The Making of "Gods and Generals" - Civil War Movie Documentary

[@ReelHistory]

If you enjoyed this documentary, please consider contributing to Michael's next Civil War-themed film project, “Monumental Struggle,” at rb.gy/clmj5

[@jamesdonovan4410]

Being in this movie was great as Being Gettysburg I can't believe it's been 20 years

[@garekfawley2362]

I was taking part at the Cedar Creek battle reenactment when they were filming there and am in the crowd of soldiers on the hill during Jackson’s farewell speech. Mr. Lang walked among us after the shoot to shake our hands and thank us. A very neat experience!

[@kenkirk7681]

I was one of the Federal reenactors on this movie. I thought it was cool that we had to submit our pictures in uniform ahead of being invited so they could make sure we looked the part. I was there around Thanksgiving of 2001 for the filming of the charge of the 20th Maine at Fredericksburg. I am part of the closeups of the Color Guard getting blown up and the full regimental attack sequence. I will always remember getting the fake mud and blood applied before shooting and the stunt men flying over my head when the explosion went off. You can't see my face but I am the guy they flew over! It was a truly great experience and I got to shake hands with most of the stars in the scene. Jeff Daniels was so accommodating to us all. I later got to meet and talk at length with Jeff Shaara. He autographed my copy of his book and was very gracious. There were many great scenes in this movie but alas, the picture as a whole fell short mainly due to its length. Still hoping for the third movie to be made but doubt it will be now that we are in woke America. My hat's off to all those involved in making this great historical movie and the wonderful friends I made during the shooting.

[@DouglasLyons-yg3lv]

They couldn’t have been very selective. I knew many folks that participated and let’s just say that their impressions were less than stellar.

[@Albert-Arthur-Wison225]

@@DouglasLyons-yg3lvWhat an unnecessarily nasty thing to write. Dreadful. Why people such as you ALWAYS have to appear , it simply mystifies me. And others. Delights you, does it, to be ‘ that awful idiot ‘ in the room, seething with jealous, an intolerable ‘ back seat driver ‘ know it all ‘wisdom ‘ ? I wonder how many times you’ve reveled in, say, telling a child “ There’s no such thing as Father Christmas “ ? Anyway, you can be proud that it’s people such as yourself that both wreck & spoil things for others,..as you can do little to nothing else,…and are ALWAYS the sort of wretches who make the world the place it is.

[@baileykullman2790]

As a member of the core group of Reenactors on this film it was great to see this! Brings it all back to see my old friends and the crew! The only other BTS video ive seen is the footage that we all shot of our day to day experiences which was eventually compiled and circulated amongst the core group The day this film began principal photography August 28th was the day my son was born. I joined the production about a week later. My first day on set was September 11th 2001. We were filming the 20th Maine Camp scene. It was a day of contrasting emotions. In the morning I was super excited to be on a major film set and by the afternoon we were all heartbroken but determined to continue as a way to show our passion and patriotism. We were the only film to go back in production that day. Spent four months on the project and had a unforgettable time. And yes many times I've had to point out to my family and friends where I am in the film, of which there are many. I was also the only single reenactor featured on the movie website in a publicity photo that was taken in a Lowes warehouse parking lot where we were shooting interior scenes as the sets had been constructed inside. The actor Jim who plays general Bee became a good friend of mine for a time and brought me on to work on other projects including the opportunity to work with Stephen Lang again on the film for Mount Vernon. The horse Jim is riding in the "Stonewall" scene I'm proud to say I had the opportunity to ride one time 😊. Thank you for posting this. 🤘🏻

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@porchviewfarm2471]

I was a wardrobe person and had a great time.

[@Wildwest89]

It’s amazing how much better some of these scenes come across with the soundtrack from Gettysburg playing instead of the Gods and Generals music

[@dingorex]

I like Edelman's score. I own it. I do not own Gettysburg. So there.

[@cordovalark5295]

Having the dialogue be spoken in soliloquy is what sunk this film.

[@NP-ui3tr]

The producers ruined it. It strayed too far from Shaaras book

[@teresak1177]

R.I.P. Kevin Conway, he was a most excellent actor..I loved him as the Mailman (Madman) in Funny Farm…

[@StephenLuke]

Royce D. Applegate who portrayed Confederate General James L. Kemper died of smoke inhalation when his house caught on fire on New Year's Day in 2003. The film was released a month later. He never lived long to watch it. 😢💔

[@notlisted-cl5ls]

smoke detectors do save lives

[@w4mps1964]

I loved Gettysburg, it’s one of my favorites, so I was excited when it came out. IT SUCKED

[@actorstuntman]

One of the may things I love about film. Is still finding frames of film 22 years later that I hadn't seen before. Of the 55 man Core Group.

[@K_Type]

One of my new fav channels. Look forward to watching while at the gym and after work

[@ReelHistory]

Awesome, thanks!

[@thomasohare2881]

Good film w great Dylan song at the end. Best scene in the movie was the Irish Brigade Charge at Fredericksburg was!

[@JeffreyLang-j5i]

This is sooo good that I'm SPEECHLESS! Just OUTSTANDING!!

[@kjmav10135]

I am very grateful for your series on Gods and Generals and for all your Civil War content. My great-great grandfather was a US 1st sharpshooter whose letters to his wife and kids I discovered when I was a kid. I pulled the cover off an old cocoa tin up in my grandmother’s attic, and the first thing I saw was an old, yellowed letter from Gettysburg PA dated July 6, 1863. I didn’t know much about the Civil War back then, but I knew about Gettysburg. He wrote around 50 letters from various camps and battlefields. We just hung onto those letters for years. Finally, I decided to put them in order and transcribe them. So many ordinary things in those letters-should the folks at home get another dog? The price of butter is high. Should be sign up for another tour of duty? They could sure use the money. The guys around here cuss a lot and gamble. Sure hate to see what this war is doing to these Virginia farmers fields . . . Stuff like that. And then-you know-Gettysburg. Watching a deserter get shot. Tell so and so’s widow that her husband--killed in action-“was buried in a really purty plase.” Anyway, everything I learn from you, makes those letters mean even more. Thanks!

[@ReelHistory]

Thank you for visiting!

[@bjohnson515]

Having studied the War and seeing many movies, the Flank Attack at Chancellorsville was exceptional! I just wished they had run a few deer and rabbits thru the XIth Corps encampment

[@timferryA1]

Never saw this before, after twenty years and being in the movie. Almost liked this better than the picture. The behind the scenes are wonderful. So, so much time and effort went into it, to get the right look, people, uniforms, equipment, firearms, and locations, etc. Whatever the outcome, I enjoyed my limited time on it. Proud of that and being associated with the overall engagement. Especially, it opened up a whole other world of new friends and acquaintances.

[@michaelmorgan9824]

Loved this movie Stephen Lang was the perfect Thomas Jonathan Jackson!

[@uh60ce1]

I really wish they would do the next one post Gettysburg to the end of April 1865

[@CaptNavyJake]

Should have been included on the DVD!!! Well Done!! Thank You!!

[@ReelHistory]

Agreed!

[@tommyanderson-filmmaker3976]

This was awesome, I had friends on the cast and they enjoyed working on this film.

[@DrTarrandProfessorFether]

The movie is a very Pro confederate movie… happy black servants, no talk about Jenkins Calvary rounding up “runaway” black persons durning the Gettysburg campaign. Glorious music when Yankees being slaughter. I am a Reenactor since 1988 and views have not changed about this pretty slanted movie. Slavery is such a minor part of this feel and just a collection of “The Lost Cause” and let’s cheer ripping up the Union for Slave Holders!!!

[@dbach1025]

After watching this documentary, I realized 2 minutes in why they did not use this along with the movie. They knew this would receive higher ratings by historians and critics alike. Wow, what a great film.

[@ReelHistory]

Some critics actually said comparable things.

[@rickden8362]

The movie was Confederacy Lost Cause propaganda and was generally paned by critics for that reason, among others.

[@christophergraves6725]

Yes...the battle scenes are outstanding in this short film. I haven't seen the movie *Gods & Generals* since it came out, but from what I remember of the movie the battle scenes shown there did not capture what this short film was able to convey to the audience even when including the sound men and others not to be seen onscreen in the movie itself. The same problem was there is *Gettysburg.* Some of the battle scenes were very intense especially the sequence of attacks against Little Round Top featuring Jeff Daniels, but others did not have the camera positioned to capture the energy of the battle. The battles were staged well, but somehow the cinematography did not pick up with full force the magnitude of the action.

[@thomaswiseman1171]

@@rickden8362 Well it was the truth if that’s what you can’t handle?

[@rickden8362]

@@thomaswiseman1171 Google Lost Cause myth of the confederacy, that will explain it.

[@musictwins82]

Despite being disappointed with the film, I found this behind the scenes documentary interesting. Also, the only way I can realistically see The Last Full Measure ever getting made is if Gods and Generals gets remade from scratch. It would make no sense having a third part of the trilogy with a completely different cast from the other two films.

[@amadeusamwater]

I enjoyed both movies, but I thought Martin Sheen was the better Lee. Lang played Pickett in the other movie and was very good in both parts. Jeff Daniels has long been one of my favorites.

[@marknewton6984]

Good actors!

[@jordandale9900]

I participated in the filming with my unit the 7th Virginia, Co G. We were there for practically the entire filming

[@rickden8362]

Are you familiar with the Lost Cause Myth, any opinions.

[@Enfield-1853]

They recorded the sounds of live fire cannons at the N-SSA range at Fort Shenandoah outside Winchester, Va. for the Gettysburg movie. They shoot solid shot at targets 200 yards away.

[@user-xj3ve7wt8k]

Great movie.

[@DrRockter5150]

Jared, as a history buff, I really enjoy your channel. I was wondering if you have any knowledge as to the possible making (or not making) of "Last Full Measure". I adore the trilogy, and would love to see it come to fruition.

[@ReelHistory]

Jeff Shaara told us himself that there are no plans to film Last Full Measure.

[@lowellwhite1603]

Ted Turner bankrolled both Gettysburg and G&G. G&G lost money so Turner indicted he won’t fund the third in the trilogy. Also with all things Confederate not being vary popular nowadays with statues being torn down etc, I don’t think it would be made for that reason as well. Finally it would be extremely expensive although with modern CGI, they could use just a few hundred reenactors instead of thousands.

[@gothard5]

@@lowellwhite1603 yeah, it’s a shame that showing pride in being from the south is offensive to some people. it’s ridiculous.

[@lowellwhite1603]

@@gothard5 I was a Civil War reenactor for May years and was in the mini series North and South II, Glory and Gettysburg. During Pickett’s Charge week for three of the five days of shooting, if you wanted to participate, you had to go Confederate. I had no problem putting on the gray as did most of my friends although that was the last time I did. There were quite a few Federal reenactors who didn’t want to and just sat around camp or toured the battlefield until they finally used the Federals on Thursday. However, there are many reenactors in the South who refuse to do Union so at many re-enactments in the south, Rebels outnumber yanks by a large number. At 125 Chickamauga, we Yankees were outnumbered three to one. I went to an event at Champion Hill MS in the 80’s where 40 Yankee infantry were against 150 Confederate Infantry, 17 mounted cavalry and two cannon. We won the battle because the script called for it.

[@AlexKS1992]

@@lowellwhite1603Confederacy lost, there’s no reason to support them.

[@jamespaulsen3014]

Just about to start Shephen Sears Chancellorsville (finished "To the Gates of Richmond" and "Landscape turned Red"). I've really enjoyed his writing style and will get the rest of his books. What is your opinion of his work. By the way, I didn't mind Gods & Generals, of course it's no Gettysburg but I do like the actors, Stephen Lang did a great job as usual, along with all the others.

[@ReelHistory]

Sears's work is quite good, though I tend to more so enjoy the personal and cultural aspects of Civil War history rather than the tactics. Many Civil War writers get bogged down in battlefield minutiae.

[@christophergraves6725]

I did not realize until I just watched this video that it was Stephen Lang playing Stonewall Jackson. I thought at the time that I first watched *Gods & Generals* when it came out that whoever that was playing Stonewall Jackson made him come alive as later Daniel Day-Lewis would do in his portrayal of Lincoln. Both Laing and Jeff Daniels should have been nominated for Academy Awards for their portrayals of Jackson in *Gods & Generals* and Joshua Chamberlain in *Gettysburg.*

[@zach7193]

I've seen some of your content sir, it's great. Well done with the reactions.

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@NealSchultz]

I do love the music from these two films. Still wish that the third novel would make it to the screen "Last Full Measure".

[@Jermster_91]

For those interested, on the 2nd South Carolina String Band KZbin channel, they have a behind the scenes of the filming of the Bonnie Blue Flag segment that is in the film.

[@bronsonstrange3827]

I'll have to watch this review another time (looking forward to it, though!). But, I did want to ask: is there any update on the remainder of the John Adams series? I promise I'm not trying to be impatient or ungrateful. If this channel never reviewes the remaining episodes, I will still remain a loyal fan. I just love the series SO much and can't wait to watch the remaining reviews. That said, whatever the reason, things like "life" and unique opportunities (to record with other people that might have more limited availability) are obviously of higher priority. Thanks so much for all the great videos, and keep up the awesome AND educational videos!

[@ReelHistory]

Hopefully this summer!

[@trevorthomas1349]

This is one on my favourite films.

[@janellekerns6485]

I love what you're doing on this channel, thank you!

[@ReelHistory]

Thank YOU!

[@paulkeniston5699]

I watch this movie at least once a year. I love the profound display of the iconic characters being presented so wonderfully. I love this documentary and how it goes in depth to show the heart of this magnificent production. Thank You

[@ReelHistory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Papillon234]

Amazing documentary. You’ve done another great service with this video 🫡

[@williampoff3096]

As a Native Virginian (my family has been in the Blue Ridge of soutthern Virginia since 1792) and a Son of Confederate Ancestors, I loved the movie and I love this documentary. Very well made. May God bless yall all🙏🤠

[@yodamonkey8]

Could you do "The Pacific" like you did "Band of Brothers"?

[@ReelHistory]

We have something quite special in the works for that.

[@marknewton6984]

My neighbor Gene turned 18 on Peleliu with the 1st Marines. RIP.

[@gat2asp919]

Amazing movie. The only civil war movie that shows both sides though God was opon there sholder. That they where the side for good. It shows how we have to try to look at history through the eyes of those who where there as best we can.

[@panthercreek60]

yankees certainly hate God and Generals. And they absolutely adore Gettysburg. But Southerners appreciate both. Thing that make ya wonder.

[@dbach1025]

I wonder if these Hollywood elites regret eating the Lost Cost Theory hook, line, and sinker? No disrespect to the filmsker. You captured a gem and your documentary is fantastic.

[@ReelHistory]

Beyond falling for it with the rest of society, Hollywood loves an underdog story!

[@rickden8362]

@@ReelHistory A lot of people know the Lost Cause ideology is a lie, confederacy propaganda to cover for their desire to keep slavery. Shame on you.

[@ReelHistory]

@@rickden8362, why shame on us? Have you watched our three-part analysis of this movie?!

[@odinsavenger4965]

It's interesting to see the creator of CNN so passionate about the Confederacy.

[@twinsboy_3410]

By this point mr schaara had seen the screenplay. I feel like he already knew this was going to suck balls. Which it did.

[@davidk7324]

Maybe he was praying that the editors would save it. Unfortunately, that didn't happen.

[@bradleykeefer8896]

Did the Fredericksburg scenes for a couple of days. We were offered a chance to go Confederate for the "Bonnie Blue Flag" scene and chose 20th Maine instead. Best decision ever! When I teach the Civil War and Reconstruction, I use this film to illustrate the power of the Lost Cause both then and now. It's not a great film, but it has some memorable moments and I am proud to have been a part of it. This was my first time seeing this documentary and enjoyed it immensely!

[@davebrown188]

You should review A Bridge Too Far

[@FranciscoPreira]

I really like your videos, congrats, greetings from Portugal. Goods And Generals is not one of my favourites, nevertheless I enjoy seeing this video about it, keep up the good work.

[@stflaw]

Jeff Shaara after the movie came out: "WTF did you do to my book??"

[@thomaswiseman1171]

Jeff is a Yankee

[@stflaw]

@@thomaswiseman1171 No, REALLY???

[@stflaw]

Please change your name to Thomas Weisenheimer.

[@Jabberstax]

I don't understand why G&G gets hate. It's not a perfect movie but it's a good movie.

[@charlietheanteater3918]

It makes me angry that so much effort and care went into the production, but all of that couldn’t save such a terrible script.

[@ReelHistory]

So true.

[@elliemathews6884]

God's and Generals was a wonderful and historically accurate portrayal of the American Civil War. As Shelby Foote had said it is impossible to place judgement on a society over 150 years ago. Like most wars it is generally over money, land and power. Most of the south didn't even own slaves. Guess what? It wasn't really about slavery. Even though the idea of it not being about slavery doesn't sit well with those who want to twist history to forward their own political ideology. Southerns felt the had been invaded and wished to leave the union peacefully. Which they should have been able to do. General Lee had once said something to the effect, I would not want to be a citizen of a nation that claims to be about freedom but forces you to be part of it with guns and threat of death .

[@jacksonguillory8114]

I'm just wondering why they gave Barnard Bee so much swagger I stg they really nailed it lmao

[@geoffreyswain1490]

Got the gods n generalsand gettysburg dvd cant get the last full measure can anyone put me on the right track👍

[@ReelHistory]

They never made it

[@geoffreyswain1490]

@@ReelHistory thank you for letting me know it was mentioned at end of one ov the dvds so I won't spend time looking for it was their any reason given to why thankyou

[@Likwidfox]

I just watched "The best years of our life" last night. Life being too normal was hard for soldiers could you imagine never getting to leave and rebuilding with the people you just fought racism aside.

[@marknewton6984]

Dana Andrews was great!

[@jolie1327]

This a GREAT movie, little known, but great! The authenticity is awe inspiring. This ranks as one of my top 6 movies-"In Harms Way", John Wayne's last movie, "It's a Wonderful Life," Jimmy Stewart's best, "Winged Migration," majestic and stunning story of the birdlife migrating across the world, "The Longest Day," the story of D-Day and "The Crippled Lamb," the story of a disabled lamb who does something miraculous for the newborn Jesus.

[@519djw6]

*I think it is almost "sinful" that Jeffrey Shaara's "The Last Full Measure" was not also adapted to film.*

[@robgrandchamp7593]

As a 12th generation New Englander I think Chamberlain nailed the Down East Accent in Gettysburg, for Ames in this movie it was way overdone. They had a big premier of this in Providence in 2003, all the local reenactors in Mass and RI turned out, I saw it once and never saw it again. Way too much in promoting the myth of the Lost Cause, I mean the two black speaking parts were 'happy' being slaves. I think Ebert said it correctly, "It's a movie only Trent Lott would enjoy."

[@ReelHistory]

A very memorable Ebert line!

[@christophergraves6725]

Of course, a lot of slaves did have good relationships with the families who owned them. The slaves generally were treated not bad or pretty well. About a third of them were treated more roughly. Consider the extensive interviews with slaves after the war.

[@user-zo6xg8bx4l]

How about doing a review of the "We Were Soldiers" movie? Thanks!!

[@MatthewPoplawsk]

The story of Hancock and Armistead was just skimmed over in this movie. It's MUCH BETTER TOLD in the book.😊😊😊😊

[@qbertq1]

Does falling asleep count as a "visceral reaction"?

[@ReelHistory]

I suppose!

[@CSAFD]

Stephen Lang the best Yankee to portray two Confederate generals, Pickett and Jackson. The thing I didn’t like of G-n-G was when the Chamberlain’s we’re discussing this issue of slavery. Yes the confederacy had slavery: Britain, Spain, France, Dutch, Native American tribes, Mexicans, Barbary countries, and just about every country had slavery (USA for 79 years) but let’s blame the confederate states of America as the only country to have slavery= hypocrisy and down right ridiculous.

[@jonnie106]

At what point did the script "blame" anyone for slavery?? The Chamberian Bros and the AoP weren't at war with any of the countries you mentioned. Why would they come up in conversation, except to say they all once HAD slqvery but had since abolished it? Also of the countries you mentioned, which ones had slavery in 1863? I think the answer is none. Therefore if you added the confederacy to that group of geographic regions, how is it hypocrisy to say that of the group ONLY the confederacy had slavery? I think you're holding onto your lost cause too tightly

[@706KayakFishing]

A simple search in Google shows that while Britain as a country abolished slavery in the 1830's, slavery was still practiced in its colonies and protectorates for a long time afterward. India, for example, still showed slaves in its 1891 census. That's well after the CW.

[@gothard5]

Did Dale Dye have anything to do with this movie? I don’t think the Civil War is his area of expertise, but I am honestly not sure.

[@ReelHistory]

Nope

[@4catsnow]

Jeff Daniels was speaking about being "tested"...Did anyone ever ponder digging Lee up and testing for opiates after Pickett's "charge"??

[@roostercogburn101]

I really enjoy these videos! I love watching them. I do have a question though, where did you acquire the Navy Chief cover you keep on your bookshelf? I’m currently a Senior Chief Petty Officer in the Navy and we hold our traditions very sacred. So, I was just curious. 😎

[@ReelHistory]

Hi Erich, That cover belonged to my grandfather, a forty-year Navy man who loved the Navy with all his heart! His casket flag and some personal mementos stand next to the cover. This is him: navylog.navymemorial.org/frederick-david-0

[@andrewc6602]

Andy (producer for Reel History) Here, Just a cool piece of history. Jared's Grandfather was present on his ship for the invasion of Iwo Jima!

[@dbach1025]

@@ReelHistory professor Jared, you look a lot like gramps. I bet you and your father look like twins.

[@roostercogburn101]

@@ReelHistory That is beyond awesome!! I love how you keep his memory alive like that. We keep mementos in our CPO Mess with people that have gone before us so that we keep their legacy alive. There was a Navy Chief by the name of Christian Pike who was killed as a result of his wounds in Afghanistan in 2013 who was from Arizona. When he came home, our Mess adopted his mom and we were able to dedicate the door of our Chiefs Mess to Christian. It's an honor for us to keep his memory alive so he will never suffer that third death - we will not forget his name. Navy Chiefs are rooted in heritage, so any piece of history we can learn about is fascinating. I really hope you and I can meet sometime, because I think there is a lot we could discuss about heritage and history.

[@roostercogburn101]

@@andrewc6602 That is amazing!! I wonder if he knew at the time how pivotal that battle would be, not just for WWII, but for the legacy of the Marine Corps and our nation.

[@richardgadberry8398]

This movie would have worked a lot better as a miniseries.

[@bjohnson515]

Why were the uniforms so clean? (especially the CSA generals....Longstreet's hat looks like it just came off the shaping block.)

[@louiefrancuz3282]

Gods and Generals remains an entertaining movie. This was a good contemporary documentary of its production.

[@rickden8362]

The movie was Confederacy Lost Cause propaganda.

[@louiefrancuz3282]

@@rickden8362 Hollywood is knee deep in all sorts of propaganda.

[@christophergraves6725]

@@rickden8362 It looks like the real history to me. Where are the inaccuracies?

[@rickden8362]

@@christophergraves6725 Google Lost Cause myth of the confederacy, that will explain it.

[@christophergraves6725]

@@rickden8362 No, I need a specific list of historical inaccuracies in the movie from you.

[@Tomatohater64]

The problem I had with this movie was that it had far too little battle footage and far, far too much dribble. That's just too bad, especially since I am a Civil War fanatic. I watched the director's cut and was deeply disappointed. I can see why part 3 of this trilogy is a long-forgotten memory.

[@ReelHistory]

It was very preachy--literally.

[@Tomatohater64]

@@ReelHistory 100% agree. This movie was as bad as Gettysburg was great. Just a shame we don't get to see another solid Civil War movie.

[@senorpeniscoladas]

Gettysburg was great. Gods and Generals was a stinker when compared to it. I saw it when it originally came out in theaters, and I left during the middle of it. highly disappointed.

[@DrTarrandProfessorFether]

I concur! This movie super glorifies the slave holding south and Happy “servants” …. Very little pro-union scenes. Slavery is just not talked about. In 2001, Civil War reenacting (I started in 1988, still doing it in 2023 as a Federal Paymaster (Staff Major)), so Reenacting was slowly going down. It really started to drop in 2019 and COVID placed a hard punch. Cold Mountain and others are far more accurate.

[@mranderson5668]

I see these movies are monuments! I hope they don't go after them too! I say to put the monuments back!

[@mr.l7471]

I really enjoyed this documentary when they made the film. It's too bad the film didn't get enough credit. Yes, the story wasn't the same as the book, but I give credit for its historical authenticity, and the re-enactors did a tremendous job.

[@ReelHistory]

Yes, the reenactors in this were a special breeed.

[@ChuckG92]

I notice Jeff’s enthusiasm here didn’t carry into your recent interview. 😅

[@ReelHistory]

Quite true.

[@rielleyduckworth6066]

I get the impression that Jeff Shaara and Ron Maxwell might not have had the exact same vision for Gods and Generals. The former seems to have wanted to continue in the spirit of his father's book while the latter seems to have wanted to pack as much Civil War history into one movie as possible. The result is that while the book is a solid prequel to The Killer Angels, the movie is a plodding, bloated mess that greatly magnifies Gettysburg's flaws (i.e. long-winded monologues, lackluster combat scenes, and the failure to acknowledge the centrality of slavery to the Confederate cause).

[@christophergraves6725]

I agree with most of your comments, but slavery was hardly the motive for most soldiers on Southern or Northern side. Lee and Jackson both opposed slavery, so the topic would not reasonably come up in their scenes. There is a scene with Jackson and a slave in which Jackson is critical of slavery, but it was inserted unnecessarily I suspect to simply point out Jackson's opposition to slavery anticipating a comment like your's. Yes slavery was the hot button issue that set off the war. But most Southern soldiers were not fighting for slavery since they did not own or hope to own slaves. Most Northern soldiers only later considered slavery much at all and even then their interest depended on how the battles were going. Their main motivation for fighting was to preserve the Union.

[@rielleyduckworth6066]

@Christopher Graves There is no evidence that either Lee or Jackson opposed slavery in any meaningful way. Lee is sometimes misrepresented as antislavery because of an 1856 letter in which he acknowledged the institution to be an evil but also described the "painful discipline" as necessary for blacks and said the end of slavery should be left in God's hands rather than be effected through "controversy". As for Jackson, a fictional conversation with Jim Lewis doesn't meet the burden of proof either. I would further argue that no one who willingly threw in their lot with the Confederacy could truly be considered opposed to slavery. It was not simply a "hot button issue," but the very cause for which the Confederate states seceded, something they made abundantly clear in their declarations of secession. Regardless of the individual motives of soldiers, the fact remained that they were fighting for a government established for the explicit purpose of preserving the institution, and they would have all known it. Similarly, the individual motives of Union soldiers didn't change the fundamental ideology of the Confederacy either. Their desire to fight for the Union and not necessarily against slavery shouldn't distract us from why the seceded states left said Union in the first place.

[@christophergraves6725]

@@rielleyduckworth6066 I might also point out that Lee and Jackson also opposed secession. They did oppose slavery in principle. Lee inherited a couple of slaves from his mother at her death whom he cared for in their old age. A similar situation unfolded for Jackson. Later Lee inherited his father-in-law's slaves and refused to free them after being promised that they would be freed by the father-in-law at his death. So, Lee like Jefferson needed the labor and did not act according to his beliefs. Lee was in fact in favor of freeing the slaves and then repatriating them back to Africa. He thought they were better off having been raised in a much more developed society, but believed them to be too different and too resentful to ever be fully assimilated into American society as equals. Jackson at some danger to himself educated slaves and set up Sunday schools with Bible reading for them. Jackson saw slaves as moral equals given his devout Presbyterian faith. There is a big difference on why Mississippi and Georgia left the union due to the influence of "Fire Eaters," who were as fanatical as many of the Abolitionists in the North who had run Southern abolitionists out their movement in the 1840's, and the rest of the South as well as average Southerners. In the 1830's, there were more abolition societies following Jefferson in the South than in the North. The fanaticism that led to continual attacks on anything Southern turned any hope of phasing out slavery nearly impossible. As H.W. Brands has observed, "The Abolitionists gave the South no where to go." Notice that in the Mississippi resolution that enacted secession that slavery and "the world economy" were given as reasons for secession. If slavery had been abolished suddenly, which it was five years later, then the Southern economy would have been devastated as it was not only by the war but by the sudden change in the labor force. Slavery should have been gradually abolished over time by negotiation and allowances to move to other sources of labor. This is still a problem today with the need for cheap labor in agriculture to support the broader population. That is why there are controversies over mass immigration. It's not such an easy issue. I certainly agree though that slavery is immoral. The economic issues here also went beyond slavery. The key issue was whether to have a Hamiltonian urban industrial society or a Jeffersonian rural/small town agrarian society. Slavery was the hot button issue in this broader disagreement that included tariffs. The main motivation again for most Southerners was not to preserve slavery. The upper band of Southern states went out of the Union because Lincoln raised an army against the South. Lincoln grossly misplayed the time before the war. He should not have antagonized the states that seceded later and should have been more willing to work something out with the states that had seceded after the Fire Eaters influence had wained. This episode shows how a small minority can influence political policy. Average soldiers were quite aware of slavery, but that was not their motive for fighting in most cases. Again, the vast majority did not own slaves. They were fighting primarily because their homeland was being invaded and their way of life threatened. They were correct that their well-being would be harmed by an aggressive invasion by the Federal government.

[@Redwhiteblue-gr5em]

Thank you for a very thoughtful and knowledgeable answer to these difficult issues. You are a true scholar of the Civil War and the events and personalities surrounding it.

[@rickden8362]

@@Redwhiteblue-gr5em I'm not sure who you're replying to, if it was to Mr. Graves, his diatribe was standard Lost Cause Myth, a rationale to hide the South's desire to retain slavery as the true cause of the CW. Don't be fooled by the wordy verboseness for real logic. FACT: The South started preparing for secession/war the minute Lincoln was elected President.

[@davemac1197]

Very interesting documentary. They say it's unusual for a sequel (or prequel) to be better than the original, in this case the 'making of' documentary seems to be a better film than its subject!

[@ronaldrosales7225]

Deleted Union Characters At Antietam: Edwin V. Sumner Joseph K.F. Mansfield

[@twinsboy_3410]

Also Mira Sorvino needs some history lessons 25:55 on. Ron maxwell gets it right? Come on.

[@BishopWalters12]

I think Gods and Generals extended cut improved the movie compared to the TC, some people call it propaganda which I disagree with because I think it was more misguided and the 3rd movie was going to be more focused on the Union which would've balanced things out more.

[@ReelHistory]

We'll never know sadly!

[@stevenmay2937]

jackson was the best of us... i have his autograph... thats $$$. i put money to mouth...

[@Littlealan1959]

another great Movie what a gem of a movie its is a must see movie

[@lowellwhite1603]

I enjoyed this “making of” and I had not seen it before. Although I was an extra in some of the battle scenes in Gettysburg, I was unable to do G&G although some of my friends were in it. I think Gettysburg was the better movie by far as G&G wasn’t much more than “The Stonewall Jackson Story”. I have nothing against Stonewall, in fact we share some common ancestors in colonial Virginia. However the movie had even more of a pro South bias than Gettysburg. The battle scenes are very good and worth watching just for that and the Director’s Cut had the previous deleted Antietam battle scenes added as well as a pointless John Wilkes Booth subplot. We aren’t likely to see a movie with thousands of extras in the battle scenes anymore as everything is now CGI where a hundred extras by computer magic become tens of thousands.

[@ReelHistory]

Great points. The Booth scenes are indeed incredibly pointless.

[@christophergraves6725]

How is the movie "pro-South" exactly? It does focus on key battles that the South won overwhelmingly as it presents the background to both Joshua Chamberlain's involvement in the war and Jackson's. Jackson does carry the weight of the movie because he carried much of the weight in key battles, most notably Chancellorsville. That's what happened.

[@lowellwhite1603]

@@christophergraves6725 Really? The movie should be called “ The Stonewall Jackson Story” as the lions share of the movie focuses on him and his life and death. The extended version adds a pointless, and sympathetic, subplot about John Wilkes Booth. The 20th Maine scenes and Joshua Chamberlain seems to be an afterthought and some of that was cut in the theater version but added in the Director’s cut. “Gettysburg” was 60% Confederate while G&G was at least 75% or more. That lopsided southern slant, in my opinion is one reason why the third movie of the trilogy was never made and most likely won’t.

[@christophergraves6725]

@@lowellwhite1603 Again, Jackson was a critical figure in the war and an admirable person along with his brilliance as a tactician. I do agree that the Northern side should have been presented more with scenes involving Burnside and Hooker. But let's face it, if they had it would hardly have looked good for the North.

[@Edax_Royeaux]

@@christophergraves6725 All African-American persons in the film are portrayed as loyal and dedicated to their white southern brethren and are treated as members of the family, while the only racial slur in the film comes out of the mouth of a Union soldier. The pro-Southern agenda could not be more blatant and ahistorical.

[@jo-dcampbell7508]

I honestly think gods and generals was so much better than gettysburg Stephen lang is my favorite actor id give anything to shake his hand his performance as stonewall was the greatest performance ive ever seen anyone play in my opinion. Id love to see the final book in this saga the last full measure made into a movie its a astoundingly great novel also I highly recommend reading it.

[@andyorwig]

Redemption through the Last Full Measure

[@ReelHistory]

That would be nice!

[@twinsboy_3410]

Recycled actors from Gettysburg playing different parts or even the same. While at the same time acting in a prequel 10 years later.Also Sheen>Duvall as R.E.L. 😊

[@ReelHistory]

Sheen had a way better script to work with!

[@Edward-kk4dl]

Did u forget. Columbus Ohio union Station. Railrod

[@Edward-kk4dl]

Did u forget. Camp chase Ohio columbus

[@michaelpatterson2955]

I've studied the War most of my life, and this, I would say, is one of the best documentaries of a movie (and a very good one) to tell the story of one of those chapters. We must remember these people! We must teach our children their stories, for it is the story of our nation. Thank you for posting this.

[@createdeccentricities6620]

A true tribute to the "Lost Cause."

[@christophergraves6725]

And accurate history

[@stevenmay2937]

general lee is the best america has..

[@hettro-cv6082]

I love Civil War history and Gettysburg was an exhalent movie AND the book Gods and Generals the book is great BUT this movie sucks! I was a re enactor in this and the experience was awesome but its too much a tear jerker and way too long.

[@twinsboy_3410]

35:44 🤦🏻‍♂️🫣

[@outdoorlife5396]

I hate it bombed at the box office

[@jamieshrimpton8021]

What tragedy happened in New york and washington and pennsylvania

[@ReelHistory]

9/11.

[@rickiegable3719]

Gettysburg was definitely a better movie.

[@ReelHistory]

We agree!

[@dianawalker1622]

I don't agree. God's and Generals was much better. Including the family life of Stonewall was very interesting. I'm glad he was focused on in this movie. Robert Duval was a much better Lee, and because I'm related to Lee, that was important to me.

[@rickiegable3719]

@@dianawalker1622 To each their own.

[@davidroudebush6947]

Great movie, basically the lord of the rings of civil war movies, it just got hate because it didnt demonize the confederates

[@twinsboy_3410]

Yes! Fantastic follow up to the Review. I truly love the idea of the movie. But, they totally blew it every way. Casting was terrible. The slave/master relationships are awful. Is it a Jackson movie or a actual movie trying to portray battles accurately? It’s like a fan boy made this movie with zero movie making experience. I’m critical of this picture because it could have been incredible! We will never know.

[@ReelHistory]

A missed opportunity indeed.

[@jonnie106]

@@ReelHistory @twinsboy_3410 Why won't someone make this movie for mature audiences in the theater? The history is truly being misrepresented by sticking to this G rating safe for TV context. Lee gives an iconic line while watching Fredericksburg, "It is well that war is so horrible; or we should grow too fond of it", then cutting to the tamest example of 19th century infantry receiving fire from 19th century artillery. As a young teen I made a flip book movie of stick figure men taking a round of canister that was more accurate. The action shown after Lee delivers that line makes it appear like Lee doesn't know what the horror of a civil war battlefield looks like, and neither shall anyone who watches this movie. Matthew Brady's exhibit, "The Dead of Antietam" was reviewed by the NYT, who wrote: “Mr. Brady has done something to bring home to us the terrible reality and earnestness of war.” 150-some years later Ron Maxwell has obscured and masked that reality for a TV rating. This must be rectified. There should be no further talk of 'honoring' our past and their sacrifice until it is.

[@HumanAnimal1212]

Anyone who had a “visceral reaction” are simply being snowflakes, amazing movie!

[@ReelHistory]

We invite you to check out our three-part review of the film to hear our thoughts on the movie.

[@karlstrauss2330]

This movie couldn’t be made today in the current political climate unfortunately….

[@ReelHistory]

It perhaps shouldn't have even been made then, at least as it was written.

[@michaeleverett7247]

This was great Jarrod, shame about the movie 🥴

[@DennisGaffney-su2gu]

5

[@Redwhiteblue-gr5em]

An epic film! Along with Gettysburg the two best films about the battles and actual participants. No other films even come close. Too bad left wing politics has smeared the greatness of the film and the actors and people who made it happen.