Gettysburg Collector’s Edition

The packaging on the first release of Gettysburg was first-rate with the program contained on three discs, each with a different color: white, blue and pink. Maps of the battle, an essay, and the text of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address were printed on the triptych jacket. But Turner and Image Entertainment have far surpassed the previous presentation of this important film. The two-inch thick box set includes The Making Of Gettysburg, a 52 minute documentary narrated by Martin Sheen which chronicles in black and white and color images the filmmakers efforts to bring the novel to the screen. Featured are interviews with the director, executive producers, and the actors. It is a remarkable piece of filmmaking that provides an essential synopsis of the larger film. There is also a coffee table quality full-color leather bound companion to the film which features the paintings of Mort Künster and text by James M. McPherson. Randy Edelman’s original memorable film score on CD is included. Other extras are a specially created rendering of the actual battlefield map, portrait photographs of commanders Buford, Chamberlain, Longstreet and Robert E. Lee, plus an authentic Civil War bullet.

Based on the novel “The Killer Angels” by Michael Shaara, Gettysburg is the monumental cinematic achievement that tells an epic story about the events, battles and personal struggles on both sides of the Civil War. It features incredibly vivid Civil War battle scenes and a powerful blow-by-blow reenactment of the most crucial event in American history in which 50,000 men lost their lives on July 1, 1863 at Gettysburg. The film chronicalizes the battle’s tactical maneuvers in detail and through the use of dialog, the philosophies and psychology of the era are explored. Outstanding performances are featured by Tom Berenger, Jeff Daniels, Sam Elliott and Martin Sheen in this remarkably real masterpiece of filmmaking.