History Professor Breaks Down "Gettysburg" (Part 4) / Reel History

[@jackdevoss7696]

I was an extra/reenactor for this film. I still have the medal they gave us that says Killer Angels before they changed the title to Gettysburg. There weren't enough Reb reenactors for the Charge, so they had us on the Union side galvanize and become Rebs. My unit literally charges at itself in this scene. I play a Reb, and then am with my regular group who are the union soldiers in the scene where Hancock orders a flanking movement. You are correct that we were not on the field during the charge filming - except for the first take, where we got too excited and went too far. We got yelled at by the Rangers. Also correct - a remote-controlled helicopter flew over us to get the aerial shots.

[@bradleykeefer8896]

I was there for all the same stuff. Charging on the original field as Rebs was the experience of a reenacting lifetime.

[@bryanheath8138]

Well spoken and well done!

[@BjrnOttoVasbottenbjovas]

It looks fantastic, CGI can still not in any way do this right. Same with movies such as Waterloo and a bridge too far

[@wedgeantilles4712]

Lee: "You must look to your division" Pickett: "General Lee. I have no division". The look, emotion and acting on Stephen Langs face is second to none in that scene.

[@twinsboy_3410]

I love the way Schaara portrays Lee. Old, tired, week, bewildered, confused, overly praying. Lee was responsible for so much death on his own side. Lee is one of the MOST overrated generals in history. Traitor, war criminal.

[@grumblesa10]

However accurate, Lee did not approve of Pickett's reaction or reply; as it was not how an officer acted (or arguably how one would be expected to act today). He felt that Pickett basically was abandoning his unit and had given up, instead of seeing to his wounded and reorganizing/replenishing any surviving men. I believe one can interpret Lee's expression, not of realizing the impact of what he just ordered, but shock that an officer would lose his composure as completely as Pickett. In fact, he wanted him out of the ANV, and IIRC it took Longstreet to keep him there. There is a story that in 1864 Lee happened to see Pickett,and demanded to know why he was still in the ANV. Says it all.

[@googalacticgoo]

That is unfair to Pickett when this tragedy falls on General Lees orders

[@P38DLightning]

Every time I hear that line, it makes me tear up.

[@jackmessick2869]

It is amplified by the pre-battle portrayal of Pickett's jaunty, devil-may-care attitude about war (actually likening secession and war to a dispute at a gentleman's club).

[@Taco0718]

The last scene of the film of the Chamberlain brothers embracing always brings a metaphorical tear to my eye.

[@dadsongs]

Thanks for all four parts of this series on Gettysburg, the movie. I was there during "Pickett's Charge Week", and I look back on those experiences as some of the most extraordinary things I have ever done. I've had some time on my hands during the last couple of days (while recovering from the dreaded Headcold From Hell), so -- lucky you -- I wanted to share a couple memories with you. I was involved in filming Pickett's Charge during the phases that come last in the film. Back in the early 90s, I did a private soldier's impression as part of the 125th NY Vols. We were fortunate to have a place on the recreated wall that was as close to the original unit's position as possible. As you've mentioned, that filming took place at a location west of the National Park. Each time the rebels stepped off and came across the field, which they did at least four times, the director "called roll" (my term) of the cameras in the form of, "Ready A camera! Ready B camera", and so forth. I remember hearing him get to "H" or so. In other words, there may have been as many as eight cameras rolling. About halfway through, I heard one of the directors give the following speech through a bullhorn, recreated here: "It has occurred to us that nobody is dying over here. So, here's what we're gonna do: Anyone who has a birthday between January and June, you must take a hit in the following takes!" I was a November baby. It was then that I had the sudden realization that I would have a much better chance of being seen in that vast field of blue uniforms if I was dead! My next memory is how during the very next take I saw a rebel aim squarely at my chest and fire. That was my cue to eat Pennsylvania soil. And guess what? I can pick myself out on the screen!

[@Flamekiller20]

As someone born and raised in a Little town near Gettysburg, it is amazing how much I don't know about the battle here. This breakdown is fantastic. Thank you!

[@FlankerJackChannel]

This battle is studied from so many different perspectives and it is amazing that the amalgamation of characters that participated and their impact on American society needs to be studied and remembered.

[@sethgraham9312]

The wood and nail from the pommel of Hancock’s saddle was actually removed by an army surgeon shortly after being taken to a field hospital. The bullet that went through the pommel and into Hancock was still unable to be removed. He endured multiple surgeries attempting to remove it and was sent home to recover. His wound remained open for months after with the bullet still lodged in his hip. A family doctor who was at his house attending to him talked Hancock into sitting on a saddle just like he was doing when he was wounded and was able to remove the bullet in the position as he received the wound. He was able to return to his command while still recovering and from multiple accounts was often seen pouring water on the still open wound trying to sooth it. It often cause him excruciating pain while riding his horse. He struggled with the wound for the rest of the war and his life. He continued to be an excellent General throughout the war.

[@ruthgallagher1168]

He was diabetic which more likely than not added to his inability to heal properly

[@Gitarzan66]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that his his doctor had him sit on a chair on top of his dinning room table and used a dowel to mimic the direction the bullet had traveled.

[@robertbruce6865]

Very well done, Sir! As I’ve mentioned in previous videos, I first visited Gettysburg at the age of 11, and have visited 5 times from my home in SW Michigan. I actually corrected a tour guide on my first visit…to my father’s chagrin…as to the actual direction of Law’s assault on Little Round Top. I briefly considered a career as a Tour Guide myself, so I have respect and a small degree of envy for yourself. I dragged my reluctant wife for a visit on our way to Washington DC. She does not share my love of History and Gettysburg. After I took her around the Battlesite, she stated that she loved the place and loved having her own personal tour guide who brought the stories to life for her. We had gone to see the movie Gettysburg a few years previous, and I was able to successfully connect the movie to the Battlesite for her. As someone who has loved Gettysburg for almost a half century, I am awed by your stories and storytelling ability. I am going to seek out your book. I thank you wholeheartedly for taking the time to put these videos together. Again, I can see that you must have been a VERY successful guide who loves the stories and is a powerful storyteller. History isn’t just dates and places…the stories are what makes History powerful and alive. My Compliments, Sir.

[@dougcook7507]

Another major note in Chamberlains Civil War career was that he was the commanding officer in charge at the actual surrender ceremony of Lee's army at Appomattox Court House.

[@BradanKlauer-mn4mp]

And there he met General John B. Gordon, who was by all accounts equally as gallant as Chamberlain. At the Battle of Antietam, for example, Gordon was wounded several times and nearly bled to death and had to be hospitalized for months before he returned to the Army of Northern Virginia. Gordon said of Chamberlain after the surrender ceremony that “[General Chamberlain] was the knightliest man I ever met.”

[@FlankerJackChannel]

I had just started college as a history major when this movie came out. One of the most important side notes of reading The Killer Angels and watching Gettysburg is that Chamberlain was the officer who accepted the southern surrender and his act was to bring his troops to order and salute the southern side in attendance. Your point about this trying to be a cautionary tale about the horrors of War makes me think that this is the American version of A Bridge Too Far. Plus, the early 90s was a great time for these type of mini-series.

[@michaelvaughn8864]

I'd just graduated from college myself the previous May before filming Gettyburg commenced in early August, 1992, sir. All of the actors who performed as both Union & Confederate officers and men did nothing short of an outstanding job portraying them👌💯 To me, it was C. Thomas Howell who was unexpectedly amazing as Lt. Tom Chamberlain

[@jannarkiewicz633]

I just made the same comment. I knew I couldn't be the first.

[@bryanbond7804]

My wife and I stopped in Gettysburg for a couple of days on our honeymoon. It was true awe inspiring sobering experience that everyone should see at least once in their lives. The details and preservation is truly remarkable.

[@FallGuyManiac]

Have seen this movie many times, including in the theater when it came out in 1993. Two of my favorite moments, that i almost get chills from, is seeing all those cannon lined up at the start of Pickett's Charge, and the ranks upon ranks of re-enactors. I believe that this was possibly most cannon assembled in one place (and firing) in the US since the Civil War.

[@DrTarrandProfessorFether]

note: Arthur J L Fremantle book,Three months in the Southern States” was a Lt Col on vacation. He was 27 and did not wear a red uniform. He was often mistaken as a rebel officer (many CSA officers wore Civilian Attire) since he was clean, well dressed in a Gray jacket with long riding boots. At Gettysburg, he climbed a tree to get a better look and used his Field glasses then Federal Artillery started raining down on his position. He asked why they fired on us? The Quartermaster he was sharing a tent said “you look like an officer and when they see a spotter (for artillery), you are fair game.” He converted his Gold Sovereigns For CSA notes … said Richmond was very cheap if you had silver/gold (50 cents a day in silver). But spending CSA notes were difficult. When he visited a Maryland Farm house after the battle, with a Rebel officer, the farmers said they cleaned out. When he provided a gold coin, food showed up and said it was the best food he had in the last three months. When he crossed into Union Lines, he converted his gold into Greenbacks and surprised how easy they were accepted in the North.

[@ShonenXIV]

To me, when you mentioned that when Pickett fell off his horse wasn't intentional. Truly surprised me, but of course I can see why they kept it in the film. It's as if Pickett fell back down to reality off his high horse, any disillusion or grandeur faded when he returned to Earth.

[@joinjen3854]

Good analogy. Pickett was similar to a pompous George A Custer.

[@yadarehey1130]

I actually met the reenacters from the Iron Brigade’s Battery B who were there for the filming of this movie. One of them said that even with a fraction of the cannon using a fraction of the powder, the cannonade on Day 3 was a hell of a thing to behold. If even that was awe inspiring, I don’t think anyone can really know what it was like for the real troops on that fateful day in 1863.

[@michaelvaughn8864]

WOW!!!!😳 Memories of a lifetime for you, sir. I wish I'd been a reenactor in the film, Gettysburg. I actually knew someone who had a cousin by marriage who's co-worker was a member of Gen. Buford's, Sam Elliott, staff in the movie. He's seen riding with the group for a number of seconds. I couldn't point him out to anyone bc I don't know what he looks like🤣lol

[@ronaldringler1497]

Hats off to you, Professor. Your observations were most enjoyable.

[@jamesearly8518]

This series was absolutely brilliant. I'm a long-time enthusiast of the battle, the book, and the movie, and I still learned a ton of things. Thanks so much for doing this!

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks! I'm promoting the podcast the best I can currently. -Andrew

[@ANProductionsOfficialChannel]

I always found it unbelievably beautiful and poetic that the movie ends with two brothers hugging.

[@oldfrend]

Jeff Daniels gives the titanic performance of a lifetime in this film; one that's always stayed with me. where every other actor is at peak theatricality endeavoring to portray these larger than life legends from long ago, jeff exudes an everyman vulnerability in his self doubt, his love of humanity, his unfamiliarity with war that none of the other actors achieve. a marvelous accomplishment from Dumb himself XD

[@ReelHistory]

So true!

[@CCNYMacGuy]

One of my favorite scenes is the internal dialogue "Exercise in rhetoric: 'Hold to the last...' what? 'man'?" that demonstrates his vulnerability in the moment.

[@samuel10125]

Films like Waterloo, A Bridge Too Far, Gettysburg and many others will go down as some of the greatest war epics ever made as you say its that human element that gives them this greatness among other things.

[@brandonburns5249]

Just stumbled across this channel and series while getting ready to make my yearly trip to Gettysburg. Jared, we had an undergrad class together with Professor Black about making meaning at Gettysburg. Glad to see you doing this.

[@donnasmith8139]

Thank you for the excellent and thoughtful videos! Every time I reach the end of this film, I automatically think of starting it over again! I appreciate your appreciation!

[@guywgane3]

One of the greatest things I've done in my life was to move to Gettysburg, and spend my 6 years in town discovering and enjoying various parts of the town. Having lived near the Seminary, I routinely walked the 1st Day's fields countless times. I miss it greatly. Thanks so much for doing this breakdown, Jared! You did a great job!!

[@ReelHistory]

Glad to be in a movie or two you have worked on as well! Maybe you can be a guest host sometime and talk about your work!

[@guywgane3]

@@ReelHistory I would love to!

[@zathras61]

Great videos! I was at Gettysburg 1 month ago and unless you been there one cannot express the power of the battlefield. I did an 8 hour guided tour and my guide told me a lot that I didn’t know about the battle and your videos are a great companion piece to the overall experience. Thanks again! At some point you should do the movie The Rough Riders with Tom Berenger as Teddy Roosevelt. That would be awesome.

[@robertfranz5991]

I too saw this movie as a young person (fourth grade) and it jumpstarted my love for history. I watch it every year around the anniversary so i appreciated this very much! Keep it up!

[@sickandtired4926]

I stumbled upon your channel and analysis quite by accident. Being an amateur civil war historian and having visited many of the battlefields of that conflict, including Gettysburg, I find your laid back yet vastly informative style and content to be extremely entertaining and appreciated. Thanks and may God bless.

[@lewisbreland]

I'm about to turn 36 next month and you totally captured my nostalgia and respect for this film and how it inspired my interest in the Civil War. Great reaction. Thanks so much!

[@ReelHistory]

Just about the same age as Jared!

[@Arkade86ST]

Well.. time to watch Gettysburg again :) Loved this breakdown of the scenes.

[@waltergibson9178]

I really appreciated your series! You are important

[@SKBottom]

I was in General Lee's band. Saxton's Cornet Band. We ended up in 3 scenes.

[@thadstudebaker3370]

Thank you for this fantastic video series on Gettysburg.

[@AndyHoke]

While attending Gettysburg College, we had a project to clear the undergrowth so that the 20th Maine monument could be seen. I at the time had absolutely no idea just how important that land was and is. There are horseback battlefield tours that are very worthwhile too.

[@johnnewcome9730]

I discovered your Reel History channel this evening. I watched all four episodes of your narrative of the movie Gettysburg consecutively. My wife and I visited Gettysburg for the for the first time in 1989 when we were BK (Before Kids). We're now both 65 and the kids are grown but we still remember touring the battlefield finding historical points of interest that we had both read about and saw contemporary photos of; such as the Trostle Farm and barn that still had the cannon ball holes in it from the battle. I wish I had a history professor like you when I was in college in the late 70's. Thank you for creating this channel.

[@chrispotter5242]

I have been to gettysburg six times, its a long trip for me since I live in oklahoma, my first trip was in 1998, five years after seeing the movie, I remember driving down the Chambersburg pike past the turn off for cash town and it hit me that I was on the very road they had marched on. I couldn't control my emotion and started to tear up then when I saw the statue of Burford and Reynolds I lost it and had to pull over, the death and the carnage and destruction have long since passed into history, but no matter what, the ground like President Lincoln described as hallowed, and we can never forget what they did here. If you let in and walk in thier steps, you will be changed by it.

[@keithwignall1428]

A great, gentle, critique of this film which is a favourite of mine. It is good to see the human context in which this battle was fought.

[@kidhammer2567]

Yes! Pickett's Charge is another fine title to read. Thank you once more accurate and solid telling of Gettysburg. My favorite part of this three-day battle is East Cavalry Field on the third day.

[@marklivingstone3710]

Just an observation, I have now watched your reviews of Gods and Generals and Gettysburg. Congratulations, I found your commentaries as informative, entertaining and engrossing as listening to Shelby Foote in the 9 part series on the Civil War. I’ve long thought, listening to Shelby Foote, you would have thought he had been there.

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@MrCrazychristian86]

Thank you for the recommendation to watch your Gettysburg commentary/review of the movie after watching your God's & Generals review. I live in Nashville, and there is so much Civil War history here in Middle TN. Which, i love that fact. I have to say Gettysburg is a very unique/special place for me. Whenever I go up to visit my family in New England, I try to visit Gettysburg when my wife and I travel. Im happy to say I have been to Gettysburg 5 times, and it never gets old. Thank you for sharing so much rich and detailed info about the battle and the movie! Keep up the great work!

[@Tomatohater64]

I bought this movie and can honestly say I've watched it at least a dozen times.

[@johnnowakowski4062]

Exemplary analysis. Visited Gettysburg when I was a kid on our way the visit DC and our nation's Capitol. Watched the film many times and fueled my continuing desire to study the Civil War.. Ads much context and backstory. Thanks!

[@ajaxhero2004]

Thank you Jared for this 3 parter. I have ordered all your book recommendations. I am the librarian at a school in New Zealand. One of our history teachers is doing the attack on Fort Sumter. Part of looking at the consequences theme. I suggested she did Gettysburg, I might try and get her to change once I show her the Gettysburg collection.

[@rangerjim]

Well done Jared! Your opinions on the movie and the battle i think are spot on. Thank you!

[@ReelHistory]

Kind words, thank you!

[@spburrows]

I have really enjoyed your analyses of films with historical themes. Your work here fills a much-missed space formerly occupied on the cable TV History Channel by their 'Movies in Time' program, hosted by Sander Vanocur in the 90's. One small correction to your remark about Gettysburg being the longest-ever American movie. The Austrian director Erich von Stroheim made a movie here (Greed) in 1924 that was 8 hours in its original theatrical release but was eventually cut down to a more 'reasonable' 4-hour version. The 8-hour original version of Greed has become a holy grail of lost silent film enthusiasts. I am a native of southwestern Virginia, and since I was in grade school during the 1960s, we have become accustomed to eating, breathing, and sleeping the Civil War here. As a big fan of Gettysburg, I took my wife to the premiere of Gods and Generals in Roanoke, VA, and we were unexpectedly surrounded by a theater full of Civil War reenactors and enthusiasts in their full regalia. In my opinion, this was a rare situation where the theater audience was more entertaining than the feature on the screen. This theater was filled to capacity, and for the only time in my life, I was seated in a movie theater seat next to a woman (opposite of my wife) wearing a mid-19th-century southern hoop-skirt outfit, ill-suited to the narrow design of late 20th-century movie theater seating. Throughout the movie, a good portion of her outfit insisted on spilling into my lap despite our efforts to keep it contained. We were lucky that none of the male attendees (so far as I could see) tried to bring in officer's ceremonial swords! At another time, a colleague from a rival business (commercial chemistry laboratories) was passing around photos at a lunch meeting of his recent Civil War-themed wedding, where everyone, including the bride and groom, dressed either in CSA military or mid-19th century costume. Even before I was born, my mother's boss at a local chain of camera stores would routinely go to meet business acquaintances arriving at our local airport dressed as a Confederate colonel. My childhood dentist, Dr. Lee, had a reproduction portrait of Robert E. Lee in his office, with a brass plaque on its frame proclaiming the picture as 'Uncle Robert.' As a small child with little knowledge of the war, I was briefly left wondering if this plaque was literally true. You just can't get away from the Civil War here! One topic that I would like to see you explore sometime would be some of the movies made about the 1940's German university White Rose anti-Nazi group. Paul Verhoeven made a movie about this in 1982, titled 'The White Rose.' There was another film on this topic made shortly afterward, titled 'The Last Days of Sophie Scholl', and there was a more recent 2005 film, 'Sophie Scholl - The Final Days'. The Scholl family children were enrolled at the University of Munich just before the battle of Stalingrad and were engaged with other students in clandestinely writing, printing, and distributing anti-Nazi leaflets both at their university and throughout greater Germany by random mailings. The Gestapo eventually caught them, and they were both quickly tried and found guilty in Roland Freisler's 'People's Court', and promptly executed by guillotine. Along similar lines, if you haven't looked at it already, you might want to check out the German TV series 'Babylon Berlin,' set in Weimar-era Germany. This one is fictional, but it does go into a lot of historical detail about the post-WWI government and climate in Berlin on the eve of the ascent of Hitler and the National Socialist government.

[@KevinWillson-nf3gh]

Damn, watching these videos has been a pleasure. Thanks so much! Great movie, that was a really insightful commentary.

[@jaker645]

Sentimentality is deserved in many aspects! That score makes the hair stand up on my arms. I, too, was inspired by this movie, and it is the reason I am a history teacher, now. I am also enrolled at Gettysburg college for a masters in American history! You have a new subscriber. Thank you!

[@jahnoismith]

Good evening, I would like to hear your review of the 1989 movie Glory.

[@JoannaCrickenberger]

I've always loved that ending scene with the Chamberline brothers. That fact that both of them survived the war is nothing short of a miracle. Of course, they survived with many physical and mental scars, but they survived. They're family didn't have to bury a son (or in some cases a daughter) from the war. So many families couldn't say the same thing. At little off topic but came to my mind. Ulysses S. Grant and his wife Julia, one thing they didn't experience that was so normal for this time, was the death of a child. All four of their children lived long adult lives and outlived both of their parents.

[@tracyfrazier7440]

A wonderful finish to a great series. Thank you.

[@CommonCentsOutdoorsman]

"Glory" please! Fine work, Professor!

[@winoodlesnoodles1984]

18:30 - There is valid reason to lead from the front. The frontline troops will bemoan if they are always doing the hard work and leadership isn't around for it. However, if leadership chooses to share the hardship of the troops, the troops understand that there is zero room for complaint. That leadership can be a bottom rung of the ladder officer. However, if that officer is choosing to be there, a soldier can't complain. Also, as it often the case with shard hardship, it brings people closer. After the shared hardships troops are far more likely to go the extra mile. Even in modern times, this is often something soldiers will use to dicern the good leaders from the bad leaders. They have to follow the orders of both, but the orders are done far more willingly for good leaders they have shared hardship with.

[@evancrum6811]

I am surprised in Gettysburg that the cavalry charge/fight with Custer wasn't shown or even discussed.

[@maryhawkins3089]

I've always been fascinated by the story of Ginnie Wade, and I wish there was more on her and her family. I did a few projects on her in college, and I swear research on her got harder instead of easier. It's an incredibly interesting story.

[@DrTarrandProfessorFether]

Union soldiers shouted, “ Fredericksburg! Fredericksburg”. I was at the 125th Gettysburg in 1988. We had 28,000 reenactors … 7000 Federals and 11,000 Rebs…. Rest women/children. Pickets charge was boring for Federals… Rebs marched up (Federal canons blasting over us!!) , we stood up and told “TAKE no HITS! Fire on they boys… pore it in them!!!”. I took a hit, and a federal officer yelled at me to get up and fire. The Rebs stopped 25 feet and just were mowed down. Only at the Angle were the Rebs broke through to my left… the Federals commanders were worried the Rebs would just break with history and over run us (it has happened!). It all went as planned. During the charge, a Rebel officer ran up to 25 feet and took a hit and his sword went flying and stuck in the ground 1/2 way to us… and wobbled.

[@marknewton6984]

Union soldiers shouted, " Marye's Heights, Marye's Heights!"

[@jerrypritchett283]

This is one of my all time favorite movies. I have owned 3 dvds over the years and watched this movie many times over the years. As a history professor you may be amused to find that I disliked history class in high school, yet much of my reading and movie watching in all my 74 years, has been historical. I especially like learning what the real facts of historical events when they can be ferreted out from the ones with a slant or false narrative in order to forward some agenda.

[@rogergrove2453]

Love the area of Gettysburg. I am reading the book, The Real Lincoln. The song Rich men north of Richmond resounds with life with a huge federal government that has grown like crazy since 1865!

[@jackmessick2869]

When I was a pre-teen, it was a book for me that started my interest in the American Civil War and Gettysburg, entitled Gettysburg: The Long Encampment. Also the series Golden Book History of the United States, with wonderful dramatic illustrations by Alton Tobey. I finally got a copy of the Killer Angels when I was 18 and at University. Read it all in one weekend.

[@constantius4654]

Wonderful video and a truly great movie. Love from England.

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks for visiting!

[@sonnyspliff]

@15:16 "i love this shot" i loved that shot. America summed up!

[@robertbuttery1264]

The charge was difficult not only by distance but the fact they were out in the heat for hours.

[@paulroman3402]

very interesting insight, an interesting film to break down, I think would be the 1989 film Glory.

[@chash4568]

Very good, you were honest and informative. Pure truth, no agenda!

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@Wildwest89]

First saw this movie when I was 4-5 years old, and watched it around the anniversary pf the battle every year, my family basically wore out the vhs tape, grew up not far from Gettysburg so we went to the battlefield almost every summer.

[@ishyab011]

Thank you for the presentation. Thanks even more for some of the many other REAL details, that only a historian, could provide. Cheers! S

[@Panda-gs5lt]

I truly hope that, in whatever little time I have, I will be able to visit Gettysburg and see this very unique battle site

[@badguy5554]

Alonzo Cushing, who was that young officer who was shot through the mouth, had two brothers who were ALSO military heros. One of those brothers was credited with a Navy Seal type of attack on a Confederate ironclad. The other was an officer who died in an ambush by Native Americans during the Indian wars of the South West.

[@jmweed1861]

As a Professional Historian and also Historian for the NPS at Civil War Battlefields, i did enjoy your commentary. I was in the Blue and Grey Minie Series, but not in this although i had a number of Friends Participate in it, especially The Iron Brigade Scenes as we portrayed both the 2nd Wisconsin ( Eastern Theater) and 33d Wisconsin ( Western Theater) You make me feel old as i strarted doing Civil War Living History in 1973 and by the time they filmed this, I was in my 21st year of Doing Living History and 43 years old. JMW Bachlors in History and Master's in Civil War History- University of Wisconsin..

[@ReelHistory]

Cheers, brother!

[@hancock63]

Re-watching the Pickett's Charge sequence, I notice that it sounds like Sgt. Füger shouts something before firing that shot of canister at General Garnett. Could you please ask your friend if he did shout something, and what was it?

[@dhkent55]

Well done, Jared.

[@cleverusername9369]

2:58 "at this point in filmmaking, CGI really hadn't reached that stage yet" The T-Rex from 1993's 'Jurassic Park' would like a word with you, sir 😉

[@jamesa.7604]

I have watched this movie every July 4th since 2000.

[@andystewart581]

Fascinating look. Keep up the good work.

[@stephenelberfeld8175]

It's sort of confusing that the 20th Maine Infantry would still be on Big Round Top on the battle of July 3rd, because the 1st Texas Infantry was engaged with the 1st West Virginia Cavalry on the north slope and Farnsworth was killed further over in Devil's Den, and Laws 15th Alabama Infantry was still there. These areas must be a lot bigger than these compressed cameos of the fighting would suggest. My great grandfather's brother was in that Cavalry charge, but I think that living only a few valleys over where John Hunt Morgan had his raid may have tempered the memories of the destruction and loss in the Gettysburg and Shanendoa Vally campaigns so they were keen to move on with their lives and leave us having to learn about it on our own. I suspect that having completed his 3 years of service, he was simply thankful to have survived.

[@Aquadoc1962]

It amazes me how many Confederate soldiers were lost trying to take the high ground around Gettysburg, considering that Early's Division had been through Gettysburg way back on the 26th on its way to York. Lee had been in the area for almost 2 weeks before the Union army arrived. He should have been able to glance at a map and see how all the roads led to Gettysburg and that it would be the probable site for a battle!! Thanks again for an incredibly fascinating presentation!

[@mikesuggs1642]

Lee by ordering the concentration at Gettysburg doomed the South. His Army had achieved a spectacular forward March and actually stolen a March on Meade! Elements of Lee’s Army had reached Carlisle Pennsylvania and Early had his division firmly in control of York Pennsylvania and was preparing to advance to Harrisburg the next day before the orders to turn back and backtrace back to Gettysburg reached him. In essence Lee ordered his concentration at the very spot the Federal Army could catch up to them the quickest because every road converged at Gettysburg! Lee should have kept moving and get across the River and haze Harrisburg before moving east and threaten Philadelphia! Had he had Jackson who moved much faster then this would have likely happened and Gettysburg would have been a rear guard or cavalry clash at best but the big battle would have taken place much closer to Harrisburg or perhaps Philadelphia with the Confederate army dug in and fortified!

[@Aquadoc1962]

Hey Mike, thanks for the reply. Lee had actually stolen more than one march on Hooker/Meade arriving in the area almost a week ahead of the Union lead infantry columns. He really wasn't trying to flee Meade but rather egg him on by taking York and threatening Harrisburg. Lee's whole plan was to try and lure Meade out in the open and then defeat him in detail as each of his corps came up in a good defensive position which Gettysburg afforded. The wide spread of roads funneling into Gettysburg from the north greatly facilitate the concentration of his army and a hold of the high ground south of the town was a great spot to choke off the concentration of the Union army coming up on the Taneytown and Emmitsberg roads. Those two roads were all that Meade had, with the Baltimore Pike being of limited value. Most importantly there was not very good lateral roads along the possible Union line while Lee had very good freedom of movement with numerous east/west roads. I spent the better part of 7 months with a very good historical conflict simulation in 2022-23 trying to take Gettysburg with the Army of the Potomac from Lee holding that high ground and it was incredibly tough! Thanks to some fine work by the Union cavalry and the VI Corps I was able budge that old man out of Gettysburg, but only by the narrowest of margins. Any deployment up near Harrisburg and especially behind the Susquehanna River would have been extremely risky if not physically impossible to affect for Lee. Many believe that once Lee busted out of the Valley that he could pretty much run wild in the north whcih really is pure fantasy. Once Lee came through the South Mountain Gap he was pretty much stuck to that axis of advance. He certainly could not advance northwest out of that pass towards Harrisburg without exposing his supply line and means of retreat back though that gap. Had Meade been able to take that gap, Lee would have been in huge trouble! Lee really had no plans to advance 1st and 3rd Corps beyond Cashtown and was hoping to fight the battle there. The advance of Early's Division to York and Ewell's other two divisions up towards Harrisburg was more or less a probe and possibly a ploy to confuse Meade and as I mentioned, egg him on. There really was no practical way for Ewell's Corps to take Harrisburg, even with the burned out bridge at York. That too, would have been extremely risky. Gettysburg was the spot and Lee did get a costly first day victory there which Lee, being unable to take the high ground south of the city, should have taken the win and gone on the defensive. Again, thanks for the reply and I did enjoy your video very much!

[@alexanderh.5814]

@@Aquadoc1962 to kind of sum up the waste of resources and man power of Gettysburg. Ambrose Wright had actually taken Cemetery Ridge earlier in the battle at the cost of many men…only to withdraw back across the field and give it back to the Union.

[@Aquadoc1962]

Yes, but I was referring more to the first day when Lee had his costly victory and should have gone on the defensive tempting the Union to initiate their own version of a "Pickett's Charge.' Even most of the battles won by the Confederacy were a waste of men and resources. They simply could not afford the losses. The Union could.

[@mikesuggs1642]

@@Aquadoc1962 the first day went very well for Lee. Would have been much better if Ewell had displayed more aggressiveness and just kept pushing to dark. The high ground was practically undefended and Ewell with 2 divisions at hand and a third marching hard to get there could have easily taken the hills Lee coveted! What so odd about this is Ewell served under Jackson and was well aware that Jackson main golden rule was to never let up pursuit when the enemy is on the run! Giving the Federals enough time to organize a defense after they we’re routed on day 1 is the biggest failure at Gettysburg! The disasters of day 2 & 3 would have been avoided if they had not stopped on Day 1 when they had the upper hand!

[@DarkRaven_Productions]

Love the videos wish you wouldn’t blur out the background when you are talking though but I really enjoy your insight and knowledge

[@jamesearly8518]

I'm guessing they have to do that to avoid a copyright strike.

[@Jermster_91]

You mention that Pickett's charge being emotional, Andrew Prine who plays Garnett in the film, tells in a behind the scenes or making of of Gettysburg that his staff officers that are ridding beside him during the charge were crying.

[@ReelHistory]

We can believe it!

[@billexusaf1542]

In your book recommendations you seem to omit the book Gettysburg by Shelby Foote. In my humble opinion he was one of the very best writers on this subject.

[@donreed5029]

Well done sir, you have made me a follower.

[@ReelHistory]

Welcome aboard!

[@JJNITROFAN]

I will add my thanks and congratulations on an excellent critique of the film (and by extension, the book upon which it was based). I'm glad you don't get too into the weeds with some of the inaccuracies, since many of those were, as you rightly point out, done for dramatic effect or to somewhat minimize the sheer number of participants. You do an excellent job explaining so many things, from large to small, that it is obvious you have studied this battle and film in great detail. Fremantle may have been the inspiration, at least in part, for George MacDonald Fraser's Sir Harry Flashman, and from your description of his exploits, one can see why. As for the "Lost Cause" dialogue inserted in the movie (I can't recall if it was in the book), I suspect that was at least in part due to Ted Turner's southern heritage. Maybe not, maybe I'm way off base, but it would not surprise me. In any case, it makes the rebels seem somewhat more sympathetic, when in fact their cause was, as we should know by now, detestable. Thank you for doing these historical film critiques. I look forward to watching your other efforts (I have seen the one you did on The Longest Day, and it was excellent as well). Keep up the good work.

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@garyarmitage9359]

Terrific Videos!

[@11tonto]

Superb. thank you so much and good luck.

[@richardcutt727]

This is perhaps my favourite war movie along with Zulu.

[@davemac1197]

Brilliant. Thank you very much for this. Having seen this in mini-series format a few times, I was impressed by the production values as a whole, but didn't have the historical depth of knowledge on the battle itself to determine how good or bad a job Hollywood had done on this occasion. My takeaway from your break down is that they have been largely successful, and that's really impressive. My only notes were: "The saddle nail plopped right out" [of his groin] - probably TMI (too much information). Jane Fonda - what was she thinking by visiting the set? - Was Hanoi Jane planning another 'Stop The War' protest? Waller Patton - really interesting connection I had not heard before. I knew that WW2 General George S. Patton believed he had fought battles in many previous lives, including with Alexander The Great, at Agincourt, the English Civil War, and with one of Napoleon's marshals. Waller T. Patton passed from his wounds sustained during the battle at Gettysburg on 21st July 1863. Computer says an older brother, George Smith Patton, was killed during the Valley Campaigns in 1864. His grandson, George Smith Patton III, was born 21 years later on 11th November 1885, raising the possibility he was his own grandfather or great uncle! I've read Dr Ian Stevenson's (University of Virgina School of Medicine, Department of Perceptual Studies) book on reincarnation claims in 1960s India, which was a suitable laboratory due to the immobile society with no religious taboo against such claims, and he was able to substantiate so many claims there that he was able to conduct a statistical analysis of the results. He found that there was an average 18-year interval between 'death' and 're-birth', presumably for rest and re-organisation! I immediately subtracted 18 years from my own birth year and got 1944, so who knows, maybe that explains my obsessive interest in the battle of Arnhem - it certainly gave me a "WTF" moment at the time! As a keen student of WW2 history in particular, I am very struck by the reincarnation claim for a young Texas boy James Leininger, who recalled the memories later determined to be that of US Navy pilot Lt. James L. Huston III, who was shot down and drowned in the cockpit of his plane at the battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. The technical details that the young boy as a 3 or 4-year old could recall as a pilot I found to be very compelling, as a technical person myself. His story can be easily found on the internet but has been featured on a number of TV programmes about this phenomema. I would like to wish all our American cousins a happy 4th. On another channel someone asked me how this day is regarded in the UK - I said it's basically not regarded at all unless you're a student of history, because we generate so much of it. I hope to be celebrating a great Austrian F1 Grand Prix later. Whatever you're doing, have a great day.

[@jannarkiewicz633]

Great series and it made me realize how my Massachusetts 8th history was very South apologetic (1977) but I will call you out for one thing. Joshua Chamberlain's notoriety was not just because of his longevity and because he was a prolific writer. Chamberlain was his generations Benjamin Lincoln when Saint Lee went Charles Cornwallis at Appomattox.

[@blandis93312]

I read a story that the cannon fire of Pickett’s Charge was heard 100-miles away in Philadelphia.

[@jackmessick2869]

What is/was your opinion of the Gettysburg Observation Tower?

[@tbeller80]

Was speaking like that normal for Southern gentlemen? I had a tough time following Lee and Armistead with how much their dialogue sounded like poetry rather than actual conversations.

[@adrianybas778]

aww you skipped the part where Old Glory rose up along with the regimental Colors of the 69th Pennsylvania. That scene gives me goosebumps

[@mikloowl4899]

Curious how many of the reenactors walked off the set when Fonda came to visit.

[@marknewton6984]

Who wouldn't?

[@richcar3294]

I really enjoyed listening to this and to the God's and Generals recap. I pretty much agree with it all. I was looking for your breakdown of the Stuart/Lee meeting unless I missed it? Seemed like one you would have spent some time on. Also the scene with Ewell, Early, Hill and Rhodes following day one which was not in the original but bonus scene. To me, that should have made the movie. I could have done with one less Armistead conversation about Hancock, why 2? The first one sufficed. There were plenty of scenes that could have been cut in favor, I think that Ewell meeting was important enough to put in. I've read several books on this battle and still learned some things from this that I don't remember or learning from those readings. It's a great movie, I bought the extended version on Prime and watch it every 4th of July. I am glad I came across these videos and your chanel and am a subscriber moving forward!

[@thecrypteia4644]

I’d love to connect with you, and send you my father’s transcripts, Orders of Battle, the US Civil War. I am not sure he was able to finish, (he was killed in Iraq in 2007), but I feel you would really enjoy to look over them, and see what armies, regiments, battalions, were where, for each battle that took place; during the entirety of the Civil War.

[@NancyPollyCy]

Just a little oddity, prompted by the discussion of Ted Turner's intentions in making the movie. I usually turn on the closed captions, especially in movies where there is a lot of background noise. In the climatic moment when the Union soldiers behind the stone wall chant "Fredericksburg! Fredericksburg!" the caption reads, "Burn the sword! Burn the sword!"

[@mattprobst2321]

Great video series! At the end you talk about various books and I highly highly recommend "A Strange and Blighted Land" by Gregory A Coco. An extremely well put together book, based in a large part of letters and diaries and records, that describes in vivid detail what the townsfolk; the remaining union forces as well as the descending flocks of people to the scene witnessed on July 4 and onward as Adams County began to put itself back together. It is certainly not for the faint of heart or squeamish. But it is accurate.

[@michaelmazowiecki9195]

A brilliant film!

[@morganoconnell9824]

The only change I would make (besides Beringers beard) is the scores volume was way too intrusive at some points. Well done with this telling and these videos help with teaching the next generation the history of our nation (since KZbin is this generations book)

[@eXcommunicate1979]

Have you reacted to GLORY (1989)?

[@bjorns131stpa2]

One small correction for this. Gettysburg was NOT the largest battle fought in the western hemisphere. It's not the largest of the Civil War, that honor goes to Fredericksburg. It is the battle with the most casualties of the war. But as far as largest I believe it's only fourth or fifth.

[@bernacus5949]

Gettysburg film reenactor here 🫡👋 I love revisiting this movie and that time in my life. This was the most epic reenactment I'd ever experienced. I've had some epic events since. But filming this movie was incredible and gave me a new perspective on the battle. It had been pages in a book and I think id seen smaller Picketts charges in documentaries before it. And id been to several annual reenactments. But we -All- made the pilgrimage to Gettysburg for this movie. I came in with some guys from my unit out of Pittsburgh. The 9th Pennsylvania Reserves Co A. And the Co. F. fellers from Meadville. This was also the High Water Mark of Civil War reenacting as well. Its really lost some of its luster since. Idk if its because.. well.. how does one follow this up for topping it? And some political stuff seemed to happen in the late 90's and early 2000's that really put me off. I've since moved on from Civil War period reenacting to WWI and II German impressions to 95th Rifles Napoleonic era reenacting.

[@howardjohnson2138]

I really like what you've done are doing

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@robertmonaghan5420]

Good info. But would have liked to see the Movie You're talking about.

[@bulfin21]

No mention of the missing in action confederat cavalry?

[@petebondurant58]

My great-great-great-great grandfather purchased a substitute for $300.00 who took his place in the war, and spent those years drinking whiskey in Philadelphia.