Gods and General
September 2003 Reviewed by: Rad Bennett Format: DVD	(all ratings out of 5): Overall Enjoyment Picture Quality Packaged Extras Sound Quality

Director Ronald E. Maxwell has devoted a major portion of his life to filming the story of the Civil War, as depicted by Michael and Jeffrey M. Sharra in their fact-based novels. Using thousands of Civil War reenactors, Maxwell has been able to re-create the major battles of the conflict with amazing accuracy and sweeping scope. He has also reproduced other period details, including interiors, clothing, trains, wagons, and weapons, with nit-picking accuracy.

Gettysburg, though the second part of a proposed trilogy, was the first film released, and stands as one of the best movies ever made about our peculiarly American struggle. An epic movie, it fully re-created the middle of the conflict at its turning point. Though long, it was well structured and acted magnificently, its message and content justifying its 254-minute DVD length. Gods and Generals, which covers the period before Gettysburg, is not as successful.

The same meticulous attention to period detail is in evidence, and the battles are just as awesome. But in between the battles, the scenes rattle off like the tableaux of a Civil War calendar. Each seems as important as the other, and the tone becomes preachy and pedantic. Gettysburg covered a relatively short period. Gods and Generals deals with several years and three different battles (Manassas, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville). Rather than cover each in the same detail afforded Gettysburg, the film often opts for sweeping generalities and grand symbolic gestures. I still believe every American should see it, but would advise him or her to take it in mini-series-sized segments, stretching it over two or three nights.

The production values, as mentioned, are very high, and the DVD lives up to them. The picture is rich and colorful yet quite detailed. The opening title sequence, which shows various flags from both Yankee and Confederate regiments, is a stunning sight. Once you see that, you know you can settle back for the highly satisfactory video. The sound is even better. I have never heard battle sequences that sounded so spacious or realistic. The explosions take place behind, in front, and to the side of the viewer, often imaging where there are no speakers placed. The booming sounds even sound like they are coming from above, and one can easily tell mortars from regular cannon shots or musket fire. This meticulous sound design puts the viewer right in the action. The audio tracks also deliver the music and dialogue well. There is no constriction or annoying overlapping. Every sound is clear. The sound design of the movie should be up for an Academy Award nomination next year. I’ve not heard anything better.

DVD extras include moving music videos by Bob Dylan and Mary Fahl, as well as three documentaries. The first of these is "Journey to the Past," which discusses the African-American slave experience during the period of the film. The second, "The Life of Thomas ‘Stonewall’ Jackson" is a self-explanatory biography. The third is called "The Authenticities of the Film," and explores settings and locations for the movie. This was particularly interesting to me, for the major portion of it is devoted to the Fredericksburg sequences. These were actually shot in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, right down the road from where I live. It is amazing to see how movie magic turned a familiar, often-walked setting into a new location!

Additional extras include a theatrical trailer, a very insightful commentary track by director Maxwell and two of the film’s historical advisors, as well as a DVD-Rom link to further information. The movie and extras are contained on a single double-sided, dual-layer disc. Though the layer changes are unusually smooth, there is a break to turn the disc over. Considering the film’s nature and length, this interruption will more likely be cheered than cursed.

Gods and Generals is an excellent movie, just not a great one like Gettysburg. It should be seen, and many will desire the DVD as a demonstration disc for a good 5.1 sound system.

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