'Gods and Generals' Films At Manassas Event
By Sheree Watson

LEESBURG, Va. - "Gods and Generals" film crews captured the "confusion, chaos and color" that the first battle of the Civil War was known for, as they filmed broad battle scenes during the 140th anniversary reenactment of First Manassas/Bull Run.

Movie Producer and Director Ron Maxwell and actor Robert Duvall who was recently cast as Gen. Robert E. Lee were among those at the Saturday, Aug. 5, battle reenactment.

"We had a perfect day for First Manassas, and I think we got some background footage," Maxwell said after the battle. "We will be able to integrate it seamlessly into our film." He commented particularly on the variety of unique, early-war uniforms reenactors wore.

Duvall smiled pleasantly and shook hands with reenactors and others following the battle as he was hurried away.
Associate Producer Dennis Frye described Duvall's visit as a research trip. "He's extremely interested in seeing the reenactors in action," Frye said.

"Mr. Duvall was fascinated," according to "Gods and Generals'" new publicist, Vic Heutschy. "I was very impressed," he added, commenting on the homework reenactors do to recreate history. "I have never seen anything like this before and find it amazing."

A "Gods and Generals" recruiting tent attracted several hundred reenactors applying to participate in filming scheduled to begin Aug. 28 in Lexington where scenes of Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson and his Virginia Military Institute cadets will be recreated.

Meanwhile, the Reenactors Liaison Committee, a 10-year-old umbrella group representing numerous Civil War reenactment units, voted to support the film. About 45 people attended a meeting at the event on Aug. 4 to discuss particulars of reenactor roles in the film and get more information on the film company's plan to contribute up to $1 million toward the purchase of a Virginia battlefield that would be preserved and available for tactical demonstrations, living history programs and educational activities. [See page 1, August Civil War News.]

Film company Reenactor Coordinator Don Warlick and Reenactor Liaison Dana Heim answered questions. Some reenactors expressed concern that reenactors were not being adequately compensated for their contributions to the film. Giving calculations involving the number of reenactors who would be used and the film company's minimum pledge of $500,000 for the land purchase, David Pridgeon, for instance, said each reenactor would raise about $32 for eight hours' work. "We can't sell ourselves out like last time," he said, referring to the 1993 "Gettysburg" movie.

Others expressed the sentiment that the film would be made regardless and by supporting it they were helping to preserve at least one more battlefield for the sake of history. In the end, three unit representatives voted against supporting the film, while eight voted to "moderately support" it and another 11 gave it a vote of "strong support."

"We are delighted and honored with the support of the liaison committee," said Frye, who is also director of the film company's office of military and civilian affairs.

Warlick said Maxwell believes he got five minutes of footage out of the Manassas filming. Warlick and others in the film company saw some footage a few days after the event.

"One of the prettiest things we saw were shots in camp," he said. "One group was playing baseball, and the camp was real impressive because of the size and angle. There were no modern intrusions. People in the camp had done a god job. The streets looked good and militarily correct. We were real pleased and thought it was a compliment to reenactment organizations that Gods and Generals would even attempt this."

The film is being financed by Ted Turner, Frye said.

Gods and Generals Inc. is recruiting several thousand Civil War reenactors to participate in the upcoming filming. Recruitment advertisements have been published in The Civil War News and the Camp Chase Gazette. Additional ads for extras and bit part actors were run in newspapers in the Lexington and Hagerstown, Md., areas, Frye said.

Frye's office had received more than 5,000 applications by early August. He expects that some 4,000 reenactors, including 400-500 civilians, will be needed overall. A core military group totaling about 200 will participate for stretches throughout the filming, while the majority of reenactors will be called on for particular scenes.

Battle scenes, among others, will be filmed over weekends so reenactors can participate without taking time off from work. The largest number of reenactors needed at any one time will not exceed 1,500, Frye said.

The movie is based on the novel Gods and Generals, written by Jeff Shaara as a prequel to his father's book The Killer Angels. Michael Shaara's book was the basis for the 1993 film, "Gettysburg." Like "Gettysburg," "Gods and Generals" is written and will be directed by Ron Maxwell.

The book follows the period from John Brown's execution through the death of Stonewall Jackson. Filming will take place from late August through December. The largest battle scenes, the battles of Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg, will be filmed in Maryland. Manassas and Antietam battle scenes will be filmed in Virginia.

Actors for some key roles, such as Jackson, are still being cast. For more information, call the Gods and Generals Department of Military and Civilian Affairs at (301) 223-1310. Reenactor hotline is (301) 223-1498. The film company's Web site is www.godsandgenerals.com. More information on the film can be obtained at Maxwell's Web site: www.ronmaxwell.com.