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| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Theresa |
Posted - January 29 2003 : 07:39:02 AM
This article was in the January 1 & 15, 2003 issue of "Booklist Magazine". It is not about the movie but rather a book that has been written about the faith, hope, and love in the American Civil War.
What with a forword by Ron Maxwell, director of the new movie Gods and Generals, it is easy to grasp that this book is a companion to the film, and doubtless seeing the movie and reading Jeff Shaara's novel Gods and Generals (1996) will enrich appreciation of editors Baehr and Wales' compilation. Still, the copiously illistrated book is independently usefull as attestation of the importance of religion in the life of the general society that fought the Civil War and in the lives of many figures prominent in it. Stonewall Jackson is the predominant figure here, because of the novel and film but also because his faith had a burning intensity that daunted even some of his contemporaries. Robert E. Lee, who worshiped duty as much as anything else, is also prominent, as is Abraham Lincoln, a self-construed nonsectarian Christian. Less inevitable figures include William Rosecrans, whose reputation may suffer now as it did then from his devout Catholicism, and George McClellan, who isn't usually considered to have worshiped anything other than himself.---Roland Green
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Bill R |
Posted - August 22 2003 : 2:12:38 PM
Steph, ya never know! We could be cousins. Certainly the smurf and gnome are cousins. Got any Irwins or Irvins in your family tree? Rooks and those names are the southern side of the family in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and NC branches. Kilpatrick, Rapp, Thoma (Thomas) are the northern side of the family. |
| Stephanie |
Posted - August 21 2003 : 6:23:15 PM
Wow that is cool about him visiting Pickett's grave! I didn't know that. I guess portraying Pickett gives one more sympathy for him than most people have. History has not been exactly kind to Pickett.
Awwwww Gnome! What sweet words! You know, I wonder if Gnomes and Smurfs are related! We could be cousins!
As a civilian reenactor, I don't necessarily portray one side or the other. The group I belong to, though, does both Union and Confederate impressions. It's fair that way... most folks like to play Confederate but they also need someone to shoot at, so many groups take turn being the bad guys, ... errr I mean Yankees.
Steph |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - August 20 2003 : 3:41:44 PM
How neat, Stephanie! Have you cut the sleeve off of your dress (where he touched it) so you can frame it?
You have just confirmed the impression I had formed about Steven Lang: that he is a very nice person, who has not let being an actor spoil him. I had read a couple of his interviews and my husband had seen him interviewed on TV... we are both very impressed with Mr. Lang. Any busy actor who would take the time to go and visit, and clean up around the grave of Gen. George Pickett whenever he was in the area... is OK in my book!
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| Bill R |
Posted - August 20 2003 : 3:41:18 PM
I was, of COURSE, talking about MY falling off the pumpkin truck, not YOU in that last post. Never would I malign the Smurf! |
| Bill R |
Posted - August 20 2003 : 3:28:56 PM
Makeup? Makeup? You don't need no steeeenking makeup! Some women have a timeless beauty and are the better for the natural look.
How exciting for you meeting Mr. Lang so close to Gods and Generals, given your interest in The War of Seccesion, the 2nd American Revolution!! Nice pic of you too! Which side do you usually portray? Northern or Southern? I would guess, having fallen off the pumpkin truck some weeks ago and not just yesterday......you'd be SOUTHERN, correct? Given where you live, that you are a fine southern woman, and you have to live with your neighbors!! Oh PLEASE say you portray southern! |
| Stephanie |
Posted - August 20 2003 : 2:51:06 PM
Hey Rich I think your comments about the movie might have been in one of the weekly updates.
And yes, it's ME and Stephen Lang! Last September he spoke at the Sharpsburg reenactment. This was a promotional appearance and was a couple of months before the movie came out. We had been hearing so many stories from reenactors who were extras in the movie, so *anticipation* was running high. It was genuinely a pleasure to hear Mr. Lang speak... he is very articulate and an excellent speaker who held everyone's attention, even in almost unbearable heat. He was completely down to earth, wearing blue jeans and reading from notes scratched on yellow legal paper. He spoke about preparing for the role of Jackson and how it differed from other roles he has played (quite a stretch from Ike Clanton and Gen. Pickett!!!!). He had nothing but praise for the actress who played Jackson's wife and for many others who appeared in the movie.
After he spoke, the crowd removed to another area where Mr .Lang would sign autographs. He took time to speak to every single person, no one was rushed, and he made you feel like you were the only person there. If he tired of posing for pictures and answering questions, he never showed it, even though he had talked for a long time with no break in sweltering heat.
I got my cover of the movie "Tombstone" signed by him. That was on my birthday last year and I have to say that was the best birthday present I got! What a class act.... can't wait to see what he does next!
RIch thanks for posting the picture! Now you all have seen me without makeup! Yikes!!!!!!!!!!!
Stephanie
"Law don't go 'round here!" |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - August 18 2003 : 08:22:40 AM
Wow! OK, Miss Stephanie... I surely would like to hear this story! What? When? Why? How?... did you have the opportunity to meet Mr. Lang?
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| Theresa |
Posted - August 17 2003 : 10:16:12 AM
Well, if she wasn't in Gods and Generals, she shoulda been...looking good, Steph. |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - August 17 2003 : 10:09:32 AM
Rich, I think... if I remember correctly... that you included your thoughts about the movie in a Weekly Update. I think.
As for the above photo, the gentleman looks like Steven Lang, sans Jackson beard and dark hair. Am I correct? As for the young lady... I have no idea. But is she a Mohicanlander? I know we have at least one Mohicanlander who reenacts Civil War.
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| richfed |
Posted - August 17 2003 : 09:09:54 AM
A pic I had laying around the old 'puter ... taken, if my memory is correct, last September - might as well put it to use:
So ... who are these two?!?  HINT: One is in Gods & Generals ... the other isn't, but lives right here!
On another note, I know I posted my reaction to this film ... somewhere, but obviously not here!  I did love it! |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - July 24 2003 : 9:02:29 PM
quote:
Originally posted by richfed
OK ... I received my DVD copy of "Gods & Generals". Haven't watched it yet; hopefully sometime over the weekend. -- Just the trailer alone gave me chills. Can't wait to see this!!!!
Why do I suddenly hear Carlie Simon singing.... "An-ti-ci-pa-tion..."?
Rich, you are gonna LOVE IT!! I received my copy of the video, and hope to find a large enough block of time to watch it soon. The extras on the DVD sound great, too. Yes, it is Mary Fahl. I also purchased her CD that contains the song from G & G. I have heard it so much, and I still get a lump in my throat when I hear it. It is so incredibly beautiful. Makes me want to get out the ol' fiddle, clean the rust off my fingers and try it out. |
| richfed |
Posted - July 24 2003 : 06:26:44 AM
OK ... I received my DVD copy of "Gods & Generals". Haven't watched it yet; hopefully sometime over the weekend. All I've done, so far, is carefully examine the covers & watch some of the added features ...
Of note:
-- Despite rumors, it appears to me that this version is identical to the theatrical release. I think the "5 hour" time is meant for the entire DVD, INCLUDING the bonus features. That how I take it, anyway.
-- GREAT bio on Stonewall Jackson!!! In light of discussions elsewhere on this board, I found it interesting that he sought out, and rejected, Catholicism. Very interesting stuff.
-- Just the trailer alone gave me chills. Can't wait to see this!!!!
-- A superb "Making of ..." segment on the Battle of Fredericksburg portion of the film. I didn't know it till I viewed that, but the town of Fredericksburg [home of Marc & Cherie, btw!!!] is actually present-day Harper's Ferry! Great choice. If I have time - and remember - I'll scan some pics of that place taken while on vacation 10 or 12 years ago. Harper's Ferry is a wonderful place to visit!
-- EXCELLENT music videos!! The Bob Dylan tune, and especially the one by ... by ... I forget her name ... Mary Fahl  maybe? ... are hauntingly beautiful!
There's more, too ... and I haven't even watched the movie! |
| richfed |
Posted - July 17 2003 : 06:14:01 AM
Upon Jackson's death in the final moments of the Chancellorsville battle, Lee reorganized the Army of Northern Virginia. No longer two Corps [Jackson/Longstreet], it became 3 [Ewell/Hill/Longstreet]. Besides the loss of the war's most brilliant general [Jackson] this new alignment, I feel, led to the breakdown of communication [Stuart's cavalry, or lack of, playing no small role in that!] and consequent inactivity that led, finally, to the defeat of the Confederates at Gettysburg. In my mind, Stonewall Jackson's presence would have changed things dramatically.
As far as the hokeyness goes ... I haven't yet seen "Gods & Generals," but based on "Gettysburg," I'd have to say that any hokeyness might be the result of the filmmaker's desire to present the 1860's through the eyes of the 1860's. What may appear hokey to us, in the 21st Century, was anything but back then ...
Again, I can't wait to see this film ... so, does the DVD version include more footage of a relevant nature as advertised?!? |
| Bill R |
Posted - July 16 2003 : 12:25:23 PM
Something else I think I picked up on, having watched both G1 (Gettysburg) and G squared (Gods and Generals). In G&G it looked to me like Lee was a supreme strategist - the Wily Grey Fox - while Jackson was a supreme tactician. Lee would make the strategic decisions about when and where to fight, then allow his generals to make all the tactical decisions about deployments and methods to defeat the enemy on the chosen ground. With the loss of Jackson, at Gettysburg, it seemed that Lee began making the tactical decisions as well, which led to his loss in that critical battle. Or so it seems to me. Any of you history adicts or reenactors able to provide more learned viewpoint on that? |
| Bill R |
Posted - July 16 2003 : 12:08:59 PM
Well, I rented G&G yesterday, and watched it last night. I was satisfied it compared favorably with Gettysburg. Wonder when Last Full Measure will be coming out (the third part of the trilogy)?
There were some hokey parts in the movie, but then there were some in Gettysburg too. Jackson praying with Jim was kinda hokey. Particularly Jim's part of the prayer, and Jackson's reaction. I can fully understand Jim's prayer being as it is portrayed, but find it difficult to believe the white reaction would be that understanding and mild. Oh well. It made it's point, and that was the intent I am sure.
Overall, I liked it a LOT. As much as I liked Gettysburg. Gburg had a lot of dialogue inserted which was used to set the stage in attitudes and motivations also. Like others, I was happy to see some of the guys back from Gettysburg. Chamberlains, Hancock, etc.
And I DO think it is time somebody made a recent movie portraying the Southern viewpoint for going to war. So often they are portrayed as simply refusing to give up slavery and that was what started the war. Not so. It WAS a dispute about how much power a central government should have - and they DID feel the Federal troops raised to "crush the rebellion" were indeed invaders. At that time, it was unthinkable that Federal troops would be raised specifically to invade what were still considered sovereign states.
Chamberlain in the movie makes the perfect counterpoint to that argument....though I doubt very many whites back then would state they'd be glad to give the life of their own brother and themselves in order to "free the blacks".
That the North won was good for maintaining the identity and vitality of this country, BAD for curtailing the power of central government.
At any rate, I thought it great. |
| richfed |
Posted - July 13 2003 : 07:14:51 AM
Thanks for the plug, WW!
Very important, too ... with the rapidly diminishing suppy of the booklet On the Trail of the Last of the Mohicans - our main source of income for the site, the book store becomes all the more important for the survival of the web site.
Visit the Mohicanland Book Shoppe on the Frontier and make all your on-line purchases of books, videos, CDs, and the like through it. It really helps! Even if the title you are looking for isn't there, as long as you use the Search Engine, we get credit.
As for Gods & Generals, I can't wait! Still haven't seen it, but my DVD copy is ordered. I got my pre-release order of Gangs of New York delivered to my door two days after the release date! |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - July 12 2003 : 11:04:22 PM
Well, if any of you missed this one in the theaters, you can at least watch it at home now. On Tuesday the 15th, it is being released on video and DVD.
Don't hesitate to rent it! If you want to buy it, you can get it through Amazon. Just be sure to get to Amazon's website through the Mohicanpress website, so Rich and Elaine can get a bit from your purchase. I plan to! |
| daire |
Posted - March 12 2003 : 1:05:10 PM
I've never heard of MK, but WOW, that his a fantastic painting of that scene. Which, IMO, is one of the more powerful ones. |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - March 12 2003 : 08:06:02 AM
Are any of you familiar with the artist Mort Kunstler? I just discovered his work and I think he is quite good. He is the "official" artist for the movie Gods and Generals, as he was for Gettysburg.
When I found these paintings of his, I was blown away... especially with this one. Go here and check it out, but BEWARE! If you read the text below it, there are spoilers! If you don't want to read the text you can still safely look at the painting. Just don't scroll down. I will just tell you that it is a painting of Steven Lang as Gen. Stonewall Jackson, and those of you who have seen the movie will recognize the scene immediately. Enjoy!
www.mortkunstler.com/gallery/merchant.ihtml?pid=821&lastcatid=103&step=4 |
| Stephanie |
Posted - February 27 2003 : 12:54:05 PM
Wow WW Thanks for sharing those sites!!
Steph |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - February 27 2003 : 12:39:10 PM
Here is a link to a site that has some good screen shots.
www.movieweb.com/movie/godsgenerals/
And here is one that has an interesting article about the movie,Ted Turner and reenactors. Did you all spot him?
www.wesclark.com/jw/turner.html
And here is the best site I've found so far for "while filming" photos. www.cwreenactors.com/~sykes/G&GNet.html |
| Stephanie |
Posted - February 26 2003 : 9:22:04 PM
Yes I have heard that too, but the ladies I'm referring to were adults. |
| daire |
Posted - February 26 2003 : 7:11:01 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Stephanie
Long, flowing hair, and white blouses with cameos were out of place. Show me a picture or cdv from that time period of a woman with her hair down and about her shoulders and I might change my mind.
I thought I read or heard something (a while ago, so I could be mistaken) that women/girls wore their hair (mostly) down until they were married, then they took to the pinned up hairstyles or until a certain age of maturity...
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| Stephanie |
Posted - February 26 2003 : 2:50:12 PM
 All right Rich, no spoilers!! And by the way, that scene where he...<bleep>... is just exactly as I had imagined it.
I was fortunate enough to see the movie on opening night with a group of fellow CW reenactors, so it was interesting to hear the variety of reactions. Some hated it, some loved it, and all for different reasons.
Although I felt Jeff Daniels "overacted" a bit, Stephen Lang lived up to every expectation I had of him in this perfect performance. He is incredible! I, too, hope he gets an Oscar nomination for this. He has been too often overlooked in the past.The actress who played his wife (not sure of her name) was also excellent, and last year when I heard Stephen Lang speak about the movie, he had nothing but praise for her talent and professionalism.
I don't know much about the mens' uniforms and weapons, but I can tell you that most CW civilian reenactors were *shocked* at the clothing and hairstyles portrayed in this film. Long, flowing hair, and white blouses with cameos were out of place. Show me a picture or cdv from that time period of a woman with her hair down and about her shoulders and I might change my mind. The widow in the black dress was the only one who really had the look.
Okay, picky details I know but I couldn't help it.
A gentleman in my reenacting group worked as an extra in the movie and we were all pleasantly surprised at how many times we saw him, GREAT shots of him, too. He shared his own thoughts with us, and I think he made a good point. Much has been said about the "preachiness" of the movie, but those parts are necessary to get at the core of Jackson, to feel where he is centered. My friend stated that one way to view the movie is as a story about men, conflict, faith, and character, not about the Civil War. THe really important things are not necessarily the uniforms, guns, hairstyles, or even the battle scenes, but the inward battles that ordinary men in extraordinary adversity face and deal with. My friend felt that the time period itself is secondary; that you could take this story out of the Civil War and set it in other time periods, in other conflicts, and the message would be just as powerful. I thought he made an interesting point.
I have to agree with the others that the Irish Brigade scene and the scene of Jackson, well, I don't want to give it away but he WAS crying but I won't say why..anyway those truly were two of the most powerful scenes in the movie. Wow.
Can't wait for the rest of you to see it; I've enjoyed the comments so far!!!
Steph |
| Seamus |
Posted - February 26 2003 : 09:32:07 AM
Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh, Yes, WW....yes! And thank you!
You have saved my feeble mind from a serious gear-stripping. I owe you!! Ye'll get an extra ration of Port at Old Mill Village!
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