Lee: Portrait of a General

Authors: Chris Moffitt
Location: North Carolina

"Lee: Portrait of a General”

Director: Ridley Scott
Writers: Tony Kushner and Eric Roth
Score: Gabriel Yared

Principal Cast:

Christopher Lee- Robert E. Lee
Phillip Seymour Hoffman- Stonewall Jackson
Bill Nighy- Jefferson Davis
Tommy Lee Jones- Ulysses S. Grant
Bruce Greenwood- Abraham Lincoln

Tagline: "On the battlefield he was a god. Off the battlefield he was a man"

Synopsis: "Lee: Portrait of a General" is the story of famed Confederate general Robert E. Lee and his actions during the Civil War. The story shows Lee's emotions during the Civil War including his dislike of slavery and his belief that the southern succession was an act of revolution against his forefathers. The film begins with Lee learning of his homeland of Virginia's succession and his successive joining of the Confederate army. The war follows Lee through his rise to the top of the Confederate army and shows his friendships with Stonewall Jackson and Jefferson Davis. The film shows Lee's emotional highs like his victories at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsburg and Bull Run and also his emotion lows at Antietam, Gettysburg. The film ends with Lee's capture and surrender at Appomattix Court House.

What the press would say:

This film is one of the greatest war films of all time. "Lee: Portrait of a General" is an excellent tribute to a noble and great man like Robert E. Lee. Christopher Lee embodies Robert E. Lee and shows great range bringing a god-like and aggressive nature to the scenes on the battlefield as well as bringing a cool and calm nature to Lee off the battlefield.

The film shows the Civil War through the eyes of Lee and chronicles most of the war through the friendship of Lee and Jackson. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is outstanding as Stonewall Jackson and the film shows a strong friendship up until Jackson's death. But the film's true scene stealers are Tommy Lee Jones as the feisty, always ready to fight General Grant and Bill Nighy's viciously evil and meticulous Jefferson Davis. As Davis, Nighy gives a performance that is fierce at times and calm at others. The dialogue between Nighy and Lee show both actor's range. And like Gladiator and Black Hawk Down, Ridley Scott creates some spectacular visuals in his recreation of the battles of Gettysburg and Anteitam. But Scott gives the film a human feel making it feel much like a Saving Private Ryan where the film is based as much on the characters as it is on the battles. The film will earn plenty of Oscar buzz.

Best Picture
Best Director- Ridley Scott
Best Actor- Christopher Lee
Best Supporting Actor- Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Best Supporting Actor- Bill Nighy
Best Original Screenplay- Roth and Kushner
Best Editing
Best Cinematography
Best Art Direction
Best Costume Design
Best Original Score-Gabriel Yared
Best Sound
Best Sound Editing