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    • WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

    Gettysburg Collector’s Edition
    Genre:Action Adventure

    Reviewed In Issue 13 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
    Tom Berenger, Jeff Daniels, Martin Sheen, Maxwell Caulfield, C. Thomas Howell, Richard Anderson.

    WSR Review Scores
    Picture Rating: 5
    Sound Rating: 5
    Download WSR Review
    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score:
    Internet Links

    Supplementals
    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.

    DVD General Information
    (Studio/Distributor): Turner Entertainment
    (Catalog Number): ID2419TU
    (MPAA Rating): PG
    (Retail Price): $$159.99
    (Running Time In Minutes): 271
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): No
    (Theatrical Release): 1993
    (LD Release Date): 3/1/95
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

    Credits Information
    (Director): Ronald F. Maxwell
    (Screenplay/Written By): Ronald F. Maxwell
    (Story): NA
    (Music): Randy Edelman
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer): Cary White
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor): Corky Ehlers
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers): NA
    (Co-Producers): Nick Lombardo
    (Producers): Robert Katz & Moctesuma Esparza

    DVD Picture Information
    (Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
    (Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.75:1

    DVD Sound Information
    (DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
    (Theatrical Sound): DTS Digital
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (Remastered Dolby Digital):
    (Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
    (Additional Languages):

    WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    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.

    LaserDisc Picture:
    Gettysburg was principally shot with a full frame flat Panaflex 35mm and three Arri 35mm cameras, each with different apertures: 1.18:1, 1.33:1, and 1.37:1. While the 70mm release prints were approximately 1.66:1 in shape the intended aspect ratio is 1.85:1. Both LaserDisc versions are cropped to 1.75:1.

    LaserDisc Soundtrack:
    As with the previous edition picture quality is first-rate and the soundtrack is dynamic and aggressively enveloping, both sourced from the same mastered elements.
    (Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
    (Aggressive System Surround):
    (Intense 25Hz Bass):
    (Deep Bass Challenging):
    (Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
    (Holosonic Soundfield):
    (Aggressive Split Surround):
    (Center Back Surround Imaging):
    (Directionalized Dialogue):
    Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
    Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
    Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
    Superb Color Fidelity:
    Superb Cinematography:
    Reference LaserDisc:
    Collector Edition: