“Gods and Generals” reveals Civil War

Thousands of young men from the north and south converged on the fields of Manassas 150 years ago to see who would be the victor on July 21, 1861. The battle, known as the first major land battle of the 1861-1865 Civil War, or the First Battle of Manassas, resulted in a Confederate win. The war lasted longer than expected; more than 620,000 casualties occurred before Lee finally surrendered to Grant on April 9, 1865.

Now 150 years later, thousands more people will swarm Manassas to commemorate that first battle and take part in a moment in history that will live long in our nation’s chronicles. The long weekend of July 21-24 is full of events in and around Manassas to commemorate the sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) of the American Civil War. The weekend is expected to draw thousands of dignitaries, government officials, celebrities, historians and visitors.

One special event is the premier showing of the 2003 movie “Gods and Generals,” written and directed by Ronald F. Maxwell of Rappahannock County. This film will be shown July 22 and 23 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center on the Manassas campus of George Mason University. The film is hosted by the Journey Through Hallowed Ground (JTHG), a nonprofit organization designed to highlight the history in the four-state, 180-mile long, 75-mile wide corridor stretching from Gettysburg to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello near Charlottesville. Moviegoers will witness the extended director’s cut, which runs close to five hours, of this historical Civil War film featuring Robert Duvall, Jeff Daniels, Stephen Lang and more than 7,500 reenactors. Tickets can be purchased through JTHG’s website.

On July 22, doors open at 2, a question-and-answer panel discussion will be held from 3-4 p.m. by a panel offering special insights in the making of the film. At 4, there will be an opportunity to meet Maxwell and the panel; at 5, the film will roll. The movie will show again at 6 p.m. on July 23; tickets will be less expensive; no panel of actors or historians will be on hand.

According to John Jones, JTHG communications director, a boxed set of the movie will be available through JTHG’s website. The limited edition boxed set of “Gods and Generals” includes new footage and special features, including a new National Geographic Society map of the Civil War showing in detailed site information as well as a 40-page photo booklet of Civil War artifacts and correspondence from the National Archives.

Jones said the director’s cut edition includes encouragement to visit the JTHG sites, such as historic downtown communities like Manassas, which is in the center of the Journey’s 180-mile long and 75-mile wide corridor Where America Happened™ (a trademark slogan of JTHG). Jones said, “This is where people need to go to see where America happened.”

The original movie depicts three battles, which all resulted in Confederate victories: First Battle of Manassas (July 21, 1861); Battle of Fredericksburg (Dec. 11-15, 1862) and the Battle of Chancellorsville (April 30-May 6, 1863). It was in this last battle that Lt. Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was fatally shot on May 2, 1863 by his own Confederate soldiers and died days later on May 10.

The extended director’s cut version adds a fourth battle: the Sept. 17, 1862 Battle of Antietam near Sharpsburg, Md., which ranks as the bloodiest one-day battle in American history. It ended Lee’s first invasion into the north, and though tactically inconclusive, it is known as a strategic Union victory.

James I. Robertson, nationally acclaimed historian, and Keith Gibson, professor from Virginia Military Institute, served as movie advisors. “This special cut has a commentary track where people can hear Robertson, Gibson and I talk about how the scenes were filmed,” Maxwell explained. The location of those scenes include Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley; West Virginia; in and around Sharpsburg, Maryland; the site of the Antietam Battlefield; Virginia Military Institute and Washington and Lee University.

Duvall, who is actually a descendant of the Lee family, was chosen to play the infamous Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. Daniels plays Union Lt. Col. Joshua Chamberlain and Lang portrays Stonewall Jackson.

Maxwell has served on JTHG’s national advisory board since the Journey’s inception in 2005. “It’s amazing the work Cate [Magennis Wyatt, founder and president of JTHG] has done in such a short time. It’s a testament to her hard work, dedication and vision. This project was waiting to happen. There’s a wonderful consciousness to protect these beautiful places,” he said. He also touched on the economic benefits relating to the tourism industry when people visit these sights, strengthening local businesses.

“I want to do all I can to help promote the Journey. It’s a chance for people to become invested in their history for the rest of their lives. It’s something everyone can connect with—young and old. Thanks to Cate [Magennis Wyatt] and her organization, this event, will, I hope, be a magnificent opportunity to showcase the organization and for people to learn about our nation’s history,” he continued.

The movie will be shown at Hylton Performing Arts Center’s Merchant Hall, 10900 University Blvd. in Manassas. The JTHG website, http://www.hallowedground.org offer,s more information.