Movie "Gettysburg" and Lee's eccentrics

[chainshot09]

While normally no fan of historical fiction, I did enjoy the book the Killer Angels. When I found out that Ted Turner was making a huge movie out of the novel I just couldn't wait to see it. Then I found out that Martin Sheen was cast as R.E. Lee and was sick to my stomach. What a huge insult to the memory of a man of the caliber of Gen Robert E. Lee to be portrayed by that liberal/socialist worm, Martin Sheen. I saw an interview where Martin Sheen was discussing being asked to look at the script and and read for the part. Martin Sheen said he didn't know anything about Gettysburg or Gen Lee, but found the script intriguing from the human perspective. That thoroughly disgusted me...

 

[Stalker]

Is there a muzzle loader question or comment in
your post or is it just political reflection?

Fine movie, I've watched it many times, but its
Hollywood! The casting of the old Irish corporal
makes up for the mis-casting of R.E.Lee and others. Not because of his politics, but because of the acting that it took to bring his character to life. Keeps shooting a Springfield one handed after taking a ball in the arm! I wonder how many thousands of soldiers like that battle savvy old bird fought in the War.

 

[Jason Lewis]

actually he shoots a contract pattern 53 enfield,the 20th carried them at the time.

 

[TFoley]

I think Martin Sheen did a terrible job of portraying him. Bad actor to start with and obviously didn't study for the role. Tom Berenger did a pretty good job on Longstreet, but not for this period in Old Pete's life. Longstreet was more subdued by this time since the deaths of 2 of his children.

I have seen both major movies on the WoNA, and IMHO, Robert Duvall makes a better Lee than Sheen. THE star of 'Gettysburg', for me, is Chamberlain - he looks more like his historical original than his historical original.

tac

 

[Tumblernotch]

While Duvall didn't do a great job (in my opinion), he did do a much better job than Sheen. I'm with you on Chamberlain too. From what I have read about him, I would say that Jeff Daniels did a wonderful job. He is a very versatile actor and can play about any type of character. His comedy work is great.

There are some who think that Lee was a stiff, unfeeling aristocrat. One only has to read his letters and intimate recollections of those who were with him in camp as well as tense situations to see that he was far from that.
:thumbsup:

 

[ihuntsnook]

I thought the absolutely worst portrayal in the movie was Sam Elliot's depiction of Buford. One of the foremost heros of Gettsyburg was noted for his cool head and his brief, concise dispatches. Elliot's rants are out of character of everything I've ever read about Buford. Fletcher Pratt documents his part well in the book "Eleven Generals."

 

[Stalker]

Looks like a Springfield to me in the movie. Do you think Hollywood really went to the trouble to arm the actors with the same rifles actually issued to the regiment at the time of the battle? Were the other weapons used by the 20th in the movie Enfields?

 

[ihuntsnook]

I suspect that most of the re-enactors supplied their own weapons.

 

[Tumblernotch]

Yeah, I'd forgotten about him. Sam kinda went overboard in that role. Normally he plays a cool character but this time he makes Buford look like a nutjob.

 

[Tumblernotch]

I suspect that most of the re-enactors supplied their own weapons.

I'd say they did, but a film company armorer probably supplied the actors. I had the opportunity along with many other reenactors to be in Gettysburg. While some from my unit and others did, a lot of us didn't for various reasons, one being on account of protesting some dirty dealings involving Ted Turner and one of our members who was involved in the production of the movie. I kind of wish now that I had done it, but logistics would've probably nipped it in the bud anyhow. Funny thing, I can't even remember what exactly we were boycotting for. But back then, a bunch of people were up in arms over it, whatever it was.

 

[Jason Lewis]

Looks like a Springfield to me in the movie. Do you think Hollywood really went to the trouble to arm the actors with the same rifles actually issued to the regiment at the time of the battle? Were the other weapons used by the 20th in the movie Enfields?

just watched it today, those are P53's.

 

[Jason Lewis]

watched it again today really close, i must apologize, there seems to be a healthy mix of P53's and various springfields carried by the 20th maine. but, killrain's gun is a P53.