The essence of battle and patriotism is never too far for the senses to detect. It is only a matter of time before depictions of our very own encounters with conflict become the next “Glory,” “Pearl Harbor,” or even “Gone with the Wind.” Through accurate portrayals of the history of our forefathers, one can find reason to refrain from “reinventing the wheel.” Another glimpse of the past to add to that list is “Gods and Generals.”

Robert Duvall plays the Confederate General, Robert E. Lee who is incredibly clever when it comes to tactics of war, while Stephen Lang is his religiously grounded confidant, Lieutenant Thomas Jackson. Based on Jeff Shaara’s best-selling novel, “Gods and Generals” is a film that offers a reason to have humble faith in its consistent depiction of a cold war that ultimately released our country from the chains of bondage. In the midst of quarrel and strife for freedom, there are traces of brotherhood amongst friends as well as those forced to be opponents based on enemy lines.

Stephen Lang (Lieutenant Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson) plays the role of a man whose foundation is his faith in God with firmness and sensibility. Every piece of dialogue throughout the film is worth keeping in mind (“war is the sum of all evils” and “the duty is ours, the consequences are Gods” are just two out of a variety that are noteworthy). The only downfall to the character of Stephen Lang is the simple fact that he is a hero among Confederates who represent enslavement. Other than that, Lang gives incentive to do some research on the man that stood in battle with fearlessness.

For the movie fans that are intrigued with “guts and glory,” this film might be of some disappointment. The closest to horrendous that “Gods and Generals” gets are a soldier who gravely requests permission to retreat from battle after his arm is blown off and expanded camera angles that show a green field covered with dead bodies. Yet, such segments still have the potential to give off a feeling of fright and sadness. Imagine an elaborated depiction of one of those “Truth” commercials where the body bags are placed all over the beach.

Despite a reigning time of three hours and 40 minutes, “Gods and Generals” is great for those that can use a taste of history. It is quite rare to read, see, or hear about Southern Confederates that were good people. However, this film sheds a new light on the intentions of the Confederates. It almost impossible to pick a side and decipher who exactly is good and evil: southerners who merely want to keep their homeland independent or northerners whose purpose is to free human beings from bondage?

So who holds the fate of a land and its people? What destination will the road to freedom lead us to? “Gods and Generals” earnestly provides the answer to such questions of uncertainty and brings on an entirely new meaning to “Godspeed.”