GETTYSBURG: EXTENDED EDIT - SP

I have just upgraded from DVD to Blu-ray and can confirm that the quality of sound and vision is excellent. The film does not not cover the Battle of Gettysburg in its entirety, but the salient features are included in some detail. The initial encounter between Buford's cavalry and the confederates, followed by the battle of Little Round Top and finally the devastating Pickett's charge - which is covered in almost real time. This is an excellent film and a worthy addition to the library of anyone interested in the American Civil War.

General Meade (the Unionist Army Commander) has been completely erased out of this story for some reason and the crucial second days fighting is hardly mentioned at all. A film, even at 4 hours long, cannot tell the whole story and there will always be 'artistic license' but the ridiculous English cariacature of Captain Freemantle drinking tea out of a porcelain cup and saucer on the battlefield was hilarious! I could have done without the heavy music too on many of the scenes. Still a very watchable and interesting film with all the effects that Hollywood could throw at it. It does manage to capture the tension, drama and horror of the battle and the acting overall is superb.

Even though nearly 4 hours long the film was a splendid re-enactment of a crucial, maybe the crucial, battle of the American Civil War. Could have been cut for length as the out-of-battle scenes dragged a bit but the battlefield scenes themselves were utterly compelling. Taken from the book 'The Killer Angels' (I am told also excellent) the phrase 'Killer Angels' is used in the film. The secondary characters were as fascinating as the principals and often stole the scenes they were in. Great stuff, popular with military specialists.

Another great American civil war film, this time Martin Sheen Plays General Lee and does it really well, in fact all the actors are excellent, battle scenes look really authentic and the film portrays the period really well, colour and sound are excellent, but the sound lets the film down as the volume is very low, tested on two amps. aside from that I would recommend the film. I would have given 5 stars but the sound lets it down.

My knowledge of the American civil war exceeds the average of a Brit, but I kept finding myself pausing the film at various points to consult Google and kept on just finding out more and more American history. It was all very interesting and if this film is relatively accurate I hope it's enhanced my understanding of Americans today. As a drama and narrative, it was excellent. The roster of actors in this film is very impressive and the film did a great job of getting the viewer to feel emotion for both sides.

It's not that the film is not good, it's just that it doesn't grasp you. It leaves you yawning on the side of the road. I watched the first part and could bring myself to watch the second part. I'm really interested in the American civil war, but this is just not very riveting.

This film is brilliant, the battle scenes, in particular the final day are unbelievably real, I have watched it many times over, having read much about this famous battle it does stick close to the facts. Certainly brings home the tragedy of this event.

Sticks to an account of the battle with relatively accurate historical accuracy. This is a long, long film lasting about 4-5 hours but keeps you entertained even for that long - what other film can claim this? Acting is tremendous with some well known & lesser know actors.