The rather lengthy Gods and Generals (216 minutes) is part of an even lengthier trilogy of films about the Civil War (aka the War Between the States and the War of Northern Aggression, depending on where you went to school). This first installment focuses on the life and role of Stonewall Jackson. It concludes 2 months prior to the battle of Gettysburg with his death after taking friendly fire.
It focuses primarily on the Southern perspective of the war, though Lt. Colonel Chamberlain (Jeff Daniels) provides a brief glimpse of a Northern perspective- and a far more philosophical one. The Southern perspective was that the North sought to violate their land and oppress them. Jackson’s allegience was to the State of Virginia, and what she decided he would do. They neglect to mention anything about the initial aggression of the Confederates at Fort Sumter. They think the Republicans as war profiteers, and Abraham Lincoln as a war monger who seeks to disrupt their civil, gentle lives.
Very surprising was an exchange between Jackson and his cook, a free African-American, after they prayed. Mr. Lewis prayed for the freedom of the rest of his family. Gen. Jackson told him many Conferate leaders wanted the slaves freed. Hmmm. So which state right were they fighting for? Wasn’t it the right to maintain the enslavement of others? The cook could see the contradiction. The cook could see the gap in Stonewall Jackson’s piety. But Stonewall couldn’t see it.
Chamberlain expressed these very sentiments. The South saw itself as fighting a second war of independence. But that freedom was limited to white citizens, what people like President Lincoln where trying to change.
Chamberlain talked about God periodically, but there was not glimpse into his personal piety. Jackson would pray at the drop of a hat. He had a very warm piety- but the acting of those scenes seemed outside the realm of my experience. I just have to wonder if the writers and director were people of faith- because the way it was written & directed made it feel foreign to them. Like a white guy trying to be black- it just doesn’t work.
The movie had 3 lengthy battle scenes: the battles of Manassas, Fredericksburg and Chancelorsville. They were not gory. You certainly got the impression that the Union leaders had no concern for their men. In battle men will die, but you should implement a strategy that gains victory at minimal cost of life. They would march their men into strongly fortified killing fields. God shall hold them accountable too.
If you are interested in a movie about the Civil War, there are better. This was long, laborious and leaned toward propoganda. I had to watch it in 3 sittings, and though some scenes were quite touching, overall it seemed too much like Gone with the Wind with flowerly language and bold statements. Having said all that, I may now be forced to return north of the Mason-Dixon line.
Cavman Considers 