For example, the film’s time period is essentially from the battle of First Bull Run through Chancellorsville, summer 1861-spring 1863. It omits critical elements necessary to any attempt at explaining the war in northern Virginia. It compresses events and simplifies motivations-although let that pass since it is a commonplace for historical drama.
Gods and Generals fails as history-one is hard pressed to gain real understanding of the Civil War, or any part thereof, from watching this film. Beyond that, this film was an embarrassment for all involved. Oh my, what a confused, exasperating, sappy, speechifying mess of a film! At least the beard of Confederate General Longstreet in this film was better than beard of Tom Berenger’s Longstreet in Gettysburg. I had seen it when it first came out in 2003 and didn’t like it, but I had been wanting to watch it again to see if my first impressions remained the same.
I re-watched Gods and Generals over the weekend.
