Characterization
In general, the characters presented in Gettysburg are portrayed historically accurately and did exist for the most part. One aspect the casters responsible for the film took very seriously was likeness between the actors and historical figures, excentuated in most cases by artificial facial hair. This directly lead to some excellent calls like Jeff Daniels as Joshua Chamberlain as well as some more questionable ones like Martin Sheen as Robert E. Lee. However, one must certainly acknowledge the truly remarkable accuracy of many of the characters' portrayals.
The vast majority of the actors in Gettysburg were well received by critics. For example, Jeff Daniels' performance as Joshua Chamberlain is consistently acclaimed, despite the exaggeration of his role in some instances (the skill of his inspirational oratory and his calling of the bayonet charge on Little Roundtop). Some even thought it was the best performance of his career and that he deserved an Oscar or Academy Award Nomination. Another actor who was very well-received was Sam Elliot in his brief portrayal of General John Buford, his authenticity- including rubbing dirt on his uniform (CivilWarCavalry)- was appreciated by historians, and his cowboy sensibilities presented in Tombstone carried over well into his role as a cavalryman. Viewers also appreciated Kevin Conway for his memorable monologue on the issue of race as Buster Killrain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRB2dGI1vRM) -the only fictional character in the novel, Stephen Lang for the charisma he brought to the role of George Pickett, Tom Berenger for his appropriately cool demeanor as General Longstreet, and Richard Jordan for his moving portrayal of General Armistead (whose death came shortly after the movie's debut). One can also note that the subject of these monologues, his relationship with Hancock, was also true and accurate. Gettysburg certainly got quite a few things right.
However, historians are far more critical of Martin Sheen's performance as Robert E. Lee, which is by many considered quite lackluster, perhaps "matching his salary for the low-budget film" (The War Movie Buff). Others say this was the fault of the director Ron Maxwell, who gave Sheen artistic license to play the character however he wished -too casually for a southern gentleman of Lee's stature (ex: unbuttoned vest, complacent stride). Many also feel Lee's charisma was simply not present, and that Lee's skill in horsemanship was utterly lost in Sheen's fumbling with the reigns. Some excuse these due to Lee's serious heart condition at the time of Gettysburg (a significant subject breached in the novel, but notably absent in the movie). And other general movie critics thought Sheen's performance was appropriate to the psychology of such a leader (Yahoo! Voices). The view one must take is that, for better or worse, Sheen did his best in this role with limited direction and historical knowledge.
In conclusion, the characterization of this movie was well acted and historically accurate in all but a few occasions. The characters looked like the historical figures they played (all but one of which real) and the relationships between the characters were almost entirely accurate. Since this movie was strictly based of of Jeff Sharra's novel The Killer Angels, you will have a hard time finding a more accurate portrayal of this group of historical figures.
The vast majority of the actors in Gettysburg were well received by critics. For example, Jeff Daniels' performance as Joshua Chamberlain is consistently acclaimed, despite the exaggeration of his role in some instances (the skill of his inspirational oratory and his calling of the bayonet charge on Little Roundtop). Some even thought it was the best performance of his career and that he deserved an Oscar or Academy Award Nomination. Another actor who was very well-received was Sam Elliot in his brief portrayal of General John Buford, his authenticity- including rubbing dirt on his uniform (CivilWarCavalry)- was appreciated by historians, and his cowboy sensibilities presented in Tombstone carried over well into his role as a cavalryman. Viewers also appreciated Kevin Conway for his memorable monologue on the issue of race as Buster Killrain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRB2dGI1vRM) -the only fictional character in the novel, Stephen Lang for the charisma he brought to the role of George Pickett, Tom Berenger for his appropriately cool demeanor as General Longstreet, and Richard Jordan for his moving portrayal of General Armistead (whose death came shortly after the movie's debut). One can also note that the subject of these monologues, his relationship with Hancock, was also true and accurate. Gettysburg certainly got quite a few things right.
However, historians are far more critical of Martin Sheen's performance as Robert E. Lee, which is by many considered quite lackluster, perhaps "matching his salary for the low-budget film" (The War Movie Buff). Others say this was the fault of the director Ron Maxwell, who gave Sheen artistic license to play the character however he wished -too casually for a southern gentleman of Lee's stature (ex: unbuttoned vest, complacent stride). Many also feel Lee's charisma was simply not present, and that Lee's skill in horsemanship was utterly lost in Sheen's fumbling with the reigns. Some excuse these due to Lee's serious heart condition at the time of Gettysburg (a significant subject breached in the novel, but notably absent in the movie). And other general movie critics thought Sheen's performance was appropriate to the psychology of such a leader (Yahoo! Voices). The view one must take is that, for better or worse, Sheen did his best in this role with limited direction and historical knowledge.
In conclusion, the characterization of this movie was well acted and historically accurate in all but a few occasions. The characters looked like the historical figures they played (all but one of which real) and the relationships between the characters were almost entirely accurate. Since this movie was strictly based of of Jeff Sharra's novel The Killer Angels, you will have a hard time finding a more accurate portrayal of this group of historical figures.