Gettysburg - Armistead's Gethsemane

Richard Jordan - a terrific actor in a terrific scene.

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Entertainment

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• Gettysburg
• movie
• Richard
• Jordan

[bushhunter90001]

Can anyone tell me the name of the song the man was singing in this scene?

[rob9641]

@bushhunter90001 The song is "Kathleen Mavourneen," an Irish-American pop song that was popular in the US before the war. "Kathleen Mavourneen, the gray dawn is breaking, the horn of the hunter is heard on the hill. The lark from her light wing the bright dew is shaking, oh Kathleen Mavourneen, why slumbering still? Hast thou forgotten how soon we must sever?Hast thou forgotten this day we must part? It may be for years, it may be forever, why art thou silent, voice of my heart?"

[Setebos]

This is indeed an excellent moment for Jordan . . . an excellent and wholly underappreciated actor. But I'd also like to say a few words about Berenger's performance in this scene. The expression on his face as he watches Jordan go through his personal agony. To my way of thinking, Berenger is portraying one of the most thankless jobs a military commander must surely face: having to send his friends into what must seem certain death, and walking on emotional eggshells all the while.

[rob9641]

@Setebos My favorite Berenger moment in this scene is at 5:45 - he's shaking just a bit, like his foot (off camera) is moving nervously back and forth. I don't know why, but I love that. I assume Berenger knew he was doing it, but maybe not. I don't even know if Berenger's reaction shots were filmed with Jordan playing to him or just somebody else feeding him the lines, but 5:45 has a very real feel to it.

[GradiusMojo]

Richard Jordan in this scene...I'm a student of film. I've seen lots, analyzed and criticized many, and loved quite a few. Of all the performances that have moved me, this one...breaks me up every time. So natural and unaffected, real. This man shows grief and regret and a love of family/friends in a way that is unreal. The score just adds to it. God...this man was a miracle in this scene. When he says, "Maybe for years, maybe forever..." haven't we all reminiced this way? R.I.P. Jordan.

[rob9641]

@GradiusMojo Yep, he nailed it. One of the most perfectly played scenes I've ever watched.

[Rampmeister]

R.I.P. Richard Jordan , Thank God we can enjoy your finest moment as this is, again and again.

[StrangeIsMyWorld]

@rob9641 Pop Song I think you mean Operatic Air, written by a written by an English man. Its about as Irish as St. Patricks Day on an Indian Reservation.

[RGN07]

Oh wow! Perhaps the most honest performance i have ever seen. That wasn't Richard Jordan speaking, that was Gen. Lewis Armistead right there. Even with Almira Hancock being just a thought in this scene, he brought her to life in all her splendor, its like all of a sudden you know who she is w/o seeing her. How is it that every time i see this my emotions are like the first time i saw it. Every time.

[StonewallJackson26]

One of my favorite War films. The acting here is nothing short of phenomenal!

[AdognamedOp]

The subtle, yet intense, scenes like this one are what make Gettyburg one of my top ten.

[SupernalOne]

Jordan sounds maudlin at first, and then the depth of his feeling makes the impending battle horrible, and the tragedy of the war intolerable

[Gawaine687]

this film and esp this scene makes me see this country is, or at least once was a family; we fight, kill, argue and try to hurt eachother, but brother to brother we still love one another. happy birthday, america.

[Dandy5th]

This scene makes me reflect upon my own life and friendships every time I see it. After all these years it still brings tears to my eyes. Definitely one of the best acted pieces I have ever seen. These two play off each other really well.

[aleks1939]

Wow, that was powerful and emotional. Even better than the same scene from the book. Thank you so much for posting this.