The Battle of Gettysburg took place 151 years ago this month, the bloodiest battle ever fought on U.S. soil. The events of those three days changed the tide of the Civil War and contained several fascinating stories from both the Union and Confederate sides of the conflict. There have been several collections of these tales throughout the years, but none is more well-known among the populous than those told in the 1993 movie “Gettysburg.”
The movie is based on Michael Shaara’s 1974 book “The Killer Angels,” and the two narratives line up almost identically. The story focuses on Union Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, who took on a company of mutineers and held the left flank on the pivotal second day of battle, and Confederate Gens. Robert E. Lee and James Longstreet, the two top men in the Rebel army, as they strategize and argue over how to handle their forces.
It is remarkable how closely the movie sticks to the source material. The behind-the-scenes moments, the key characters involved, the dialogue in most cases — if you see it in the movie, chances are good you will find it in the book. Writer/director Ronald F. Maxwell translated the novel to the big screen seemingly effortlessly, and the actors embody the characters to a T. Martin Sheen exudes the noble yet gentle nature of Robert E. Lee. Tom Berenger captures the complex inner working of Longstreet, even though the movie doesn’t expand upon his personal demons that haunted him throughout the war (his children tragically died, a pain that plagues his inner monologues throughout the book). Jeff Daniels is excellent as the nervous yet strong and beloved professor-turned-commander.
The story of Gettysburg fits perfectly into the realm of cinema. The three-day battle fits into the traditional Hollywood three-act structure like a glove. The film gives a little more time to the battle sequences than the book, but because it clocks it at a whopping 4 hours, 15 minutes, there is more than enough time for the characters to build and connect on a deeper level with the audience. The book also illustrates more of the horrors of war, whereas the movie lessens the impact (but only by a bit — there is still a good amount of blood, and the amputations and horrible field hospital conditions are touched upon).
If you’re a history buff, you’ve probably already seen and/or read the story. If you’re interested in learning about the Civil War, either one of these works is a great place to turn.
