Gettysburg [Region 2] | ![Gettysburg [Region 2]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51N94447W4L._SL500_.jpg)
| Director: Ronald F. Maxwell
Actors: Tom Berenger, Martin Sheen, Stephen Lang, Jeff Daniels, Richard Jordan
Category: DVD
Buy New: $40.34
New (1) Used (2) from $27.54
Rating:  481 reviews
Sales Rank: 131857
Format: Pal
Languages: Dutch (Subtitled), Danish (Subtitled), Czech (Subtitled), German (Subtitled), Norwegian (Subtitled), Romanian (Subtitled), English (Subtitled), Hebrew (Subtitled), Polish (Subtitled), Swedish (Subtitled), Icelandic (Subtitled), English (Original Language)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 2
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Running Time: 261 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 7321900861397
ASIN: B0001Z6440
Theatrical Release Date: October 8, 1993
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| |
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com essential video
Three days in the summer of 1863, at a place called Gettysburg. Although it received a theatrical release, this four-hour depiction of the bloody Civil War battle was shot as a made-for-television film. But no taint of cheapness or shortcuts should stick to this magnificent picture (well, except maybe for those phony-looking mustaches). Based on Michael Shaara's book The Killer Angels, this film takes a refreshingly slow, thorough approach to the intricacies of battle. In ordinary circumstances, those intricacies might seem of importance only to fans of military strategy or Civil War enthusiasts, yet in Gettysburg they come across as the very stuff of life, death, and unexpected heroism. If the film has a problem, it's that it climaxes too early: the first long segment, detailing the struggle of a "civilian soldier," Union Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (Jeff Daniels), to hold his ground against long odds, is an enthralling piece of moviemaking. Daniels, in a heartbreaking performance, does his best film work. Other cast members include Tom Berenger, Sam Elliott, and Martin Sheen as Robert E. Lee. Richard Jordan, in his final role, gives a powerhouse performance as Confederate general Lewis A. Armistead. Oh, and you can also try to spot Ted Turner, whose company produced the film, as a Confederate soldier. Writer-director Ronald F. Maxwell seems inspired by the gravity of the battle; long as it is, every moment of Gettysburg is informed by a nobility of purpose. --Robert Horton
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 476 more reviews...
 Read the BOOK!!!!. June 28, 2009
G. Gillen (Northern Virginia, USA)
After having seen the movie Gettysburg about 10 years ago, and after having researched it for a 7th grade project in the 1970's, I finally got around to reading "Killer Angels".
It may be a cliche, but as they say "the book is much better".
If you have NOT read the book, but have seen the movie, I urge you to consider the book.
While the movie gives you live actor battle scenes that you simply don't see anymore in today's CGI dominated movies, the book does a much better job of getting you inside the head of some of the main characters. It highlights how Buford's important role early on is almost forgotten in history, how incompetent most of the top brass was in the Union army, what a great if reluctant leader of men Chamberlain was, and how Longstreet struggled with the iconic Lee's tactics throughout the battle.
As for efficacy of the acting in the movie having the same emotional impact as the book, overall I think it is a mixed bag. Most of the actors in the movie are just OK, but Jeff Daniels as Chamberlain stands out. His speech to the 2nd Maine about what they are fighting for, and the bayonet charge still brings a lump to my throat. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I think Tom Berenger was TERRIBLE as Longstreet. His lines were deadpan and nowhere did I see his internal angst during the battle which was very well represented in the book. I also think that the book was as fair a depiction of the character of the men on both sides as possible, while the movie's depiction of the "Cavalier" gentlemen officers of the Confederate Army was a bit "over the top". Many of them seemed overly sentimental and "foppish", especially Pickett.
In any case, my verdict is good (but long movie), GREAT, GREAT book.
Read the book!
 Why do I praise this work June 24, 2009
Barrie W. Bracken (Daytona Beach, FL)
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
Many years ago I entered my favorite Chicago bookstore, Abraham Lincoln Bookstore, shocked to find a large display of a new book The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. My personal grudge against Mike Shaara goes back to 1964 when we were both at Florida State University. What is my reason for relating all this? If I can change my attitude toward the author, anyone can give him a second chance. It still hurts me to give five stars to this work. But the following reasons make it necessary:
1. The book is very well written. Mike had many choices how to work the story. I probably would have made it unreadable by including too many characters. Mead was barely mentioned. John Hood could have been played up more considering his importance later in the war, but it didn't belong in this work.
2. I disagree with not only Mike but many professional historians that the Battle of Gettysburg is overrated. Considering this I'm surprised at how well the author related this story. I have no problem with the historic content of this book or the later movie.
3. The characterization in the book and the movie is superb. This is fiction, but excellently done fiction. If I had not been curious about this work I probably would never have picked it up. I am glad I did read it and even glad I saw the movie.
Gettsburg June 17, 2009
George Luciani (Philadelphia)
Excellent depiction of the battle and the events that surrounded it -form both sides of the conflict. An excellent pictorial for those history buffs.
Gettysburg June 12, 2009
James D. Barlow (Chesapeake, VA)
The best movie protraying the War between the States. Follows the book "Killer Angels" very well. I saw this in theatres two times and own three copies of the DVD. I wish it would come out on Blu Ray and/or directors cut with the missing scenes.
I also wish that a movie company would pick up the third book of the trilogy. Seems like the story is not complete, however, this movie covers the events of July 1,2, and 3 of 1863.
Highly recommend for History/Civil War buffs.
The most authentic war movie ever made June 8, 2009
Daniel A. Wright (Bayville, NJ)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Something that is very interesting about this movie besides the number of great things about it, is its authenticity. Ron Maxwell really went to great lengths to give us a quality film. Everything in the film is precisely the same material (the clothes, the guns, places), the same settings, even the same language. The genuine feeling that this movie gives me every time I see it is the emotion. All of the extras are civil war re-enactors another great link to authenticity. Everything about this film is incredible. Truly a landmark film in the history of cinema never to be surpassed ever again.
|
|
|
