You have to BE from the south, to understand it. I was born here, live here, and will die here. And I will always be proud of it.

An excellent movie. I was captivated by the beauty of the characters. I was stirred by the depth of the language used in that era. I thought the clarity of the reason the war was fought was the most lucid that I had ever heard.

A great movie for Civil War buffs.

The critics are way off on this one! This is a movie that accurately portrays the true issues involved in the Civil War and the veiwpoints of the South. Although the movie gets a bit slow at times that is a minor drawback to a film that so marvelously illustrates the Biblical principles that guided the people of that time.

Good historically accurate movie. No political correctness here. Just history. Well done!!

Fantastic Move!!! The critics have said this movie failed to strike a balance in portraying both sides, North and South. That is the beauty of the movies and the books. G&G focuses on the South (since they were winning the beginning of the war). Gettysburg strikes a balance (the turning point of the war). And the final chapter, The Last Full Meaure, will focus mainly on the North. Besides, G&G needed to focus on the South in the first movie to explain why they fought the war. If you love learning about history or the Civil War I highly recommend this movie (read the book, though). And if you liked the movie / book, read Rise to Rebellion and The Glorious Cause -- excellent books on the 1st American Revolution!… Expand

I am amazed that so many people give this film such a poor rating. This is a very tightly written script that employs a pleasing culmination of literary devices and extended monologues that add a literary depth to the film not found in most movies today. Further, the movie is not pro-South/anti-North, as some of these reviews suggest. Rather, it portrays the nobility of the South in their honorable defense of their homes and heritage as well as the nobility of the North's loyalty to the ideal of freedom and obedience to the government. On both sides, particularly with Stonewall Jackson and Joshua Chamberlin, the faith and devotion to God, their families, and their countruies are emphasized. Those quick to criticize this movie seem to gloss over the literary historic elements in favor of a predisposition intent on purging any memory of the South and faith from the American memory - things this movie invariably seeks to celebrate.… Expand

This movie as one critic said about slavery "cordial" relationships between blacks and whites. There is the evidence of another "movie critic" who doesn't know their history, or hasn't been off their butt in their entire life to experience first hand that the old south was not the monster that these idiots proclaim.And about the dialogue that people used in the movie? what do these stupid critics think? do they think Gen. Lee wold address Jackson as "Hey Man, or "YO"??? Thats whats wrong with America today. The "true" history is not known by a bunch of lazy movie critics whose big job of the day is sitting on their butt. Now if this had been "Spiderman" or somethin like that they would have applauded it for its realism.These movie critics are a joke... … Expand

This is the best movie i ever saw. screw everyone who said it was bad!

Accurate.

I found it historically correct, riviting in it's portrayal of the South and focused on the real cause of the war, states rights.

The people that seem to be panning this movie couldn't tell you what the civil war was even about. Yes, the movie was long, so was the war. If you want a movie about fiction, then you can create all the drama you want. Everyone is watching reality TV, but when it comes to a movie about war, no one likes reality. If nothing else, you'd think people would appreciate the history lesson.

Critique of a critic - The Critic: (1) "The poetic dialogue is over the top." An answer: Wouldn't the manner of speech produced by an aristocratic classical education differ from something you might hear in Eminem's latest flick. (2) "It was sanctimonious." An answer: Although many may not understand it, there was a time (namely before industrialization) when God held primacy over the material, political and familial aspects of southern culture. It is understandable that critics would find too much scripture in the script when many of us rarely even pick up a bible. (3) "The movie apologized for slavery." An answer: I guess the critics think the southern soldiers should have been portrayed as dumb rednecks following blindly the lead of a few plantation owners. Never mind the fact that most southerners (Thomas Jefferson included) believed that the only just govenment was one by the consent of the governed. I am glad that the movie showed the political process behind the secession: an overwhelming popular vote. If you want to benefit from a different perspective, watch this movie. If you want to be entertained in the traditional Hollywood manner - rent Independence Day.… Expand

This is a movie that I would expect someone with a poor education or no passion for history to rate badly. The language accurately reflects dialog of educated generals and aristocrats at that time. As a matter of fact, the language used in the film is not much different than the writings of Thomas Paine or Thomas Jefferson. The only criticism that I had with the film is that the set directors could have done a better job with the backgrounds. Some definitely gave the look of being painted. But, I understand budgets and sometimes hard choices must be made. This was the only let down that I had with this movie. More importantly this movie illustrates a balanced view of both points of view. Many people in this country think that Southern states were nothing more than a bunch of redneck hillbillies with a single agenda of slavery. There was much more to the Civil War than slavery, but our liberal education system doesn?t teach these things in our schools. The movie touched upon issues regarding slavery, but only with a focus on house slaves who were often much better treated than their counterparts in the fields. But, the point of this movie was not about the grim brutalities of slavery but more of why there even was a Civil War. This brings me to my first point; someone who has not made themselves familiar with our countries history might not well understand or appreciate a film as brilliantly researched and portrayed as Gods and Generals. This brings to mind one such quote (one of my favorites) from Thomas Paine. ?You will do me the justice to remember, that I have always strenuously supported the Right of every Man to his own opinion, however different that opinion might be to mine. He who denies to another this right, makes a slave of himself to his present opinion, because he precludes himself the right of changing it.? (Thomas Paine, 1794) In closing, I?d like to leave one piece of advice for the good critic that defined the language in this movie as flowery; go to the library and check out Thomas Paine?s Common Sense. Better yet, read the Declaration of Independence. I wish with all my heart that I could speak and write with but a fraction of elegance and brilliance of these men. It saddens me that so many today are so quick to tear down the very foundations of what made this country great. … Expand

Thought I'd add my vote to help elevate this fine film's user rating; and it's true, film critics are a bunch of liberal Hollywood star wannabes who spend too much time on their asses.