Gettysburg

Gettysburg

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

Genre: Drama, History, War
Director(s): Ronald F. Maxwell
Production: Turner Home Entertainment
  1 win & 1 nomination.
 
IMDB:
7.7
Rotten Tomatoes:
80%
PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Year:
1993
254
10,617 Views
Same Land. Same God. Different Dreams.
Fate made them soldiers. War made them brothers. Courage made them Heroes.

Col. Arthur Freemantle:
I'm told you're descendant of an illustrious military family?

Brigadier General Lewis A. Armistead:
Who told you that? Kemper?

Col. Arthur Freemantle:
He tells me it was your uncle who defended Fort McHenry during the war of 1812, and that he was therefore regarded as the guardian of the original star-spangled banner. I must say, I do appreciate the irony of it all.

Brigadier General Lewis A. Armistead:
Col. Freemantle, it does not begin or end, with my uncle or myself. We're all sons of Virginia here. That major out there, commanding the canon? That's James Deeran, first in his class at West Point, before Virgina seceeded. The boy over there, with the color guard? That's private Robert Tyler John. His grandfather was President of the United States! That colonel behind me? That's Colonel William Ailen. Now, his great-grandfather was the Virginian Patrick Henry. It was Patrick Henry who said to your King George III; "Give me liberty, or give me death." There are boys here from Norfolk, Portsmouth, Malhamlet, Long James River. From Charlottsville, Fredericksburg, and the Shenondoah Valley. Mostly, they're all veteran soldiers now, the cowards and shirkers are long gone. Every man here knows his duty! They would make this charge even without an officer to lead them. They know the gravity of the situation, and the metal of their foe! They know, that this days work will be desperate and deadly. They know, that for many of them, this will be their last charge. But not one of them, needs to be told, what is expected of him! They're all willing to make the supreme sacrifice. To achieve victory, here, the crowning victory, and the end of this war. We're all hear, Colonel. You may tell them, when you return to your country, that all Virginia was here this day.

Pvt. Buster Kilrain:
Colonel? Colonel, darlin'. Rise up, me bucko. [Chamberlain groans.] Oh, I'm sorry, darlin', but we've got a bit of a problem here, Colonel, would ye like to hear about it? Would ye wake up, sir? We got a whole company comin', sir. This way. I'll give ye time to wake up, but we've got quite a problem. Altogether, 120 men are comin'. We're to be havin' them as guests.

Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain:
[still half asleep] What?

Pvt. Buster Kilrain:
Yeah. Should be here any minute.

Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain:
Who?

Pvt. Buster Kilrain:
Mutineers. Mutineers, Colonel, me lad. 120 men from the old 2nd Maine which has been disbanded.

Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain:
120 mutineers? [gestures for Kilrain to keep talking.]

Pvt. Buster Kilrain:
Yes, sir. Ye see, what happened was the enlistment papers on the old 2nd Maine run out. So they were sent home. All except these 120 fellows who'd foolishly signed 3-year papers. 3 years, that is. So these poor fellows, they got one more year to serve, only, you see, they thought they was signin' to fight only with the 2nd Maine and the 2nd Maine only. So, they, uh, quit. They resigned, ye see. 120 men! [Chamberlain puts his head down.] Colonel? Are ye all right?

Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain:
Yeah.

Pvt. Buster Kilrain:
Well, the point is, sir, these Maine fellows; they won't fight no more. And nobody can send them home and nobody knows what to do with them. Til they thought of us. Being as we are the only other Maine regiment in the Fifth Corps. So they've been assigned to us. Yes, sir. I've a message here from the new commanding general. George Meade, sir, that's right! Our very own general of our very own corps has been promoted to command of the whole army. The latest, if ye keep track of them as they go by. [pulls out message, reads] The message says, uh, they'll be arrivin' this mornin', and they're to join us, oh, and if they refuse to follow orders, please feel free to shoot 'em.

Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain:
To... to shoot 'em?

Pvt. Buster Kilrain:
Yes, sir.

Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain:
These are Maine me?

Pvt. Buster Kilrain:
[nods] Mm-hm.

Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain:
[takes the note, reads] "You are hereby authorized to shoot any man who refuses to do his duty." Buster, are these all Maine men?

Pvt. Buster Kilrain:
Yes, sir, and fine big fellows they are, too.

Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain:
[sighs] Mutiny. I thought that was a word for the navy.

Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain:
What's your name?

Pvt. Joseph Bucklin:
I don't feel too kindly, Colonel.

Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain:
Yes, well, I'm not usually this informal. I just, uh, just took command of this regiment a few days ago, so somebody ought to welcome you to my, uh-- to our outfit. They, uh, they tell me that, uh, they're holding you fellas because you signed 3-year papers-- I'm sorry. Would you like some coffee? [Bucklin shakes his head] You sure? Go ahead, sit down, Mister...

Pvt. Joseph Bucklin:
Bucklin.

Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain:
Bucklin.

Pvt. Joseph Bucklin:
Joseph Bucklin. Listen, Colonel, I've been in eleven different engagements. How many have you been in?

Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain:
Not that many.

Pvt. Joseph Bucklin:
It ain't the papers. I done my share. We all have. Damn good men. Should not to be used this way. Lookee here. [Bucklin pulls up his pants leg to reveal a bullet wound scar] Went clean through.

Pvt. Buster Kilrain:
[walks up] Colonel, we got a courier comin'. [walks off]

Pvt. Joseph Bucklin:
Listen, Colonel, I'm tired. You know what I mean? I'm tired. I've had all this army, and all these officers, this damn Hooker, this damn idiot Meade. All of them. The whole bloody, lousy rotten mess of sick-brained, potbellied scareheads that ain't fit to lead a johnny detail! They ain't fit to pour pee out of a boot with instructions written under the heel. I'm tired. We are good men and we had our own good flag. These damn idiots used us like we were cows or dogs or worse. We ain't gonna win this war. We can't win no-how with these lame-brain bastards from West Point. These damn gentlemen, these officers!

Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain:
Tell me something, Buster. What do you think of Negroes?

Pvt. Buster Kilrain:
Well, if you mean the race, I don't really know. This is not a thing to be ashamed of. The thing is, you cannot judge a race. Any man who judges by the group is a pea-wit. You take men one at a time.

Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain:
To me, there was never any difference.

Pvt. Buster Kilrain:
None at all?

Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain:
None at all. Of course, I haven't known that many freed men, but those I knew in Bangor, Portland, you look in the eye, there was a man. There was a "divine spark," as my mother used to call it. That is all there is to it. Races are men. "What a piece of work is man. How infinite in faculties, in form and moving. How express and admirable. In action, how like an angel."

Pvt. Buster Kilrain:
Well, if he's an angel, all right then. But he damn well must be a killer angel. Colonel, darling, you're a lovely man. I see a great vast difference between us, yet I admire you, lad. You're an idealist, praise be. The truth is, Colonel, there is no "divine spark." There's many a man alive no more of value than a dead dog. Believe me. When you've seen them hang each other the way I have back in the Old Country. Equality? What I'm fighting for is the right to prove I'm a better man than many of them. Where have you seen this "divine spark" in operation, Colonel? Where have you noted this magnificent equality? No two things on earth are equal or have an equal chance. Not a leaf, not a tree. There's many a man worse than me, and some better, but I don't think race or country matters a damn. What matters, Colonel, is justice. Which is why I'm here. I'll be treated as I deserve. Not as my father deserved. I'm Kilrain, and I damn all gentlemen. There is only one aristocracy, and that is right here. [taps his temple] And that's why we've got to win this war.

General Robert E. Lee:
General Ewell, I had hoped that after moving through the town, you would've taken that hill.

Lt. Gen. Richard Ewell:
I didn't think it was practical. Well, for many reasons. We'd marched all day, and we'd fought. And your orders were to caution against bringing on a general engagement.

Maj. Gen. Jubal Early:
There were reports of Federal troops in the north, sir. We couldn't bring sufficient artillery to bear on that hill. We decided it was best to wait for another of our divisions, Johnson's.

Lt. Gen. Richard Ewell:
Yes, sir. Johnson didn't arrive till after dark, just a while ago. He's out there now, looking over the terrain.

General Robert E. Lee:
General Early, do you think you can attack on your flank in the morning?

Maj. Gen. Jubal Early:
[sighs] That hill will be a very strong position once it's fortified, which is what they're doing right now, sir.

General Robert E. Lee:
I am very much aware of that, General.

Maj. Gen. Jubal Early:
Have you looked over the ground yourself, sir?

General Robert E. Lee:
From a distance only.

Maj. Gen. Jubal Early:
I do not think we should attack this point. This will be the strong point. Our troops have marched hard and fought hard toady. I suggest we hold here while the rest of the army attacks the other flank.

General Robert E. Lee:
Do you think an attack on your flank will succeed?

Maj. Gen. Jubal Early:
I think it would be very costly.

Lt. Gen. Richard Ewell:
Very costly, sir.

General Robert E. Lee:
General Rodes?

Maj. Gen. Robert Rodes:
We, uh, could attack of course, General, but the boys have had a good fight and that will be a strong position. General, I am sorry we didn't take that hill today.

General Robert E. Lee:
Well, this day is done. You know, General Longstreet proposes that we move our army around to the right, and flank the Federal army, and interpose between Meade and Washington.

Lt. Gen. Richard Ewell:
And to vacate this position? To leave this town we've just captured, sir?

General Robert E. Lee:
This town is of no military significance whatsoever, General.

Maj. Gen. Jubal Early:
To move this entire corps in the face of a fortified enemy?

General Robert E. Lee:
And yet you tell me that you cannot attack in the morning? Gentlemen, if we do not withdraw and if we do not move in the face the enemy then we must attack. Is there any alternative? General Hill?

Lt. Gen. Ambrose P. Hill:
No, sir.

General Robert E. Lee:
Very well. I do thank you, gentlemen.

[Generals Early, Rodes, and Hill salute and leave. General Ewell remains to speak to Lee.]

Lt. Gen. Richard Ewell:
[clears throat] General... I believe I may have been too slow today. I regret that very much. I was trying to be careful. May have been too careful.

General Robert E. Lee:
You won a victory this day, General. It was not a large victory. It could have been larger. Perhaps we could have pushed harder. But it was a victory nonetheless. And your people fought valiantly. This was your first campaign commanding a corps. Now you know it's not always as simple as it sometimes appears. Go and rest now for tomorrow.

Brig. Gen. Lewis Armistead:
Well, what do you hear about Sam Hood?

Lt. Gen. James Longstreet:
May lose an arm.

Brig. Gen. Lewis Armistead:
Dick Garnett ain't fit. Can't hardly walk. Thing is, if there's a fight, he can't stand to stay out of it. But if you ordered him to stay out of it... Huh. Don't suppose you could do that.

Lt. Gen. James Longstreet:
Mm-mm.

Irish Tenor:
[in the background] Kathleen Mavourneen, the gray dawn is breaking. The horn of the hunter is heard on the hill. The lark from the light... [continues song through conversation]

Lt. General James Longstreet:
Mm-hmm. That boy can sing. That's "Kathleen Mavourneen".

Brig. Gen Lewis Armistead:
[looks away, slightly husky voice] What do you hear about Hancock?

Lt. Gen James Longstreet:
[lighting pipe] Ran into him today. He's out there, 'bout a mile or so. Just a mile or so. He was... tough. Very tough today.

Brig. Gen. Lewis Armistead:
He's the best they got. God don't make 'em any better, and that's a fact. Well, I'd like to go over and see him as soon as I can. Last time I saw Win, we played that song, that very song. Back in California, we were all together for the last time. Before we broke up. Spring of '61. [pauses] Almira Hancock. You remember Almira, Hancock's wife? Beautiful woman. Most perfect woman I ever saw. They were a beautiful couple. Beautiful... Garnett was with me that night. A lot of fellows from the old outfit. People standin' around singin'. In the blue uniform. We were leavin', the next day. Some goin' North, some goin' South. Splittin' up. [looks up] A soldier's farewell. "Goodbye. Good luck. I'll see you in hell." [chuckles] You remember that? [sighs] Towards the end of the evening, we all sat around the piano. And Mira played that- that song there, that was the one she played. "May be for years, may be forever..." I'll never forget that. [laughs] You know how it was, Pete. [sits down, voice husky] Win was like a brother to me... Remember? [Longstreet nods] Towards the end of the evening... [shakes his head] things got a little rough. We all began to- Well, there were a lot of tears. [takes several shaky breaths] I went over to Hancock.. I-I took him by the shoulder. I said, "Win... so help me... if I ever raise my hand against you... may God strike me dead!" [pauses, quickly wipes his eyes] I ain't seen him since. He was at Malvern Hill, White Oak Swamp, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg... [sighs] One of these days... I will see him, I'm afraid. Across that small, deadly space. I thought about sittin' this one out, but I can't do that. That wouldn't be right, either. [wipes his eyes again] I guess not. [nods] Thank you, Peter. I had to talk about that.

Lt. Gen James Longstreet:
Yup.

Brig. Gen Lewis Armistead:
[stands, turns slightly] Um, I'm sending Almira Hancock a small package to be opened in the event of my death. [takes package from coat, holds it towards Longstreet] You'll drop by and see her, after all this is over... Won't you, Pete? [Longstreet takes the package] Thank you.

Lt. Thomas Chamberlain:
Hello, men. What outfit you with?

Confederate Prisoner:
Archer's Brigade, Heth's Division.

Lt. Thomas Chamberlain:
Where you from?

Confederate Prisoner:
Tennessee. How 'bout you?

Lt. Thomas Chamberlain:
Maine. I never been to Tennessee.

Confederate Prisoner:
I reckon I never been to Maine neither.

Lt. Thomas Chamberlain:
I don't mean no disrespect to you fightin' men. But sometimes I can't help but figure, why you fightin' this war?

Confederate Prisoner:
Why you fightin' it?

Lt. Thomas Chamberlain:
Well, to free the slaves, of course. And to preserve the Union.

Confederate Prisoner:
I don't know about some other folk but I ain't fightin' for no darkies, one way or the other. I'm fightin' for my rights [pronounced "rats"]. All of us that's what we're fightin' for.

Lt. Thomas Chamberlain:
For your what?

Confederate Prisoner:
For our rights. Why is it you folks can't just live the way you want to live, and let us live the way we do? Live and let live, I hear some folks say. Be a mite less fuss and bother if more folks took it to heart.

Lt. Thomas Chamberlain:
[nods slowly, considering the man's words] Where'd you get captured?

Confederate Prisoner:
Railroad cut just west of Gettysburg town. Wasn't a pretty sight. Many a good boy lost a young and promising life. Some were blue, some were grey. Seen enough of this war?

Lt. Thomas Chamberlain:
I guess I have.

Confederate Prisoner:
I guess I have, too. It looks like I'm gonna be sittin' out the rest of it.

Lt. Thomas Chamberlain:
[nods] Well, I appreciate you talkin' to me.

Confederate Prisoner:
[salutes] See you in hell, Billy Yank.

Lt. Thomas Chamberlain:
[salutes] See you in hell, Johnny Reb.

Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart:
You wish to see me, sir?

General Robert E. Lee:
[nods and sighs] It is the opinion of some... excellent officers that you have let us all down.

Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart:
[looking angry, voice raising] General Lee, sir, if you will please tell me who these gentlemen are...

General Robert E. Lee:
[quietly but sharply] There will be none of that. There is no time.

Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart:
Sir, I only ask that I be allowed to defend my...

General Robert E. Lee:
[sharper, and louder] There is no time. [Stuart stares for a moment in stunned silence] General Stuart... your mission was to free this army from the enemy cavalry and report any movement by the enemy's main body. That mission was not fulfilled. You left here with no word of your movement, or movement of the enemy, for several days. Meanwhile, we were engaged here and drawn into battle without adequate knowledge of the enemy's strength or position, without knowledge of the ground. So it is only by God's grace that we did not meet disaster here.

Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart:
General Lee, there were reasons...

General Robert E. Lee:
[holds up his hand for silence] Perhaps you misunderstood my orders? Perhaps I did not make myself clear. Well, sir... this must be made very clear. You, sir, with your cavalry, are the eyes of this army. Without your cavalry, we are made blind. That has already happened once. It must never, never happen again.

Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart:
[stares at the floor, then slowly draws his sword, holding it out] Sir... since I no longer hold the General's...

General Robert E. Lee:
[pounds the table with his fist, suddenly furious] I have told you, there is no time for that! There is no time! [Lee pauses, takes a deep breath, and calms down again] There is another fight comin' tomorrow, and we need you. We need every man, God knows. You must take what I have told you, and learn from it, as a man does. [He takes Stuart's sword and replaces it in its scabbard] There has been a mistake. It will not happen again; I know your quality. You are one of the finest cavalry officers I have ever known, and your service to this army has been invaluable. Now... let us speak no more of this. [Lee turns and slowly walks away; Stuart stares in silence for a moment, and Lee turns back to him] The matter is concluded. Good night, General.

[Director's Cut? Pickett has a private word with Longstreet]

Maj. Gen. George Pickett:
Well, sir, you are looking fine.

Lt. Gen. James Longstreet:
Lookin' lovely yourself, George.

Maj. Gen. George Pickett:
General... uh, no reflection on you, sir, but, well...you know, my division, my Virginia boys, we haven't seen all that much action for a long time. I mean, well, we weren't all that engaged at Fredericksburg; we missed Chancellorsville altogether, off on some piddlin' affair. Now they took two of my brigades, Corse and Jenkins, and sent them off to guard Richmond? I mean, Richmond, of all places? And now, sir, do you know where I have been placed in the line of march? Last, sir. That's where I am. Exactly last. I'm bringin' up the damn rear, beg pardon, sir. You see, my boys are beginning to feel a trifle disgusted at this attitude towards them as fightin' men. My boys --

Lt. Gen. James Longstreet:
George...

Maj. Gen. George Pickett:
Sir?

Lt. Gen. James Longstreet:
Please.

Maj. Gen. George Pickett:
Oh, I sure don't mean to imply you, sir. No. Hell no, sir. No, it's just, uh... well, the bureaucrats. See, I was just... I was hoping, sir, that you could talk to somebody about this arrangement of the troops.

Lt. Gen. James Longstreet:
Would you like me to move the whole army to the side so you can go first?

Maj. Gen. George Pickett:
Sir? [chuckles] Now that you mention it...

Lt. Gen. James Longstreet:
There is no plot, George. It's just the way things fell out. I mean, hell, look at it this way. If the army has to turn around, fight its way back... well, you'll be first in line.

Maj. Gen. George Pickett:
Yes... yes, I suppose that is true, isn't it? You understand, sir. It's just that this whole damn war might be over after one more bout, and my Virginia boys will have missed most of it.

Lt. Gen. James Longstreet:
Yeah, I know. How far back are they?

Maj. Gen. George Pickett:
Chambersburg. A hard day's march, sir.

Lt. Gen. James Longstreet:
Mm-hmm... I know I can count on you, George, when the time comes. And it will come. It will come.

Brig. Gen. Lewis Armistead:
[walks up] Sorry to butt in, but they're calling for George over at the poker table. Your fame, sir, has preceded you.

Maj. Gen. George Pickett:
Well... thank you, General. [shakes Longstreet's hand] Well...cheerio, fellas.

Brig. Gen. Lewis Armistead:
Don't forget to bring your money.


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