I’m not rating the movie itself, or its ingredients, I’m rating the feeling it creates. Of course, in the first place, the story it tells is a terrible nightmare that came true, just like WWI and II.
Concerning, the movie : the quality of images, the light, the music, the noise,the soundtrack , the historical reports , the costumes down to the hats, the technology, all the techincal details are prefect, even TOO perfect in a way (how can I dare say that). Most actors are fabulous, the performance is great. Some scenes are excellent, some squarely bad or depressing.
However, among all the sadness, I also perceived a lot of underlying irony, and I can understand part of it but I also hate it ; I felt mostly uneasy watching this movie from start to finish.
The final charge of the Virginians led by Pickett is terrible and very moving; in one way it is an example of utter courage, faith and sacrifice, but such a big mistake essentially.

Gettysburg and its director Ronald F. Maxwell proudly wear their “historical accuracy” on their sleeves. The result? The story moves like it really is unfolding second-for-second, the characters yak on and on about inconsequential details, and the central narrative thrust is — well, there isn’t one.

I don’t think I’ve ever been as bored by any war film. Even historical essays make for a more exciting experience. Maxwell’s characters refer endlessly to small details, yet we are never told what those details mean in the grand scheme of things. Worst of all, there is never any conflict — the root of all works of drama. The stakes are low, there is endless talk and little action, and when the battle scenes do occur, they are perhaps the most lifeless ever filmed. The charge down the hill, for example, was referred to as a suicidal gesture, yet the Union soldiers simply seem to waltz right through their enemy without any sense of danger. Maxwell simply has no idea how to either write or direct a good, tense dramatic scene.

Miserable acting caps the whole deal off. Martin Sheen has never looked more ridiculous as here, ironically, where he plays Robert E. Lee, one of the most charismatic generals in U.S. history and certainly one of the Civil War’s figureheads. Tom Berenger’s performance could have been given by any number of bit players. Even on the music front the film is an utter failure. The usually resourceful Randy Edelman’s score somehow sounds entirely anachronistic, possibly due to a generic orchestral arrangement without specific flavour, and there is entirely too much of it, as if Maxwell is trying to rely on the music to generate some kind of interest. And he is — trying, that is, and failing miserably.

I feel insulted when this film is compared to — and, horrifically, sometimes even cited above — the 1989 Civil War classic Glory, which featured an immortal performance from Denzel Washington and astonishing writing, directing, cinematography, editing, sound, and music. And Glory took a little over two hours to say oceans more about the Civil War than Gettysburg does in its entire four-hour running length. Don’t even rent this, unless you’re a fan of gross ineptitude and historical accuracy above dramatic interest. This is as bad as filmmaking gets.

I can’t review this purchase because I haven’t received it yet. I’ve sent two e-mail messages and haven’t received a response from either message. I’m not happy.