I love seeing the words "I was a mutineer" and "proud to do it" in the same line. Just one of those things that would never look right taken out of context.
I was in the scene where Chamberlain did his speech. Although I wasn't one of the "mutineers", they grabbed a bunch of us to fill in the scene. We were told "Jeff just wanted to work out a few lines", so we thought this would be a rehearsal. The camera roll, and Jeff Daniels began. After about a minute, we knew he wasn't going to stop; that this was going to be a serious take. And we all were riveted. I knew the general context of the speech, i read the book, but like most of us, we just read it and moved on. For my money, Joshua Chamberlain was right there in front of us. By the time he said the final lines, "we are fighting for each other", I was getting choked up. I thought, man, I'm such a pussy. They yelled "Cut!", and in a few moments a few of my friends who were Vietnam vets were sobbing. I can honestly say the unexpectedness of all this added to the drama of the moment. We all can say the greatest days of our lives were our weddings, or when our kids were born. But there are other moments in life, and this was one of them. The group of us walked away that afternoon knowing we were a part of something no one else would understand...
the man gave an Oscar worthy speech and captured the reason why Chamberlain was one of the most remembered generals of the Union army, Daniels was simply perfect there in sincerity and pleading for them to come along willingly
Thanks for sharing this. Has been one of my favorite movies from an era of America's history that is so important to understand. That it was treated with such reverence in the moment as it was on the screen speaks to how deep the roots do run, even today.
@@robertclark3013 Think it through and it will come to you. The greatest commanders in history of men were generally not from freedom loving societies or from societies where human life was held in high regard. Charisma is a trait of a gifted few that usually causes an individual to do something which is usually not in their best interest or the interest of future generations to make happen.
Achilles 1776 ... just as the Ancient Greeks once predicted, that the problem with Democracy is it always turns to Oligarchy. Eventually people get fed up with Oligarchs selfishly serving their own interests at the expense of the nation and a King rises with the support of the people to seize control. Over time with the greatness of the first king’s blood much diluted the people get sick of what his progeny have become, tyrants, and rise to bring about democracy. Rinse and repeat...
The problem is too many women aren't sure who their "baby daddy" (aka sperm donor) is and the kids don't have a chance in hell of knowing who he is unless their "baby mama" (aka egg bearer) goes on Maury.
@Achilles 1776 America isn't _becoming_ an oligarchy, it _is_ an oligarchy. Has been for decades. *"...just as the Ancient Greeks once predicted, that the problem with Democracy is it always turns to Oligarchy."* This is why the Founders didn't make this country a democracy where almost any adult (I don't think most states let convicts vote) can vote. A massive electorate where the vast majority have no economic stake in the country and thus will not remain well-informed on the issues (there's an opportunity cost involved; these uninformed people aren't stupid, they're just too busy trying to make enough money to survive day to day). These uninformed voters will form a block that will be used by those of means who want power or already have power to gain and maintain power. Politicians manipulate the uninformed (but not stupid; it would be stupid to try to be well-informed when you're not financial secure) voter into repeatedly voting them back into power, thus creating an oligarchic political class. To be clear, it was obviously not a mistake to remove the gender and racial restrictions on voting rights, but it was an absolute catastrophe to remove the property requirements for the same.
Everyone in Gettysburg and in the Gods and Generals were GREAT! Although, the actor portraying George Picket and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson was the same actor.
@@martink1671 The actor is Stephen Lang. He's a fellow reenactor [when he has time], playing a Yankee :D. He was also in 'Avatar' and [God help him] in the last really awful remake of Conan the Barbarian
The 66th Acadamey awards was an Excellent year for Oscar Nominations this is the list of best actor nominees Best Actor Tom Hanks - Philadelphia as Andrew Becket (winner) Daniel Day-Lewis - In the Name of the Father as Gerry Conlon Laurence Fishburne - What's Love Got to Do with It as Ike Turner Anthony Hopkins - The Remains of the Day as James Stevens Liam Neeson - Schindler's List as Oskar Schindler
Not mentioned is the fact that Chamberlain had some special leverage with these folk. These men were not acting out of cowardice, but were angry about the Maine Companies they served in being disbanded and their expected transfer to forces under other states' commands. Chamberlain was not only entering the field leading a Maine regiment, but he was actually from the area of Maine where these men had been recruited from, and in fact knew some of the men personally from their childhoods. I have to think this made convincing them to get back in the fight a little easier.
hmmmm... so what you're saying is the men of individual states had a fierce loyalty to thier particular state. I wonder if that sentiment applied to the men of the south?
@@darlenegraham6408 Yes, as I understand it was true of both sides. Regiments were recruited in local geographic areas. So most members of any given regiment, North or South personally knew many members from childhood, and/or their relatives. This is one of the reasons that troops would actually line up and face the horrific fire in front of them. No one wanted to be known back home by EVERYONE as the coward of the county.
@john steel it was years ago. His opinion and motive changes over the course of the Civil War. He had to say it to win vote, not that he doesn't care about slaves at all
john steel Abe said that to avoid a war since the southern states were on the war path, the border states would of side with the south if the union pressed their boot on the south prematurely. Slavery was slowly being curbed thru legislative and executive prerogative. President Lincoln knew that and would rather have slavery around because it was slowly being suffocated in America, it was only a matter of time, before it went out thru legislation.Or it would be war, that would be the catalyst but the south would need to do something like I don’t know? Maybe rebel? By rebelling that gave the president political capital to spend. You sound ignorant when you think posting a quote without context is somehow valid.
As a former infantry marine, my opinion is that he is the greatest military officer in American history, God bless Colonel Chamberlain. He’s the epitome of American leadership
@@infinitecanadian Jackson is a bit overrated if he wasn't wounded then he would of led a night attack that would of ended in disaster at Chancellorsville.
Caryl, here. This is my personal tribute to Jeff Daniels, for the way he portrayed Chamberlain. They were showing this movie on TNT around the time I had a mild stroke. I had been reading a book every day......I read the backs of cereal boxes, too........and this stroke kept me in a very dark place for awhile. I lost interest in everything, including reading. Then I watched GETTYSBURG and was fascinated by Joshua Chamberlain. I thought no one could be that noble or honorable, but Jeff Daniels nailed it. I became fascinated by Chamberlain because Jeff Daniels did his job so well. I decided to look up info on this hero and I couldn't put the books down. I was back!!! Thank you Mr. Daniels for what you do so well. I really give you 99 Percent of the credit for getting me "back" to normal. Knowing how to read and loving it is a real gift. Thank you again from my heart and God bless you, sir.
This movie caused me to go learn more about this great Teacher, Scholar, Leader and Soldier! He was seriously wounded on several occasions. I'm glad I did, he is very inspirational in every way.
He wasn’t just ‘wounded’ he was shot in the groin and lost function of his member and control of his bladder. His wife even left him after the war for being ‘unable to fulfill his duties as a husband.’ How’s that for gratitude and loyalty? And they still let women vote. SMH. All gave some, some gave all.
@@gabethedizzle : That is not true. Fanny Chamberlain went through some rough times after Joshua returned home in a damaged condition, but their relationship survived the transition; they were still married when she died on October 18 1905, nine years before Joshua. Her husband wrote this tribute for her: "You in my soul I see, faithful watcher by my cot-side long days and nights together through the delirium of mortal anguish, steadfast, calm, and sweet as eternal love. We pass now quickly from each other's sight; but I know full well that where beyond these passing scenes you shall be, there will be heaven!" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanny_Chamberlain
How many units would hold together and keep fighting when they had lost 70% of their original number and continued to go into battles where they would lose 50% plus time and again? These men were made of much different stuff.
It was what Chamberlin said. "In the end, we're fighting for each other." It has been said in other versions, by other commanders down thru history, but the same central Idea holds true. The men freezing and dying outside of Bastogne in December of 1944 against German Panzers were not thinking of home, apple pie, and all the stuff that is used to sell the "glory" of war to young men. The survivors of combat will tell you most often that they were fighting for the fellow beside them in that cold, desperate, freezing moment of bloody hell. Because what they chose to hold onto, to fight, to live, and to survive, was each other. It will always be true, until "Mankind" grows beyond war at long last.
Chamberlain does a good job with these prisoners. He gave them some food, water and listened to their concerns even if he couldn't do much about them at the time. We had this scene on Little Round Top written in our FM 22-100 Leadership manual used in the NCOES system. Chamberlain did most things right on Little Round Top. One suggestion here is to consider your ammunition, water and other critical supplies if your unit is out at the end of a flank or some other critical position. You have to be prepared for the eventuality of extended periods when no one can help you. It would have been a good idea to have had MORE MINIE BALLS, PERCUSSION CAPS for rifles or smoothbore muskets with extra buck and ball rounds for close quarters fighting. If you are told to go out on a limb or out on an exposed position remember to have extra water and extra ammo for your soldiers for extended periods of combat including medical supplies like bandages, tourniqets, morphine, plasma and the like so you can take care of your own problems for as long as possible.
Chamberlain is shown in the video making a repeated effort to find more supplies for his men. Remember, the 20th was rushed into its position on LRT, there was no time to stage things properly. The rebs were coming up that hill whether they were ready or not so they had to throw men at the problem because if they stop to properly organize it'd be too late.
I live in the "heart of Dixie" but have nothing but great respect for Commander Chamberlain and the men from the great state of Maine, that was the turning point of the war.
In a world and war filled with irony, Col Chamberlain (20th Maine) and Col Oates (15th Alabama) both became governors and friends.. When the Maine Guard was sent to the Middle East their sister guard unit was Alabama where many friendships were formed to where Bama folks could summer in Maine and Maniacs could winter on the Gulf and get to stay with friends..
Lucky Buck : General Sherman spent a good deal of his life in the South and had a love for the South. His severity in 1864-65 was due to his desire to end the war, which would've dragged on for many more years.
My dad's family are all Virginians and Tennesseans, but I was raised in the Pacific Northwest. When I became a reenactor, I joined a company that recreates the Regular Army regiment that garrisoned by hometown... hence, I was a 'bluebelly'. Got a fair amount of shade for that... :)
I love how he talks like an average every day person as opposed to a pompous actor. That's what makes Gettysburg flow so perfectly for me. Absolute masterpiece of a film. Right up there next to waterloo.
A wonderful contrast to the dreadful dialogue in Gods and Generals where the first half of the movie is speeches and Robert E Lee's lines consistently of shoehorned quotes from the history books
You edited out way too much of this. To go from taking responsibility of the mutineers to making an inspiring speech ignores his immediate efforts to build rapport with these men by first insuring they were properly fed and cared for, then hearing their grievances. THAT is leadership.
@@tedmccarron ensure and insure have been used interchangeably in this context for centuries. Ensure is more common but insure is OK --and at the time of the Civil War might ahve been just as common.
This was a cool Jeff Daniels moment to put an idealistic view of this moment. The outcome is what is important. I am proud to be an American and our joint identity can point to this July 1863 event in our history as something we can point to as a reason to lift your head. We are worth it.
Jeff Daniels did an incredible job portraying one of America’s most revered military figures, with this speech the highlight of the entire movie. Delivered with incredible sincerity and honestly you can believe that such a man could lead a regiment with empty muskets into a charge and they would follow him
If I were an actor, I would give anything for the part of Colonel Chamberlain. Even being from Texas, this is my favorite General in all of American history. I bought his book from the gift shop at Gettysburg and have read it several times. He was a man's man and someone to be respected. I remember how I felt at the end credits of the movie and read where he won the Medal of Honor. He was promoted to General on the spot by General Grant, and had his troops salute Conf. General John Gordons troops, while General Gordon returned the same during the days of the surrender. Both did this as a show of respect and is one of the better stories of the Civil War.
I think he was one of our greatest Commanders. Not necessarily because he won a lot of battles but because of where he came from. He was the true citizen soldier no military training before the war. He’s a common citizen from a small town in Maine and helps leads the country to victory in the most important battle not just of the war but maybe of all time in our countries history. That’s why people both north and south love him. He’s the number one example of what america stands for. Despite your birth status you can rise to greatness.
Four times a year I pass Chamberlain's statue in Brewer Maine near Bangor on the way to route 9. Just another American accomplishing extraordinary things.
The Confederates were traitors. They waged war against the United states, which is the definition to treason under the constitution. As for the nation's founding, that was about representation. The colonies rebelled because they were being governed by people they couldn't vote in or out of office. That wasn't the case for the Confederates. They had full representation. They just went to war because they didn't like the results of an election and feared it would result in restrictions on slavery. Not a cause to be proud of.
This always reminds me of those who fought for justice and freedom. Only those who have truly lost their freedom can understand the selfless and noble qualities that these people have. Respect from China.
Joshua Chamberlain is one Yankee I can respect with my Northern Ancestor that was at Shiloh with my Southern Ancestors fighting each other what they believed in. Chamberlain respected the Southern Soldier. A Confederate Soldier spared his life at Little Round Top. The morning of Fredericksburg Chamberlain quoted Julius Ceasar's speech to his Army before they crossed the Rubicon to war with his own country. Chamberlain never forgot that the Southern Soldier was fighting to defend their homes from a invader. As the war was winding down Chamberlain wrote about the Confederate Soldiers. He wrote about they were so famished their clothes were falling off their bodies. He wrote how they still out marched the Union Army and how they fought like demons. Chamberlain started the Salute of the Confederates as they surrendered. He was asked why he did that. He said they are our countrymen again and they fought well. Great man Chamberlain.
The confederate traitors should have all been shot. The south should have been punished for what they did, unfortunately now we have the lost cause narrative because of how kind they were to the traitors.
That's why he was chosen to accept the surrender of the confederate army and sulated them...i had 2 ancestors die fighting against the confederacy....1 died at Gettysburg on the second day and the other died in a confederate prison camp...i have tons of friends from the south. The civil war was our darkest time and the ones that are trying to divide our country today are the ones that have no clue about history.
The position on little round was a strong one, it was the confederates that were spent especially after multiple charges up the hill. The line would have likely rotated and worn out the attack but that's hindsight, who knows. Gettysburg was a battle won and lost by many many little details
"A man does not have himself killed for a half-pence a day or for a petty distinction. You must speak to the soul in order to electrify him." - Napoleon Bonaparte
Now replaced in the modern lexicon by the menacing word convince. Politicians now believe they convince us. Years ago some of them respected us by using reason to persuade us. Not now. Now too few students leave university knowing the word persuade.
First heard of Joshua Chamberlain in "Civil War" TV doco series. A good man and a great leader who lived to a ripe old age. Given the chance, he probably would have made an excellent president of those United States.
probably the greatest role Mr. Daniels ever had, and to think Col. Chamberlain was a teacher at bowdon? college before the war, and then went back and ended up teaching almost every course they offered, he was even an ambassador at one time
To the many nominations of Jeff Daniels of the Oscar for Best Actor: At the very least, he should have shared it with Richard Jordan as Armistead. There were so many outstanding performances here. And the re-enactors, who portrayed most of the men, and who brought their own arms, costumes, and accoutrements for no more than travel and food expenses, if that, should have en masse received Oscars for Supporting Actors.
A big role yes. But the role is slightly oversold in the final telling. The 20th maine threw back 2 regiments, but it was follow up attacks by other regiments on their right that really broke Confederate lines and sent then scurrying to safety. They started it, but it wouldn't have happened if others had not joined in the charge.
@@hagamapama You are right. On the right of the 20th Maine was the 83rd Pennsylvania, 44 New York, and the 16th Michigan that also played a big role in defending Little Round top on the 2nd day at Gettysburg. It's clear in the Movie Gettysburg that the film focused more on the 20th Maine, when they should had focus on the rest of Col Vincent's Brigade. They also had artillery support from General Stephen H. Weed, and from Lt Charles E. Hazlett of the 5th U.S. artillery battery (Battery D), and the 140 New york infantry. They all paid a big price in keeping this hill from falling into Confederate hands. Col Strong Vincent was mortally wounded and died 5 days later. Hazlett and Weed were also killed, and Vincent's brigade suffered heavy casualties, including the 20th Maine, who was the end of the line: the extreme left of the Army of the Potomac. Their orders were to hold this position to the last man. All the union units held and kept Confederate forces from overrunning little round top and taking the whole union army from the rear. They lost a lot of good men on all 3 days of the bloodiest battle in the entire civil war.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I recall an account by a Confederate POW who was captured at Gettysburg. He stated the fighting men who captured him treated him with dignity and humanity, but when under the prison guards who never fought, he was treated horribly.
Happened to both sides, famously at the Confederate Camp for Union POWs called Andersonville where ots commander was the only man hanged for war crimes after the war concluded
Every politician should have to recite this speech today before taking office (well the end part anyway) to REMEMBER that it is citizens of this country who OWN it - and they are not county, state Kings and Queens. And lobbying (corporate) needs to be made illegal. Politicians need to remember they are our FELLOW citizens - not our landlords!!!
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate-we can not consecrate-we can not hallow-this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us-that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion-that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain-that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom-and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. - Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, 19 November 1863 Between 46,000 and 51,000 soldiers (as well as over 3,000 horses) from both armies were casualties in the three-day battle, the most costly in US history. Never forget.
Chamberlain was a great man, this speech is the best one I have ever heard in my life. He was a true man and a good human being. I admire his use of knowledge and his vision, progress in human's development.
After Hearing His speech No more needs to Be Said as he had already Said everything, they needed too Hear. Gettysburg was A Great Film Accomplishment No Doubt about that. Thank You for Sharing.
I have seen this movie many, many times. The first time I saw it ...in a theatre........as the credits were rolling at the end , the entire audience in that theatre, stood and applauded . I think they were applauding not for the movie, which was inspiring, but for the magnificent courage of the soldiers depicted in that movie. Union or Confederate , that was the courage of Americans. And that audience felt it ....as they stood to honor those very courageous soldiers.
By all accounts, Chamberlain was a hell of a man. Intellectual, highly moral, courageous, and humble- all the things a commander should be. I believe he was a teacher or professor in civilian life. Been too many years since i watched the movie. Time to watch it again.
Can you imagine the talks Nathan Bedford Forrest have to his men being out numbered at every battle. At Brices Crossroads he was outnumbered at the beginning of the battle almost six to one in Cavalry and 4 to 1 in Infantry. 30 percent of Sturgis's troops had New repeating and cartridge rifles and they still.got routed by Forrest. Forrest captured 187 wagons of supplies and hospital wagons. I grew days earlier Forrest routed another Union Army at Tullihoma. The Union Army fled and doctors left their wounded. Forrest found a Union Soldier with a saw still in his leg and suffering. Forrest gave the soldier Ether to knock him out and had his surgeon finish the surgery on the Union Soldier. Forrest captured more supplies and prisoners than any other General during the war. He was always in the Hospital Tents after battles consoling the wounded and it didn't matter the color of their uniforms.
Watching this video reminds me of when I was in the ARMY. Never had the commanding GENERAL talk to us, NEVER but I talked to the GENERALS myself and they are very nice. Years ago I talked to a AIR FORCE general and he was very nice to me, because the owner told him that I was in the ARMY, and I have 2 letters of recommendation from them I still have them and I know my father told my 2 brothers about that.
When I think of Chamberlain, the Foo Fighters anthem "My Hero" comes to mind. He was as in the words of the song, "ordinary" but extraordinary at the same time. He also must've been incredibly tough: he survived a GSW to the private parts at the siege of Petersburg that left him with Urinary incontinence, impotence, and constant pain for the rest of his days (he survived the battle of Gettysburg by 50 years). They actually didn't operate on him at first because he was expected to die. When he woke up the next morning and found himself still alive, he got treatment for his wounds. Because his wound was invisible, and not an arm or a leg amputated , he didn't get a pension from the government that he fought so bravely and so well for in the Civil War, no matter how many times he applied. "Now we'll see how a professor fights", indeed.
Gettysburg, Waterloo and Taierzhuang - the golden trinity of ridiculously epic historical war films, and absolutely ESSENTIAL viewing for lovers of historical fiction and period pieces (as well as protracted cinematic epics of any kind)! Films like this make me yearn for the days when the average film's duration was roughly 2 and a half hours, and each film began with an introductory overture and featured an intermission halfway through the piece... and because there was no CGI, large crowds and battles were entirely composed of extras, engendering a verisimilitude that 3D graphics simply cannot seem to adequately replicate. One of the last films of a dying breed (though perhaps it is being revived...)
I have heard this speech several times and brings a lump to my throat every time... I have also heard people say that the Civil War was ‘really fought’ over ‘State’s Rights’ and that is, in a way, true as well... Only what those State’s Rights were amounted to the Right of the people in those States to ‘Keep and Maintain Slaves’... so you see? I would maintain that it really was about Slavery! All along, it was about the Right of some men to own other men. I also say this as someone who was born and raised... well, mostly raised in South Central Florida!
You need to look more deeply. 2 great grandfathers fought in the war. One from Maryland whose family owned slaves. One from GA who's family didnt.They fought for their countries. The truest thing is his speech is how in the end, you fight foreach other as ideology goes aside when the bullets fly.
On the other side - I love General Longstreet (thought Tom Berringer was equally brilliant in his portrayal of Confederate General James Longstreet) words as he addresses Pickett's Brigade Commanders before their charge. Chills go through me when he tells them "All of the men who have died in this war are with you here today. Gentlemen - I do believe this battle will decide the fate of our country." Martin Sheen was also terrific in his portrayal of Robert E. Lee. Richard Jordan was awesome as BG Lo Armistead. The speech he makes to English Lt Col Freemantle was pure brilliance - "You may tell them when your return to England that all of Virginia was here today." These men are NOT POWs. They are Union Soldiers who are under suspicion of Desertion.
Colonel Joshua Chamberlain was good leader, giving the men that deserted a chance reintegrated to union and fight for their honor. That is sign of a great Leader!
Im from Maine, and we are very proud of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and the 20th Maine. This is the scene that clearly shows how intelligent and decent a man he was. He was a professor of Rhetoric, and he was very skilled at it. But we can not forget that he truly believed in what America stood for.
When we go to Gettysburg, often the first monument we visit is the 20th Maine. You do not have Pickett's Charge if it were not for Chamberlain and the 20th Maine and the 2nd Minnesota at Cemetery Ridge.
It is hard to comprehend the casualty rates of some of these units, many raised from contiguous rural areas at the start of the war. My g-g grandfather regiment was raised from two counties in Indiana in the summer of 1861. Nearly 1100 men. By the time of the Grand Review, 278 were left. That’s why you still see those obelisks in town centers all over the Midwest, sometime listing 100s of names. Often most of a generation from those places were dead or disabled from wounds or sickness.
Nobody and I mean nobody knows what a man will do under the duress of combat. I'm a drafted, disabled, and a Republic of Vietnam combat veteran (1968). After 50 years and I start telling people about Vietnam, people don't want to hear it. I'm talking knock down bloody descriptions. My gg grandfather guarded conscripted Union Troops' headed south. He was paid $300.00 to join the Union Army out of Michigan. I've heard accounts from my grandmother. My other gg grandfather was in the Tennessee Confederate Army, fought at Chickamauga, and was captured near Macon by Sherman. I've heard accounts from my grandmother too, about his service, as he told her. Eaglegards 🦅 ...
Thank you for your service sir. I had two schoolmates who went to Nam. One came back with the Silver Star , a Purple Heart, and PTSD. The other is on the wall. Most Americans don't appreciate the price of freedom.
its unfortunate his wound he received in 1864 would cause him pain and life issues for 50 years after.. he is one of the greatest Americans who ever lived i would say. He was truly a patriot.
After the war, Chamberlain was governor of Maine for 4 years and president of Bowdoin college for 12 years. He also held a wide range of other jobs. To me, the most impressive thing about Chamberlain isn't what he did in the war, it's what he did after it. Despite haunted by trauma and the agonizing life-long pain of his war-wounds, he still managed to live a long and productive life. So many other veterans in the same situation give in to despair, but Chamberlain kept pushing on.
Powerful words...from a man who was good for the times - in direction, compassion, and true purpose of what the American Civil War was really about. The actual Josh Lawrence Chamberlain was a "one of a kind" to many history followers who divulged into the causes of the great Civil War. I think, when the cast selection was made for the 1993 TV movie "Gettysburg" by Turner Industries, they found actor Jeff Daniels that man who had that Chamberlain character & style.
His early statements were too mundane at that time. They expressed the conditions of almost every Union regiment. As such, they were there for the viewer's education.
I was involved in the production of this epic. Financed by Ted Turner, who also had a minor role in the epic. He's the first confederate casualty in the opening scene. While searching for a hero, every TV production needs one, Joshua Chamberlain, the 'Lion of the Union', was a larger than life character that kept coming up. Wounded six times, accepted Robert E. Lee's surrender, and had a stellar academic and political life after the war. He suffered greatly from his war wounds, like many veteran's and years later asked “what it was all for, & what would come of it". As an immigrant to the US it was hard to understand the re-inactors. The reaction of Confederate reinactors to Martin Sheen playing Robert E. Lee was an eye opener, and baffling for me. To understand this phenom, Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz, is a great insight into the reinacting community.
Actually Turner played George S. Patton's Great Uncle, who was killed during Pickett's Charge near the end of the movie. Patton's grandfather was killed later in the war at one of the battles at Winchester VA.
Standing on little round top looking down towards Devil's Den you try to imagine the fighting that took place there. I studied the battle before I went thinking I had a grasp of the magnitude of the fight, I was mistaken. The terrain is much worse than I thought and the area smaller than I imagined for such a massive battle. In the distance you can see most of the other battle fields.
Not POWs, deserters due to signing three year papers and not two year. Yes they are "Prisoners" but not POWs. This is however a very good scene and speech.
I did not know who Jeff Daniels was when on a spare, rainy afternoon I rented both Gettysburg and Dumb and Dumber to fill my day. I came out the other side of watching those two movies a big fan of Jeff Daniels, and much dumber for watching the D&D movie to the end. This is truly one great movie moment. I've always wondered how historically accurate it actual is.
The acting range Jeff Daniels has is astounding. Portraying one of the most noble, dignified, brave soldiers in American history, to spraying diarrhea into a toilet bowl while yodeling.
Mutineers, not POW's. A number of Union units rebelled when the Army didn't live up to their enlistment contracts. It got so bad that one entire Regiment 700+ men got the Medal of Honor to end mutiny and re-enlist. Later rescinded.
That was the 27th Maine and all 864 were give the MoH.. Up to the 1970's not one of those medals has ever turned up. It's believed they were given the actual medal but you would think some estate somewhere would have one..
Ucallit 71 you do know the war ended 154 years ago, not 154 days. Sounds like you have a lot of anger built up around the perceived slight of your ancestors. Anybody can feel any way they want, but sounds like that burning hatred you have in the pit of your stomach , well, that fire will eventually be all consuming.
I was one of the 120 mutineers that day it was being filmed. I was proud to do it. It took two days for these two scenes.
Why did he take two days ? Seems to be gross mismanagement
@@MM-qi5mk They wanted to reenact mismanagement, just like the real Army does.
I love seeing the words "I was a mutineer" and "proud to do it" in the same line. Just one of those things that would never look right taken out of context.
That's awesome. This is my favorite movie and book. Did this speech give you goosebumps like it does watching on film?
That must've been such a fun project to be in!
Jeff Daniels is one of the most underrated actors of our time.
tortilla1soup You watch his performance in this and think he did “Dumb and Dumber” a year or so later shows his range and versatility.
@@michaelc.6532 yeah, still hard to believe! 😊
Ladycarpenter - thanks for making sure the ubiquitous "underrated" comment makes it onto every single youtube vid, keep up the good work!
I am the great great great grandaughter maybe another great, I am 73y/o. I have only recently acquired this knowledge of this history.
He's excellent! Agreed!!
People: Tom Hanks is the most versatile actor in Hollywood!
Jeff Daniels (who did this and "Dumb and Dumber): Hold my musket.
And "The Crossing".
and blood work as a psyco against Eastwood
Jeff Daniels is a fine actor. Extremely versatile.
AND he played George Washington. 👍😊
As much as I like Tom Hanks he plays pretty much the same character in all of his movies. Can't say the same for Jeff Daniels.
I was in the scene where Chamberlain did his speech. Although I wasn't one of the "mutineers", they grabbed a bunch of us to fill in the scene. We were told "Jeff just wanted to work out a few lines", so we thought this would be a rehearsal. The camera roll, and Jeff Daniels began. After about a minute, we knew he wasn't going to stop; that this was going to be a serious take. And we all were riveted. I knew the general context of the speech, i read the book, but like most of us, we just read it and moved on. For my money, Joshua Chamberlain was right there in front of us. By the time he said the final lines, "we are fighting for each other", I was getting choked up. I thought, man, I'm such a pussy. They yelled "Cut!", and in a few moments a few of my friends who were Vietnam vets were sobbing. I can honestly say the unexpectedness of all this added to the drama of the moment. We all can say the greatest days of our lives were our weddings, or when our kids were born. But there are other moments in life, and this was one of them. The group of us walked away that afternoon knowing we were a part of something no one else would understand...
the man gave an Oscar worthy speech and captured the reason why Chamberlain was one of the most remembered generals of the Union army, Daniels was simply perfect there in sincerity and pleading for them to come along willingly
Thanks for sharing this. Has been one of my favorite movies from an era of America's history that is so important to understand. That it was treated with such reverence in the moment as it was on the screen speaks to how deep the roots do run, even today.
I'm genuinely surprised you can hear his voice, I can barely hear him in the movie
Thank you for sharing your experience during the film. Jeff Daniels was the perfect man for this role. What was Jeff's reaction to you all?
@@b2l421 Jeff Daniels wasn't there. It was Colonel Chamberlain. That's my best answer! He walked off back to his headquarters tent!
A good commander can make nearly any man face death.
A great commander can convince men who've already faced death many times, to do it again.
and it's how he makes them that is the poetry, the literature of having a goal far bigger than yourself or your family
A good bullshitter.....knew a few in iraq.
Stalin was a great convincer- had 21 million die under him when they knew there was more danger behind them than in front of them.
@@joycekoch5746 How is that relevant?
@@robertclark3013 Think it through and it will come to you. The greatest commanders in history of men were generally not from freedom loving societies or from societies where human life was held in high regard. Charisma is a trait of a gifted few that usually causes an individual to do something which is usually not in their best interest or the interest of future generations to make happen.
'...By what you do, not who your father was.'
I feel this is a much needed virtue that is slipping away from us.
@Achilles 1776 😔
Bingo. Breaking of social inheritance.
Achilles 1776 ... just as the Ancient Greeks once predicted, that the problem with Democracy is it always turns to Oligarchy. Eventually people get fed up with Oligarchs selfishly serving their own interests at the expense of the nation and a King rises with the support of the people to seize control. Over time with the greatness of the first king’s blood much diluted the people get sick of what his progeny have become, tyrants, and rise to bring about democracy. Rinse and repeat...
The problem is too many women aren't sure who their "baby daddy" (aka sperm donor) is and the kids don't have a chance in hell of knowing who he is unless their "baby mama" (aka egg bearer) goes on Maury.
@Achilles 1776 America isn't _becoming_ an oligarchy, it _is_ an oligarchy. Has been for decades.
*"...just as the Ancient Greeks once predicted, that the problem with Democracy is it always turns to Oligarchy."*
This is why the Founders didn't make this country a democracy where almost any adult (I don't think most states let convicts vote) can vote. A massive electorate where the vast majority have no economic stake in the country and thus will not remain well-informed on the issues (there's an opportunity cost involved; these uninformed people aren't stupid, they're just too busy trying to make enough money to survive day to day).
These uninformed voters will form a block that will be used by those of means who want power or already have power to gain and maintain power.
Politicians manipulate the uninformed (but not stupid; it would be stupid to try to be well-informed when you're not financial secure) voter into repeatedly voting them back into power, thus creating an oligarchic political class.
To be clear, it was obviously not a mistake to remove the gender and racial restrictions on voting rights, but it was an absolute catastrophe to remove the property requirements for the same.
Jeff Daniels should have nominated for a Academy Award for his portrayal of Chamberlain.
Everyone in Gettysburg and in the Gods and Generals were GREAT! Although, the actor portraying George Picket and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson was the same actor.
@@martink1671 The actor is Stephen Lang. He's a fellow reenactor [when he has time], playing a Yankee :D. He was also in 'Avatar' and [God help him] in the last really awful remake of Conan the Barbarian
Amen
Hell yes! How does a guy go from Harry Dunn to Col. Chamberlain...Bayonets!!!!
The 66th Acadamey awards was an Excellent year for Oscar Nominations this is the list of best actor nominees
Best Actor
Tom Hanks - Philadelphia as Andrew Becket (winner)
Daniel Day-Lewis - In the Name of the Father as Gerry Conlon
Laurence Fishburne - What's Love Got to Do with It as Ike Turner
Anthony Hopkins - The Remains of the Day as James Stevens
Liam Neeson - Schindler's List as Oskar Schindler
Not mentioned is the fact that Chamberlain had some special leverage with these folk. These men were not acting out of cowardice, but were angry about the Maine Companies they served in being disbanded and their expected transfer to forces under other states' commands.
Chamberlain was not only entering the field leading a Maine regiment, but he was actually from the area of Maine where these men had been recruited from, and in fact knew some of the men personally from their childhoods. I have to think this made convincing them to get back in the fight a little easier.
Thanks; good to know.
hmmmm... so what you're saying is the men of individual states had a fierce loyalty to thier particular state. I wonder if that sentiment applied to the men of the south?
@@darlenegraham6408 Yes, as I understand it was true of both sides. Regiments were recruited in local geographic areas. So most members of any given regiment, North or South personally knew many members from childhood, and/or their relatives. This is one of the reasons that troops would actually line up and face the horrific fire in front of them. No one wanted to be known back home by EVERYONE as the coward of the county.
@@darlenegraham6408 That loyalty was why Lee fought for the south. He couldn't bear to fight against his home state of Virginia.
@@bigravensfan21 you know what Lee was fighting for.
"Soldiers usually win the battles and generals get the credit for them"
Napoleon Bonaparte
"We are an army out to set other men free"
@@simonegan3698, baby steps...
I cant stand the slavery virtue signaling. It ruins the films. The war wasn't started over slavery.
@john steel it was years ago. His opinion and motive changes over the course of the Civil War. He had to say it to win vote, not that he doesn't care about slaves at all
Angry Alan Rants yes it was. You’ve been fed a bunch of lost cause nonsense .
john steel Abe said that to avoid a war since the southern states were on the war path, the border states would of side with the south if the union pressed their boot on the south prematurely. Slavery was slowly being curbed thru legislative and executive prerogative. President Lincoln knew that and would rather have slavery around because it was slowly being suffocated in America, it was only a matter of time, before it went out thru legislation.Or it would be war, that would be the catalyst but the south would need to do something like I don’t know? Maybe rebel? By rebelling that gave the president political capital to spend. You sound ignorant when you think posting a quote without context is somehow valid.
As a former infantry marine, my opinion is that he is the greatest military officer in American history, God bless Colonel Chamberlain. He’s the epitome of American leadership
I’d think that General Jackson fits that criteria.
When I was in the Army I always kept his picture in my office.
@@infinitecanadian Jackson is a bit overrated if he wasn't wounded then he would of led a night attack that would of ended in disaster at Chancellorsville.
@@rc59191 Would he have? You don't know that.
Jackson wasn't quite so good - he didn't stack up to other commanders like Grant or Sheridan which is why they lost.
This was the one moment of the movie that stock with me, ever since! A prime example of a great officer!
Jeff Daniels is wonderful here. He was also tremendous as Washington in "The Crossing."
Yes - he did a fantastic job portraying General George Washington in that film.
Caryl, here. This is my personal tribute to Jeff Daniels, for the way he portrayed Chamberlain. They were showing this movie on TNT around the time I had a mild stroke. I had been reading a book every day......I read the backs of cereal boxes, too........and this stroke kept me in a very dark place for awhile. I lost interest in everything, including reading. Then I watched GETTYSBURG and was fascinated by Joshua Chamberlain. I thought no one could be that noble or honorable, but Jeff Daniels nailed it. I became fascinated by Chamberlain because Jeff Daniels did his job so well. I decided to look up info on this hero and I couldn't put the books down. I was back!!! Thank you Mr. Daniels for what you do so well. I really give you 99 Percent of the credit for getting me "back" to normal. Knowing how to read and loving it is a real gift. Thank you again from my heart and God bless you, sir.
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This movie caused me to go learn more about this great Teacher, Scholar, Leader and Soldier! He was seriously wounded on several occasions. I'm glad I did, he is very inspirational in every way.
He wasn’t just ‘wounded’ he was shot in the groin and lost function of his member and control of his bladder. His wife even left him after the war for being ‘unable to fulfill his duties as a husband.’
How’s that for gratitude and loyalty? And they still let women vote. SMH. All gave some, some gave all.
@@gabethedizzle : That is not true. Fanny Chamberlain went through some rough times after Joshua returned home in a damaged condition, but their relationship survived the transition; they were still married when she died on October 18 1905, nine years before Joshua. Her husband wrote this tribute for her:
"You in my soul I see, faithful watcher by my cot-side long days and nights together through the delirium of mortal anguish, steadfast, calm, and sweet as eternal love. We pass now quickly from each other's sight; but I know full well that where beyond these passing scenes you shall be, there will be heaven!"
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanny_Chamberlain
How many units would hold together and keep fighting when they had lost 70% of their original number and continued to go into battles where they would lose 50% plus time and again? These men were made of much different stuff.
It was what Chamberlin said. "In the end, we're fighting for each other." It has been said in other versions, by other commanders down thru history, but the same central Idea holds true. The men freezing and dying outside of Bastogne in December of 1944 against German Panzers were not thinking of home, apple pie, and all the stuff that is used to sell the "glory" of war to young men. The survivors of combat will tell you most often that they were fighting for the fellow beside them in that cold, desperate, freezing moment of bloody hell. Because what they chose to hold onto, to fight, to live, and to survive, was each other. It will always be true, until "Mankind" grows beyond war at long last.
@Andrew Layton So says, I am sure, a military hero. What is your service record, wimp?
My g-g-grandfathers regiment enlisted 1109 men in July 1861, after the Grand Review in 1865 they discharged 278.
@@samueladams3746 that is a terrible LOSS of men! Brave soldiers who gave all. That is a haunting sacrifice!
That is nearly 80 percent of their unit!
Edward Pate, check out what the Black Watch did at Quatre Bras and two days later at Waterloo. That's an intersting story.
Chamberlain does a good job with these prisoners. He gave them some food, water and listened to their concerns even if he couldn't do much about them at the time. We had this scene on Little Round Top written in our FM 22-100 Leadership manual used in the NCOES system. Chamberlain did most things right on Little Round Top. One suggestion here is to consider your ammunition, water and other critical supplies if your unit is out at the end of a flank or some other critical position. You have to be prepared for the eventuality of extended periods when no one can help you. It would have been a good idea to have had MORE MINIE BALLS, PERCUSSION CAPS for rifles or smoothbore muskets with extra buck and ball rounds for close quarters fighting. If you are told to go out on a limb or out on an exposed position remember to have extra water and extra ammo for your soldiers for extended periods of combat including medical supplies like bandages, tourniqets, morphine, plasma and the like so you can take care of your own problems for as long as possible.
Chamberlain is shown in the video making a repeated effort to find more supplies for his men. Remember, the 20th was rushed into its position on LRT, there was no time to stage things properly. The rebs were coming up that hill whether they were ready or not so they had to throw men at the problem because if they stop to properly organize it'd be too late.
I live in the "heart of Dixie" but have nothing but great respect for Commander Chamberlain and the men from the great state of Maine, that was the turning point of the war.
You must be loving Dixie with that picture of Sherman
In a world and war filled with irony, Col Chamberlain (20th Maine) and Col Oates (15th Alabama) both became governors and friends.. When the Maine Guard was sent to the Middle East their sister guard unit was Alabama where many friendships were formed to where Bama folks could summer in Maine and Maniacs could winter on the Gulf and get to stay with friends..
Lucky Buck :
General Sherman spent a good deal of his life in the South and had a love for the South.
His severity in 1864-65 was due to his desire to end the war, which would've dragged on for many more years.
@@stephenrodenbough2186 Love to see the south burn
My dad's family are all Virginians and Tennesseans, but I was raised in the Pacific Northwest. When I became a reenactor, I joined a company that recreates the Regular Army regiment that garrisoned by hometown... hence, I was a 'bluebelly'. Got a fair amount of shade for that... :)
Great man! Great general! Great preacher! Hats off General Chamberlain! You were and still are a great man! 😍
I love how he talks like an average every day person as opposed to a pompous actor. That's what makes Gettysburg flow so perfectly for me. Absolute masterpiece of a film. Right up there next to waterloo.
History buffs? Is that you?
As opposed to its dismal sequel where they talk like every conversation is a stirring speech 🤣
@@Danko_Sekulic Gods and Generals?
A pompous actor doesn’t reach Daniels’ level. He might strut and fret in some community theater but even there the other actors just laugh at him.
A wonderful contrast to the dreadful dialogue in Gods and Generals where the first half of the movie is speeches and Robert E Lee's lines consistently of shoehorned quotes from the history books
We stand on the shoulders of giant. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was a giant...........
Indeed.
Sadly, now forgotten.
You edited out way too much of this. To go from taking responsibility of the mutineers to making an inspiring speech ignores his immediate efforts to build rapport with these men by first insuring they were properly fed and cared for, then hearing their grievances. THAT is leadership.
"Ensuring."
@@tedmccarron ensure and insure have been used interchangeably in this context for centuries. Ensure is more common but insure is OK --and at the time of the Civil War might ahve been just as common.
@@sammartland932 "insure" is something State Farm or All-State does.
“I said you are **relieved**, Captain.” Love his delivery.
IMHO The Greatest Soldier of the Civil War. The epitome of honor, and the model for all US officers henceforth.
Him and Alonzo Cushing were my favorites at Gettysburg.
Hard to argue this point. I agree
This was a cool Jeff Daniels moment to put an idealistic view of this moment. The outcome is what is important. I am proud to be an American and our joint identity can point to this July 1863 event in our history as something we can point to as a reason to lift your head. We are worth it.
This scene still brings me to tears. Beautiful.
Jeff Daniels did an incredible job portraying one of America’s most revered military figures, with this speech the highlight of the entire movie. Delivered with incredible sincerity and honestly you can believe that such a man could lead a regiment with empty muskets into a charge and they would follow him
If I were an actor, I would give anything for the part of Colonel Chamberlain. Even being from Texas, this is my favorite General in all of American history. I bought his book from the gift shop at Gettysburg and have read it several times. He was a man's man and someone to be respected. I remember how I felt at the end credits of the movie and read where he won the Medal of Honor. He was promoted to General on the spot by General Grant, and had his troops salute Conf. General John Gordons troops, while General Gordon returned the same during the days of the surrender. Both did this as a show of respect and is one of the better stories of the Civil War.
What was the name of the book?
Look up Patrick Cleburne then.
@@chiefslinginbeef3641 Traitor
@@rm91340 Soul of the Lion.
@@oldgoatgxp Thank you
He had the ability to see the essence of a situation and put in terms that inspire men in battle - incredible.
Well, Chamberlain was a professor of rhetoric, so he should have been able to speak.
His character is what got men to follow him.
I think he was one of our greatest Commanders. Not necessarily because he won a lot of battles but because of where he came from.
He was the true citizen soldier no military training before the war. He’s a common citizen from a small town in Maine and helps leads the country to victory in the most important battle not just of the war but maybe of all time in our countries history.
That’s why people both north and south love him. He’s the number one example of what america stands for. Despite your birth status you can rise to greatness.
Four times a year I pass Chamberlain's statue in Brewer Maine near Bangor on the way to route 9. Just another American accomplishing extraordinary things.
Definitely gonna take a drive there.
Just another one of Lincolns war criminals
@@ProjecthuntanFish Bullshit traitor
Dwayne Morton Not a traitor and never will be. Lincoln was the traitor and always will be.
The Confederates were traitors. They waged war against the United states, which is the definition to treason under the constitution. As for the nation's founding, that was about representation. The colonies rebelled because they were being governed by people they couldn't vote in or out of office. That wasn't the case for the Confederates. They had full representation. They just went to war because they didn't like the results of an election and feared it would result in restrictions on slavery. Not a cause to be proud of.
Have never seen this scene. I'm ready to sign up now!
This always reminds me of those who fought for justice and freedom. Only those who have truly lost their freedom can understand the selfless and noble qualities that these people have. Respect from China.
Joshua Chamberlain is one Yankee I can respect with my Northern Ancestor that was at Shiloh with my Southern Ancestors fighting each other what they believed in. Chamberlain respected the Southern Soldier. A Confederate Soldier spared his life at Little Round Top. The morning of Fredericksburg Chamberlain quoted Julius Ceasar's speech to his Army before they crossed the Rubicon to war with his own country. Chamberlain never forgot that the Southern Soldier was fighting to defend their homes from a invader. As the war was winding down Chamberlain wrote about the Confederate Soldiers. He wrote about they were so famished their clothes were falling off their bodies. He wrote how they still out marched the Union Army and how they fought like demons. Chamberlain started the Salute of the Confederates as they surrendered. He was asked why he did that. He said they are our countrymen again and they fought well. Great man Chamberlain.
So in your version it's the Union soldiers who "crossed the Rubicon to war with [their] own country"?
@@dmbean85 I think you owe the comment you are responding to another read.
The confederate traitors should have all been shot. The south should have been punished for what they did, unfortunately now we have the lost cause narrative because of how kind they were to the traitors.
The war was NOT the "War of Northern Aggression"....it WAS the "War of Southern Regression".
That's why he was chosen to accept the surrender of the confederate army and sulated them...i had 2 ancestors die fighting against the confederacy....1 died at Gettysburg on the second day and the other died in a confederate prison camp...i have tons of friends from the south. The civil war was our darkest time and the ones that are trying to divide our country today are the ones that have no clue about history.
Imagine if Chamberlain didn’t convince these men to join him? It’s likely that the 20th Maine would not have prevailed on Little Round Top.
The position on little round was a strong one, it was the confederates that were spent especially after multiple charges up the hill. The line would have likely rotated and worn out the attack but that's hindsight, who knows. Gettysburg was a battle won and lost by many many little details
Brilliant speech from Daniels so inspirational and memorable!🙂🇺🇸
"A man does not have himself killed for a half-pence a day or for a petty distinction. You must speak to the soul in order to electrify him."
- Napoleon Bonaparte
"An army marches on its stomach" - Napoleon Bonaparte.
+Gnostic Brian "A man will fight long and hard for a little bit of ribbon"
Naploean
"A man will fight long and hard for a little bit of ribbon"
Napolean
Napoleon was a cynical cock, with that comment about a ribbon.
“Nunchuck skills… bowhunting skills… computer hacking skills… Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills!”
-Napoleon Dynamite
This is a great movie, and a wonderful portrayal by Mr. Daniels.
Side note, my wife and I graduated from Norwich, the birthplace of the ROTC concept.
The lost art of persuasion.
A good point!
The lost art of communicating rather than screaming.
It's not unexpected. His position as a professor of rhetoric certainly aided him.
Actually the lost art of LEADERSHIP.
Today, even in the United States Military we get management.
It is only a movie or perhaps you think that it is real or something.
Now replaced in the modern lexicon by the menacing word convince.
Politicians now believe they convince us.
Years ago some of them respected us by using reason to persuade us.
Not now. Now too few students leave university knowing the word persuade.
I love his speech..What great commander
"In the end we're fighting for each other"
First heard of Joshua Chamberlain in "Civil War" TV doco series. A good man and a great leader who lived to a ripe old age. Given the chance, he probably would have made an excellent president of those United States.
I saw Gettysburg in Gettysburg the week it premiered. I missed seeing Martin Sheen, dangit.
probably the greatest role Mr. Daniels ever had, and to think Col. Chamberlain was a teacher at bowdon? college before the war, and then went back and ended up teaching almost every course they offered, he was even an ambassador at one time
Taught every course but algebra..
@@TheTacfour thanks, I couldn't remember which one was the one he didn't teach, he was truly one of the greatest men the U.S. ever produced..
Next to Colonel Patrick O'Rorke (West Point, killed at Gettysburg), probably the man singlehandedly responsible for Union victory at Gettysburg.
Great actor, wide range, played "Harry" in "dumb and dumber"
Check him out on Netflix's Godless, as the outlaw Frank Griffin. There is acting!
That’s a real leader. You follow him out of respect for his character
And respect for his men...
This country is in desperate need of men and women of honorable character.
@James Fitz
Maybe, then again maybe not....You just need to look in the right places.
To the many nominations of Jeff Daniels of the Oscar for Best Actor: At the very least, he should have shared it with Richard Jordan as Armistead. There were so many outstanding performances here. And the re-enactors, who portrayed most of the men, and who brought their own arms, costumes, and accoutrements for no more than travel and food expenses, if that, should have en masse received Oscars for Supporting Actors.
That was a Great speech for all mankind. ❤️
What Chamberlain did has inspired his regiment and played a big role at Gettysburg.
A big role yes. But the role is slightly oversold in the final telling. The 20th maine threw back 2 regiments, but it was follow up attacks by other regiments on their right that really broke Confederate lines and sent then scurrying to safety. They started it, but it wouldn't have happened if others had not joined in the charge.
@@hagamapama You are right. On the right of the 20th Maine was the 83rd Pennsylvania, 44 New York, and the 16th Michigan that also played a big role in defending Little Round top on the 2nd day at Gettysburg. It's clear in the Movie Gettysburg that the film focused more on the 20th Maine, when they should had focus on the rest of Col Vincent's Brigade. They also had artillery support from General Stephen H. Weed, and from Lt Charles E. Hazlett of the 5th U.S. artillery battery (Battery D), and the 140 New york infantry. They all paid a big price in keeping this hill from falling into Confederate hands. Col Strong Vincent was mortally wounded and died 5 days later. Hazlett and Weed were also killed, and Vincent's brigade suffered heavy casualties, including the 20th Maine, who was the end of the line: the extreme left of the Army of the Potomac. Their orders were to hold this position to the last man. All the union units held and kept Confederate forces from overrunning little round top and taking the whole union army from the rear. They lost a lot of good men on all 3 days of the bloodiest battle in the entire civil war.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I recall an account by a Confederate POW who was captured at Gettysburg. He stated the fighting men who captured him treated him with dignity and humanity, but when under the prison guards who never fought, he was treated horribly.
Happened to both sides, famously at the Confederate Camp for Union POWs called Andersonville where ots commander was the only man hanged for war crimes after the war concluded
Every politician should have to recite this speech today before taking office (well the end part anyway) to REMEMBER that it is citizens of this country who OWN it - and they are not county, state Kings and Queens. And lobbying (corporate) needs to be made illegal.
Politicians need to remember they are our FELLOW citizens - not our landlords!!!
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate-we can not consecrate-we can not hallow-this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us-that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion-that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain-that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom-and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
- Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, 19 November 1863
Between 46,000 and 51,000 soldiers (as well as over 3,000 horses) from both armies were casualties in the three-day battle, the most costly in US history.
Never forget.
They couldn’t pour pee out of a boot if the instructions were written on the heal. I love that line. I use it a lot.
Its a favourite of David Weber a well
Chamberlain was a great man, this speech is the best one I have ever heard in my life. He was a true man and a good human being. I admire his use of knowledge and his vision, progress in human's development.
After Hearing His speech No more needs to Be Said as he had already Said everything, they needed too Hear. Gettysburg was A Great Film Accomplishment No Doubt about that. Thank You for Sharing.
I have seen this movie many, many times. The first time I saw it ...in a theatre........as the credits were rolling at the end , the entire audience in that theatre, stood and applauded . I think they were applauding not for the movie, which was inspiring, but for the magnificent courage of the soldiers depicted in that movie. Union or Confederate , that was the courage of Americans. And that audience felt it ....as they stood to honor those very courageous soldiers.
By all accounts, Chamberlain was a hell of a man. Intellectual, highly moral, courageous, and humble- all the things a commander should be. I believe he was a teacher or professor in civilian life. Been too many years since i watched the movie. Time to watch it again.
He was a professor of rhetoric at Bowdoin College. Read Gods and Generals by Jeff Shaara for more details on his civilian life
He also was governor of Maine
@@charleskimball7058 He became dean of Bowdoin and taught every subject except mathematics. Remarkable man.
Bowdoin professor prior to the war- he would be disheartened to see what Bowdoin has become; a snowflake academy.
For me, it's part of my July 4th holiday weekend. I see it every year!!! :)
Can you imagine the talks Nathan Bedford Forrest have to his men being out numbered at every battle. At Brices Crossroads he was outnumbered at the beginning of the battle almost six to one in Cavalry and 4 to 1 in Infantry. 30 percent of Sturgis's troops had New repeating and cartridge rifles and they still.got routed by Forrest. Forrest captured 187 wagons of supplies and hospital wagons. I grew days earlier Forrest routed another Union Army at Tullihoma. The Union Army fled and doctors left their wounded. Forrest found a Union Soldier with a saw still in his leg and suffering. Forrest gave the soldier Ether to knock him out and had his surgeon finish the surgery on the Union Soldier. Forrest captured more supplies and prisoners than any other General during the war. He was always in the Hospital Tents after battles consoling the wounded and it didn't matter the color of their uniforms.
what a wonderful man nd human being he was
Forrest was great!
Chamberlain distilled "right and wrong". Jeff Daniels rocked this. But truth is truth. We all have value.
Watching this video reminds me of when I was in the ARMY. Never had the commanding GENERAL talk to us, NEVER but I talked to the GENERALS myself and they are very nice. Years ago I talked to a AIR FORCE general and he was very nice to me, because the owner told him that I was in the ARMY, and I have 2 letters of recommendation from them I still have them and I know my father told my 2 brothers about that.
I had ancestors on both sides of this terrible war. God Bless all the men who died for this war of tyranny.
When I think of Chamberlain, the Foo Fighters anthem "My Hero" comes to mind.
He was as in the words of the song, "ordinary" but extraordinary at the same time.
He also must've been incredibly tough: he survived a GSW to the private parts at the siege of Petersburg that left him with Urinary incontinence, impotence, and constant pain for the rest of his days (he survived the battle of Gettysburg by 50 years). They actually didn't operate on him at first because he was expected to die. When he woke up the next morning and found himself still alive, he got treatment for his wounds. Because his wound was invisible, and not an arm or a leg amputated , he didn't get a pension from the government that he fought so bravely and so well for in the Civil War, no matter how many times he applied. "Now we'll see how a professor fights", indeed.
I read about this sad part of the story Only 15 years after I saw the movie and had an initial knowledge of who Chamberlain was.
I was with 18th Airborne Corps G4 and are COL had us watch this and we had to write a paper on the logistics issues on both sides.
Gettysburg, Waterloo and Taierzhuang - the golden trinity of ridiculously epic historical war films, and absolutely ESSENTIAL viewing for lovers of historical fiction and period pieces (as well as protracted cinematic epics of any kind)! Films like this make me yearn for the days when the average film's duration was roughly 2 and a half hours, and each film began with an introductory overture and featured an intermission halfway through the piece... and because there was no CGI, large crowds and battles were entirely composed of extras, engendering a verisimilitude that 3D graphics simply cannot seem to adequately replicate. One of the last films of a dying breed (though perhaps it is being revived...)
What about Tora Tora Tora
I have heard this speech several times and brings a lump to my throat every time... I have also heard people say that the Civil War was ‘really fought’ over ‘State’s Rights’ and that is, in a way, true as well... Only what those State’s Rights were amounted to the Right of the people in those States to ‘Keep and Maintain Slaves’... so you see? I would maintain that it really was about Slavery! All along, it was about the Right of some men to own other men. I also say this as someone who was born and raised... well, mostly raised in South Central Florida!
I see your history education was based on Howard Zinn's works.
You need to look more deeply. 2 great grandfathers fought in the war. One from Maryland whose family owned slaves. One from GA who's family didnt.They fought for their countries.
The truest thing is his speech is how in the end, you fight foreach other as ideology goes aside when the bullets fly.
Joshua Chamberlain is the real life Obi-Wan Kenobi
Excellent movie.
Yes, it was. Too bad the sequel, Gods and Generals was a piece of crap.
On the other side - I love General Longstreet (thought Tom Berringer was equally brilliant in his portrayal of Confederate General James Longstreet) words as he addresses Pickett's Brigade Commanders before their charge. Chills go through me when he tells them "All of the men who have died in this war are with you here today. Gentlemen - I do believe this battle will decide the fate of our country." Martin Sheen was also terrific in his portrayal of Robert E. Lee. Richard Jordan was awesome as BG Lo Armistead. The speech he makes to English Lt Col Freemantle was pure brilliance - "You may tell them when your return to England that all of Virginia was here today."
These men are NOT POWs. They are Union Soldiers who are under suspicion of Desertion.
Colonel Joshua Chamberlain was good leader, giving the men that deserted a chance reintegrated to union and fight for their honor. That is sign of a great Leader!
One of my personal hero's.
Im from Maine, and we are very proud of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and the 20th Maine.
This is the scene that clearly shows how intelligent and decent a man he was. He was a professor of Rhetoric, and he was very skilled at it.
But we can not forget that he truly believed in what America stood for.
That is one hell of a speech, well said sir !
When we go to Gettysburg, often the first monument we visit is the 20th Maine. You do not have Pickett's Charge if it were not for Chamberlain and the 20th Maine and the 2nd Minnesota at Cemetery Ridge.
Don`t forget the 137th New York at Culps Hill
Great speech.
It is hard to comprehend the casualty rates of some of these units, many raised from contiguous rural areas at the start of the war. My g-g grandfather regiment was raised from two counties in Indiana in the summer of 1861. Nearly 1100 men. By the time of the Grand Review, 278 were left. That’s why you still see those obelisks in town centers all over the Midwest, sometime listing 100s of names. Often most of a generation from those places were dead or disabled from wounds or sickness.
Greetings from Pennsylvania
Nobody and I mean nobody knows what a man will do under the duress of combat. I'm a drafted, disabled, and a Republic of Vietnam combat veteran (1968). After 50 years and I start telling people about Vietnam, people don't want to hear it. I'm talking knock down bloody descriptions. My gg grandfather guarded conscripted Union Troops' headed south. He was paid $300.00 to join the Union Army out of Michigan. I've heard accounts from my grandmother. My other gg grandfather was in the Tennessee Confederate Army, fought at Chickamauga, and was captured near Macon by Sherman. I've heard accounts from my grandmother too, about his service, as he told her. Eaglegards 🦅 ...
Thank you for your service sir. I had two schoolmates who went to Nam. One came back with the Silver Star , a Purple Heart, and PTSD. The other is on the wall. Most Americans don't appreciate the price of freedom.
Along time ago in another age and a different nation, lost to us now.
Central Highlands 1969-1970
@@lynnwood7205 Naval Mobile Riverine Force Mekong Delta and tributaries. 1969-70 Two purple hearts, bronze star, meritorious promotion. 100% disabled.
@@curtisshepard5146
I salute you sir....thank you for your service to our country.
Ex Vet, Capt. US Army
Sir Malaysia prosper and kept safe due to your service snd your buddy's service. Thanks God for your generation. We cannot thank you enough
its unfortunate his wound he received in 1864 would cause him pain and life issues for 50 years after.. he is one of the greatest Americans who ever lived i would say. He was truly a patriot.
watching this on july 4th great movie
Well done. The best part of the movie.
A great leader gets ppl to do what they want, because they want to do it. Not an exact quote but..... Dwight D Eisenhower
Chamberlain rolled a 23 on 3d6 for his leadership score.
A great speech from a promising great leader.
After the war, Chamberlain was governor of Maine for 4 years and president of Bowdoin college for 12 years. He also held a wide range of other jobs. To me, the most impressive thing about Chamberlain isn't what he did in the war, it's what he did after it. Despite haunted by trauma and the agonizing life-long pain of his war-wounds, he still managed to live a long and productive life. So many other veterans in the same situation give in to despair, but Chamberlain kept pushing on.
Powerful words...from a man who was good for the times - in direction, compassion, and true purpose of what the American Civil War was really about. The actual Josh Lawrence Chamberlain was a "one of a kind" to many history followers who divulged into the causes of the great Civil War.
I think, when the cast selection was made for the 1993 TV movie "Gettysburg" by Turner Industries, they found actor Jeff Daniels that man who had that Chamberlain character & style.
His early statements were too mundane at that time. They expressed the conditions of almost every Union regiment. As such, they were there for the viewer's education.
Now thats an American resolve and how we should be.
A great leader know how to present the truth and reason to go forward to finish an unfinished mission together as one.
Jeff Daniel's mustache alone has killed 17 men in this scene
I was involved in the production of this epic. Financed by Ted Turner, who also had a minor role in the epic. He's the first confederate casualty in the opening scene. While searching for a hero, every TV production needs one, Joshua Chamberlain, the 'Lion of the Union', was a larger than life character that kept coming up. Wounded six times, accepted Robert E. Lee's surrender, and had a stellar academic and political life after the war. He suffered greatly from his war wounds, like many veteran's and years later asked “what it was all for, & what would come of it". As an immigrant to the US it was hard to understand the re-inactors. The reaction of Confederate reinactors to Martin Sheen playing Robert E. Lee was an eye opener, and baffling for me. To understand this phenom, Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz, is a great insight into the reinacting community.
Actually Turner played George S. Patton's Great Uncle, who was killed during Pickett's Charge near the end of the movie. Patton's grandfather was killed later in the war at one of the battles at Winchester VA.
A true leader has got to know when a man has had enough.
Yes they do. But sometimes even when they had enough you still have to ask them for a little more. Great leaders know that too.
I’m a confederate. But you whipped us that day. Bless you and both parties. You have earned respect from the C.S.A.
MERCE006 lmao really
Standing on little round top looking down towards Devil's Den you try to imagine the fighting that took place there. I studied the battle before I went thinking I had a grasp of the magnitude of the fight, I was mistaken. The terrain is much worse than I thought and the area smaller than I imagined for such a massive battle. In the distance you can see most of the other battle fields.
Sample of Maslow’s theory on leadership
Not POWs, deserters due to signing three year papers and not two year. Yes they are "Prisoners" but not POWs. This is however a very good scene and speech.
Hence the enthusiasm for having them shot, basically considered traitors and felons
Some men fight for glory
Some men fight because it's right.
This was a war for right.
Many died, to make men free.
I did not know who Jeff Daniels was when on a spare, rainy afternoon I rented both Gettysburg and Dumb and Dumber to fill my day. I came out the other side of watching those two movies a big fan of Jeff Daniels, and much dumber for watching the D&D movie to the end. This is truly one great movie moment. I've always wondered how historically accurate it actual is.
I learned early on in my service that you have to respect the rank, but not the man, but if you are a man of respect then rank does not matter.
Reminds of Major Winters in Band of Brothers, when he says "we salute the rank, not the man"
You're relied Captain.
Jayme Mangano Relieved.
The acting range Jeff Daniels has is astounding. Portraying one of the most noble, dignified, brave soldiers in American history, to spraying diarrhea into a toilet bowl while yodeling.
Some people need to hear this today
Mutineers, not POW's. A number of Union units rebelled when the Army didn't live up to their enlistment contracts. It got so bad that one entire Regiment 700+ men got the Medal of Honor to end mutiny and re-enlist. Later rescinded.
That was the 27th Maine and all 864 were give the MoH.. Up to the 1970's not one of those medals has ever turned up. It's believed they were given the actual medal but you would think some estate somewhere would have one..
@Ucallit 71 why are they dirty?
Ucallit 71 you do know the war ended 154 years ago, not 154 days. Sounds like you have a lot of anger built up around the perceived slight of your ancestors.
Anybody can feel any way they want, but sounds like that burning hatred you have in the pit of your stomach , well, that fire will eventually be all consuming.