IMDb > Gods and Generals (2003)
Gods and Generals
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Gods and Generals (2003) More at IMDbPro »

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Gods and Generals (2003) -- Gods and Generals follows the rise and fall of legendary war hero "Stonewall Jackson". The prequel to the 1993 hit Gettysburg.
Gods and Generals (2003) -- Gods and Generals follows the rise and fall of legendary war hero "Stonewall Jackson". The prequel to the 1993 hit Gettysburg.
Gods and Generals (2003) -- Theatrical Preview
Gods and Generals (2003) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.0/10   6,920 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 5% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Jeff Shaara (book)
Ronald F. Maxwell (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Gods and Generals on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
21 February 2003 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
The nations heart was touched by.... more
Plot:
Gods and Generals follows the rise and fall of legendary war hero "Stonewall Jackson". The prequel to the 1993 hit Gettysburg. | full synopsis
Awards:
1 win & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(15 articles)
User Comments:
A first-rate historical movie more (464 total)
US TV Schedule:

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Jeff Daniels ... Lt. Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
Mark Aldrich ... Adjutant

Stephen Lang ... Lt. Gen. Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson
George Allen ... Confederate Officer

Robert Duvall ... Gen. Robert E. Lee
Keith Allison ... Capt. James J. White

Mira Sorvino ... Fanny Chamberlain
Royce D. Applegate ... Brig. Gen. James Kemper (as Royce Applegate)

Kevin Conway ... Sgt. Buster Kilrain

C. Thomas Howell ... Sgt. Thomas Chamberlain

Matt Letscher ... Col. Adelbert Ames
Mac Butler ... Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker
Frankie Faison ... Jim Lewis
Robert Byrd ... Confederate General (as Robert C. Byrd)

Jeremy London ... Capt. Alexander 'Sandie' Pendleton
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Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for sustained battle sequences.
Runtime:
219 min | Sweden:209 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Stephen Lang also appeared in Gettysburg (1993). However, he does not reprise his original role from "Gettysburg", that of Maj. Gen. George E. Pickett. Instead, he plays Lt. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, who died two months prior to the momentous clash in Gettysburg. Bill Campbell took over the role of Pickett. more
Goofs:
Continuity: During the 20th Maine's advance on Marye's Heights, the sun's evening position is correctly shown in the western sky. However, during the retreat, the sun can be seen rising in the eastern sky. more
Quotes:
General Bernard Bee: Look! There is Jackson standing like a Stonewall! Let us determine to die here today and we will conquer, Rally behind the Virginians! more
Movie Connections:
Spin off Gods and Generals (2003) (VG) more
Soundtrack:
Going Home more

FAQ

Given that slavery was a brutal and immoral practice, why would anyone today (including the makers of this film) side with the Confederates, who supported slavery, against the Union, which sought to abolish it?
more
7 out of 7 people found the following comment useful.
A first-rate historical movie, 17 March 2003
9/10
Author: macsperkins from Houston, Texas

The film "Gods and Generals" is essentially a biographical film about General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson of the CSA. Those who have no idea, or interest, as to who this man was should probably stick to such heavyweight box-office competition such as "Agent Cody Banks," "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days," or "Daredevil" instead. "Gods and Generals" is well-made, old-fashioned film that gives an absorbing view of the U.S. Civil War and one of its leading figures. The portrait of Jackson is accurate from the big issues (his profound religious faith) down to the trivial (his fondness for lemonade). Characters both Northern and Southern are portrayed even-handedly, and the historical and social aspects of the film are authentic. Characters quote poetry from memory and sometimes speak in almost biblical cadences, in the same way that Lincoln's speeches were deeply influenced by the language of the King James Bible. It is a beautiful film to look at, with great feeling for the often-wild landscape of the era; in this respect, it gains immeasurably from being seen on a full-scale theatrical screen. Two criticisms of the movie have been made repeatedly: (1) it's "too long"; and (2) it doesn't accurately portray the horrors of war. On the first score -- too long for what? It is the right length for its subject matter. It's the right length to give an earnest and thoughtful account of a great general's life and a turning point in American history, even world history. (Many believe the Civil War might have gone differently had Jackson survived.) It IS too long if you have Attention Deficit Disorder or have been raised upon television sitcoms and the constant jump-cuts & meritricious visual razzle-dazzle of TV commercials and music videos. On the second score -- no one will ever walk away from this film eager to see war in real life. Men line up with their rifles (in a mode of combat no longer practiced), blast away at each other nearly face-to-face, and drop en masse like bags of bloody meat. In one memorable scene, Col. Chamberlain [Jeff Daniels] sleeps on the nighttime battlefield using his fellow soldiers' corpses as bedding; come daylight, he uses those same corpses to absorb flying enemy bullets once the battle resumes anew. Apparently what some critics actually desire are cool special effects, with exploding bodies and mangled limbs flying across the screen. "Gods and Generals" is a movie of great integrity and power -- one made by adults for adults.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Gods and Generals (2003)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
NEW HOPE FOR 'LAST FULL MEASURE' bryanac625
Stonewall Jackson's Patriotism bryanac625
Who actually owns the movie rights to this and 'The Last Full Measure'? ag-wktn
A different victory and weapons question oldsalt61
Deleted Scenes on Soundtrack DVD SmokedPorter
Somebody learn some history before you watch!!!! tlulmer
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