Gods and Generals (2003)

★ 6.3 3h 39m 191 votes IMDb
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Gods and Generals

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Cast

Stephen Lang
Stephen Lang as Lt. Gen. Thomas Stonewall Jackson Age 73 · New York City, New York, USA Stephen Lang (born July 11, 1952) is an American actor and playwright. He started in theatre on Broadway but is well known for his film portrayals of Stonewall Jackson in Gods and Generals (2003), Geo...
Jeff Daniels
Jeff Daniels as Lt. Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain Age 71 · Athens, Georgia, USA Jeffrey Warren "Jeff" Daniels (born February 19, 1955) is an American actor. He founded a non-profit theatre company, the Purple Rose Theatre Company, in his home state of Michigan. He has performed i...
Robert Duvall
Robert Duvall as Gen. Robert E. Lee Died 2026 · San Diego, California, USA Robert Selden Duvall (January 5, 1931 – February 15, 2026) was an American actor and filmmaker. He is the recipient of an Academy Award, four Golden Globe Awards, a BAFTA Award, two Primetime Emmy Awa...
Kevin Conway
Kevin Conway as Sgt. Buster Kilrain Died 2020 · New York City, New York, USA Kevin Conway (May 29, 1942 - February 5, 2020) was an American stage and film actor. He studied Acting at the Dramatic Workshop at Carnagie Hall, and drama at HB Studio in Greenwich Village, New York...
C. Thomas Howell
C. Thomas Howell as Sgt. Thomas Chamberlain Age 59 · Los Angeles, California, USA Christopher Thomas Howell (born December 7, 1966), usually credited as C. Thomas Howell, is an American actor and film director. He starred in the films The Outsiders as Ponyboy Curtis and in The Hitc...
Jeremy London
Jeremy London as Capt. Alexander 'Sandie' Pendleton Age 53 · San Diego, California, USA Jeremy Michael London (born November 7, 1972) is an American actor. He is best known for his regular roles on Party of Five, 7th Heaven, and I'll Fly Away, a starring role in the 1995 comedy film Mall...

Audience Reviews

Mark Rushow 4/10 Jun 22, 2017
It is too afraid of reality to depict truths. Rather it hides behind a facade of being artistically 'old filmy' in styling; as too paint the whole in the romanticised vision (whitewash) held by those that love the idea of the Civil War. It was rather unbearable to say the least.
Wuchak 8/10 Jul 08, 2019
***Way better than "Gettysburg"***

Even though I love the Civil War I waited a full six and a half years before catching the prequel "Gods and Generals" (2003). Why? Because 1993's "Gettysburg" was so unimpressive. While "Gettysburg" has some worthwhile scenes it was merely okay on a whole, and sometimes downright tedious. How the filmmakers made the Civil War's biggest battle boring (generally speaking) is beyond me.

Gods and Generals" is the prequel detailing the battles of First Bull Run, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, which are largely viewed through the lens of Stonewall Jackson (Stephan Lang) on the Confederate side and the Chamberlain brothers (Jeff Daniels and C. Thomas Howell) of Maine on the Union side. Also on hand is, of course, Robert E. Lee, played by Robert Duvall, who does a more engaging portrayal than Martin Sheen in "Gettysburg." The film starts off slow and builds momentum. By contrast, "Gettysburg" started off slower and never became engaging with the exception of Little Round Top and Pickett's Charge.

Where "Gods and Generals" really pulled me in was the battle scenes of Fredericksburg and the aftermath. It showed how Civil War troops were required to march, shoot & reload in formation while rifles and friggin’ cannons are blasting their way. The Chamberlain brothers had to sleep on the battlefield that night. Imagine sleeping amongst all those dead bodies and dying, moaning soldiers! This was very well done.

There are quite a few other great scenes, like the Yankee and Reb soldiers meeting in the middle of the river to exchange coffee for tobacco; the execution of three deserters; and the "perfect battle" for the Confederates at Chancellorsville where General Lee, with a much smaller force, takes the risk of dividing his army and executing a surprise attack. Unfortunately for the Confederates they won at a huge cost as General Jackson loses his "right arm" to friendly fire.

The story ends on a slow, melancholy note.

I was impressed with the battle in the town scene. The town looked so authentic. Watching the documentary afterward I learned how they accomplished this: they filmed it at Harpers Ferry, WV.

Some have complained that the Southern viewpoint is shown in a more positive light than the Northern, but I disagree. While it seems more time is spent with Jackson & Lee's story, considerable time is certainly given to the North as well; the film does an excellent job of taking the middle road between the two positions.

The film was shot on location in Virginia, Maryland and Harpers Ferry, WV and runs 3 hours and 39 minutes. The Director's Cut (which I haven't seen) runs a full hour longer and features the bloody battle of Antietam and a subplot with John Wilkes Booth.

FINAL WORD: If you thought "Gettysburg" was boring don't let that prevent you from checking out "Gods and Generals." Yes, you have to be ready for a long movie and it does have some slow, dramatic parts but it builds momentum and it's one of best Civil War films in helping the viewer visualize the battles and many other aspects.

WARNING: Believe it or not, the film shows overt depictions of Bible reading, citation and prayer!! It also dares to show Christianity and marriage (between a man and woman) in a positive light!! Oh my God!!!

GRADE: B+/A-

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