Gettysburg
The four and 1/4 hour depiction of the historical and personal events surrounding and including the decisive American civil war battle features thousands of civil war re-enactors marching over the exact ground that the federal army and the army of North Virginia fought on. The defense of the Little Round Top and Pickett's Charge are highlighted in the actual three day battle which is surrounded by the speeches of the commanding officers and the personal reflections of the fighting men. Based upon the novel 'The Killer Angels'.
The film underperformed commercially against its mid-range budget of $25.0M, earning $12.7M globally (-49% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unconventional structure within the drama genre.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Gettysburg (1993) exhibits precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Ronald F. Maxwell's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 4 hours and 14 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
General Robert E. Lee
Lieutenant General James Longstreet
Brigadier General John Buford
Major General George Pickett
Brigadier General Lewis Armistead
Colonel William C. Oates
Major General Winfield Scott Hancock
Sergeant Buster Kilrain
Main Cast & Characters
Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
Played by Jeff Daniels
Union Colonel of the 20th Maine, former professor who leads the defense of Little Round Top with courage and tactical brilliance.
General Robert E. Lee
Played by Martin Sheen
Commanding General of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, dignified leader facing health issues and the weight of command.
Lieutenant General James Longstreet
Played by Tom Berenger
Lee's senior corps commander and trusted "Old War Horse," increasingly skeptical of offensive tactics and the Gettysburg campaign.
Brigadier General John Buford
Played by Sam Elliott
Union cavalry commander who recognizes the strategic importance of Gettysburg and delays Confederate advance on Day 1.
Major General George Pickett
Played by Stephen Lang
Confederate division commander known for his vanity and romantic nature, leads the doomed charge on Day 3.
Brigadier General Lewis Armistead
Played by Richard Jordan
Confederate brigade commander and close friend of Union General Hancock, faces tragic fate in Pickett's Charge.
Colonel William C. Oates
Played by Stephen Lang
Commander of the 15th Alabama, repeatedly attacks Little Round Top against Chamberlain's defense.
Major General Winfield Scott Hancock
Played by Brian Mallon
Union II Corps commander, inspirational leader who rallies troops at critical moments despite being wounded.
Sergeant Buster Kilrain
Played by Kevin Conway
Chamberlain's longtime friend and sergeant, Irish immigrant and voice of the common soldier's wisdom.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Confederate spy Harrison rides through the night bringing urgent intelligence. Establishes the eve of battle, armies maneuvering blind toward collision at Gettysburg.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 30 minutes when Confederate forces encounter Union cavalry at Gettysburg. Buford realizes the battle will happen here, not where either army intended. The accidental collision disrupts all plans and locks both armies into a fight neither chose this ground for.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 60 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Lee commits to a full offensive despite Longstreet's objections and the absence of Stuart's cavalry. This irreversible decision locks the Army of Northern Virginia into a major engagement on unfavorable terms. The battle escalates beyond a skirmish into a pivotal confrontation., moving from reaction to action.
At 122 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 48% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Day Two: July 2nd. Confederate assault begins on the Union left flank. Hood is wounded, command structure fractures. The scope and horror of the battle becomes clear. False defeat: the Union line is being overwhelmed at multiple points. The stakes are now fully realized—this battle will determine the war's outcome., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 190 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Night of July 2nd. Lee orders Pickett's Charge despite Longstreet's strong objections. Longstreet knows this frontal assault against fortified positions will be a slaughter. The Confederate high command is divided. Armistead prepares to attack his old friend Hancock's position. The "whiff of death" hangs over the doomed charge., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 200 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Lee gives the final order: "General Longstreet, let the batteries open." The massive artillery barrage begins. There is no turning back. Both sides commit to the decisive moment. The synthesis of all strategic and moral questions crystallizes into this single, terrible charge., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Gettysburg's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Gettysburg against these established plot points, we can identify how Ronald F. Maxwell utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Gettysburg within the drama genre.
Ronald F. Maxwell's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Ronald F. Maxwell films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Gettysburg represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Ronald F. Maxwell filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include After Thomas, South Pacific and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. For more Ronald F. Maxwell analyses, see Gods and Generals, The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Confederate spy Harrison rides through the night bringing urgent intelligence. Establishes the eve of battle, armies maneuvering blind toward collision at Gettysburg.
Theme
Longstreet and Armistead discuss the coming battle and the nature of war. Armistead reflects on fighting former friends, stating the tragic irony: "The worst thing about civil war is that you find yourself praying for your old friends to die." Theme of divided loyalty and the cost of principle.
Worldbuilding
Introduction of key commanders on both sides. Chamberlain receives mutineers from the 2nd Maine. Lee learns his cavalry is absent. Buford arrives at Gettysburg and recognizes the strategic importance of the high ground. Multiple perspectives establish the scope of the conflict.
Disruption
Confederate forces encounter Union cavalry at Gettysburg. Buford realizes the battle will happen here, not where either army intended. The accidental collision disrupts all plans and locks both armies into a fight neither chose this ground for.
Resistance
Day One: July 1st morning. Buford delays Confederate advance, buying time for Union forces. Both sides debate strategy and feed troops into the growing engagement. Lee arrives and against Longstreet's counsel decides to press the attack. Commanders grapple with incomplete information and mounting casualties.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Lee commits to a full offensive despite Longstreet's objections and the absence of Stuart's cavalry. This irreversible decision locks the Army of Northern Virginia into a major engagement on unfavorable terms. The battle escalates beyond a skirmish into a pivotal confrontation.
Mirror World
Chamberlain addresses the mutineers from the 2nd Maine, appealing to their sense of purpose and the meaning of the war. This subplot embodies the thematic question: what principles are worth dying for? The mutineers represent citizens caught between duty and disillusionment.
Premise
Day One continues and transitions to Day Two preparation. Union forces retreat to Cemetery Hill. Meade arrives and decides to make a stand. Lee plans to attack both flanks. The armies position themselves. The film delivers on its promise: an immersive recreation of the battle's tactical complexity and human cost across multiple perspectives.
Midpoint
Day Two: July 2nd. Confederate assault begins on the Union left flank. Hood is wounded, command structure fractures. The scope and horror of the battle becomes clear. False defeat: the Union line is being overwhelmed at multiple points. The stakes are now fully realized—this battle will determine the war's outcome.
Opposition
The fight for Little Round Top. Chamberlain's 20th Maine faces repeated Confederate assaults while running out of ammunition. Brutal fighting across Devil's Den, the Wheatfield, and the Peach Orchard. Union forces bend but hold. Night falls on Day Two with enormous casualties and no clear victor. Longstreet's opposition to Lee's tactics intensifies.
Collapse
Night of July 2nd. Lee orders Pickett's Charge despite Longstreet's strong objections. Longstreet knows this frontal assault against fortified positions will be a slaughter. The Confederate high command is divided. Armistead prepares to attack his old friend Hancock's position. The "whiff of death" hangs over the doomed charge.
Crisis
Morning of July 3rd. Prayers and quiet preparation before the storm. Soldiers write final letters. Armistead reflects on friendship and duty. Longstreet tries one last time to dissuade Lee. The emotional weight of the impending sacrifice settles over the Confederate ranks.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Lee gives the final order: "General Longstreet, let the batteries open." The massive artillery barrage begins. There is no turning back. Both sides commit to the decisive moment. The synthesis of all strategic and moral questions crystallizes into this single, terrible charge.
Synthesis
Pickett's Charge: 12,500 Confederate soldiers advance across open ground into concentrated Union fire. The charge is decimated. Armistead briefly breaches the Union line ("the high-water mark of the Confederacy") before being mortally wounded. The assault fails catastrophically. Lee takes responsibility. The Confederate army retreats. The battle and the invasion of the North are over.
Transformation
Lee rides among the shattered survivors, repeating "It's all my fault." Longstreet is vindicated but devastated. The transformation is tragic: Lee's legend of invincibility is broken. The Confederacy's best chance for victory has passed. Both sides are forever changed by the enormous sacrifice of Gettysburg.