For God, Family and Republic

Movie Review
One of my favorite movies of all time is probably the 2003 screen adaptation of novelist Jeff Shaara's bestselling book Gods and Generals. I saw it with a number of college friends in 2003 while attending Liberty, in Lynchburg, VA. The film began in early 1861 and continues on through 1862 to May 1863. It follows the exploits of the noble Confederate Robert Edward Lee, commander of the Army of Northern Virginia and his compatriot, the illustrious Confederate General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson (played by Stephen Lang), commander of Virginia's 1st Brigade. The film alternates between capturing both sides, and focuses attentively on Lt. Col. Joshua Chamberlain (played by Jeff Daniels), commander of the 20th Maine. The choreography is beautifully well done in my humble opinion, and the soundtrack is electric and appropriate for the historical period as well. The movie was a good three hours, and is available on a two-DVD set.

The 2003 blockbuster film Gods and Generals directed by Ron Maxwell follows the Union and Confederate armies in the Virginia theater from First Manassas to Fredericksburg to Chancellorsville. It is a very authentic presentation of the late War Between the States, and even encompasses some of the various general's famous words on the field and on their deathbed.

No film has ever before attempted to cast such a complex portrait of Confederate General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson. Gods and Generals drew some criticism from nit-picker critics for being 'too Confederate' in its sympathies, but the fact remains that no character on the opposing side in this story possessed the stature that Jackson held. Ron Maxwell's forthcoming film The Last Full Measure will feature Union Generals Grant and Sherman however. So, the trilogy will feature some prominent Union personalities.

Gen. "Stonewall" Jackson: Stephen Lang
Gen. Robert E. Lee: Robert Duvall
Lt. Col. Joshua Chamberlain: Jeff Daniels
Sgt. Thomas Chamberlain: C. Thomas Howell
Sgt. "Buster" Kilrain: Kevin Conway
Gen. John Bell Hood: Patrick Gorman
Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock: Brian Mallon

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Related Links:

American Rhetoric - Thomas Jonathan ("Stonewall") Jackson Addresses Virginia's 1st Brigade at the Battle of Manassas

American Rhetoric - General Robert E. Lee Accepts Command of the Citizen's Army of Virginia