Originally posted by captnenglish@Apr 25 2006, 02:39 PM
I gotta disagree with you on this one Gary, IMHO.
Matt, Here are my reasons why I felt the story was far fetched. For anyone who has not seen the movie my comments contain some
SPOILERS.
Even at night, if your sitting around a fire with enemy soldiers would you not notice something different in regards to their uniforms? maybe enough dirt and grime would make each unrecognizable to one another. That could go either way.
If you're sitting around with fellow soldiers sooner or later talk of the fighting that took place that day, not to mention talk of home and loved ones could/would come up sooner or later in conversation. In this movie almost any/all talk of their regiments or brigades, what have you are left out.
At one point a soldier even says "I remember back home in Virginia/Tennessee.." (can't remember which) and upon hearing this one of the Union guys looks at him and says "nah". C'mon give me a break.
To me the real kicker was the Union soldier that read all of the letters to the Confederate (each thinks they are one the same side) who cannot read/write. Would these leters not talk of home? if not victories or defeats and how their army was doing. Sorry but I can't believe these letters would
not consist of little more than "I miss you my darling...blah blah blah". not only that when you open several letters and read them are you not at any point going to see the address written on the envelope? I know it's dark, but if the letter's contents can be read why not the address? Further when the Union soldier writes the letter the Confederate dictates, he does not write an address on the envelope he just seals the letter and hands it to the guy.
I still like the movie, it's a great period film. The story
is believable to an extent, but not to the extent IMHO that is depicted in the film. I'll be going to Gettysburg next week and may see Brian Merrick (Harrison Bolding) there as he runs Corner Clothiers, makers of reproduction Civil War period civilian clothes. I think it would be neat to get his autograph on the movie DVD case.~Gary
