Jeff Daniels absolutely KILLED it!!!! He went from the softly spoken philosopher to the blood thirsty killer soldier in just a few frames. THAT is acting.
He wasn't bloodthirsty. If anything, Chamberlain was merely installed to defend the hill in order to maintain a high ground. It's one thing to command your troops to defend a hill, or defend themselves in the course of their duties, but being bloodthirsty is an entirely different thing.
It's the little extra widening of his eyes and their laser focus on the third syllable that always gets me: "Bay - o - NETS!!!" As much "facial choreography" as acting: mind, body, voice, and spirit all perfectly aligned. One of the greatest single moments in an masterful performance.
it has always been crazy to me that Jeff Daniels was in Gettysburg and also Dumb and Dumber within a year or two of each other. Talk about a wild shift in roles.
lol. I was joking about that with my brother. The movies are just a little over a year apart so it could be possible some filming was done at the same time.
Daniels reminds me of Tom Hanks. He can shift from drama to comedy to historical movies/tv shows without skipping a beat. Both are fantastic actors that give Oscar winning performances every time they appear on the screen. Many other actors just walk through a scene and depend on their good looks, charm, and bad method acting to get through it. If it wasn't for people like that TNT guy (Mr. Tantrum and his business and profit mindset tops everything, including a great movie) we'd see more really good actors and actresses on the screen. I've known a number of excellent actors and actresses who went to other careers as they didn't want to endure the continuing pressure, disappointment, (and corruption) of the movie and TV industries. Now a days it's more about family and networking connections than talent. Too many Hollywood "Legacies" getting on the screen with only their families names; but little of their talent, on screen charisma, and acting skills. There are exceptions, but they're in the minority.
Jeff was a delight to watch work. I was one of his 120 mutineers. In the most serious of speeches he could make me laugh. Frustration was evident when something in the background would make him stop and repeat his lines over and over again. I was up front and also knew what happened. From vehicles to cars everything that wasn’t there before would be cut and repeated. It genuinely made me like him. We worked together most of the day just to get that scene right.
Thank you for doing such a great job. This is my all time top favorite movie and it was the reenactors that made the movie great for me. The stars were excellent, but the reenactors showed what life was really like during the civil war.
@@LtRee96se When you watch the first scene of the 120. Look for the dirty man who kept his head cocked to the side. We were told to look exhausted in the heat; given nothing not even water and been force marched there. Being I saw quickly that no one else did that at the front area I was hoping that somehow it would be in the film. It was. Over ten times. Only in a glimpse but enough on opening night in Harrisburg that I became a mini celebrity around me in the theater. My friend who was with me is also there in that scene. We had worn our uniforms for the opening night film. It was an SRO opening. I did it as a birthday present to him but am proud to have done it.
Daniels also was brilliant in the movie, “The Crossing”! I think he nailed it, portraying General Washington who literally saved the American army from defeat!! Always enjoy listening to Ron Maxwell! Two movies I watch every year, Gettysburg and The Crossing, which inspire me to learn more about each episode in our countries history! 🇺🇸
Jeff Daniels channeled Joshua Lawerence Chamberlain perfectly. After watching his portrayal of Chamberlain, I went out and bought every book on Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain that I could find. He is high on my list of favorite Civil Was generals. IMO, Jeff Daniels' performance is what made Gettysburg an all time classic.
When I was in ROTC fifty odd years ago, Leadership 101 was a mandatory class, 15:40 sophomore year. Part of the class consisted of vignettes of past Officers, and their various trials by fire, one chapter was Colonel Chamberlain. When I saw this movie, Jeff Daniels was the Colonel Chamberlain in my mind’s eye all those years before. He nailed it.
I was surprised in 1993 when I saw Jeff Daniels chosen to play this role, but boy did he ever nail the spirit of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. He elevated the whole movie.
He’s so right about the key moments of this outstanding movie.. chamberlains speech to the Maine mutineers is one of the bestEVER.. Buford talking to his Lt. about the having to hold to keep the high ground by end of first day.. epic..
Great stuff. I took my family to visit the Joshua Chamberlain Museum in Brunswick, Maine so my youngest son could learn more about the man I'd named him for. At the time I didn't know that a film based upon "The Killer Angels" was being produced until one of the museum curators told me how much time Jeff Daniels had spent in the museum researching the role of Chamberlain. I was excited to learn that my favorite book was coming to the big screen, and I was also very happy that Daniels was portraying Chamberlain. I thought he'd be perfect, and I think I was right.
I read somewhere that it is his favorite role of all his movies. Also that he did extensive research and could not find one thing not to like about Chamberlain.
Chamberlain was a real hero in every sense of the word! The choice to play him in Jeff Daniels was brilliant! He’s an excellent actor and even resembled Chamberlain a bit! The only downside was that the movie didn’t do well at the box office otherwise I think Daniels would have garnered an academy award nomination! Just my opinion! 😮
I agree 100% with your comment. He was superb in that role. Why Gettysburg did so poorly at the box office is one of the great mysteries to me. I walked the Gettysburg battlefield. What got me is how small of a place it is; it's not the wide open area of Kursk, the epic Tank Battle of the German-Soviet part of World War II. Besides, it was one of the few times as adults when I went to a movie with my older brother, and we actually enjoyed each other's company. You have to be into American History and History in general, something that is lacking these days. It's hard to believe it's a 30-year-old movie now.
In the Army NCO schools, we studied Chamberlain's leadership style. I came to really admire Col Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain as a leader, and as a soldier, as a scholar and someone who I would have followed without question into battle.
@@GeorgeSemel The length of the movie plus an intermission killed the box office. I saw it at the theater and enjoyed it. It is just the wrong movie length for a wide appeal. The Ken Burns documentary did very well so there was a desire for Civil war content.
Agreed. Sam Elliott as Buford was inspired as well. Really the whole cast. I didn’t watch the movie and think it was a great performance, they WERE those people. Completely sucked me in, it’s one of my favorite movies
@@patrickhenry4675 Another thing about the film is that it is a little bit repetitive, probably due to its origins as a mini-series. For instance the Armistead emotional breakdown appears a couple of times and is a little overdone. Nevertheless, it is a film that I enjoy.
There’s a scene when Chamberlain’s men have run out of bullets, but the Confederate soldiers are still advancing up the hill. Chamberlain says “Bayonette!!” It always gives me tingles up and down my spine, and usually brings me to tears, with the amount of passion and desperation in Daniels’ delivery of that one word.
One evening, Jeff Daniels, friend and co-star Jim Carrey, made a talk show appearance with him, ambushing his buddy with his arrival. Carrey, a genius talent in his own right, called Daniels " the most versatile actor in the world." After watching this virtuoso performance, you can understand why. Jeff Daniels possesses an innate bearing and calm dignity that few actors can approach. His actual resemblance to Chamberlain is stunning. As are the obvious qualities that Chamberlain had, so brilliantly conveyed in Daniel's performance. I love how in the Little Round Top scene, Chamberlain says "well we can't run, and we can't fight, so let's fix bayonets. We'll have the advantage. We'll be moving down the hill." Just as calm as a man ordering spaghetti in a restaurant!! This clearly was how Chamberlain was in real life. Tremendous focus and control under the most dire circumstances imaginable. This particular battlefield at Gettysburg was the tipping point of the entire war. Any weakness, any delay, and the Civil War could have ended that very day. Chamberlain has to be the most unsung hero in American military history. Played to perfection by one of the finest actors of this or any generation.
@donaldschmidt2990 He says “We can’t leave, and if we stay here, we can’t shoot, so fix bayonets.” The could and did fight, like banshees. And might I add those Chamberlain men in real life, especially Tom and their other brother John Calhoun Chamberlain, who also served in the regiment, are some of the most beautiful men I’ve ever seen. Trip to Maine anyone lol?
Jeff was a shoe in for that part! He nailed that performance! Period! Loved the story behind the scene and the stand they took for prefection and it showed in the movie and I was so moved by it too! Thanks for stinking to your craft!
Went and grabbed my book Killer Angels by Michael Shaara that's mentioned in this clip. I noted in my book that Ken Burns was inspired by Killer Angels to do his documentary on the Civil War. And oh yeah; I've got the DVDs Gods and Generals and Gettysburg that Jeff Daniels stars in.
No. Can't agree with that at all. Absolutely no. Go study the real history of Chamberlain...go to war with brave leaders of men, and lead men into battle. No, Jeff Daniels IS a great actor, he did do a good job. Crowe? Would have made this a movie for all the ages. Crowe shows just that touch of fire and psychopathy that men under fire facing their own death. He can radiate that atmosphere...Daniels? NO
First, I agree with you that Jeff Daniels was the perfect casting for Col. Joshua Chamberlain. In my opinion, that was the best performance he has EVER given - bar none. He SHOULD have been nominated for an Oscar for that performance. He wasn't PLAYING Col. Joshua Chamberlain - he BECAME Col. Joshua Chamberlain. And surprisingly, he even looked like Joshua Chamberlain. Last - I don't think you meant to type "stinking" to your craft. But that's okay - we ALL have typing errors at one time or another.
Wow. What a great story. I've always been a great admirer of Chamberlain and, Killer Angel's. I have Mort Kunstler's painting of Chamberlain's charge in my office. I always thought Gettysburg captured Chamberlain perfectly. This interview explains why.
Fantastic story. They absolutely knew what they were doing as well. I've only seen the movie once or twice a long time ago but Jeff Daniels' performance is the one that I remember when I think of it.
Not only did Jeff Daniels carry the scene but, he looked more like the real Chamberland than Russel Crowe could ever accomplish. Perfect casting, Mr. Maxwell!
What a backstory!. I saw Jeff Daniels in Philly at the world cafe performing music. Excellent in that art as well. Look him up last month playing on Carrie Underwood talk show.. Its awesome too.
My family lived across the river in Topsham, my Pepere (grandfather) was born in a house across the swinging bridge in 1895 (the bridge was 2 years old). According to my uncle, my grandfather met Chamberlain at one time. Found us out while I was visiting the Chamberlain house. My uncle knew a lot about the history of the house, and what it went through throughout its history it was rather shocking.
Chamberlain was a true scholar-warrior, and our nation has been blessed to have more than our share of them. Looking back on it now, it is hard for me to picture Russell Crowe in that part.
I’ll never forget Jeff Daniel’s scene when he said “Fix Bayonets!”. It scent chills down my spine. I remember standing on that mountain top (little round top) and imagining the confederate army struggling to attack the union armies flank. When I saw Daniel’s portrail, it sent that moment that I remembered as a kid while visiting the battlefield of Gettysburg, through my soul. A Bowden college professor, turned civil war hero, Medal of Honor recipient, hero of Gettysburg. Jeff Daniels made that movie!
Chamberlain's service in the war overall was beyond praise, not to mention his postwar career. But the historicity of the Bayonet command isn't ironclad. Chamberlain had two benefits in the postwar recounting: he outlived almost everyone else. And he was a professor of rhetoric!
I remember seeing the movie in Watertown, Ma., with my 2 young sons, 2 young nephews and my brother-in-law. We were about 25 miles from home because so few theaters were willing to show it because of the movie's length. When I saw & listened to Daniel's speech to the 2nd Maine, I was looking around for the recruiting office!
Gettysburg is among the top three historical dramas ever produced, if not the best. Band Of Brothers comes to mind, but that is beside the point. Ronald Maxwell is the reason why. He was unwilling to settle against formidable pressure to do so. This is a great video demonstrating the value of dedication to work one has chosen. By the way, throughout this short video, he refers several times the "The Second Maine"; it was the Twentieth Maine.
Chamberlain commanded the 20th Maine at Gettysburg. The mutineers that he gave the speech to were from the 2nd Maine. The director is correct in referring to the men who joined the 20th to fight in the battle being from the 2nd Maine.
Jeff Daniels should have won the Oscar for Chamberlain. He was better than “inspired” as Ron Maxwell says here. And Sam Eliiott gave an Oscar worth performance as Buford in a small, supporting role. What a perfect film!
I took an adult continuing education class on the Civil War and the teacher was a reenactor who was in that film, along with The Blue and the Gray and a few more. He told us all the reenactors just loved Sam Elliott.
As an additional comment, Jeff Daniels hails from Chelsea, Michigan. near my hometown of Lansing, Michigan. In addition to his many movie roles, he was and remains a theatrical performer of the highest level. I saw Daniels do a one man show in Frederick, Maryland, to profit the Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea. He was magical, setting the stage for the night by stating, "I just want you to realize you're honoring one of the stars of "Dumb and Dumber!!" He then sang, played a guitar and told stories. He even made a joke about not having his own star on the walk of fame. "Charlie Sheen has a star, David Hasselhoff has a star. I' m just saying!!" Clearly as modest a star as you will ever encounter. He doesnt even spend time in Hollywood when not making a film. I wish i could have seen him perforn the role of Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird." Made famous by the legendary Gregory Peck. When asked why he would take on such an iconic role he stated that simply because no one had duplicated the performance, didnt mean it couldnt be done. If anyone could capture the essence of an actor, the stature of Gregory Peck, its Jeff Daniels. One of the most reliable performers the field of acting has produced.
@Rational_thinker_212 You're living up to your name, rational thinker. All regional prejudice aside, I think his performance as Chanberlain was the finest in the film. A particularly moving scene was after the Irish Sergeant had died and Chamberlain choked back tears. In his final words he said " the army was blessed." And the film Gettysburg was blessed by one of the most moving performances ever captured on film.
That performance was spot on. It has always bin surprising to me that at the moment no one has ever looked into Chamberlain's best friend and collage roommate. That is a story that would make an epic.
@@laurellane1721 He wasn't able to alter his Aussie accent to an English accent for M&C, I find it difficult to believe he could alter it to a Maine accent.
Riveting story. Without question, one of the finest examples of professionals at work. So many great scenes in Gettysburg, and the music, so compelling, that I get emotional just thinking about it!
Such an amazing fight by Chamberlain and the 20th Maine. Every time I watch this scene and consider what they did to stop the confederate advance, it gives me chills and makes me immensely proud of them.
This is my first exposure to Maxwell 30 years after he made one of my all time favorite films. I have no problem seeing exactly why it was so good. Maxwell put is heart, soul, and head into the project, capturing Michael Shaara's book, and more importantly, JL Chamberlain. Read a biography of Chamberlain as I was moved to do after "Gettysburg". His story is even better than the book and the movie imply, and they do a great job with that. But there is so much, much, more.
Outstanding! I can tell you that when I went through Army staff officer training on the military decision making process, the instructors used the scene on Little Round Top as a battlefield example. In the film, Chamberlain goes through all five steps of the MDMP in an abbreviated form. He then gives orders for how they will execute the bayonet charge, just as someone yells “ Here they come!” Then comes the command “Fix, bayonets!”. It is a moving, awesome scene!
This was fantastic! I can’t wait to ask Russell Crowe about this when I meet him! This is one time I can say I’m happy Crowe didn’t get the role. But God he is on another level acting all around from most
I found myself watching Gettysburg on June 29th and watched in full every day through July 4th. I didn't plan it, just happened; Little Round Top gives me chills every time.
I have used the Battle of Round Top as a way to demonstrated the different positions, their roles in working together. Chamberlain consults and confers with his scouts and seconds. These take orders to the sargeants, who position the men, bring them ammunition, etc. That entire scene is like a ballet.
It’s amazing the lengths we have to go as artists sometimes to do our jobs. It’s always someone who doesn’t know acting that gets to say “oh this can’t be done, we have to move on.” Scenes like Chamberlains speech are what bring us back to this movie. If they hadn’t had that second day to shoot, it might not have been the same.
That director is a hero too! So you bet the entire movie on your vision, your actors, and the script. God bless, because that film helped so many to see what was at stake then, and what is at stake now.
i have to get another copy of my Gettysburg... wore out the first one. But yeah those two scenes are outstanding. It is probably one of my favorite movies.
Robert Maxwell can TELL A Story. I could listen to him all day long. When he was talking about this unknown actor that he wanted, that he would die for, as Chaimberlain I started thinking...."Wait a minute, Jeff Daniels was unknown at the time of Gettysburg???" Then Maxwell says that unknown actor was ...Russell Crowe! "Wow" I thought.."that's a fantastic story" But then Maxwell blows me away and says, "But that's not then end of the story." What??? There's even more to this story???? Then he tells me a side of Jeff Daniels I had no idea that existed. Maxwell KNOWS how to tell story ..not just on film, but also just sitting in a rocking chair.
If there's one good thing I can say about both Gettysburg and Gods and Generals, (there are a fair few) they were both perfectly casted. Not nicely, not greatly. Perfectly. Every character felt like they were channeling their historical counterpart with just the right amount of theatrical flare.
Patrick Gorman, although a great actor, was poorly cast as Hood. Hood was over 20 years younger than Gorman at the time Gettysburg was produced, and even more so during Gods & Generals.
Maybe it's because I have seen it numerous times, being one of my all-time favorite war movies and all, but if I was picking between the two straight-up before filming started I would go with Jeff Daniels and never look back. I just can't see Russel Crowe in that role. Not because he's an Aussie. Other Australian actors have put in great performances portraying Americans in WWII movies like Hacksaw Ridge and Midway. But Gettysburg is one of those battles that calls for an American because it is the quintessential battle of the quintessential American war. I thought Jeff Daniels did a great job. I questioned Martin Sheen as Lee and even now, though I've gotten used to it over time, I think Robert Duvall would have been the better selection. I am not a fan of Gods and Generals but Duvall just comes off as a more believable Lee. But that's me. Great film, top-five war flick for me, even if its runtime is more than a tad excessive. I saw it at the theater and while I was engrossed, my wife fell asleep somewhere during the three-hour mark. She did wake up in time to see Pickett's Charge which is one of the best war scenes ever shot and even though she was lukewarm about the movie, she did love Jeff Daniels Chamberlin. Hard not to. His interaction with Kevin Conway is priceless. "Will ya get on the damned horse." Love that bit.
Jeff Daniels crushed that role. Even though you could see Crowe's talent in Romper Stomper I think Daniels handled Shaara's dialogue much better than Crowe would of at that point in his career.
Jeff Daniels played the part of Chamberlain superbly. It was a shock to me, following the movie Gettysburg, to see "Chamberlain" in the movie Dumb and Dumber. One thing that was, to me, powerful in the book but wasn't in the movie was the council of war at Meade's headquarters after the first day's fighting. The vote on whether to stay and fight or withdraw, beginning with the most junior general (Gibbons) had me riveted.
Remember what the The Leader said, "Never fight uphill me boys" and "Robert E. Lee isn't as popular as he was" and the most memorable "Gettysburg, Wow"
On the shelf, just the right of Maxwell, is a copy of John Wain’s biography of Samuel Johnson, one of the best and best-written biographies I have read to date. I’d pay a lot to see Maxwell helm a Life of Johnson. I loved the interview and everything he says about producers and about Daniels. I hope the interview is included as an extra on some future release.
yes to all of that, but he was talking about the actor audition just before Jeff was chosen. The actor who got turned down was Russell Crowe who was just coming to the US for the first time to work in movies and was not yet a 'name'.
Loved Gettysburg and Gods & Generals. They should have made The Last Full Measure as well to complete the trilogy. Spent three days in Gettysburg two years ago. Stood atop of Little Round Top and looked down the hill at what the Confederates had to endure trying to take that hill. Unbelievable bravery of both sides.
Brilliant, informative, and insightful. I enjoyed this commentary tremendously the speeches that you referred to are eloquent and necessary in order to order men to their death. Otherwise we’re just animals going into a meat grinder. Thank you for blessing us with this movie. John 3:16
Chamberlain was an amazing guy and went on to be a successful politician and an advanced educator. He was also I believe a senior Freemason - does anyone have any information about that aspect of his life
Hearing what this director went through to get the performance he wanted, I am reminded that it was a producer/executive that wanted "Over the Rainbow" cut from "The Wizard of Oz" because he thought it slowed down the film. Let the directors, direct and stop second guessing them.
Daniels did such a fantastic job. Even that ridiculous mustache did little to distract from the power of his presence and the emotion of his speaking parts
I had never seen Jeff Daniels in a movie when I had a Saturday to kill and rented Dumb and Dumber and Gettysburg. I could hardly sit through Dumb and Dumber. What a shock when I realized Chamberlain was the same actor as that idiot I couldn't stand two hours before. I agree, Jeff Daniels really was deserving of a nomination for this role. It was truly striking the presence he brought to the screen.
Jeff Daniels absolutely KILLED it!!!! He went from the softly spoken philosopher to the blood thirsty killer soldier in just a few frames. THAT is acting.
He wasn't bloodthirsty. If anything, Chamberlain was merely installed to defend the hill in order to maintain a high ground. It's one thing to command your troops to defend a hill, or defend themselves in the course of their duties, but being bloodthirsty is an entirely different thing.
WELL SAID!!
"BAYONETS!!!" That line made me shiver. Possibly the greatest moment in the movie.
In a book I read there is a guy giving a password while entering a military camp. It was "Bayonet Chamberlain" Now I know where it came from.
If I had been a Confederate and heard that order for bayonets, I would have turned around and call it a day.
LOL@@henrys4838
Pretty good, but I’m going with Gen. Trimble’s visit to Lee.
It's the little extra widening of his eyes and their laser focus on the third syllable that always gets me: "Bay - o - NETS!!!" As much "facial choreography" as acting: mind, body, voice, and spirit all perfectly aligned. One of the greatest single moments in an masterful performance.
it has always been crazy to me that Jeff Daniels was in Gettysburg and also Dumb and Dumber within a year or two of each other. Talk about a wild shift in roles.
And his turn in The Newsroom is also an impressive example of his range as an actor.
When I heard that Jeff Daniels was going to film a movie called "Dumb & Dumber" after doing Gettysburg, I was crushed. How dare he?
lol. I was joking about that with my brother. The movies are just a little over a year apart so it could be possible some filming was done at the same time.
My mom was shocked. She loved Gettysburg but thought Dumb and Dumber was beneath him.
Daniels reminds me of Tom Hanks. He can shift from drama to comedy to historical movies/tv shows without skipping a beat. Both are fantastic actors that give Oscar winning performances every time they appear on the screen. Many other actors just walk through a scene and depend on their good looks, charm, and bad method acting to get through it. If it wasn't for people like that TNT guy (Mr. Tantrum and his business and profit mindset tops everything, including a great movie) we'd see more really good actors and actresses on the screen. I've known a number of excellent actors and actresses who went to other careers as they didn't want to endure the continuing pressure, disappointment, (and corruption) of the movie and TV industries. Now a days it's more about family and networking connections than talent. Too many Hollywood "Legacies" getting on the screen with only their families names; but little of their talent, on screen charisma, and acting skills. There are exceptions, but they're in the minority.
Jeff was a delight to watch work. I was one of his 120 mutineers. In the most serious of speeches he could make me laugh. Frustration was evident when something in the background would make him stop and repeat his lines over and over again. I was up front and also knew what happened. From vehicles to cars everything that wasn’t there before would be cut and repeated. It genuinely made me like him. We worked together most of the day just to get that scene right.
Thank you for doing such a great job. This is my all time top favorite movie and it was the reenactors that made the movie great for me. The stars were excellent, but the reenactors showed what life was really like during the civil war.
@@LtRee96se When you watch the first scene of the 120. Look for the dirty man who kept his head cocked to the side. We were told to look exhausted in the heat; given nothing not even water and been force marched there. Being I saw quickly that no one else did that at the front area I was hoping that somehow it would be in the film. It was. Over ten times. Only in a glimpse but enough on opening night in Harrisburg that I became a mini celebrity around me in the theater. My friend who was with me is also there in that scene. We had worn our uniforms for the opening night film. It was an SRO opening. I did it as a birthday present to him but am proud to have done it.
@@HVSJR-n5q I will do that for sure. You have star status for me!! God bless and Happy Thanksgiving!
Daniels also was brilliant in the movie, “The Crossing”! I think he nailed it, portraying General Washington who literally saved the American army from defeat!!
Always enjoy listening to Ron Maxwell! Two movies I watch every year, Gettysburg and The Crossing, which inspire me to learn more about each episode in our countries history! 🇺🇸
Jeff Daniels channeled Joshua Lawerence Chamberlain perfectly. After watching his portrayal of Chamberlain, I went out and bought every book on Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain that I could find. He is high on my list of favorite Civil Was generals. IMO, Jeff Daniels' performance is what made Gettysburg an all time classic.
I didn’t buy the books because I couldn’t afford them……but Ivrsurely went to the library and on line to read about Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain.
@@annelefevre9457 Libraries are wonderful!
Hope you read Trulock's biography. Superb
@@jillfromatlanta427 I did! Excellent and most interesting book.
Me too I admire Chamberlain! Jeff Daniel’s was excellent in this movie!
When I was in ROTC fifty odd years ago, Leadership 101 was a mandatory class, 15:40 sophomore year. Part of the class consisted of vignettes of past Officers, and their various trials by fire, one chapter was Colonel Chamberlain. When I saw this movie, Jeff Daniels was the Colonel Chamberlain in my mind’s eye all those years before. He nailed it.
When I think of Chamberlain, I see Daniels. Can’t imagine anyone else playing him.
I was surprised in 1993 when I saw Jeff Daniels chosen to play this role, but boy did he ever nail the spirit of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. He elevated the whole movie.
NO One could ever have matched Jeff Daniels in THIS Role!!!!!! So Impressive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Still watch this movie. Went to Gettysburg just missed the opening of Little Round Top by 1 day. Came home and watched Gettysburg again.
He’s so right about the key moments of this outstanding movie.. chamberlains speech to the Maine mutineers is one of the bestEVER.. Buford talking to his Lt. about the having to hold to keep the high ground by end of first day.. epic..
"I don't need to look at the dailys, I was there!" What a great director!
Great stuff. I took my family to visit the Joshua Chamberlain Museum in Brunswick, Maine so my youngest son could learn more about the man I'd named him for. At the time I didn't know that a film based upon "The Killer Angels" was being produced until one of the museum curators told me how much time Jeff Daniels had spent in the museum researching the role of Chamberlain. I was excited to learn that my favorite book was coming to the big screen, and I was also very happy that Daniels was portraying Chamberlain. I thought he'd be perfect, and I think I was right.
Chamberlain's house was across the street from Bowdin College, where he taught, and he had his office there when he was Governor of Maine ...
I read somewhere that it is his favorite role of all his movies. Also that he did extensive research and could not find one thing not to like about Chamberlain.
No wonder Gettysburg is such a great movie. And this is one of my favorite scenes in the movie. Thanks for not compromising.
Chamberlain was a real hero in every sense of the word! The choice to play him in Jeff Daniels was brilliant! He’s an excellent actor and even resembled Chamberlain a bit! The only downside was that the movie didn’t do well at the box office otherwise I think Daniels would have garnered an academy award nomination! Just my opinion! 😮
I agree 100% with your comment. He was superb in that role. Why Gettysburg did so poorly at the box office is one of the great mysteries to me. I walked the Gettysburg battlefield. What got me is how small of a place it is; it's not the wide open area of Kursk, the epic Tank Battle of the German-Soviet part of World War II. Besides, it was one of the few times as adults when I went to a movie with my older brother, and we actually enjoyed each other's company. You have to be into American History and History in general, something that is lacking these days. It's hard to believe it's a 30-year-old movie now.
In the Army NCO schools, we studied Chamberlain's leadership style. I came to really admire Col Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain as a leader, and as a soldier, as a scholar and someone who I would have followed without question into battle.
@@GeorgeSemel The length of the movie plus an intermission killed the box office. I saw it at the theater and enjoyed it. It is just the wrong movie length for a wide appeal. The Ken Burns documentary did very well so there was a desire for Civil war content.
Agreed. Sam Elliott as Buford was inspired as well. Really the whole cast. I didn’t watch the movie and think it was a great performance, they WERE those people. Completely sucked me in, it’s one of my favorite movies
@@patrickhenry4675 Another thing about the film is that it is a little bit repetitive, probably due to its origins as a mini-series. For instance the Armistead emotional breakdown appears a couple of times and is a little overdone. Nevertheless, it is a film that I enjoy.
There’s a scene when Chamberlain’s men have run out of bullets, but the Confederate soldiers are still advancing up the hill. Chamberlain says “Bayonette!!” It always gives me tingles up and down my spine, and usually brings me to tears, with the amount of passion and desperation in Daniels’ delivery of that one word.
The Fate of the Union was at stake literally
One evening, Jeff Daniels, friend and co-star Jim Carrey, made a talk show appearance with him, ambushing his buddy with his arrival. Carrey, a genius talent in his own right, called Daniels " the most versatile actor in the world." After watching this virtuoso performance, you can understand why. Jeff Daniels possesses an innate bearing and calm dignity that few actors can approach. His actual resemblance to Chamberlain is stunning. As are the obvious qualities that Chamberlain had, so brilliantly conveyed in Daniel's performance. I love how in the Little Round Top scene, Chamberlain says "well we can't run, and we can't fight, so let's fix bayonets. We'll have the advantage. We'll be moving down the hill." Just as calm as a man ordering spaghetti in a restaurant!! This clearly was how Chamberlain was in real life. Tremendous focus and control under the most dire circumstances imaginable. This particular battlefield at Gettysburg was the tipping point of the entire war. Any weakness, any delay, and the Civil War could have ended that very day. Chamberlain has to be the most unsung hero in American military history. Played to perfection by one of the finest actors of this or any generation.
Great Comment!
"Let's see how a professor fights!"
@donaldschmidt2990 He says “We can’t leave, and if we stay here, we can’t shoot, so fix bayonets.” The could and did fight, like banshees. And might I add those Chamberlain men in real life, especially Tom and their other brother John Calhoun Chamberlain, who also served in the regiment, are some of the most beautiful men I’ve ever seen. Trip to Maine anyone lol?
I love this particular movie but this segment is by far the best and most defining part of the whole movie.
Jeff was a shoe in for that part! He nailed that performance! Period! Loved the story behind the scene and the stand they took for prefection and it showed in the movie and I was so moved by it too! Thanks for stinking to your craft!
Went and grabbed my book Killer Angels by Michael Shaara that's mentioned in this clip. I noted in my book that Ken Burns was inspired by Killer Angels to do his documentary on the Civil War. And oh yeah; I've got the DVDs Gods and Generals and Gettysburg that Jeff Daniels stars in.
No. Can't agree with that at all. Absolutely no.
Go study the real history of Chamberlain...go to war with brave leaders of men, and lead men into battle.
No, Jeff Daniels IS a great actor, he did do a good job.
Crowe? Would have made this a movie for all the ages. Crowe shows just that touch of fire and psychopathy that men under fire facing their own death. He can radiate that atmosphere...Daniels? NO
First, I agree with you that Jeff Daniels was the perfect casting for Col. Joshua Chamberlain. In my opinion, that was the best performance he has EVER given - bar none. He SHOULD have been nominated for an Oscar for that performance. He wasn't PLAYING Col. Joshua Chamberlain - he BECAME Col. Joshua Chamberlain. And surprisingly, he even looked like Joshua Chamberlain.
Last - I don't think you meant to type "stinking" to your craft. But that's okay - we ALL have typing errors at one time or another.
Wow. What a great story. I've always been a great admirer of Chamberlain and, Killer Angel's. I have Mort Kunstler's painting of Chamberlain's charge in my office. I always thought Gettysburg captured Chamberlain perfectly. This interview explains why.
Fantastic story. They absolutely knew what they were doing as well. I've only seen the movie once or twice a long time ago but Jeff Daniels' performance is the one that I remember when I think of it.
Engrossing! Thank you!
Not only did Jeff Daniels carry the scene but, he looked more like the real Chamberland than Russel Crowe could ever accomplish. Perfect casting, Mr. Maxwell!
Yeah, Crowe doesn't fit at all, I'm surprised he was even considered.
Hard to tell without seeing him in costume with the mustache.
And I like Russell Crows work but Jeff Daniels was perfect.
Crowe would have been great playing Chamberlain but Daniels WAS Chamberlain.
@@simples7758 Absolutely!
Chamberlain was an amazing man. If you look at his life he was very accomplished. Jeff Daniels was an excellent choice.
What a backstory!.
I saw Jeff Daniels in Philly at the world cafe performing music. Excellent in that art as well.
Look him up last month playing on Carrie Underwood talk show..
Its awesome too.
My family lived across the river in Topsham, my Pepere (grandfather) was born in a house across the swinging bridge in 1895 (the bridge was 2 years old).
According to my uncle, my grandfather met Chamberlain at one time.
Found us out while I was visiting the Chamberlain house.
My uncle knew a lot about the history of the house, and what it went through throughout its history it was rather shocking.
Chamberlain was a true scholar-warrior, and our nation has been blessed to have more than our share of them.
Looking back on it now, it is hard for me to picture Russell Crowe in that part.
I’ll never forget Jeff Daniel’s scene when he said “Fix Bayonets!”. It scent chills down my spine. I remember standing on that mountain top (little round top) and imagining the confederate army struggling to attack the union armies flank. When I saw Daniel’s portrail, it sent that moment that I remembered as a kid while visiting the battlefield of Gettysburg, through my soul. A Bowden college professor, turned civil war hero, Medal of Honor recipient, hero of Gettysburg. Jeff Daniels made that movie!
Chamberlain's service in the war overall was beyond praise, not to mention his postwar career. But the historicity of the Bayonet command isn't ironclad. Chamberlain had two benefits in the postwar recounting: he outlived almost everyone else. And he was a professor of rhetoric!
@@firstminnesota Wasn't he also there at the start of the war and at the close of it?
He certainly did...a REAL Soldier!
I remember seeing the movie in Watertown, Ma., with my 2 young sons, 2 young nephews and my brother-in-law. We were about 25 miles from home because so few theaters were willing to show it because of the movie's length. When I saw & listened to Daniel's speech to the 2nd Maine, I was looking around for the recruiting office!
Gettysburg is among the top three historical dramas ever produced, if not the best. Band Of Brothers comes to mind, but that is beside the point. Ronald Maxwell is the reason why. He was unwilling to settle against formidable pressure to do so. This is a great video demonstrating the value of dedication to work one has chosen. By the way, throughout this short video, he refers several times the "The Second Maine"; it was the Twentieth Maine.
Chamberlain commanded the 20th Maine at Gettysburg. The mutineers that he gave the speech to were from the 2nd Maine. The director is correct in referring to the men who joined the 20th to fight in the battle being from the 2nd Maine.
Jeff Daniels should have won the Oscar for Chamberlain. He was better than “inspired” as Ron Maxwell says here. And Sam Eliiott gave an Oscar worth performance as Buford in a small, supporting role. What a perfect film!
I expected Daniels to get a nomination, really a crime that he didn't.
I took an adult continuing education class on the Civil War and the teacher was a reenactor who was in that film, along with The Blue and the Gray and a few more. He told us all the reenactors just loved Sam Elliott.
I only own five films, Gettysburg, Pride, Master and Commander, Last of the Mohicans, and Lincoln. Is there a trend here?
As an additional comment, Jeff Daniels hails from Chelsea, Michigan. near my hometown of Lansing, Michigan. In addition to his many movie roles, he was and remains a theatrical performer of the highest level. I saw Daniels do a one man show in Frederick, Maryland, to profit the Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea. He was magical, setting the stage for the night by stating, "I just want you to realize you're honoring one of the stars of "Dumb and Dumber!!" He then sang, played a guitar and told stories. He even made a joke about not having his own star on the walk of fame. "Charlie Sheen has a star, David Hasselhoff has a star. I' m just saying!!" Clearly as modest a star as you will ever encounter. He doesnt even spend time in Hollywood when not making a film. I wish i could have seen him perforn the role of Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird." Made famous by the legendary Gregory Peck. When asked why he would take on such an iconic role he stated that simply because no one had duplicated the performance, didnt mean it couldnt be done. If anyone could capture the essence of an actor, the stature of Gregory Peck, its Jeff Daniels. One of the most reliable performers the field of acting has produced.
One of the all time greats for sure.
@Rational_thinker_212 You're living up to your name, rational thinker. All regional prejudice aside, I think his performance as Chanberlain was the finest in the film. A particularly moving scene was after the Irish Sergeant had died and Chamberlain choked back tears. In his final words he said " the army was blessed." And the film Gettysburg was blessed by one of the most moving performances ever captured on film.
That performance was spot on. It has always bin surprising to me that at the moment no one has ever looked into Chamberlain's best friend and collage roommate. That is a story that would make an epic.
Jeff Daniels filled the part fantastically. He perfectly portrayed the part of the educated, professorial man that was Chamberlin.
Jeff Daniels, what a professional.
I loved Daniels in that movie. Basically in everything I saw from him.
But man, would I love to see Russell Crowes demo tape !
Crowe’s performance in Master and Commander is a good indicator of how he might have done with the Chamberlain role.
I just can't imagine him as Chamberlain...
@@laurellane1721 He wasn't able to alter his Aussie accent to an English accent for M&C, I find it difficult to believe he could alter it to a Maine accent.
Riveting story. Without question, one of the finest examples of professionals at work. So many great scenes in Gettysburg, and the music, so compelling, that I get emotional just thinking about it!
I love the soundtrack. Used to listen to it every day at work.
I'm not american actually a scot but Gettysburg is definitely in my top five movies of all time the acting by all was superb
What a great interview.
What a story and so well told!
Such an amazing fight by Chamberlain and the 20th Maine. Every time I watch this scene and consider what they did to stop the confederate advance, it gives me chills and makes me immensely proud of them.
This is my first exposure to Maxwell 30 years after he made one of my all time favorite films.
I have no problem seeing exactly why it was so good. Maxwell put is heart, soul, and head into the project, capturing Michael Shaara's book, and more importantly, JL Chamberlain.
Read a biography of Chamberlain as I was moved to do after "Gettysburg". His story is even better than the book and the movie imply, and they do a great job with that. But there is so much, much, more.
Jeff Daniels certainly fit and suits doing Joshua Chamberlain. This to me is one of his best roles. Gettysburg is one of the best films ever made.
What a great story about one of my all time favorite movies, thanks for sharing.
Outstanding! I can tell you that when I went through Army staff officer training on the military decision making process, the instructors used the scene on Little Round Top as a battlefield example. In the film, Chamberlain goes through all five steps of the MDMP in an abbreviated form. He then gives orders for how they will execute the bayonet charge, just as someone yells “ Here they come!” Then comes the command “Fix, bayonets!”. It is a moving, awesome scene!
What an amazing behind the scenes trivia, captivatingly told.
This was fantastic! I can’t wait to ask Russell Crowe about this when I meet him! This is one time I can say I’m happy Crowe didn’t get the role. But God he is on another level acting all around from most
Excellent story about a very important movie. Thank you for sharing ABT and Ron Maxwell.
Excellent series, well done, ABT!
One of my favorite movies. Great work.
It is my No. 1.
I found myself watching Gettysburg on June 29th and watched in full every day through July 4th. I didn't plan it, just happened; Little Round Top gives me chills every time.
thank you so much I hope there is more to come ❤
Its just a phenomenal film, so real . War is organized chaos...
Jeff Daniels can be so serious as well as funny. Great actor.
I have used the Battle of Round Top as a way to demonstrated the different positions, their roles in working together. Chamberlain consults and confers with his scouts and seconds. These take orders to the sargeants, who position the men, bring them ammunition, etc.
That entire scene is like a ballet.
It’s amazing the lengths we have to go as artists sometimes to do our jobs. It’s always someone who doesn’t know acting that gets to say “oh this can’t be done, we have to move on.” Scenes like Chamberlains speech are what bring us back to this movie. If they hadn’t had that second day to shoot, it might not have been the same.
That director is a hero too! So you bet the entire movie on your vision, your actors, and the script. God bless, because that film helped so many to see what was at stake then, and what is at stake now.
Thank you, outstanding story behind the scenes. F the Executives is usually the right call and I am an executive currently.
i have to get another copy of my Gettysburg... wore out the first one. But yeah those two scenes are outstanding. It is probably one of my favorite movies.
Great movie! I watched the entire movie while sick at home with covid in 2022. It was long , but I Loved it.
Well done Sir
I have pilgrimaged to Bowdoin College and Chambelains grave site. His grave is a simple headstone almost couldn’t find it. He wanted no monument
His home was just a simple cottage.
Robert Maxwell can TELL A Story. I could listen to him all day long. When he was talking about this unknown actor that he wanted, that he would die for, as Chaimberlain I started thinking...."Wait a minute, Jeff Daniels was unknown at the time of Gettysburg???" Then Maxwell says that unknown actor was ...Russell Crowe! "Wow" I thought.."that's a fantastic story" But then Maxwell blows me away and says, "But that's not then end of the story." What??? There's even more to this story???? Then he tells me a side of Jeff Daniels I had no idea that existed. Maxwell KNOWS how to tell story ..not just on film, but also just sitting in a rocking chair.
One amazing. Part of this beautiful movie!!!
Gives me pride to see Heroes giving their souls forv equality!!!
Wow, this is a really, really good interview.
Couldn't agree more.
Daniel's did a Great Performance
If there's one good thing I can say about both Gettysburg and Gods and Generals, (there are a fair few) they were both perfectly casted.
Not nicely, not greatly. Perfectly. Every character felt like they were channeling their historical counterpart with just the right amount of theatrical flare.
Nope. Martin Sheen was not convincing as Lee. Robert Duvall was much better as Lee in Gods and Generals.
Patrick Gorman, although a great actor, was poorly cast as Hood. Hood was over 20 years younger than Gorman at the time Gettysburg was produced, and even more so during Gods & Generals.
'..perfectly _cast_ ..'
@@douglasiles2024 I thought his performance was a standout.
@@laurellane1721 he gave a great performance, but historically he was much too old to have been Hood.
Daniels doing Chamberlain got my attention, I certainly felt like I could have followed him; with musket in hand.
Maybe it's because I have seen it numerous times, being one of my all-time favorite war movies and all, but if I was picking between the two straight-up before filming started I would go with Jeff Daniels and never look back. I just can't see Russel Crowe in that role. Not because he's an Aussie. Other Australian actors have put in great performances portraying Americans in WWII movies like Hacksaw Ridge and Midway. But Gettysburg is one of those battles that calls for an American because it is the quintessential battle of the quintessential American war. I thought Jeff Daniels did a great job. I questioned Martin Sheen as Lee and even now, though I've gotten used to it over time, I think Robert Duvall would have been the better selection. I am not a fan of Gods and Generals but Duvall just comes off as a more believable Lee.
But that's me. Great film, top-five war flick for me, even if its runtime is more than a tad excessive. I saw it at the theater and while I was engrossed, my wife fell asleep somewhere during the three-hour mark. She did wake up in time to see Pickett's Charge which is one of the best war scenes ever shot and even though she was lukewarm about the movie, she did love Jeff Daniels Chamberlin. Hard not to. His interaction with Kevin Conway is priceless. "Will ya get on the damned horse." Love that bit.
Best story about the making of a movie I've heard since I don't remember. One could make a fairly good movie about the making of the film Gettysburg.
Jeff Daniels crushed that role. Even though you could see Crowe's talent in Romper Stomper I think Daniels handled Shaara's dialogue much better than Crowe would of at that point in his career.
Jeff Daniels played the part of Chamberlain superbly. It was a shock to me, following the movie Gettysburg, to see "Chamberlain" in the movie Dumb and Dumber. One thing that was, to me, powerful in the book but wasn't in the movie was the council of war at Meade's headquarters after the first day's fighting. The vote on whether to stay and fight or withdraw, beginning with the most junior general (Gibbons) had me riveted.
These are _actors_ ..you're aware of that, right?
Thank you for this.
I would love to see the sample reel of Chamberlain being read by that "no-name" actor! :-)
Awesome!
Remember what the The Leader said, "Never fight uphill me boys" and "Robert E. Lee isn't as popular as he was" and the most memorable "Gettysburg, Wow"
Wow, what a great story
He was in the play "The 5th of July."
A few short years later Jeff Daniels was promoted to General of the Continental Army for the crossing of the Delaware River and battle of Trenton.
On the shelf, just the right of Maxwell, is a copy of John Wain’s biography of Samuel Johnson, one of the best and best-written biographies I have read to date. I’d pay a lot to see Maxwell helm a Life of Johnson.
I loved the interview and everything he says about producers and about Daniels. I hope the interview is included as an extra on some future release.
Jeff Daniels had done work in the U.S. prior to Gettysburg. He played in “Terms of Endearment” and some other films before making this film.
yes to all of that, but he was talking about the actor audition just before Jeff was chosen. The actor who got turned down was Russell Crowe who was just coming to the US for the first time to work in movies and was not yet a 'name'.
Thank God Turner held out and Daniel's got the part. He made the movie.
The directing with the cast, the music, screenplay…it’s one of the best movies ever made. I wish Maxwell would finish Master and Commander series.
Great story! Jeff D was born to play Lawrence Chamberlain. Period...
Joshua, nummy.
Loved Gettysburg and Gods & Generals. They should have made The Last Full Measure as well to complete the trilogy. Spent three days in Gettysburg two years ago. Stood atop of Little Round Top and looked down the hill at what the Confederates had to endure trying to take that hill. Unbelievable bravery of both sides.
Brilliant, informative, and insightful. I enjoyed this commentary tremendously the speeches that you referred to are eloquent and necessary in order to order men to their death. Otherwise we’re just animals going into a meat grinder. Thank you for blessing us with this movie. John 3:16
Chamberlain was an amazing guy and went on to be a successful politician and an advanced educator. He was also I believe a senior Freemason - does anyone have any information about that aspect of his life
Hearing what this director went through to get the performance he wanted, I am reminded that it was a producer/executive that wanted "Over the Rainbow" cut from "The Wizard of Oz" because he thought it slowed down the film. Let the directors, direct and stop second guessing them.
fabulous film. well cast indeed.
Jeff Daniels and Tom Berenger were by far my favorite parts of the movie and the book.
I wish Jeff Daniels would record Chamberlain’s account of Appomattox. America needs that so much..
Daniels did such a fantastic job. Even that ridiculous mustache did little to distract from the power of his presence and the emotion of his speaking parts
Just wow.
I had never seen Jeff Daniels in a movie when I had a Saturday to kill and rented Dumb and Dumber and Gettysburg. I could hardly sit through Dumb and Dumber. What a shock when I realized Chamberlain was the same actor as that idiot I couldn't stand two hours before. I agree, Jeff Daniels really was deserving of a nomination for this role. It was truly striking the presence he brought to the screen.
Great casting, great film
Daniel's was perfect. I can't even imagine Crowe playing Chamberlain.
I have to agree. Crowe's a great actor. But he is built bear-like. A professor? Hard to imagine.
@@firstminnesota and yet he played a economics professor in "A Beautiful Mind" ......lol
20th Maine if I'm not mistaken. Chamberlain also had a stellar post war career.
Yep. President of Bowdoin College, Governor of Maine .
Jeff Daniels is totally a fine actor
Man i wished they found a part for Russell Crowe since he was still unknown then. Anything honestly