Which Movie? Gettysburg or 1776?
By Shaun Kenney | Sunday, July 3rd, 2011 | Catch-AllTwo major events happened this 4th of July weekend, both of great importance not only to the United States as a nation, but to Virginia as a commonwealth.
On July 4th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence authored by Thomas Jefferson and lead by a resolution from the Virginia House of Burgesses was voted upon by Continental Congress two days earlier and published on the 4th.
Similarly, the Battle of Gettysburg during 1-3 July 1863 culminated the final effort of the Confederacy during the Civil War, as 15,000 Virginians charged the fields under General Pickett and were ultimately turned back by Federal troops, thus joining with the surrender at Vicksburg as the coup de grace for the Southern Confederacy and turned the tide of the War.
“For every Southern boy fourteen years old, not once but whenever he wants it, there is the instant when it’s still not yet two o’clock on that July afternoon in 1863, the brigades are in position behind the rail fence, the guns are laid and ready in the woods and the furled flags are already loosened to break out and Pickett himself with his long oiled ringlets and his hat in one hand probably and his sword in the other looking up the hill waiting for Longstreet to give the word and it’s all in the balance, it hasn’t happened yet, it hasn’t even begun yet, it not only hasn’t begun yet but there is still time for it not to begin against that position and those circumstances which made more men than Garnett and Kemper and Armistead and Wilcox look grave yet it’s going to begin, we all know that, we have come too far with too much at stake and that moment doesn’t need even a fourteen-year-old boy to think “this time. Maybe this time with all this much to lose and all this much to gain: Pennsylvania, Maryland, the world, the golden dome of Washington itself to crown with desperate and unbelievable victory the desperate gamble, the cast made two years ago….” — William Faulkner, Intruder in the Dust
So… you’re a Virginian (or an adoptee) — which movie do you watch first?
[poll id="48"]
I say voooote yes (sit down, Shaun!) — vote for independency!
Just for kicks…
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About the author
Shaun Kenney is the Chairman of the Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors, former Communications Director for the Republican Party of Virginia, and an active blogger since 2002. Shaun lives in Thomas Jefferson's backyard with his wife, six children, and a modest attempt at a farm in Kents Store, Virginia.
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11 Responses to "Which Movie? Gettysburg or 1776?"
1776, mostly because I was in a stage production of it.
Gettysburg. Singing is better.
Some of Shaun’s FB friends-myself included-feel Gods and Generals should be added to the list.
HBO’s “John Adams.”. Episodes 1 and 2. Otherwise, it’s Gettysburg. “1776″ is loaded with anti-conservatve rhetoric.
None of the above…grill with friends and listen to the 1776 soundtrack…and repeatedly sing “Cool, Cool Conservative Men”…
Gettysburg, because, while 1776 is a great film, we didn’t sing in our independence. But agree with Coby that you should toss in Gods and Generals first since Virginia’s next great Senator has a cameo role. And I should note that unlike the left, we understand what acting is.
Still, John Adams is good too, and my son was an extra. But don’t go out and buy it because we don’t get any royalties…
@Brian — Please tell me you were Ben Franklin!
@Coby — What does Gods and Generals have to do with the 4th of July?
To the right!
Ever to the right!
Never to the left!
Forever to the right…
Hmmmm…nothing. Good point. Thought we were just going for Virginia history.
Slow on the uptake today…must be the grill smoke.
…I mean, great movie. Can’t wait for the 3 of 3 to come out.
Definite-Lee, 1776.
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