Maxwell is clearly trying to get the whole story on screen, and his attention to detail is astonishing, recreating the battles on an extravagant scale with excellent cinematography by Kees Van Oostrum and a sweeping musical score. Unfortunately, the other production values (costumes, sets, make-up, effects) are of soap opera quality. And the script is so stilted and corny that virtually every line of dialog sounds like a sermon. Which of course leads to terrible acting from the cast of thousands. At least the veteran actors keep their characters rooted to reality even with the painfully obvious speeches they have to deliver--Daniels and Sorvino are the standouts, while Duvall conveys dignity and strength despite being made up to look rather too old and creaky. At the centre, Lang is just too overloaded with heroic stoicism to become a real human being. Well, the entire film is far too reverent. It's so badly in need of earthy grit that it hurts to watch! Even attempts at humour or romance are flat-footed and clumsy. And it's also in dire need of a good editor! Still, at least it's not dull for a moment; the story is overwhelmingly moving and involving despite the inept filmmaking.

Finally, while the Southern point of view is welcome on screen, this film tries far too hard to sway history by showing the South as god-fearing, upstanding people defending themselves against the tyrant-warmonger Abe Lincoln and invading hordes whose only goal is to strip them of their rights! While Yankees are arrogant, looting thugs, the Confederates are devout, heroic freedom fighters. And slavery is only mentioned in passing (until Daniels' fine speech at the end), dismissed with a shrug that it will die of natural causes. As if that would have happened! Not only that, but the only slaves in the film are deeply loved and cared for by their kindly Southern masters. And with producer Ted Turner appearing in a prominent cameo, it's quite clear where this slant comes from. Shame.