Iced Earth: Gettysburg [DVD]

Thank you. Great music.

Artistic creations like this don't happen very often--visions that are so intensely a part of the artist's interests that their purity and sincerity is almost felt through the medium they are presented in. In fact I cannot think of anything else that is so obviously a labor of love in the history of the metal world. Sure, bands will make their albums and their videos, but "Gettysburg" carries an extra heartfelt sincerity to it that almost renders everything else disingenuous. This is not something your typical high school metal listener would enjoy, seeing as how their interests are firmly focused on one priority alone: how to score another bowl. They don't want a history lesson as that is what they are subjected to every day in school and the last thing they need is this sort of thing coming from their music. So I'm not surprised they don't "get it". But for those of us who have risen above such juvenile desires and have experienced life enough to realize there is a hell of a lot more to it than getting high, this is exactly the kind of mental challenge that keeps us going through our day to day trials. Jon Schaffer has taken the next step with his epic musical vision and forged it in the visual medium so we can become that much closer to what he wants us to know about himself and his grand creation, this "Gettysburg (1863)" opus. The entire trilogy provides the musical backdrop for a montage of pictures, maps and portraits of the main characters. The band is not seen at all, and probably for good reason. They are not the focus here, the story is. There are some instances of CGI and other effects which add life to what would otherwise be just a half hour of pictures sliding across the screen, but it's overall a pretty bare bones yet dramatic production. Personally I would have liked to see some brief live action re-enactments to really add a new dimension to the score, but I understand budget restrictions. I am definitely not a civil war buff by any means, nor a historian. I am interested in METAL and what the musicians want to say with their music, and Schaffer and Iced Earth really raised the standard for intelligent rock with this outing. I can honestly say that, thanks to Jon Schaffer, I am wiser when it comes to American history and I am proud to be able to say it. Now, if all our teachers were in metal bands, what a great world it would be! It seems the problem some have with this dvd set is the fact that it isn't your basic video collection/live concert/band documentary we've been used to. No, this is far more special, and frankly far more meaningful. This feature truly has something to offer the viewer, and not just the "Gettysburg" video but a peek into the mind of its creator, whether he's out on location in Pennsylvania or in an intimate interview setting. It all compliments the main video. Would Steve Harris take us on a tour through the specific location of the Crimean War which influenced his song "The Trooper", or a tour of Alexander the Great's conquests to help illustrate his musical version? Hasn't happened yet and it's doubtful that it ever will. Again, it's a matter of sincerity and the belief in what you're putting across, and Jon Schaffer clearly believes in what he's doing. That is not something I think we've seen to this level of credibility in countless years from any musician. In this day and age of dumbed-down nu-metal which panders to the lowest common denominator, it's encouraging to see something put forth so articulately and with such substance that it doesn't insult the intelligence of those who really enjoy the challenge that this superior art form can offer. One final note: It saddens me to see some non-Americans believe this work is some sort of "American Power!" exercise only to be enjoyed by Americans. In reality, it's an account of an historic tragedy with a lesson meant for all nations to learn from. There is nothing for us to be "proud" of in this tale. Many bands have written tales based on the history of their country of origin, yet Iced Earth gets the bulk of derision for some reason. As a fan of World History, I enjoy songs written by foreign bands which relate some regional event in their past, as I feel it gives me a better understanding of the world and its civilizations. I guess the nay-sayers aren't into World History.

Anyone who has heard Gettysburg knows that the music is excellent, and the lyrics are powerful. The video is incredible. With a combination of still and live shots, including both re-enactors and actual photographs from the Civil War, the powerful, terrible story of Gettysburg is told in all its grandeur and tragedy. To make a modern reference for those who don't understand, more men died in three days on that blood-soaked battlefield than the US has lost in four years of war since 9-11. The Battle of Gettysburg was awful, and tragic and grand, and, ultimately, necessary for the preservation of our nation. For most metal bands, it would have been an act of foolish hubris to try to make this video about such a momentous event. Iced Earth stepped up to the plate and knocked it out of the park.

This DVD is based on Iced Earth's magnum opus, Gettysburg (1863) from the album "The Glorious Burden". While I wholeheartedly recommend the CD, I think this DVD is a waste of time and money. I was terribly disappointed with my purchase. The "footage" of the civil war is just a montage of pictures and cheesy flame and cannon effects set to music. The interviews are somewhat interesting, but if you are really interested in Gettysburg, there are a million books and websites that will give you much more information that you will glean from the DVD. To top it off, the tour guide for the Gettysburg tour feature sounds incredibly condescending, as if he expects the people who buy this DVD will have an IQ under 100. The second disc has a couple of videos - The Reckoning and When the Eagle Cries, as well as a Jon Schaffer interview. If you are a hard-core IE fan, you've probably already bought this. Personally, I wouldn't spend the money. The music on the CD conveys much more powerful mental images which are somewhat diminished after viewing the DVD. You aren't missing anything with the DVD.

I am not what you would call a history buff. I have a general knowledge that for the moment suits me fine. I do however love listening to someone who is, and John is. I felt that this dvd was very well done. The battlefield tour was my favorite part. This is what I would recommend to someone who watches the history channel and doesn't find it boring. It is not real high quality but it doesn't have to be.

I have been following Iced Earth now since the Something Wicked CD. What is amazing about Iced Earth is how you can see the influences upon the band and how they have not only grown, but expanded musically. The Glorious Burden, the CD leading to Gettysburg Video, has some great music. However, it is the Gettysburg trilogy that strikes you. The 3-song set was amazing and the liner notes really gave you a deep understand of their passion for history, particularly American history and the Civil War. When I saw Gettysburg, I bought it immediately. The reason for the 4 stars primarily rests with the song portion of the CD. Loved the music, the picture parts were very well done, the problem was the repeating of the pictures through the song. There are plenty of photos to provide a little varity and the songs are relatively long. It was well done, but a little more variety would have been nice or even more maps of the battle. Something. The second CD is a well done battlefield tour with Jon Schaffer and a battlefield guy. This is not some high fancy dancy production. Rather it is a raw form where both Schaffer and the guide expand upon the normal stories you hear. You can see their passion for the historical aspects of the battle and the time, not some drone reading off a chart. Sure it might bother some people because it is not squeaky clean, but folks, this is a Heavy Metal style production which is done very well and does a tremendous job of presenting the facts and setting up the historical foundation of the greatest battle in American history. It is also a nice testament to Jon Schaffer who explains how he wrote the songs to fit the battle and why he used certain lyrics and portions over others. This part of the tour is actually a great opportunity to see inside a musical writers world and the vision they see when writting a song. Like I said, this is a great DVD, historically accurate and well done. My only beef is the repeat of the photography during the songs, but the songs are amazing and are the same as you get on the CD The Glorious Burden. You make this purchase and you will not regreat it.

This review comes 12 years too late but you know? I don't care. I watched it again recently and thought this DVD is too good to not write about. This DVD is the blood, sweat and tears of Iced Earth's Jon Schaffer. Expertly crafted not only in the musical aspect but in the visual aspect as well. This DVD does a great job in informing the viewer the events that occurred at Gettysburg in 1863 through the eyes of a Metal band and a Civil War buff. The Gettysburg trio of songs feature orchestral parts, lyrics detailing the events of course and Metal! It also features Tim "Ripper" Owens and he does and excellent job of delivering the emotion of the lyrics. This DVD is a trek into the history of our nation and is a must-have for not only Metal fans but for anyone who loves history. Included are interviews and music videos. One video is called When The Eagle Cries. Its the band's response to the attacks on the World Trade Center. It never got air-time because of political reasons but is included here for us to enjoy. Who said Metal couldn't be educational? Buy this DVD!

The DVD does not play. A message comes on the screen that states Playback prohibited by area limitations! Cannot return as it is over a month from purchase date. WTF!

ok

This dvd was bought for christmas present ( i have the album so i know the music is good, its a no brainer five star for someone who likes American history.

ERO SCETTICO SUL DVD IN QUESTIONE...MA A QUESTO PICCOLO PREZZO NON SI POTEVA DIRE DI NO...DAVVERO INTERESSANTE LA STORIA NARRATA NEI DUE DISCHETTI... GETTYSBURG SIA AUDIO CON IMMAGINI E POI VIDEO CLIP NEL SECONDO DISCHETTO CON LE VARIE INTERVISTE A JON...ECCATO NON CI SIANO SOTTOTITOLI IN ITALIANO...DA AVERE!! ANCHE SU QUESTA SPEDIZIONE...AMAZON SUPER VELOCE,ARRIVATO IN ANTICIPO SUL GIORNO DI CONSEGNA!!

J'attendais un film sur la guerre de cecession, je n'ai eu droit qu'à des images avec des chants dessus et quelques commentaires indigestes, sans aucune histoire ni resconstitution historique. Quelle déception !

リージョンフリーでPS2でも再生できました。 但し、内容がLIVE DVDでは無く、前作The Glorious Burden作成のドキュメンタリー的な 性格が非常に強い作品です。 LIVEを期待された方には、ちょっと厳しい内容です。 収録されている音源は、アルバムThe Glorious Burdenからの楽曲のみで、新規の 音の収録はありませんでした。 楽曲が流れている後ろの映像もLIVEの映像ではなく、ジャケの画面が延々と 流れるといったもので面白みを感じませんでした。 その他にはシェイファーがGettysburgを訪問しての、アルバム作成の際のインプットの話、 The Glorious BurdenのPVが3曲、シェイファーへのインタビューといった構成です （字幕が出ないので余りしゃべっている内容は掴めませんでした）。 昨年の来日公演もキャンセルになっていますので、期待したんですが・・・。 早くLIVEを見させてくれ～！