Gods and Generals

Gods and Generals (2003)

Timing: 3:39 (219 min)

6.253/10
168

6.456/10
1096

6.2/10
18000

All about film

Video 1

Photo 1

Actors and characters

Release date

2003-02-21

Country

United States

Production

Warner Bros. Pictures, Mace Neufeld Productions, Turner Pictures, Esparza / Katz Productions, Neufeld Rehme Productions, Antietam Filmworks

Genre

Drama, History, War

Budget

$56 000 000

Revenue

$12 923 936

Website

Director

Ronald F. Maxwell

Actors

Stephen Lang, Jeff Daniels, Robert Duvall, Kevin Conway, C. Thomas Howell, Jeremy London, Matt Letscher, Brian Mallon, Bo Brinkman, Bruce Boxleitner
All actors and roles (10)

Scenario

Producer

Ronald F. Maxwell, Mace Neufeld, Robert Rehme, Robert Katz, Moctesuma Esparza, Ted Turner

Operator

Kees Van Oostrum

Composer

Randy Edelman

Artist

Hugo Santiago, Daniel R. Jennings

Audition

Joy Todd

Editing

Corky Ehlers
All team (70)

• Some scenes were filmed at Robert Duvall's estate (he played General Robert Edward Lee, 1807-1870) in Virginia, where actual battles took place during the Civil War (1861-1865).
• In early September 2001, Martin Sheen was in Washington filming the series “The West Wing” (1999-2006). He planned to fly out of Dulles Airport on the morning of September 11th if Warner Bros. agreed to pay $1 million for him to reprise his role as General Lee, which he played in Ron Maxwell’s historical drama “Gettysburg” (1993), but due to problems at Warner Bros. (where financial difficulties led to a change in legal status), he never boarded the flight, and the role of General Lee went to Robert Duvall.
• The historical reenactors involved in the film largely volunteered their time. In return, the film company agreed to donate at least $500,000 to a program for preserving Civil War battlefields.
• To film the scene of the Confederate infantry assault at the Battle of Fredericksburg (December 11-15, 1862), special effects supervisor Thomas J. Smith used digital technology to create over 17,000 low-resolution soldiers who ran, marched, or crawled, wounded, depending on the staging. He then “added” 3,000 casualties. They had to resort to “digital” methods because, in light of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center towers, many of the historical reenactors involved in the filming preferred to go home. The scene was initially filmed with the remaining extras, but during post-production, their insufficient number in the frame was too noticeable, and the problem was solved in this way.
• The role of Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson (1824-1863) was originally intended for Russell Crowe. He initially expressed interest in participating in the project, but ultimately declined to film, citing fatigue and a desire to rest in Australia. The role then went to Stephen Lang, who was already preparing to reprise, as in “Gettysburg (1993),” the role of General George Pickett (1825-1875). Ultimately, General Pickett was played by Billy Campbell.
• The film was initially given an “R” rating (containing material intended only for adult audiences), but by cutting a significant portion of the violent scenes, the filmmakers achieved a rating change to “PG-13” (some material may be inappropriate for children under 13).
• The film alters or somewhat smooths over certain eccentricities of General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. In reality, Jackson rode horseback with one arm constantly raised, believing this helped balance his bodily fluids. In the film, however, he only rides with his arm raised in one scene, to stop bleeding after being wounded. Furthermore, it is claimed that Jackson constantly ate lemons, believing it was necessary for his health. In the film, he gives lemons to the bride of one of the junior officers.
• Mira Sorvino (who appeared on screen as Fanny Chamberlain) is one of director Ron Maxwell's favorite actresses. He initially cast her in the lead role in a film about Joan of Arc, but when that project was shelved during pre-production, Maxwell offered her a role in "Gods and Generals" – his next film.
• Approximately two hundred historical reenactors were on standby (24 hours a day, 6 days a week) to participate in mass scenes during filming. They were the only enthusiasts of historical reenactment whose participation in the filming was paid.
• Mira Sorvino (who appeared on screen as Fanny Chamberlain) is one of director Ron Maxwell's favorite actresses. He initially cast her in the lead role in a film about Joan of Arc, but when that project was shelved during pre-production, Maxwell offered her a role in "Gods and Generals" – his next film.