Review of Gettysburg (1993) by Rob L — 19 Nov 2007

Y'know I've watched this movie about five times over the last five years but I only really WATCHED it this weekend. It's an incredible feat of filmmaking with reenactment societies from all over America drafted in to produce a spectacle that is almost unrivled even with modern digital extras. Having read The Killer Angels and having been to Gettysburg makes the film even more potent, as you watch the fighting thinking "Hey I stood just there taking photographs" or "Wow that's just like in the book". Comedy Airplane in the Battle of Little Round top aside the filmmaking is well polished and the editing is superb. The one complaint I have is that the soundtrack can be somewhat overbearing, but this is of minor concern when the living room is shaking to the sounds of cannon and musket fire. The dialogue is excellent, with General Pickett receiving a few superb lines during the downtime scenes (such as his classic comments on evolution).

The casting is extremely good, with the filmmakers taking great care to match the appearance of the actors with photographs of the generals themselves and the acting is top notch throughout.

A great movie for the civil war buffs, although make sure the significant other isn't going to be around for four hours or so unless she enjoys the sound of gunfire and a constant tremor through the foundations of the house.