Memorial Day has its roots in Decoration Day, a time to honor those who gave “the last full measure of their devotion” during the War Between the States. This week on “Picture Perfect,” we acknowledge the heroism and sacrifice of ordinary Americans placed in extraordinary circumstances.
The Civil War drama, “Gettysburg” (1993) – based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “The Killer Angels,” by Michael Shaara – was originally intended to be a television mini-series, but when Ted Turner was struck by the quality of the production, he turned around and released it theatrically. Despite the 254 minute running time, and some fairly ridiculous facial hair, “Gettysburg” yet manages to be engrossing, moving, and at times exhilarating.
The film stars Tom Berenger, Jeff Daniels (who’s never been better), and Martin Sheen. It’s a testament to the power of the storytelling that “Gettysburg” yet manages to engage – despite Berenger’s “Cousin It” beard. In fact, my friends and I always refer to this film as “Gettys-BEARD.”
Perhaps another indication of its television origins – a transparent attempt to keep a lid on the budget – is the score by Randy Edelman, which is performed, in large part, on electronic, as opposed to acoustic, instruments. I guess that’s the price you pay for a four-hour film with a cast of thousands. It would have been nice had Turner splurged on an orchestra, but the music still manages to inspire.
There was no such cost-cutting in evidence on “Gone with the Wind” (1939). Max Steiner goes all out with a full symphony orchestra. So much of the film deals with the personal interactions between Scarlett O’Hara, Ashley Wilkes, Melanie Hamilton, and a certain “visitor from Charleston.” However, the human story is set against the sprawling backdrop of the Antebellum, Civil War and Reconstruction eras. We’ll hear music associated with the Civil War segments at the heart of the film, including the memorable sequence with Scarlett walking among the wounded.
When the nine-part Ken Burns’ television documentary, “The Civil War” (1990), first aired, over five consecutive nights, it became the most watched program in PBS history. The theme music is particularly well known, as “Ashokan Farewell.” Its composer is Jay Ungar, who performs it on the series’ original soundtrack, with Molly Mason and the ensemble Fiddle Fever.
Finally, “Glory” (1989) dramatizes a valorous campaign undertaken by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw’s 54th Massachusetts Voluntary Regiment, an all African American outfit that distinguished itself in a hopeless assault on Fort Wagner, near Charleston, South Carolina. The film sports a terrific cast, including Morgan Freeman, Matthew Broderick, and Cary Elwes, with an Oscar-winning performance by Denzel Washington.
James Horner’s score can be a little derivative at times, but, with the participation of the Harlem Boy Choir, it manages to tug the heart strings at all the key moments.
Hundreds of thousands laid down their lives so that we can troll one another on the internet. We’re bigger than our differences, people. Preserve the union of history and entertainment on “Picture Perfect” – music for the movies – this Friday evening at 6:00 EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.
PHOTO: Tom Berenger (left), breaking the beard budget
