Dir.
Ronald F. Maxwell, 2003, US, 231 mins
Cast:
Jeff Daniels, Stephen Lang, Robert Duvall, Mark J. Nichols, Mira Sorvino, C. Thomas Howell, Bruce Boxleitner
With an initially daunting four hour running time (including an interval) and an epic narrative spanning two years, Gods and Generals presents a remarkably unbiased account of the early years American Civil War.
Although seemingly a sprawling tale, the film very much centres on Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson, his beliefs and ideals and how the war effects them.
The performances are excellent and, despite a huge cast of familiar faces, the film never becomes an exercise in star spotting. Robert Duvall in a relatively small but pivotal role as General Robert E. Lee lends a dignified performance, yet it's Stephen Lang's turn as General Jackson that gives the film it's true heart. Complex and at times deeply effective, Lang, on the evidence here, is very much an overlooked talent and holds his own within the impressive cast.
Jeff Daniel's role as the teacher who enlists in the Union army and becomes one of the North's finest leaders manages to be both sympathetic and utterly believable making a huge transformation in a realistic and honest way.
As is often the case with films of this genre women perhaps seem to have a slightly lesser role to play. However, strong performances by Kali Rocha as Jackson's wife and an extended cameo by Mira Sorvino allow for an outlook rarely afforded in films of this nature.
The film's brisk pace belies its extended running time, with plot points and character moments piled on thick and fast. Quite simply, there is no way the film could have been shortened without losing vital components of the narrative. This is a film that makes huge yet reasonable demands of the audience. You do not need to be a Civil War expert before seeing the film but the film hits the ground running and from then you are expected to keep up.
The battle sequences are remarkably restrained with blood and gore being held back although the impact of the war remains high due to the large body count. Ronald F. Maxwell's direction allows us into the battle without becoming disassociated with the all too real human element of the story. The most disappointing aspect of the film is the weak, occasionally flag waving score which is often at odds with the well-balanced narrative. Also the film thrusts a truly awful title sequence upon us that drifts horribly towards jingoism.
Unusually for a war narrative, this is not a film of 'heroes and villains' and it is this impartial stance that raises Gods and Generals above other far less worthy examples of the genre.
Based on Jeff Shaara's best-selling novel, Gods and Generals is a prequel to Gettysburg and as the end credits inform us, will be followed by the concluding part of the trilogy, The Last Full Measure.
Jonathan Wilkins
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