Gettysburg / Gods and Generals (Limited Collector's Edition) [Blu-ray]

When I saw that Warner Bros. was finally going to release Gods & Generals and Gettysburg in the director's cut format I was elated beyond belief. These two movies are at the top of my list of Civil War movies. Yes, I know about some of the inaccuracies - it's unfortunate that most (if not all) historical movies have their faults - but I still really love these two movies up and beyond all others of their genre.Being as anxious as I was, I did not want to wait until July for the box set and ended up purchasing both as individuals upon their release in May. Now, before I get into the actual reviews of the movies themselves I would like to review the packaging. The individual release packaging was one of the best I have seen for any movie. Not only does one receive the extended director's cut of both movies but a full booklet with each set! These booklets include notes from Ron Maxwell himself, information about the battles, the actors and the historical figures they portray, and loads of photos. There is also plenty of Civil War facts and figures including a time line.I was like a kid at Christmas...better yet, these sets were released two days after my birthday - what a gift!Let's jump up a couple of months and I'm at the local department store and I see the Box Set of both movies. By purchasing this set I would also receive (besides the movies themselves) a commemorative bronze Lincoln coin, a 40 page photo booklet of Civil War artifacts and correspondence, a 32 page booklet from Time magazine's new book on the Civil War, and even a two-sided historical map. Okay, being the Gettysburg and Gods & Generals fan that I am. I went home and found it even cheaper on Amazon, so I shelled out the bucks (a good discount, I might add, so re-buying the movies wasn't too terribly wasteful) for the set. I figured I can give the extra movies away as a gift.I have to admit I was slightly disappointed. Not necessarily in the items that came with the box set itself, but with the disc packaging: the awesome booklets that were in my May releases were nowhere to be found. Instead, the packagings of both movies were in simple average Blu Ray plastic boxes. I would have thought, without question, that the very same packaging from May would have been included in this collector's box set. I must say I am now glad I purchased the movies individually instead of only waiting for the box. To me, as a collector, it was well worth the money (especially at the discounted pricing). But, because of WB chinsing on the packaging for the box, I gave this set 4 instead of 5 stars.So, now I am going to give away the box set discs and just slide in the booklet versions (I had to remove the cardboard insert from the box - no big deal) and I will have the ultimate Gods & Generals and Gettysburg Box Set!Now for the movies:GODS & GENERALS:Gods and Generals does a very good job at depicting the earlier battles of the Civil War. Although it's always leaned heavily toward the southern point of view in its original form, this new director's cut has been divided into chapters and totally re-edited to fit in the extra hours worth of scenes, some of which include involving President Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth, more of the Chamberlains, and, especially for fans of battles, Antietam. It now gives a more balanced perspective of North and South. Because the entire movie has been re-edited in this way I don't believe I could watch the original theatrical release again. Yes, all the scenes are there - intact - but the entire movie is so much less choppy and so much more cohesive (it would have been nice to show the picnicking civilians at Manassas - oh well...).A couple of my favorite parts of the newly restored scenes includes the showing of camp life in a union camp, including teaching the new recruits the way to load and fire a gun, and the meeting of Joshua and Fannie Chamberlain with actor Booth.Pay close attention to the other actor who is with Booth toward the end of the movie...Gods & Generals has much more drama than most battle-oriented films, but that just gives the viewer a much more well-rounded feeling of life during the early 1860's.GETTYSBURG:Except for a few exceptions (why are there always exceptions?) Gettysburg is another MOSTLY historically correct film. I feel the biggest reason for this is due to the fact that re-enactors have played such a prominent role in the making of both of these films, making sure that they're as historically correct as the producers would allow, right down to the buttons on the uniforms worn by the fighting men (yes, yes, I KNOW about the facial hair, but those aren't re-enactors! Blame the costume/make up people on that!). And the battle scenes are as realistic as can possibly be done. When you watch the men during Pickett's charge and see the anguished look on the general's face during the aftermath, one gets the feeling of actually witnessing the carnage that took place.And the Little Round Top scene will get your heart beating just as it must have beat in the men who were there. Truly gripping.Another very long but engulfing movie filled with battles and tactics, this truly brings the viewer into the horrific time of early July 1863.Both movies help to bring the people of the Civil War alive - the men on both sides who fought in this war are no longer just old sepia-toned pictures in a history book, or silly 1950's b-movie style characters, but real men who fought and died horrible deaths. I wish more historical epics would use re-enactors in the movie making process (The Conspirator did!). They truly help bring the past to life.Jeff Shaara, author of the original book on which Gods & Generals is based, stated in an interview (from the Gods and Generals magazine), "Hollywood has a dismal record of portraying history. Historical films have one purpose - to make money - and it seems they have two means of realizing that. One, tell a story the studio thinks the audience wants to see, and thus tilt the story to whatever political correctness is in vogue. The second purpose is to allow one particular big time actor the chance to do 'cool things' on the screen. Though many of these films are entertaining, the one thing missing is any responsibility to give the audience the truth about the event being portrayed."It's unfortunate that too many people take Hollywood historical movies as fact and the majority of movie watchers usually do not get a good part of the truth. Gods & Generals and Gettysburg are different - they do a better job than most at accuracy. Do not let the length scare you off. From beginning to end, I was held to my seat, greatly anticipating the next scene of both films.I highly recommend purchasing both movies - whether through the box set or individually - and spending a weekend (and it will take an entire weekend!) in the early 1860's.By the way, I would absolutely love to see a movie showing what the civilians of the town of Gettysburg had to endure during that summer - and even into November for Lincoln's visit - of 1863. Many folks do not realize what they went through during (and for months after) the battle. Every bit as exciting as the battle itself!One more thing, if you get a chance, please do yourself a favor and(A) take a trip to Gettysburg to see for yourself the awesome battlefields and still-intact town. And it's within an hour from Antietam, an hour and a half from Harper's Ferry, and just a few hours from most other east coast battle fields. It would be a vacation steeped in history.(B) Go to a Civil re-enactment and see for yourself the excitement of battle.Thank you to all involved for bringing our history to life accurately!

Gods and Generals (Jeff Shaara) and his father (Michael Shaara's) The Killer Angels (Gettysburg) made into movies by director Ron Maxwell and produced by Ted Turner. These two of three novels were turned into movies but due to non finance the third novel The Last Full Measure (Jeff Shaara) was never made into a movie depicting the end of The Civil War. The three novels and two movies are very interesting along with the hope that someone, somewhere will someday complete the movie trilogy.

Our country's history is a tumultuous one. The civil war almost brought this country to it's knees and it ultimately dictated the fate of our nation that was so painfully tested.The 150th commemoration of the civil war set offers two epic films depicting this struggle for the fate of our nation.The set itself comes in a nicely detailed and textured box and the presentation is overall well done but not without issue. The copy I received from Amazon had some minor imperfections. The one corner was a dark black color. The lid doesn't sit quite square on the box and slips down in a hair. The back corner had a slight tear. The set was still wrapped in the shrink wrap with backer. So I assume this is likely wear from just sitting around for a few years. The 150th afterall was 2015 iirc.The inside too has a packet of materials but the envelope things were in was cracked and a bit brittle. I assume this may have been from heat or just contents being shifted around while moving, etc.The interior contents like the map, booklets and coin were all present and in good shape. The important thing is that the discs were still on their spindles and fine.Had I spent the full retail price I would have been more irritated. Considering I got the set for $50 with the interior contents is still a worthwhile purchase. The bluray for Gettysburg Director's cut itself is nearly $25-$30 give or take.So what about the films themselves?Gettysburg's theatrical cut has always been epic. The additional footage is appreciated but ultimately I don't feel it adds a whole lot to the film. There is one scene however that I appreciate and that is showing some of the civilians of the town of Gettysburg which adds a nice perspective. If you ever visit Gettysburg in person? There is a lot to see and do in town in fact like the Jennie Wade house where she was shot while baking bread. Things like this don't really feature in the film so the inclusion of civilians adds some element of the impact the battle had on the populace of the town. Even if the main hook of the film is the major fighting over the three days.The film was shot on location which adds a lot of authenticity you don't get in other films. Many reenactors also helped to film the large battle scenes and they are spectacular. The film goes to great lengths to explain some of the strategy in a way that feels natural while making sense to the viewer.Gettysburg's greatest strength is that it tries to be even handed and give each side a chance to tell their perspective. Then we have Gods and Generals...Gods and Generals' theatrical cut has been criticized as being southern propaganda. Viewing the theatrical cut does leave you with that impression. Apparently the director's cut adds almost an hour of additional footage which makes it a far better film. I can't speak to the director's cut yet. I have heard that it's the version you should watch and not to bother with the theatrical cut.For instance the theatrical cut for some reason portrays Stonewall Jackson's servant as being able to read. Slaves at that time were typically prohibited from reading. It also portrays this man as though he has a choice in being in Jackson's employ.The HD presentation is nice, unfortunately the special features are on a DVD and appear largely the same as previous releases. At the end of the day this commemorative set is well worth picking up especially if you haven't seen the director's cut of either film.

I already had a copy of "Gettysburg" (which I enjoyed), but not "Gods and Generals" .I will therefore review only "Gods and Generals". I found it a little of a "slow burner" to start with, but two aspects really stood out. The battle scenes really are exceptional (even the re-enactors were impressed apparently). The second aspect (which I initially found irritating) was the habit of the officers of always addressing each other by rank and NAME. I soon realised, however, that, were it not for this, I would lose track of who was who. It was also interesting to see snapshots of life off the battlefield.Had I not already seen "Gettysburg", this film would have encouraged me to do so.

Two of my favourite films now on Blueray and complete with further historical data, not only a chance to view the films in HD but a true collectors item for those either interested in the American Civil War, or indeed the quality of these films themselves as stand alone achievments in story telling.A must have for anyone that enjoys this era.

I have the books and I've owned Gettysburg on VHS and both titles on DVD. I now have this set. I have to say that although I loved the theatrical releases, these two versions, especially Gods and Generals, were fantastic in comparison. Previously the story seemed to be about Thomas Jackson, but the full film opened the story up and showed much more of the characters, their individual stories, and a few more battles which they took part in. I would thoroughly recommend this set to anyone who ejoys a detailed account of the Civil War.

Lovely box with lots of goodies included. Films are superb and very well presented. Fast delivery safely packed, friendly service.