GETTYSBURG is a sweeping historical drama that befits the greatest epic battle ever fought on American soil. The film stars a host of noted actors, all accurately portraying their characters. Based on the late Michael Shaara's acclaimed novel "The Killer Angels", the actors are completely believable. Martin Sheen (Lee), Tom Berenger (Longstreet), Jeff Daniels (Chamberlain), and Sam Elliott (Buford) are all first rate, just to name a few. Released in 1993, the film did well in the box office considering the limited showing times at theaters because of this movie's length (at four minutes longer than "Gone With The Wind").
It is historically correct throughout the story, and all the major characters are real. They really did, and for the most part said, what is depicted on the screen. There is none of the usual "improved upon by Hollywood" here. This film tells it like the actual participants say it went. Even the geography and the extras are real. The location shooting was at Gettysburg National Military Park. And the extras are accurate down to the insignia and buttons on the uniforms. Thousands of Civil War "re-enactors" were used for the battle scenes.