Show Gettysburg Engrosses Despite more than Hour 5 Length II Movie Review I Larr D. D Curtis Grade A SOME of the darkest days of American history were filled with blood maiming and death of Americans at the hands of other Americans Brother killed brother and friend faced friend on the battle battle battle bat bat- tle field Gettysburg is a film portraying one of the most important battles of the year five-year war in which more than casualties were re re- re- re corded The film is based on the book The Killer Angels by Michael which is in turn b based sed on the journals and letters of the met men who were directly involved like General Robert E. E Lee and General James Longstreet This film is an overview of the military campaign and is an examination examination examination exam exam- of the individuals who made the decisions and the sacrifices sacrifices flees that led to the outcome of V V those fateful days The film has taken careful steps to keep everything historically accurate accurate ac ac- ac- ac 5 curate including going on location to Gettysburg National Historical Park With such a demanding story t r and by choosing not to focus o us only on oa one character or portion of the I i battle Gettysburg bites off a giant piece of storytelling There is a large cast of characters characters characters charac charac- to keep track of ranging from giant historical figures such as Robert E. E Lee played by Martin Sheen to chara characters that will be new to most of the public like Lieutenant Chamberlain played by Jeff Danials We even get a good idea of what the experience may have been like for the average soldier One hitting hard effect of the film is the manner in which it showed the many faces of the Yankees and Johnny Reb Whether it was heartily cheering Robert E. E Lee or a lineup of f men hiding behind behind behind be be- hind a stone wall awaiting an enemy charge the film fim took the time to showcase the gaunt fat old young mean scared faces of the average soldier Gettysburg handles this involved involved involved in in- tale by presenting a lengthy film nearly five hours long including including including ing the minute 10 intermission A hour 5 film may keep away some viewers but it shouldn't The story calls for the longer format cutting the film would have lessened lessened lessened les les- les- les its impact and its character character- Many of the battle scenes were long which helped to emphasize the realism that these people weren't having a gun fight but were involved in a war Their fighting lasted all day and by not showing us a quick killing or victory vie vie- tory we can appreciate the hell it was to stand only yards from the enemy fire and kill your own countrymen The film is inspiring because of the qualities of the people whose story it tells It is horrifying because because because be be- cause of lives that are lost the price that is willingly paid by so many and the knowledge that it is our nation nation nation na na- tion that was for a time divided Gettysburg isn't in the mold of successful films of the day It doesn't follow the heroic formula it doesn't glorify death and it doesn't wrap everything neatly up by the end Instead it is a fascinating look into the lives of real people who faced real death The film doesn't titillate or try to wow audiences audiences audiences audi audi- with its special effects although al although although al- al though they are very good it was made to tell a true event It does so effectively with power while entertaining us as well It is a special film and a treasure treasure treasure trea trea- sure that should not be missed by those who are willing to invest a little time and thought If youre you're seeking a good date movie or thriller seek elsewhere If you want to enjoy a glimpse of history and the people who made it Gettysburg pays of off b 0 r ti t |