you can imagine! As he does this and turns and pauses with his hat on his chest for a second, it looks like a painting, young 28 year old Col Alexander is so handsome with his dark hair and beard and mustache, in his beautiful artillery commander long coat gray uniform with red accents (!!). I was just blown away by this! What acting!!! I have the 2000 issued DVD and the 2 scenes with Longstreet and Porter are on side B (yes the 4 hour plus DVD has 2 sides!) and these Longstreet/Porter scenes are scene #10 and the end of scene #16 (this is the sad, poignant one). The Little Round Top segment is on side A, and runs from scene 28 - scene 35 !! Just want to say also, as someone else mentioned here, that 60's TV actor Andrew Prine is wonderful, so good as Confederate Gen. Garnett--practically zombie like, but I thought totally believable as he is about to take part in Picketts charge, and the way he acts and what he says, it is like, this is the day, it is inevitable that this could be the day he will die!! I thought of all the generals, north or south, he was the best of the actors who played the generals even though his was a very small part, he and Stephen Lang as Pickett, and of course Jeff Daniels as Chamberlain; also very good as Chamberlain's younger brother Tom is C.Thomas Howell, so good looking and earnest--too bad Thomas Howell hasn't had a more prominent career as an actor. He was wonderful! And the ending of the movie is so poignant (yes, I use this word a lot but it seems appropriate for this movie about one of the most tragic periods in American history), at the very end as the smoke from the battle is still in the air in a beautiful sunset on the last day of the Gettysburg battle, Lawrence and Tom find each other, and look at each other in absolute sadness but also utter disbelief that they have both survived this battle, and then just embrace for a long time, and then look again at each other again, and then Tom's shoulders just go down just as the beautiful music just goes goes "downward" in a beat, just so touching and sad!! I am just a crazed older woman who loves reading, reading about history and momentous events, and I just love this movie!! Can you tell??!! PLEASE SEE IT, HISTORY BUFFS, AND TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!!

There are three interrelated movies giving perspective on the period from April 1861 to July 1863, better viewed not in the order they were produced but in the order of the historical timeline of events. Although Gods & Generals is the prequel to Gettysburg, the timeline of the era involves the events of Glory occurring before and at the same time as the events at Gettysburg, and they are therefore contextually integral in such a way that you may wish to view the film Glory before viewing Gettysburg. There is much difference in the production values not reviewed here, and these differences should not be considered when viewing this history since it is an assemblage of disparate productions. That being said, all three movies are well made, one being better than another and not a true example of a trilogy because the scripts were written at separate times and with different themes and different casts. Even so, all three scripts and their particular actors and visuals are interesting and fully hold your attention while fairly presenting history, except for minor takes for theatrical necessity. Gods and Generals covers the period from April 1861 to May 1863. Glory covers the period from September 1862 to July 1863. Gettysburg covers the period from June 1863 to July 1863. "Gods & Generals" is a 2003 American historical war drama film based on the Ronald F. Maxwell screenplay adaptation of the Jeffrey Shaara 1996 novel of the same name and prequel to Maxwell's 1993 film "Gettysburg", financed by media mogul Ted Turner. The film follows the story of Stonewall Jackson (b. January 21, 1824 – d. May 10, 1863) from the beginning of the American Civil War (April 12, 1861) to his death (May 10, 1863) from wounds at the Battle of Chancellorsville (April 30 – May 6, 1863); known as Confederate General Robert E. Lee's "perfect battle" because his risky decision to divide his army in the presence of a much larger enemy force resulted in a significant Confederate victory. "Glory" is a 1989 American historical war drama film based on the Kevin Jarre screenplay adaptation of the Lincoln Kirstein 1973 essay "Lay This Laurel" and the Peter Burchard 1965 book "One Gallant Rush" about the important 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the Union Army's earliest African-American regiments in the American Civil War. Covering the period from the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, the men learn that in response to the Emancipation Proclamation (January 1, 1863), the Confederacy has issued an order that captured black men are to be returned to slavery and that black soldiers found wearing uniforms will be executed as well as their white officers. In the famous Second Battle of Fort Wagner on July 18, 1863, about 1,515 Union soldiers were killed, captured, or wounded in the assault; although a Confederate victory, the valor of the Black Union soldiers in the battle was gloriously hailed. Over 180,000 volunteered, and President Abraham Lincoln credited them with helping to turn the tide of the war. "Gettysburg" is a 1993 American historical war drama film based on the Ronald F. Maxwell screenplay adaptation of the Michael Shaara 1974 novel "The Killer Angels" about the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, during the American Civil War. Originally filmed as a miniseries for TNT, under the direction of Ted Turner, at 254 minutes (4 hours and 14 minutes), it is the longest film released theatrically by a major film studio in the United States. The film begins with a narrated map showing the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by Confederate General Robert E. Lee, crossing the Potomac River to invade the North in June 1863, marching across Maryland and into Pennsylvania. On July 3rd, Lee decides to send three divisions to attack the center of the Union line at Cemetery Ridge and orders an infantry assault against Union positions on the last day of the Battle of Gettysburg, known as Pickett's Charge, which ultimately fails. The attack ended Lee's invasion of the north and forced a retreat back to Virginia, widely considered the Civil War's turning point, ending the Confederacy's aspirations to establish an independent nation and the Civil War's bloodiest battle.

The American Civil War seems to speak to the epic nature of filmmaking. Indeed, it has inspired some of its most important and controversial cinematic works including Birth of a Nation and Gone With The Wind. The 1990s saw something of a resurgence in Civil War filmmaking with films such as Glory and the release in 1993 of Ronald Maxwell's film Gettysburg. Originally filmed for television as a miniseries, it nevertheless received a theatrical release as one of the longest films ever released in American cinemas. More than 25 years on, it also remains an epic. I mean that sincerely: Gettysburg is a genuine epic. Take the sheer size of the cast, for instance. It features dozens of speaking roles including a dignified Martin Sheen as Confederate General Robert E. Lee, Jeff Daniels as professor turned Union officer Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, Tom Berenger as Confederate GeneralJames Longstreet, Sam Elliot as Union cavalry officer John Buford, and even a bearded George Lazenby as a Confederate general. And those are just a few of the highlights from the cast which also includes appearances by any number of familiar faces. Keeping track of everyone can be easier said than done at times, especially when the battles come down, and that's something that rewards those willing to sit through the film on more than one occasion. Beyond the cast, Gettysburg lives up to the word epic in both scope and length. It benefits, for example, from its filming taking place in and around the actual battlefield with what certainly seems to be thousands of reenactors taking part which gives it a further air of authenticity. Their presence can be felt in sequences such as Pickett's Charge which gives the impression of what it might just have looked like on that hot July day. To tell the story of this climactic clash of the Civil War, the film dedicates roughly an hour to each day that it features, portraying events from both sides and the decisions that led to them. Then there's the added addition od Randy Edelman's score built around a rousing main title theme that's put to great effect at the narrative highpoints. The resulting work is a film that feels grand in both artistic intention and presentation. Is it a perfect film, though? Probably not. The script from director Maxwell gets oddly preachy at times, a little too caught up in speeches delivered by its characters on both sides of the conflict. Whether that's down to the source material, Michael Shaara's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Killer Angels, I can't be certain of those others have spoken to the film's faithfulness to it elsewhere. Those talks are all something that definitely adds to the running time, once causing Martin Sheen to quip in an interview that the film lasted longer than the actual battle. That being said, it's something that doesn't hurt the film too much either as their wonderfully by the likes of Daniels, Sheen, and Richard Jordan in his last ever film role. Perhaps as a result of all that, from the cast and production to the sheer scope of the narrative the film recounts, Gettysburg may remain the last great film made about this defining American conflict. Unquestionably, Maxwell's follow-up prequel film Gods & Generals didn't recapture the lightning in bottle greatness of this film despite its own lengthy running time. But, even now, watching those opening credits or the 20th Maine swinging their way down Little Round Top or Lee being cheered on by his men still sends a shiver up my spine. That speaks to the power of filmmaking and to the lasting legacy of Gettysburg as a film.

At a pivotal moment in bloody war, the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia heads north into Pennsylvania with the Union Army of the Potomac chasing after leading to a small town that would define the conflict. Gettysburg is directed by Ronald F. Maxwell who also wrote the screenplay that was based on Michael Shaara’s The Killer Angels. The film is not only a very good adaptation of the source material but also being historically accurate as possible thanks in part due to Shaara’s research into his historical novel that Maxell based the screenplay on. At over 4 hours in length—for both the theatrical release and director’s cut—this film is one of the longest by a major studio, however this was due to the decision to give coverage of the ebb and flow of significant actions over the three days battle most notably Buford’s delaying action on the first, Little Round Top on the second, and Pickett’s Charge on the third. With a large ensemble cast reflecting the opposing forces of the battle, the choice to follow Tom Berenger as Confederate General James Longstreet and Jeff Daniels as Union Lt. Colonel Joshua Chamberlain allowed the film to have two anchors to revolve the action around. The result of this was that viewers witness the battle and affects of each day’s action from the viewpoint of the Confederate general staff on the one hand and the Union soldiers in the ranks, with the exceptions of Pickett’s Charge and Buford’s actions on the first day. Besides the excellent performances of Berenger and Daniels—the latter of which should have got nominated for an award of some kind—there were the performances of Martin Sheen as Robert E. Lee, Sam Eliot as John Buford, and the amazing Stephen Lang as George Pickett that held the film together between the action scenes. Speaking of the action scenes, these are probably some of the best battle scenes I’ve personally ever seen with Little Round Top and Pickett’s Charge the obvious one’s to point to. The soundtrack by Randy Edelman is fantastic with the standout pieces being the “Main Title” and “March to Mortality (Pickett’s Charge)” which to me I also hear in my head when reading about the Civil War—along with the main theme of Ken Burn’s The Civil War. Overall Gettysburg is a fantastic war film that was always a must see every year when I was teenager around the 4th of July and upon seeing it again makes me wish I had gotten it on DVD or Blu-ray years before I did.

I have mixed feelings about this movie. In terms of historical accuracy, so far as it went, it was quite good. Particularly in terms of uniforms, and of course being shot on location. The battle scenes were also quite good for the day. However, the synthetic orchestra detracts from the movie significantly - with the score itself at times being truly awful. It sets an odd mood much of the time, with those moods frequently having absolutely no correlation to what is happening on screen...and even getting in the way. And there are times when dialogue alone would have been far better, plus a few scenes where the dialogue itself consisted of improbably schmaltzy non-sequiter conversations unlikely to occur between commanders that would have been engaged trying to figure out what to do in the morning. The movie makes it seem as though Gettysburg revolved around the opening battle at the Seminary, at Little Round Top, and at Picket's charge....with nothing else being of any importance. There is 2 seconds of footage from devil's den. Why in a movie so incredibly long could they not at least squeeze in 10 minutes to cover what Jeb Stuart had foolishly done and been so proud of, the railroad cut, the Union flight through downtown, Ewell's dithering and failure to follow up? The Union hiding behind tombstones and desperately trying to erect fortifications in time on Culp's Hill, and the eventual unsuccessful attack there? Sickles' advance into the wheat field that almost turned into disaster, the butchery at close range in the Peach orchard and along Plum Run, Custer's charge that stymied Jeb Stuart attacking the Union line from the rear during Picket's charge? Not only that, but the script makes it seem as though the entire battle strategy was set by Lee - with the Federals just sitting there along one line the whole time waiting to be attacked. Some of the dialogue was fine; however, there were a few sequences of dialogue that were painfully bad screenwriting. With good editing, inclusion of more key elements of the story, a decent score and real orchestra, and a plot in which both sides were active participants instrategy reacting to one another, this could have been a truly powerful film. But you get the sense that after hiring just a couple of decent actors, they were already 25% over budget and had to cut corners on screen writing, editing, score, and orchestra. But hats off to the reenactors, who did an incredible job. Despite all the criticism, I would give this 3.5 stars and point out that I watched all 4+ hours straight through....as this true and important American story is so riveting, and the historical accuracy of what portions of the battle shown so good, that it is very worth watching despite its many faults.

It's a great movie, I also have the book so it's a little different just like most movies and books are but in all reality they're both great

This is a tremendous movie both historically and movie wise for entertainment value. The acting is first rate across the board as it opens with the great Sam Elliott playing General John Buford who discovered this great land to fight upon and is determined to not lose it while others dither away thus leaving it for the enemy to own and use to kill his brave men in Blue. Not this General who it was said : Was no one to trifle with. No better description was said of the Unions best cavalry officer. This whole scene is played out in tis great and tense drama leading up to Day 1 and the remaining 2 days of Gettysburg and the other heroic Generals and men who fought there on those days. The only piece of acting that I found wanting was in Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock. The actor sure tried hard but one historian wrote that the best way to picture Hancock was to picture John Wayne's characters come to life in the personification of Hancock. Admittedly a tough road to hoe for any actor but a better choice could have been made to try it. Jeff Daniels , like Sam Elliot, took ownership of playing his figure of Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, a totally remarkable man whos combination of intellect, eloquence and military bravery were a unique and rare combination indeed. But all true, as we find in such rare people when they are found in history. It just so happens that several such men appeared at Gettysburg and are portrayed in this movie in such an excellent an d accurate manner that one can only salute admire and be thankful they were present to win that battle against a like group on the other side. Mention must be made of Tom Beranger's excellent portrayal of General James Longstreet, known as Pete among his friends. I recommend this movie to all who are serious about learning and also for those who just want to watch a fantastic movie too.

Gettysburg is indeed a war movie, but it is much, much more than a typical war movie. Indeed, it is my very favorite movie, and I feel inexplicably drawn to the profound emotional pilgrimage of seeing it again every few years. I relate to it on many levels, and I think you may too... As a student of history, I am fascinated by how this one battle decided not only the fate of America, but had a huge impact on world history. Can you imagine how very different Europe might be today if there were no undivided United States to come and help in WWI, WWII, or the Cold War? As a fallible human, I am still astounded at how a relatively small error or two coupled with pride probably meant the difference in the battle, and hence world history. As a moviegoer, I deeply appreciate how the movie maker was very careful for the details. As those civil war buffs in the audience know, this is sacred ground, and I appreciate the care given to it by the movie makers. Indeed, the movie used over 4000 civil war re-enacters as extras. As a friend to others, I am deeply moved at how a trio of officers, close friends in the US Army for many years, all were drawn into this battle; when its effects were over, two would be dead and the third wounded. And on the night before the climactic battle, two of them know the next day their units will be facing each other in battle, and are agonizing over it. Even after seeing it 6-7 times, I still cannot help but weep when one of the friends cries out to God for the fate of this trio near the end of the movie. As a veteran, when a brave officer whose unit is out of ammunition orders a desperate charge, I shudder uncontrollably, and my only thought is "He did his duty." I am also fascinated by the variety of reasons the soldiers on both sides had for fighting in the war, which the movie wonderfully articulates. As a citizen, I am very conflicted. I am thankful that the union was preserved and slavery abolished. But I shudder at how states rights were weakened; indeed, for decades now in my opinion the Tenth Amendment has been virtually ignored. As a Christian, I find it fascinating and thought-provoking how more overtly Christian officers and soldiers on both sides were, and am intrigued by Col. Chamberlain, a devout Christian. As a student of culture and society, I am fascinated at the differences between southern and northern cultures and societies which are clearly depicted throughout the movie. As a British military attaché so aptly observes, "Same land. Same god. Different dreams. Very different dreams."

Wow. This movie is an incredibly well-written, well-directed and well-acted film. I have read numerous historical books re the Battle of Gettysburg, and it's amazing how accurately this lengthy screenplay was written without becoming tedious for even a moment. It managed to be both highly reflective as it examined the anguish and courage of key moments and characters, while also providing relentless battle scenes that accurately reflected the tenacity of the soldiers in this war. I can see why some scenes from this Directors Cut weren't included in the movie release, as they tend to disrupt the film's pace a bit, but for the keeners, they add rich details! There's a lot to consider including in such a movie about such a pivotal event in the Civil War, but they have managed to provide a very comprehensive glimpse, capturing the essence of each main character wonderfully.

Ce film est magnifique. Malheureusement le dvd était pour la ZONE 1 (US Canada) Je penses que l’indication de la ZONE devrais figurer dans TOUTES les descriptions de DVD.

日本語字幕がないので、英語字幕で楽しみました。久しぶりの英語鑑賞なので戸惑い、古くからの軍事英語もおさらいというところでしたが、戦場の描写がたいへん素晴らしく、脚本の素晴らしさがそれをまた裏付けてくれました。戦術や戦闘の推移などは米国から帰った友人から参考書を貰ったので、やや有利だったかな。CGではない戦場場面も良かったかな。お奨めです。

Muy buena pelicula y fiel a la historia calidad de imagen aceptable.

Regia, attori e sceneggiatura ottima qualità