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    About This Item

    Unique ID Code: 0000011706
    Added by: DVD Reviewer
    Added on: 6/12/2000 12:56
    View Changes

    Gettysburg (US)

    7 / 10
    1 vote cast
    Rate this item
    Inline Image

    Same Land. Same God. Different Dreams
    Certificate: PG
    Running Time: 254 mins
    Retail Price: $24.98
    Release Date:

    Synopsis:
    Summer 1863. The Confederacy pushes north into Pennsylvania. Union divisions converge to face them. Two great armies will clash at Gettysburg, site of a theology school. For three days, through such legendary actions as Little Round Top and Pickett`s Charge, the fate of "one nation, indivisible" hangs in the balance.

    The bloodiest battle fought on American soil comes to the screen in a powerful production "about the strategies, calculations, mistakes and heroism that turned the tide of the Civil War - a film Civil War buffs will find indispensible" (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times).

    Tom Berenger, Jeff Daniels, Martin Sheen, Richard Jordan and more play key roles in this magnificent epic based on Michael Shaara`s Pulitzer Prize - winning The Killer Angels, filmed at actual battle locations and rigorously authenticated down to the boots.

    Special Features:
    Interactive Menus
    Scene Access
    Behind-the-Scenes Documentary The Making of Gettysburg, Narrated by Martin Sheen
    Vintage Oscar Nominated Documentary The Battle of Gettysburg, Narrated by Leslie Nielsen
    Cast/Crew Interview Gallery
    Battlefield Maps
    Feature-length Audio Commentary by Director/Screenwriter Ronald F. Maxwell, Cinematographer Kees Van Oostrum, Pulitzer Prize-winning Author James M. McPherson and Military Historian Craig Symonds
    Theatrical Trailer
    TV Spots
    Cast/Director Filmographies

    Video Tracks:
    Widescreen Anamorphic 1.78:1

    Audio Tracks:
    Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 French
    Dolby Digital 5.0 English

    Subtitle Tracks:
    French
    English
    CC: English

    Directed By:
    Ronald F. Maxwell

    Written By:


    Starring:
    Cooper Huckabee
    Andrew Prine
    Jeff Daniels
    Richard Jordan
    Stephen Lang
    Martin Sheen
    Tom Berenger

    Casting By:
    Joy Todd

    Soundtrack By:
    Randy Edelman

    Director of Photography:
    Kees Van Oostrum

    Editor:
    Corky Ehlers

    Costume Designer:
    Michael T. Boyd

    Production Designer:
    Cary White

    Producer:
    Sandy Martin
    Nick Lombardo
    Robert Katz
    Moctesuma Esparza

    Distributor:
    Warner Bros

    Your Opinions and Comments

    7 / 10
    `Gettysburg`, as the name suggests, is a historically based, dramatic re-enactment of the defining battle in Gettysburg during the Civil War during which some 53.000 soldiers lost their lives. At the pinnacle of the draining fights between the Confederates and the Union, these two armies clashed in July 1863 in Gettysburg for a legendary three-day battle that made history and defined the course of the rest of the Civil War. But it is not so much the action, the explosions and the warfare itself that is the main focus of the film. At the center of `Gettysburg` are the people who defined the battle.

    As we see these men stick to their guns, the film tries to show what motives drove these and all the other men, who put their lives on the line. In conversational bits and pieces the film manages to carefully offer the viewer all sorts of perspectives on the subject matter, as seen through the eyes of these men. While some fought for the freedom of the slaves, others fought for their honors. Others still, for their independence from Washington, and others yet, simply because it was the right thing to do. While watching the film it becomes obvious that this Civil War meant a different thing to everyone involved, and each of these perspectives makes perfect sense within the historical context, giving the movie an authenticity and honesty that is hard to find.

    `Gettysburg` is an impressive movie that is thrilling and moving at the same time, making history tangible in its dramatic display of these real life events. Although the quality of the feature presentation is a bit flawed, potentially due to the inclusion of too many extras and the resulting storage restraints, this DVD is absolutely commendable.

    Whether you're a fan of American History, well-made dramas or simply action packed war movies, `Gettysburg` offers the right dose for everyone. Just make sure that you have 4 hours to spare!!
    posted by Aslan on 25/6/2004 03:06