Nobody’s much surprised that movie critics resented the content of Ron Maxwell’s new film, “Gods & Generals.” Since the film faithfully and accurately depicts the motivations of both sides at the outset of the American Civil War, it necessarily rejects the party line history as transmitted through most history books and films about the war. The characters are moved not by passionate attachment to or revulsion at the evil institution of slavery, but rather by conflicting modes of patriotism; Northerners cleaved to the Federal Union, which they saw “rebels” trying to shatter, while Southerners adhered to their home states, which … Continue reading Gods & Generals: But is it a Good Movie?