Gettysburg, etc.
Peter Knupfer (PKNUPFER@KSUVM.BITNET)
Fri, 8 Oct 1993 21:22:29 ECT
I used -Killer Angels- in a Civil War course a few times, and the students'
reaction to it was erratic. Some loved it, others just thought it was
another history book, despite a few class discussions that examined
the strengths and weaknesses of historical fiction. I took some students
to a reenactment of Kansas troop encampments and of the expulsion of free
staters from the Pawnee legislature, and they enjoyed both tremendously. I'm
certain that the CW will continue to attract the fascination of each passing
generation, and that reenactments and film will play a very big part (prob-
ably bigger than what scholars will play) in drawing the public into investi-
gating the CW. Unfortunately, the Burns documentary is too dressed up as
a piece of historical scholarship and openly seeks to educate more than enter-
tain. Its compelling use of primary sources and photographs commends it,
but the story it tells again stresses the heroic, the mythical, the magnificent
in the War -- including the resurrection of familial metaphors for the conflict
a device that Burns uses incessantly on the talk-show circuit.
Someone asked about battle scenes -- in the eye of the beholder, I guess.
There was a scene in -Glory- where the regiment fought in a piney woods
area; to my mind, that scene came closest to giving one the feel of
CW skirmishes. The bits & pieces of Pickett's Charge from "Gettysburg"
didn't go over as well with me (they looked too staged & stiff) as some
brief scenes on Little Round Top. All & all it looks like a fun movie
to go see.
Peter Knupfer
Kansas State University
pknupfer@ksuvm