Gettysburg: the visit, the novel, the movie
The battle of Gettysburg was arguably the key conflict in the American Civil War which itself was a seminal period in US history.
On a recent visit to the United States, I toured the battlefield and you can read my account here.
Subsequently I read the award-winning novel of the battle called “The Killer Angels” and you can read my review here.
This Bank Holiday weekend, I watched the four-hour movie “Gettysburg” and you can read my review here.
September 5th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
I am surprised to read in your review of “Gettysburg” about 20th Maine being put into (the repelling of) Pickett’s Charge. They were not remotely in a fit condition to assist given their mauling on Day 2. I’ll recheck my copy of the film as I don’t recall seeing any of 20th Maine repelling the Charge.
Also I thought Martin Sheen was very good as Lee, self-controlled and mildly spoken, reproving his cavalry leader J E B Stuart in a very kindly avuncular way but unmistakably reproving him nonetheless. The worst part of the film were the beards, especially Longstreet ‘s which got the critics aroused and scornful. Sam Elliott very good as Buford. Hancock the Superb was played, well, superbly.
Meade did not get much credit for his role in marshalling his forces to be able to stop Lee, but that reflects Lincoln’s view that Meade should have pursued the beaten Lee with more vigour and his unawareness of Meade’s pre-battle coordination of his generals, and history has tended to side with Lincoln although the Union forces were in no fit state to achieve a much more vigorous pursuit beyond what they did.
The British Colonel was a caricature, not for the first time in American film-making, effetely holding his tea-cup and the mawkish talk about Verena went on far too long as dd the opening sequence. Some of the rebels were a bit too portly, due to their being played by re-enactors. But it is worth being seen for anyone unacquainted with the Gettysburg story (as most Brits are).
I envy you having been there.
September 5th, 2012 at 3:40 pm
I thoroughly enjoyed your comments about the movie, Gettysburg. And, yes, you are correct that the 20th Maine was sent to the rear of the center of the Union army after the conflict at Little Round Top for “rest and recuperation” where, it was thought, they would be safe. It was only fate they they were caught up in the cannonade and subsequent action resulting from Lee’s attack in the Union center.
I thought Ted Turner’s movie was very good, but not necessarily a great “war movie” on par with Patton, Das Boot or Downfall which rank as my all-time favorites (interesting that two are German-made.) I agree that Martin Sheen was totally miscast as Lee who was a tall, statuesque man. Sheen also delivered his lines with a solemnity that bordered on Moses returning from the mount. Lee is said to be a person who could be curt and short-tempered, not necessarily Jesus-like. In addition, the movie bordered on ponderousness and seemed slow-moving throughout. It could have benefited greatly (as you suggested) from some good editing.
But visiting Gettysburg and actually seeing the places where the key events took place certainly enhances the understanding and appreciation for the movie and the book. The statue of Lee at the spot where he consoles the solders returning from the “charge” still makes me stop and ponder, regardless of the number of times that I have visited the place.
We enjoyed our visit with you and Vee to Gettysburg so much and will long remember our picnic. This event, as well as our Civil War, had a profound effect on the development of the USA which is still being debated, written and filmed about today.