Gettysburg (1993) / Gods and Generals (2003)

[Aragorn the Elfstone]

Originally Posted by Nighteyes

One question though, Amazon.de says Gods and Generals - Extended Cut? Does an extended cut even exist? The only one I'm aware of is the 219min one, which is both on the DVDs and the existing US Blu-ray, right?

There was a wealth of material cut from Gods and Generals, and I believe a 6-hour cut (I think) was produced, but never actually released on home video. If this ends up being released, I will be one happy camper.

[yojoeski]

Exactly that is correct. Jeff Shaara's website makes mention of the extended cut that is to be released supposedly in May. This cut is supposed to have, among other things, the battle of Antietam in it as well as focus on more characters and take a little of the focus off Jackson, although he is still obviously the main focus of the story. Reportedly, when Maxwell showed this director's cut to an audience in early preview screenings, it was met with a standing ovation at the end. I've never known why exactly it was cut but I suspect it has to do with Warner Bros wanting something that could be shown several times a day and not a 6 hour film that could only be shown at most 2 times a day.

Given comments by Maxwell, Brian Mallon(General Winfield Scott Hancock), Jeff Shaara, and these preorders being up in Germany, I just can't imagine a US announcement being very far off. May have to import Gettysburg but I can't imagine it wouldn't be released here too and if it isn't, I believe it will be region free and if not, I'll be region free by then anyway.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

Which won the Pulitzer. Yes, I know. Maxwell received undue credit for Gettysburgh, and Gods and Generals exposed him as a bit of a fraud.



There won't be a third film.

Well that's certainly disappointing but as someone who's visited Gettysburg, I hope these come out in the US soon.

[R3P0]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

Absolutely -- as I said, Maxwell was exposed as a director with no imagination.

I remember being profoundly annoyed by his staging of the battle of Little Round Top, when Chamberlain ordered fixed bayonets and then ordered his left flank to come "swinging" around like the gate of a fence, thus flanking and routing the much-stronger Confederates charging up the hill to crush the Union positions. World history changed that day. And how does Maxwell shoot it? Do we get an OVERHEAD SHOT THAT SHOWS THE UNION ARMY "SWINGING" DOWN THE HILL?

No.

Chamberlain orders the fixed bayonets, describes what he wants to do, and the director doesn't show the tactic, just lateral tracking shots and POV and OTS from both sides. I couldn't believe the missed opportunity, but still gave Maxwell the benefit of the doubt. After seeing Gods and Generals...no, he's just incompetent, with no imagination. I've never said that about any professional, working director, but in this case, it's true. Hope he enjoyed the ride.

Problem is had he done that charge the same way he did the swinging shots of the Confederate army marching it would have taken away from Pickets charge which was a far greater victory/loss then the swing on little round top. I thought that the coverage of Little round top was well done and did get the essential attention it deserved.

[BarnDoor]

No date yet, but Gods and Generals is listed on Amazon, and seems to be a digibook release:

http://www.amazon.com/Gods-Generals-...8309880&sr=1-5

I imagine Gettysburg will be a digibook also. Fantastic.

[Crimson King]

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

No date yet, but Gods and Generals is listed on Amazon, and seems to be a digibook release:

http://www.amazon.com/Gods-Generals-...8309880&sr=1-5

I imagine Gettysburg will be a digibook also. Fantastic.

Gods and Generals IS NOT digibook worthy IMO, but Gettysberg IS!

[BarnDoor]

If I had to choose between the two I'd have definitely gone for Gettysburg, so if it isn't I'll be very disappointed.

[yojoeski]

Now a 2 pack seems to have gone up on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Gettysburg-Gen...=3EQW7ZHLDTGEO

I just wonder if this means we can't get Gettysburg on it's own. I'll take it anyway I can get it, but I really don't want it in one of those cheap double features that WB puts out.

[BarnDoor]

Interesting. It's a Limited Collector's Edition, so it definitely won't be in those simple double-feature two packs. For starters, I'm guessing it will be at least 4 discs. A combined digibook would be good, but somewhat unprecedented and therefore unlikely. Otherwise a special box with some extras, maybe soundtracks, a book, maps, etc.

[yojoeski]

You think it's a safe assumption that the extended cut of Gods and Generals will be in that limited edition set and not the original theatrical version? I'm hoping that's not just a way to get rid of old stock of the theatrical versions by forcing you to buy it in order to get Gettysburg. Perhaps a 5 BD set with the extended cuts of both films plus the theatrical cut of G&G or, preferably, a 4 BD set with both films and both versions of each film included via seamless branching.

I do expect the extended cut of Gettysburg to be in no matter what and we've seen that G&G's extended cut will be released on its own if nothing else.

[BarnDoor]

I can't see it having the theatrical cuts, surely it's too coincidental given that they're coming out with the extended cuts this year? If they were the theatrical cuts it would be a real disappointment. Include them by all means, but not at the expense of the expanded versions.

[rkolinski]

Originally Posted by yojoeski

Now a 2 pack seems to have gone up on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Gettysburg-Gen...=3EQW7ZHLDTGEO

I just wonder if this means we can't get Gettysburg on it's own. I'll take it anyway I can get it, but I really don't want it in one of those cheap double features that WB puts out.

Thank you for this link; I've been anxiously awaiting the release of Gettysburg!

[R3P0]

Excellent! Day 1 Purchases for me

[willdude]

From The Digital Bits today:

Warner Home Video is going to be releasing the Gettysburg: Director's Cut and Gods and Generals: Extended Director's Cut on 5/24 as Blu-ray Book editions (SRP $34.99 each). Each will be a 2-disc set. Gettysburg (271 mins) will include audio commentary with Ronald Maxwell, map and interview galleries, 4 featurettes (The Battle of Gettysburg, The Making of Gettysburg, On Location and Behind the Scenes of Nuremberg) and TV spots. Gods and Generals (280 mins) will include new audio commentary, a new intro by Ted Turner and Ronald Maxwell, a music video and 4 featurettes (Journey to the Past, The Authenticities of the Film, The Life of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson and Visit Virginia). We'll post artwork soon.

Aw hell yeah.

[FlipperWasIrish]

Originally Posted by BillyJack

What's even more puzzling is that G&G got a blu release and Gettsyburg did'nt! Shame on you Warner Bros.

It can't be anymore puzzling (for you) than when you said you didn't know the "why" a day or two ago...

Instead of repeating your question in some forum, if you really want to know why don't you send a letter to WB's marketing department and ask them.

If you're polite sometimes you'll get an answer that is more than a form letter.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by willdude

From The Digital Bits today:



Aw hell yeah.

Awesome news! Can't wait!

[yojoeski]

A little disappointed in the knowledge that Gods and Generals extended is only an hour longer than the original. It had been stated that the extended cut was approaching 6 hours and instead, it's not even 5 hours long. Does that mean they're leaving out an hour of footage or that the reports have been exaggerated?

[HD Goofnut]

I'll be buying both especially since my dad is in Gods & Generals. He's only in the theatrical cut for about 3 seconds, but he said he was in the extended cut for a few minutes.

[BarnDoor]

Originally Posted by yojoeski

A little disappointed in the knowledge that Gods and Generals extended is only an hour longer than the original. It had been stated that the extended cut was approaching 6 hours and instead, it's not even 5 hours long. Does that mean they're leaving out an hour of footage or that the reports have been exaggerated?

I wondered this as well. Guess maybe they cut out some of the subplots. Maybe the John Wilkes Booth stuff didn't make the cut?

News on the gift set from Business Wire:

The newest cuts of the two epic films arrive together July 5 in a double-wide, must-own numbered Limited Collector’s Edition, beautifully gift-boxed with extensive new extras and memorabilia, to be announced. Included is a 32-page excerpt from TIME’s forthcoming book, TIME The Civil War: An Illustrated History.

[Aragorn the Elfstone]

Originally Posted by yojoeski

A little disappointed in the knowledge that Gods and Generals extended is only an hour longer than the original. It had been stated that the extended cut was approaching 6 hours and instead, it's not even 5 hours long. Does that mean they're leaving out an hour of footage or that the reports have been exaggerated?

It's possible that reports were exaggerated. I don't remember hearing anything official about the 6 hours. I'm a bit disappointed, but it's hard to be upset about over an hour of new footage.