I don't have the same intensity of distaste for this that oscar does, but the fact remains it isn't a very good movie from an acting standpoint, although Sam Elliott puts in a competent performance as Buford. From a cinematographic standpoint, its pretty good, and the use of Civil War re-enactor hobbyists for the troops and battle scenes was very effective.

And its only fair to note that compared to its god awful sequel "Gods and Generals" this is The Seven Samurai.

" The Killer Angels" by Michael Shaara, is one of the better works of its kind. Unfortunately, this movie, which was based off of that book, is pretty dreadful. Tom Berenger is very wooden as the fairly colorful and highly interesting General James Longstreet and , although Martin Sheen can be good, he's clearly miscast here as Robert E. Lee. The rest of the cast, including hacks like C. Thomas Howell and Jeff Daniels, range from mundane to dreadful: especially whoever the frat boy is who was playing J.E.B. Stuart. The book told the story in a compelling way, but this movie was a big disappointment.

After having seen the movie Gettysburg about 10 years ago, and after having researched it for a 7th grade project in the 1970's, I finally got around to reading "Killer Angels".

It may be a cliche, but as they say "the book is much better".
If you have NOT read the book, but have seen the movie, I urge you to consider the book.

While the movie gives you live actor battle scenes that you simply don't see anymore in today's CGI dominated movies, the book does a much better job of getting you inside the head of some of the main characters. It highlights how Buford's important role early on is almost forgotten in history, how incompetent most of the top brass was in the Union army, what a great if reluctant leader of men Chamberlain was, and how Longstreet struggled with the iconic Lee's tactics throughout the battle.

As for efficacy of the acting in the movie having the same emotional impact as the book, overall I think it is a mixed bag. Most of the actors in the movie are just OK, but Jeff Daniels as Chamberlain stands out. His speech to the 2nd Maine about what they are fighting for, and the bayonet charge still brings a lump to my throat. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I think Tom Berenger was TERRIBLE as Longstreet. His lines were deadpan and nowhere did I see his internal angst during the battle which was very well represented in the book. I also think that the book was as fair a depiction of the character of the men on both sides as possible, while the movie's depiction of the "Cavalier" gentlemen officers of the Confederate Army was a bit "over the top". Many of them seemed overly sentimental and "foppish", especially Pickett.

In any case, my verdict is good (but long movie), GREAT, GREAT book.
Read the book!

Many years ago I entered my favorite Chicago bookstore, Abraham Lincoln Bookstore, shocked to find a large display of a new book The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. My personal grudge against Mike Shaara goes back to 1964 when we were both at Florida State University. What is my reason for relating all this? If I can change my attitude toward the author, anyone can give him a second chance. It still hurts me to give five stars to this work. But the following reasons make it necessary:
1. The book is very well written. Mike had many choices how to work the story. I probably would have made it unreadable by including too many characters. Mead was barely mentioned. John Hood could have been played up more considering his importance later in the war, but it didn't belong in this work.
2. I disagree with not only Mike but many professional historians that the Battle of Gettysburg is overrated. Considering this I'm surprised at how well the author related this story. I have no problem with the historic content of this book or the later movie.
3. The characterization in the book and the movie is superb. This is fiction, but excellently done fiction. If I had not been curious about this work I probably would never have picked it up. I am glad I did read it and even glad I saw the movie.

Excellent depiction of the battle and the events that surrounded it -form both sides of the conflict. An excellent pictorial for those history buffs.

The best movie protraying the War between the States. Follows the book "Killer Angels" very well. I saw this in theatres two times and own three copies of the DVD. I wish it would come out on Blu Ray and/or directors cut with the missing scenes.
I also wish that a movie company would pick up the third book of the trilogy. Seems like the story is not complete, however, this movie covers the events of July 1,2, and 3 of 1863.
Highly recommend for History/Civil War buffs.

Something that is very interesting about this movie besides the number of great things about it, is its authenticity. Ron Maxwell really went to great lengths to give us a quality film. Everything in the film is precisely the same material (the clothes, the guns, places), the same settings, even the same language. The genuine feeling that this movie gives me every time I see it is the emotion. All of the extras are civil war re-enactors another great link to authenticity. Everything about this film is incredible. Truly a landmark film in the history of cinema never to be surpassed ever again.