The monuments to the right of the 20th Maine’s on Little Round top were probably monuments to the Pennsylvania and New York units who were deployed to the right of the 20th Maine.

Like others here, I really enjoyed the movie when I saw it in the theatres years ago. But I’ve learned a lot more about the war since that time and, as with many period movies, this one is full of inaccuracies. One thing that really sticks out to me is the lack of a Black presence in thie film, as some have talked about here. No, I’m not talking about “Black Confederate soldiers;” I’m referring to the Black Confederate camp servants and laborers who were an essential part of the Army of Northern Virginia. And the movie (the original theatrical release) offers really nothing on the impact of the battle on the Gettysburg civilians, including the free African-Americans residing in Southern Pennsylviania, many of whom were kidapped by the ANV and sold into slavery. “Gods & Generals” managed to include a civilian perspective… it’s too bad “Gettysburg” could not have done the same.

I agree with Eric that Ron Maxwell is a disappointing choice to make movies on an event as important as the Civil War. What I would most like to see is a multi-episode, HBO-style (think “Band of Brothers”) series on the war from as many perspectives as possible: Union, Confederate, White, Black (slave and free), immigrant, etc.

A couple thoughts:

– I also noticed the lack of blood. I didn’t know this was intended to be a tv series. I was thinking that this was filmed before the PG-13 rating (not sure if it was or not). The film could have been more realistic with a PG-13 rating while staying away from an R rating that would limit it’s audience.

– Thought the Chamberlain portrayal was brilliant. Also thought Longstreet was very good. Agree with the comment about the beard.

– Got tired of seeing guys hit with a ball (they were still using balls with rifled muskets, right?) and his body jerks and then he just falls dead….as if a bullet to the right shoulder would cause instant death.

– One big problem with Pickett’s Charge scene: How convenient that the Federal battery was shelling the area where the Confederates were forming up in the trees, yet when the Confederates emerged from the trees to form their lines the Federal guns went silent and stayed silent until the Confederates were halfway up the hill. I think it would have been even more impactful if the Confederates had been forming up under a steady barrage of cannon fire.

There was also an extensive field hospital scene shot, using the same barn that masquerades as the Codori barn in other scenes. Like several other scenes it was cut to make the movie under 6 hours 😉

Brian P did his level best, he really did try. I overheard Ron Maxwell telling him at one point “Brian, you just can’t fight us on everything…” I remember seeing him going around adjusting the gear on the extras, trying to do what he could. RIP Brian, I’ll always remember my pard tackling you into the mud at Cedar Creek in that lovely uniform 😉

Eric