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wily55
Reviews
Gods and Generals (2003)
Excellent rendering focusing on Stonewall Jackson (Stephen Lang).
Although the movie was overly long because (in my opinion) of the attempt to humanize the characters by including family scenes, it was still full of great drama and action. Stephen Lang was terrific as Stonewall Jackson and Robert Duvall was equally wonderful as Robert E. Lee (much better than Martin Sheen in Gettysburg). The movie included lots of period flavor and the re-enactors did a great job (though Gettysburg would be hard to top). I thoroughly enjoyed seeing it on the big screen and bought the DVD as soon as it came out. I hope that Ted Turner will not let the financial failure (I think) of this movie deter him from bankrolling the last of the trilogy, The Last Full Measure. Finally, I would recommend to anyone who likes these movies that he/she read the books by Michael and Jeff Shaara.
Drums Along the Mohawk (1939)
This is one of my favorite films.
This film has everything, drama, humor, and action. My favorite character is Mrs. McKlennar, played by the great Dame Edna May Oliver (also see her in A Tale of Two Cities). She's got the right combination of real independence, sauciness, and feeling. Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert are also fine as Gil and Lana. The usual John Ford stock company (Ward Bond, Arthur Shields, etc.) are in evidence in the well cast supporting roles. I'm kind of surprised that no one has targeted this story for a remake, though it might be a case of watching out what you wish for - it could be ruined by political correctness. Anyway, sit back and enjoy.