Lecture Notes: The Battle of Gettysburg and Its Representation in Film

Introduction

• Sponsored by Grey Courses Plus
• Presenter: Nick Hodges
• Topic: Analysis of the film Gettysburg and the historical battle it depicts

Background on the Battle of Gettysburg

• Occurred in July 1863, during the American Civil War
• Confederate General Robert E. Lee's plan to invade the North
• Objective: provoke the Army of the Potomac into open battle

Strategic Context

• Civil War at a stalemate by summer 1863
• Union victories in the Western theater, notably at Vicksburg
• Lee's army entering enemy territory with diminished advantages

Start of the Battle

• Initial skirmish on July 1st, 1863
• Brigadier General John Buford's delaying tactics
• Union troops initially driven back but fortified positions at the high ground

Key Points of the Battle

Day 1: July 1, 1863

• Confederate army initially had the upper hand
• Controversial decision by Confederate General Yule not to seize the high ground

Day 2: July 2, 1863

• Confederate assault on Union lines
• Union General Sickles' disobedience led to exposed Union lines
• Key defense of Little Round Top by the 20th Maine Regiment led by Colonel Joshua Chamberlain

Day 3: July 3, 1863

• Pickett's Charge: a disastrous Confederate assault on the Union center
• High casualties led to Confederate retreat

Film Analysis: Gettysburg

Historical Accuracy

• Filmed on actual Gettysburg battlefield
• Involvement of Civil War reenactors for authenticity
• Directed by Ronald Maxwell, supported by media mogul Ted Turner

Representation of Both Sides

• Attempts to present Confederate and Union perspectives
• Criticism for not addressing slavery explicitly
• Use of British observer character to explore Confederate ideology

Critical Reception

• Mixed reviews; Gene Siskel criticized it as "Southern propaganda"
• Compared favorably to other historical epics for accuracy

Production Challenges

• Need to maintain historical fidelity
• Collaboration with reenactors was crucial for authentic representation

Conclusion

• Film's focus on tactics and battle dynamics praised
• Stands among films like Tora! Tora! Tora! for historical epics

Additional Resources

• Check out lectures by Professor Gary W. Gallagher on Great Courses Plus

Call to Action

• Support History Buffs on Patreon
• Engage with audience on social media and suggest future historical movie reviews

Summary

• Gettysburg succeeds as a historically faithful depiction of the battle, balancing perspectives while focusing on the combat's strategic elements.