Gettysburg (1993 film)

Gettysburg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRonald F. Maxwell
Screenplay byRonald F. Maxwell
Based onThe Killer Angels
by Michael Shaara
Produced byMoctesuma Esparza
Robert A. Katz
Starring
CinematographyKees Van Oostrum
Edited byCorky Ehlers
Music byRandy Edelman
Production
companies
Distributed byNew Line Cinema
Release date
  • October 8, 1993 (1993-10-08)
Running time
254 minutes
271 minutes (director's cut)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$20 million
Box office$12.7 million

Gettysburg is a 1993 American epic war film about the Battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War. Written and directed by Ronald F. Maxwell, the film was adapted from the 1974 historical novel The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. It features an ensemble cast, including Tom Berenger as James Longstreet, Jeff Daniels as Joshua Chamberlain, Martin Sheen as Robert E. Lee, Stephen Lang as George Pickett, and Sam Elliott as John Buford.

Originally filmed as a miniseries for TNT, Gettysburg received a limited theatrical release from New Line Cinema under the direction of Ted Turner, who owned both entities. At four hours and 14 minutes, it is the longest film released theatrically by a major film studio in the United States. It received positive reviews from critics and, despite grossing $12.7 million on a $20 million budget, was considered a hit due to its successful TNT premiere ratings and home video sales. A prequel entitled Gods and Generals was released in 2003, also directed by Maxwell and featuring many returning cast members.