"He's given me my country back." A REAL Review of 'God's and Generals' (Post your review here)

The Vision Forum ^ | 2/20/03 | Doug Phillips

[4CJ]

I love those letters, and others like them. It is my humble opinion that they give us a much clearer picture of the war than some of the other materials available.

Regarding the movie - I was looking for to seeing Duval as Robert E. Lee [instead of Sheen who was pathetic] - Duval was excellent. The only problem I ever have with any movie depicting the South is the accents - it can't be taught - it must be lived and earned. It was this reason that kept my wife and chilren from enjoying the movie - they said they sounded like hicks. Jeff Daniels was disappointing in G&G, he was much more convincing in Gettysburg. And I would have liked to have seen more about the average families left behind, instead of the "Gone with the Wind" genteel society.

If there was any other fault to the movie, it would be that I would have enjoyed seeing a few more minutes devoted to the nuances of the times, the patriotism devoted to one's state [versus the nationalism of today], the economic issues and the fiercely contested sovereignty of the several states.

That said, I wish the movie was longer than the 4 hours, I loved it! The wife and kids weren't as thrilled as I was, as they did not recognize much of the historical accuracy depicted in the movie. Numerous viewers attended in period dress which just about everyone seemed to get a kick out of.

Now the good - the depiction of Jackson was awesome, Lang did a masterful job of capturing Gen. Jackson. To me the movie was a close to perfection, it is obvious why liberals will hate this movie - it is literally filled with Christianity. To that add several scenes of blacks cheering for the Southern soldiers, and blacks aiding the Southern cause, which will simply short-circuit liberal minds.

From the opening scene to the end, Gods & Generals is filled with self-professiong Christians, Christianity and the belief that God directs the lives of men. It is a movie of epic proportions, and identifies the Southerners with the lands and their close ties to it - it was their home they were defending. As I watched the battle scenes, I thought of my ancestors that participated in those battles, and the hardship and devastion they suffered and witnessed, the lives they sacrificed, the loved ones they left behind.

Maxwell did a masterful job, and this movie is one that I will watch again and again.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Yes it does. And, yes, I have enjoyed very much reading these letters. Another one, from one of the womenfolk who writes just after "the Yankees" came onto her land during the fighting is so revealing - I may post it. The war involved not just the soldiers but those with homes/lands that were literally "invaded". Anyway - it is an awesome thing to read about what they endured - straight from their "lips" so to speak.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Thanks for the review. Will find a way to see this movie - and enjoy it, despite the fake accents.

[4CJ]

Will find a way to see this movie - and enjoy it, despite the fake accents.

Lol! It's not to be missed - the faked accents will disappear, time literally flies as you watch - the movie certainly does not drag. If you have the time, read a good biography of Stonewall before attending. That any director could bring to life Jackson's devout Christianity was amazing - and without the usual belittlement at that. The movie does not focus on the battles - it focuses on the people. I look forward to watching it again.

[stand watie]

i'm not sure GEN Scott was correct. as he was NOT there on the scene at the time.

my beloved Noemi _______ y __________, a Mexican citizen btw, says your characterization of the Mexican army is flawed.

free dixie,sw

[Jael]

Thought I would check in with you and see if you guys caught the movie?

[Jael]

Freeper reviews here of God's and Generals.

[js1138]

I liked it. I'm used to BBC miniseries that last 8-12 hours. There's an intermission, so you get a potty break. I'd pick a theater with the best seats.

[Jael]

Thanks so much for the letters. I am so sorry I am just now getting back to you!!! I will write more later!!!

[Jael]

I did like it as well. There is so much that people do not realize about that war. That people's homes were invaded, that their land was destroyed. It is never mentioned in public schools that Lincoln's Army were invading soveriegn states.

[js1138]

I'm a born and bred Southerner. My father's father knew people who fought in the Civil War (Virginia). The problem is I have never been able to stomach slavery or racism. The last time I can recall saying anything racist was 1954 (I go back a while). I had major disputes with friends in high school over this.

The South had every legal argument in its favor at the start of the war. Too bad Lincoln beat them to the slavery issue.

[Jael]

I agree with you about slavery. But regardless of that, at the time it was legal. There was no lawful cause to invade the homes and land of the people who lived here. They were citizens, and what Lincoln did was unlawful.

Slavery would of died out, and probably sooner than later. But nothing about the war was about slavery in the beginning. It was simply a federal government gone mad, with a blood lust to boot.

[Theo]

Obscure bump for a great movie....