Customer Reviews

Civil War Combat: America's Bloodiest (Full Screen)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Look this is a dvd that not only is boring and tells you words but it gives you the front seat in the battle scene the reanactment is very realistic with blood moans gunshots are acurate. It's the best buy if u don't want to fall and sleep and watch something good buy this and I am a Civil War historian who has studied the war for 10 years so I know what is accurate and what is not.

Not a particualarly interesting or information packed video set.
If you are a die hard historian of that era or particularly the civil war, then not much will dissuade you from getting it and you may learn something you didn't know. If you want to learn about the civil war in general and you aren't a scholar, stick to Ken Burns The Civil War.

This series of four documentaries are different from most Civil War films in that they highlight specific points of four battles, whereas most documentaries are content simply to provide an overview of the battle itself. Because of this, each episode contains many little-known facts about the battles of Antietam, Cold Harbor, Shiloh, and Gettysburg. And, at an hour long (more or less), they are not excessively long.

The highlights from each of the battles are interesting, but probably only so for someone interested in the war. Watching an hour-long reenactment of the wheat field at Gettysburg is probably meaningless without at least some appreciation of what was happening at the other parts of the battle. Anyone who studies the Civil War closely will appreciate these little-known facts, but casual viewers may find it a bit much.

In addition to its narrow scope, these four documentaries are riddled with errors that should have been obvious to the folks at the History Channel. For example, saying General Grant was in charge of the Union Army at Gettysburg is just plain false, as any amateur historian should know. These erroes detract much from the reliability of the accounts.

Despite these two setbacks, this is a noteworthy documentary, worth your time at least to check it out.

The blood is a little fake and the actors are certainly not professional, but their portrayal of these great battles is still a gripping tale with plenty of action. They bring to life many of officers and men who fought in the campaigns and you will find yourself getting wrapped up in their suffering and dying. Although they focus mainly on certain aspects of each battle and not the full scope of the conflict, the stories are good and well worth watching. I highly recommend the set to anyone interested in the history of our Civil War.

The premise with this History Channel series is to tell specific battle history while showing (through re-enactment) what the engagements really looked like...and this DVD set hits the ball right out of the park! Watching the battles at Antietam, Gettysburg, Shiloh and (my favorite) Cold Harbor on the actual battlefield is phenominal...it really adds so much to the narration that you actually get the "feel" of being right in the middle of the conflict. Each battle covers sufficient detail that the story of the "everyday" soldier gets told along with much "new" information that makes this DVD unique (for example...on the Fredricksburg episode, the little known story of the Confederate private who risks life and limb by going onto the battlefield to help the injured is a featured part of the story but these are details that I couldn't find in books from Foote, Catton or the excellent volume on Fredricksburg by George Rable). The narration also includes "expert" analysis from noted historians and authors (Gordon Rhea in the trenches at Cold Harbor...) that add additional perspective to the storyline. The battle stories are about 1 hour long and each stands on it's own so that you can stop at reasonable intervals without missing anything. Overall this is essential Civil War viewing for the historian but still presents itself well enough for the general viewer so that all viewers should get great enjoyment from watching...highest recommendation!

You like the civil war? You like watching a civil war documentary and being able NOT to fall asleep? Do yourself a favor and buy this.

The Civil War Combat DVD set is probably by far the best reeanactment/documentary on four different battles that raged throughout 1861 to 1864. The historical accuracy and care to details given captures the importance of such warfare that took place at Shiloh, Antietam, Gettysburg (Wheatfield) and Cold Harbor. There isn't anything closer to the real action as reeanactors are used for the production and isn't shy on showing blood. This 2-DVD production isn't a Gettysburg that shows clean fighting or lacks the details commonly found in movie productions. Crank up the surround sound while viewing these great reeactments as bullets whiz by often and place the viewer right on the field. Soldier accounts of the action is backed by narratives which enhance this great production. The History Channel that has put this set together has definately contributed to telling the tales of four battles which had strong impacts on the war. It can't be told any better! This 2-DVD set is a must have for anyone interested in the Civil War. Nothing like this has ever been done to accurately portray such actions before. It's certainly worth every penny!

For me, reading the cold history has never been enough. I've always wanted to "feel" what it must have been like to take part in these tragic and defining moments in American history. CIVIL WAR COMBAT does that with brutal realism and dramatic characters. These aren't just documentaries, they're glimpses into the very heart of the men who fought these bloody battles. Great entertainment! A must-see! Grade: A+

"Civil War Combat" is an excellent and absorbing production from the HISTORY CHANNEL. This DVD focuses on 4 engagements: Shiloh, Antietam, Gettysburg and Cold Harbor. Reenactors provide the images while historians and rangers from the National Park Service describe the men and the events from the overall strategies down to personal accounts of the average soldier. I believe that all the photography is actually shot at the National Military Park locations. The photography is really beautiful. This is no cheap production. If you like the way the HISTORY CHANNEL produces their shows you should really like this set. I enjoyed the Cold Harbor segment the best. It was really interesting and informative.

"Gettysburg" brings one of the best Civil War novels ever written to colorful life. This is a movie about a battle, no doubt about it, and the filmakers have avoided trying to appeal to the widest range of people. Those looking for period romance should look elsewhere.

Gettysburg was the pivotal battle in the Eastern theatre of the Civil War, with the Federal army winning the only clear-cut victory they were to achieve after Malvern Hill. The movie follows five main characters:Union Brigadier General John Buford, Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain of the Union 20th Maine, rebel Brigadier General Lewis Armistead, rebel Lieutenant General James Longstreet, and rebel General Robert E. Lee. Through these men the story of the Battle of Gettysburg is told.

The filming is well done, but as the movie was orginally intended for release as a TV miniseries, the resolution is low. Reenactors were used to depict the two mighty armies who clashed in Pennsylania in July, 1863. They know their hobby: uniforms are meticulously accurate and the view of army life in camp and upon the field of glory feels right. That said, some of the reenactors are pretty overweight, and the Confederates especially lack that "lean and hungry" look that period sources describe.

Several key portions of the battle are covered in depth. The first day is probably the best done: Buford's skillful defense of the high ground to the south of Gettysburg, the rout of the Union right, and the death of General Reynolds are all shown, and the viewer feels the ebb and flow of the fight. The second day focuses on the action at Little Round Top, and that is all. This appraoch works well in the movie, but the climactic fight around the Peach Orchard, the Wheat Field, and Culp's Hill is overlooked. The third day gives up the chance to show us the clash of sabers as Custer charges Stuart's tired troopers and Kilpatrick sacrifices his men in a series of headlong charges against Confederate infantry. Instead, the movie makers choose to focus on Pickett's charge. It is VERY well done. Long lines of rebel infantry advance on the angle, and the enormity of their defeat is readily apparent.

The performances are all top-notch. Martin Sheen's Lee is not quite the charismatic leader of men that the real Lee was, but his agonizing over decisions and simple faith in God will help viewers to identify with the great man. John Buford is played extremely well by veteran Western actor Sam Elliot. But the best performances are turned in by Tom Berenger as Longstreet and Jeff Daniels as Chamberlain.

Look for Ted Turner, playing a rebel officer, to get shot down during Pickett's charge, and Civil War filmmaker Ken Burns, as a Federal staff officer begging General Hancock to seek cover during the Confederate bombardment.