Gods and Generals Movie Review 2003

Maxwell's ambitious second film in his "Civil War trilogy" is exquisite in its attention to period detail, and grand in its depiction of the battles it covers, but suffers when it gets to the stories of the men it portrays. A prequel to 1993's "Gettysburg," this one covers the years 1861-63, beginning with Gen. Lee (Duvall) declining command of the Union Army, through the battles of First Manassas, Fredericksburg, and Chancelorsville, and finishing with Stonewall Jackson's death and the events leading up to Gettysburg. The main problem is that the dialogue (housed in many self-important and overlong speeches) is stilted, lifeless, and humorless, which handcuffs a very talented cast. Historic personages are raised to icon status, showing none of the real-life flaws that would've made them interesting. Based on the novel by Jeffrey M. Shaara.

Distribution

Warner Home Video, Inc., 5775 Linder Canyon Rd., Westlake Village, CA 91362, URL: http://whv.warnerbros.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 220 minutes.
Originally from United States.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Historical Drama, Civil War, American South, Military: Army

Screenplay

Ronald F. Maxwell

Cast

Jeff Daniels, Stephen Lang, Robert Duvall, Kevin Conway, C. Thomas Howell, Patrick Gorman, Brian Mallon, Matt Letscher, William Sanderson, Mira Sorvino, Frankie Faison, Jeremy London, Kali Rocha, Bruce Boxleitner, Billy Campbell, Bo Brinkman, Mia Dillon, Stephen Spacek, Royce D. Applegate

Cinematography

Kees Van Oostrum

Director

Ronald F. Maxwell

Music

John (Gianni) Frizzell, Randy Edelman

Other

Ted Turner, Stephen Halbert, Corky Ehlers, Gregory Bolton, Richard LaMotte, Michael Z. Hanan

Producer

Ronald F. Maxwell, Ted Turner Pictures, Antietam Filmworks, Warner Bros.