Gods & Generals

Buy This Item Gods & Generals by Warner Home Video  Available from Amazon  $10.99  on 11-26-2008     A sweeping epic charting the early years of the Civil War and how campaigns unfolded from Manassas to the Battle of Fredericksburg, this prequel to the film Gettysburg explores the motivations of the combatants and examines the lives of those who waited at home. Reader Reviews A splendid adaptation of the Shaara novel of the same name, many reviewers seem to feel that this is (or should be) a history of the first part of the American Civil War. However, that is just not the case, nor the intent of this film. What the film IS about are the career and personal natures of a very few seminal characters, and in particular, General 'Stonewall' Jackson. As such, lengthy treatment of the 'causes' of the Civil War, who was right and who was wrong are not particularly appropriate, nor is such discussed. Instead, we are treated to the 'causes' that brought Jackson HIMSELF to the war, as well as Robert E. Lee, and Chamberlain too. That is the point; to bring the focus not to huge overarching national and regional issues, but to the reasons and causes why INDIVIDUALS fight, and will go to a great war of unknown length and violence inconceivable, even though they know they themselves are unlikely to survive. Yet these causes are considered by the INDIVIDUALS concerned to be SO important, SO fundamental to their own perception of what is, and is not tolerable that the time comes where they have to make a very personal and terrible choice, and live (or die) by the outcome of that choice. Anyone who has ever gone to war will recognise that mental wrestling match that all who take that unalterable step must engage in. What makes the scenario of the American Civil War so poignant is that virtually everyone involved understands and KNOWS that he will not just be going off to fight some vaguely perceived and relatively undefined 'enemy,' but that they will be fighting and killing their OWN friends, neighbors, and even family members in defense of that which is perceived to be absolute. The choice therefore, is even more terrible, as are the consequences. This is why there are some long soliloquys in the film, as both the author, and film maker work to get the audience to UNDERSTAND and appreciate the depth and breadth of the sacrifice contemplated, and acted upon. Further, it should be remembered that the people of that time actually spoke and thought in the manner presented (not just an 'author's conceit'), as is recorded in the many journal entries and letters from the time (these were NOT 21st century men and women, but a product of their times, and thought and spoke accordingly). In sum, if you are simply looking for a Civil War 'action movie' with lots of explosions and little plot, then you might not like this (though there are indeed plenty of explosions, and the most splendidly filmed battle sequences ever done). You might not like it if you are looking solely for a history of the Civil War either (PBS did an excellent documentary on the Civil War, if it's strict history you are looking for, that's your source!). But if you are looking for a film of breadth and scope on a personal level, comparable to the incomparable film 'Glory,' then you will agree that 'Gods and Generals' is an excellent choice.

Gods & Generals Available from Amazon Price: $10.99 Updated on 11-26-2008.

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