Lee & Grant

Producer-director John Ealer's History Channel-aired documentary examines how Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant—the most admired military leaders of the Civil War—came to define America's most destructive conflict. Narrated by Jonathan Frakes, Lee & Grant film combines dramatic re-enactments, CGI animation, archival materials, and interviews with historians and other experts—as well as descendants of both men—to explore aspects of their personal lives and careers in the armed forces. Viewers learn that while Lee was from a distinguished Virginia family, with roots deep in Revolutionary War history, Grant's forebears led a hardscrabble existence. Both men attended West Point, where Lee was a good student, and Grant was an indifferent scholar. When the Civil War broke out, Lee turned down an offer to lead federal troops, saying he could not fight against his “country” of Virginia. After several unsuccessful business ventures, Grant felt himself drawn back to the military, where an early triumph led to his gaining the nickname of “Unconditional Surrender.” The documentary provides considerable coverage of Grant's role in the siege of Vicksburg and the events leading up to Lee's fateful gamble at Gettysburg (both campaigns coincidentally climaxing in July 1863). Surprisingly, however, the film then speeds to Lee's surrender at Appomattox, almost completely ignoring the last two years of the war—a major omission that mars an otherwise solid production. DVD extras include bonus footage. A strong optional purchase. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)