In July 1863 the Confederate and Union armies meet. The Unionists although smaller in numbers manage occupy the strategically important heights. General Buford’s cavalery delays action against the superior Confederates until reenforcement arrives. But Confederate General Lee, already a legend among his men is decided to win the battle to clear the way to Washington.
The movie describes the fate of men on both sides of the front regardless of military rang. Unionist Colonel Chamberlain, an idealistic professor, overcomes his own faer and inexperience and finally becomes a hero by defending his post at Little Round Top to the very end. Southern officer Armistead suffers a personal trauma because he has to fight his friend Hancock not only in the same war, but in the same sector of the same battle. General Pickett, spechless and shocked, awaits the only survivor of his once mighty army which was battered in a single attack. At the end of three-day battle more than 50.000 soldiers are dead.