Ever since reading an article written by: Ben Botkin on his blog, I have become exceedingly interested in movie music. Now, on the rare occasion that I actually watch a movie, I sometimes get more caught up in the music than I do in the movie. One of my all time favorite movies as far as content + music goes, is "Gods and Generals." It is a Civil War movie that mainly follows the lives of General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson in the South, and Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Chamberlain in the North. It is a great movie and I would highly recommend it to anyone!
So anyways, I have the movie soundtrack, which Daddy picked up for us while book shopping, and I thought that I would really enjoy listening to it. Funny thing is, I was a little disappointed because it wasn't as exciting to listen to as I thought it would be. (Personal opinion- it is nice music.) Just a couple days ago, we watched the movie and I sat there listening to the music and thinking about how absolutely perfect the music was. When put together with the film, this music is simply AMAZING! Every bit of it is so perfect; the sweet, delicate tune played whenever Anna and Thomas Jackson are together, the grand, regal music played when honorable officers take center stage, the bagpipes during the Battle of Fredericksburg...Oh, the bagpipes!..., the song played at the beginning with all of the flags flying, it's all so perfectly written and placed. It just wouldn't be the same movie without the music.
There is one particular part that gets to me every time. During the Battle of Fredericksburg, there is a scene where the Northern Irishmen are fighting their way across the field to where a group of Southern Irishmen are shooting behind a stone wall. The Northern men are being killed left and right and it is nearly crushing the Southern men to continue shooting. The bagpipes start playing and, oh my, is it heart wrenching, especially for me because I have Southern Pruitt blood running through me on my Mom's side. The Pruitts were Virginian Irishmen, and I can't help but imagine that they were some of the men behind the stone wall crying for their brothers and cheering at the top of their lungs after they successfully drove the Northerners back. I can guarantee that I would not have this connection if it were not for the music. As soon as the bagpipes start playing the whole scene becomes real to me. Can you tell I enjoy this movie?
Aside from the phenomenal music, there is a lot of rich Southern religion seen throughout the movie. General Jackson was a strong follower of Christ and this is clearly seen throughout the whole movie even to his death. Oops! Did I just spoil the end? :-) Don't ever ask me to tell you about a movie you have never seen before.
So, like I said, this is a great movie content wise as well as music wise, but don't take my word for it. See it yourself if you haven't already!
In Christ,
Kaila
3 comments:
Lets see first to answer your question. No I have not been to the events you spoke about. I wonder how you think you know me. Have you ever been to Mo or St Charles Mo? Infact where do you live? Yes it is hard to ahve a favorite country! I like many more and will do posts about their music one day. Please answer my questions on my blog. I love the God's and General molvie! Are you southern or Northern? I am g uessing you are Southern like me. Right?
Have a great day.
Amen! Gods and Generals is my favorite movie as well. Since you like the Irish in the movie you might be interested in this deleted scene from the movie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EAcieN3BW8 (the Song of the Rebel Irish). There was a lot of parts they had to take out to shorten it, as I think it was originally six hours long.
If anyone is reading this that hasn't seen Gods and Generals, you really should see it.
-Peter Bringe
Deo Vindice
Thanks for the link! It's too bad they had to cut out so much of the movie!
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