Gods and Generals

Gods and Generals is one of my favorite movies of all time.  Based on the book of the same name (by Jeffrey Shaara), it tells of the rise and fall of Stonewall Jackson in the first half of the Civil War (basically, from the war's onset to just prior to Gettysburg).

The Civil War has seen many movies made- what makes this one stand out?  It tells both sides of the story.  Winners write history, and so it's reasonable to expect that accounts are shaded towards the victors.  The Civil War is no different- most are taught a view that definitely paints the south in a negative light.  Is that fair?  Elements are- slavery is clearly wrong.  Yet, both north and south were fighting for right and wrong reasons, and the movie does a good job portraying that.  It's not "evil slave-owning southerners" vs. "righteous northerners;" nor is it "innocent southerners" vs. "oppressive northerners."  The truth is much more complicated, and the film captures that, all while focusing on Stonewall Jackson, and teaching the viewer about this amazing man.  You leave the film feeling as though both north and south had good reasons for fighting for their cause.  That does not mean that both sides were right, but it does show that people holding similar beliefs can arrive at very different conclusions on how to live. 

The film is primarily instructive, so while you have the battle scenes you'd expect, the focus is not on effects, nor on love (one complaint I heard was that there "wasn't sex").  It's not a very "hollywoodized" film. And, at just under 4 hours (theatrical release), to 4 hours 40 minutes (director's cut), either version is not a short movie.  In fact, this is the only movie I've ever seen in theaters that had an intermission.  But, it's worth it.  Watch the film- learn our nation's history- and better understand both sides in the conflict.

Rating: A+