|
 |
|
|
Home The Saga Archives Wild Geese Shops Bookstore Classifieds Heritage Key Dates Events WGT Forum Gallery Lands of Exile Living History Resources Bibliography Guest Book Contact WGT About Us
PROUD SPONSORS OF WGT:
Military Heritage Tours: Your guided tour to Ireland's Battlefields and Military Heritage. For the latest headlines about "Bloody Sunday" and Northern Ireland, visit Newshound, at Nuzhound.com
VISIT THESE OTHER FINE IRISH SITES:
Tara Hall, Headquarters for 'Fighting 69th' and Irish
Brigade Memorabilia, online at Fighting69th.com.
Irish
Culture and Customs: Traditions, folklore, and more.
|
|
| WGT Contributing Editor Brian Pohanka caught a preview of the film "Gods and Generals" and gives us his insights on the film and on how the Irish are portrayed. |
 |
| Photograph by Jim Wassel Actor Kevin Conway reprises his role as the fictional Sgt. "Buster" Kilrain in the Turner Pictures film "Gods and Generals," opening nationwide on Friday |
The film, more than 3 ½ hours in length (6 hours in the DVD version due out later) portrays the many Irishmen who wore the gray as well as the blue, a point not typical for Hollywood films on the war. The film's Confederate Irishmen generally express sad bafflement that their countrymen would be so bravely fighting and dying on behalf of a (in their view) tyrannical federal government, similar, in their minds, to Britain's centuries-old oppression of Ireland.
Unfortunately, those Irishmen who wore the blue (a far greater number, historically, than their Southern counterparts) are not given a chance to verbalize their own loyalties, dreams and ambitions - sentiments so eloquently expressed in the famous letter by Donegal-born Union officer James McKay Rorty.
Another point of interest for students of Irish-American history will be the film's treatment of Irish Brigade commander Thomas Francis Meagher (a nonspeaking role given to David Valuska, a history professor and reenactor). The film portrays a brief exchange between two soldiers of the brigade about to advance to the slaughter on Marye's Heights. Here they imply that Meagher did not accompany them because, as a general, he chose to remain in the rear with the Union army's commanding general, Ambrose Burnside, and other senior officers.
As we know, Meagher was hampered by a leg injury, and though he could ride to a certain point, was unable to keep up on foot. As a historical adviser to the production, I made an effort both in my initial script comments, and during my short time on the set, to express my concern in this regard. And while I believe the original script was adjusted somewhat to reflect this, my suggestion that the film's dialogue allude to Meagher's physical condition did not make it to the screen.
 |
| Photograph by Jim Wassel A piece of boxwood in a Federal cap on the set of "Gods and Generals." The Irish Brigade wore these in their caps at Fredericksburg to "show some green" in the absence of all their green regimental flags save that of the 28th MA. |
Unfortunately the power is lessened somewhat by the fact that none of those men are developed as characters - they are merely brave pawns in Burnside's single-minded and futile attempt to smash Lee's formidable defenses above Fredericksburg.
With the exception of that brief appearance of General Meagher, the only Irish Brigade soldier given much in the way of individual attention is Lieutenant Colonel St. Clair Mulholland of the 116th Pennsylvania (portrayed by actor Tim O'Hare), and his role is a minor one.
Audiences will also note a distinctly Celtic flavor in the film score, which features Irish-inspired minstrelsy and Irish tunes performed by David Kincaid, John Whelan, Bob Dylan, and others. (See Haunted Field Music's article on Kincaid and Whelan's involvement in the film.)
I am certain that Gods and Generals will be debated and dissected, lauded and reviled, loved and hated in equal measure. Those of us so intrigued with and drawn to that powerful and tragic era of history can only hope that the film inspires others to learn more, and perhaps become impassioned with the story of that time, those battles, those people. And too, that just maybe, one day a film will be made about the Irish Brigade.
Editor's Note: The movie "Gods and Generals," based on Jeff Shaara's book, will open in theaters nationwide Friday. Next week, WGT will review the film and the accompanying soundtrack, now available from Sony Classical.
Historian Brian C. Pohanka is primarily known for his Civil War interests, as a writer and editor for Time-Life Books, consultant on several films, including "Cold Mountain," due out later this year, and series consultant for the A&E/History Channel Network's Civil War Journal. He also has a longtime interest in the Battle of Little Bighorn, and has written for WGT about Carlow native and 7th U.S. Cavalry officer Myles Keogh. Brian is also among the foremost experts on Zouaves in the American Civil War, and is the creator of the Web site of Co. A, 5th New York Volunteers Infantry re-enactment unit, which he commands.
Photograph by Jim Wassel |
I had my first look at the "Gods and Generals" film at the Feb. 10 premiere in Washington, D.C. I was asked to review the original script and submitted my comments, corrections and suggestions for consideration. As fate would have it, I was unable to participate in the actual filming beyond four or five days during which a number of the Fredericksburg sequences were shot. These included the first stages of the Irish Brigade's assault on Marye's Heights. Knowing that the six hours of footage were dramatically cut for the cinematic release, I was curious to see how it turned out.
My thoughts on the finished product are mixed, but I hesitate to be critical, in a negative way, of a project that was undertaken with an obvious sincerity of purpose, one that I hope will fuel interest in the American Civil War, as Ron Maxwell's earlier film "Gettysburg" did. To some extent I suppose the more one knows about a particular historical period, the harder it is to view a film set in that period and not notice flaws. Still, these might be considered minor in the context of the dramatic and conceptual structure of the whole. -- Brian C. Pohanka
|
|
|
E-mail us for more information about The Wild Geese Today
 |
| Click to return to The Wild Geese Today's Home Page |
Copyright © 2003, GAR Media.
All rights reserved.
Jeff Shaara (left) explores the lives of Generals Lee, Hancock, Jackson and Chamberlain as the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg approaches. Shaara captures the disillusionment of both Lee and Hancock early in their careers, Lee's conflict with loyalty, Jackson's overwhelming Christian ethic and Chamberlain's total lack of experience, while illustrating how each compensated for shortcomings and failures when put to the test. The perspectives of the four men, particularly concerning the battles at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, make vivid the realities of war. Buy GODS AND GENERALS at