NEW ULM – One score and 12 years ago, a determined director and thousands of reenactors brought forth an epic film based on an historical novel chronicling the Battle of Gettysburg.

Now the New Ulm Film Society will screen the film for the public as part of its “America at War” series and determine if any audience so dedicated to cinema can finish an over four hour film.

The film is 1993’s “Gettysburg.” The film society will screen it at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday Feb. 11 in the New Ulm Public Library.

“Gettysburg” has the distinction of being the longest film ever screened by the New Ulm Film Society at four and half hours. In fact, the film is currently the record holder for longest film released theatrically by a major United States film studio. 

Part of the reason for the long run time is the movie was not originally intended as a theatrical release, but rather as a cable television miniseries. Ted Turner agreed to produce “Gettysburg” as a limited series for his cable channel TNT. However after seeing early footage, Turner decided the movie should be on the big screen and the rest is film history.

As the title suggests, “Gettysburg” is a historical drama about the three-day battle at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in early July 1863. The Battle of Gettysburg is considered the deciding battle of the Civil War and is arguably the most consequential battle ever fought in North American.

The battle began almost by accident. The Confederate Army of Northern Virginia invaded the North in an effort to pull Union forces away from the siege of Vicksburg. A small detachment of Union soldiers stumbled upon the Confederate army at Gettysburg. What started as a small skirmish eventually drew thousands of troops from both sides to Gettysburg. The battle marked a clear turning point in the Civil War. Decisions made by those commands would prevent the Confederates from ever invading Northern territory again and ultimately doom the South to defeat two years later. 

The film “Gettysburg” focuses on all the decisions made on the battlefield that led to this outcome. The movie is told from the perspective of commanding officers in both the Confederates and Union. The Confederate side of the conflict is told from the perspective of Gen. Robert E. Lee (played by Martin Sheen) and Lt. Gen. James Longstreet (played by Tom Berenger). The Union story is told from the perspectives of Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (Jeff Daniels) and Gen. John Buford (Sam Elliot). 

The film works hard to explain exactly what happened during the battle, but also explain why it happened. Why did the supposedly great General Lee make such obvious tactical errors? Why was Chamberlain wise to order a bayonet charge? The goal of the filmmakers was to make sure audiences not only learned more about the battle, but appreciated those who fought it.

“Gettysburg” is the passion project of director Ron Maxwell. “Gettysburg” is actually an adaptation of a Michael Shaara novel “The Killer Angels.” The book was considered required reading for all Civil War buffs, but it was relatively unknown among general audiences. Maxwell attempted to make the film for over 15 years, but could not find a studio willing to back the project. Civil War films and TV shows were not performing well with audiences. Ted Turner finally agreed to finance the project because he was a Civil War buff too. 

Maxwell was able to get support from 3,000 Civil War reenactors who volunteered to appear in the movie. Most of the re-enactors came with period accurate uniforms and prop rifles. This helped the production considerably in making the film appear accurate. The National Park Service even agreed to allow some of the movie to be produced on the real Gettysburg battlefield.

“Gettysburg” is often referenced for its length, but it is also praised for its commitment to historical accuracy. Its commitment to accuracy is the reason the movie is so long. Maxwell and the film’s cast were determined to tell the complete story of the battle without cutting corners or simplifying history. 

The New Ulm Film Society’s screening of “Gettysburg” is free to the public. Before and after the film, there will be a discussion about the film’s place in film history.