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The heart-stopping story of the first black regiment to fight for the North in the Civil War, Glory stars Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes and Morgan Freeman. Broderick and Elwes are the idealistic young Bostonians who lead the regiment; Freeman is the inspirational sergeant who unites the troops; and Denzel Washington, in an Oscar® - winning performance (1989, Best Supporting Actor), is the runaway slave who embodies the indomitable spirit of the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts.
One of the very best films about the Civil War, this instant classic from 1989 is also one of the few films to depict the participation of African American soldiers in Civil War combat. Based in part on the books Lay This Laurel by Lincoln Kirstein and One Gallant Rush by Peter Burchard, the film also draws from the letters of Robert Gould Shaw (played by Matthew Broderick), the 25-year-old son of Boston abolitionists who volunteered to command the all-black 54th Regiment of the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. Their training and battle experience leads them to their final assault on Fort Wagner in South Carolina, where their heroic bravery turned bitter defeat into a symbolic victory that brought recognition to black soldiers and turned the tide of the war. With painstaking attention to historical detail and richness of character, the film boasts superior performances by Denzel Washington (who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor), Morgan Freeman, Cary Elwes, and Andre Braugher. Directed by Edward Zwick (cocreator of the TV series thirtysomething), this unforgettable drama is as important as Schindler's List in its treatment of a noble yet little-known episode of history. --Jeff Shannon
One of the very best films about the Civil War, this instant classic from 1989 is also one of the few films to depict the participation of African American soldiers in Civil War combat. Based in part on the books Lay This Laurel by Lincoln Kirstein and One Gallant Rush by Peter Burchard, the film also draws from the letters of Robert Gould Shaw (played by Matthew Broderick), the 25-year-old son of Boston abolitionists who volunteered to command the all-black 54th Regiment of the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. Their training and battle experience leads them to their final assault on Fort Wagner in South Carolina, where their heroic bravery turned bitter defeat into a symbolic victory that brought recognition to black soldiers and turned the tide of the war. With painstaking attention to historical detail and richness of character, the film boasts superior performances by Denzel Washington (who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor), Morgan Freeman, Cary Elwes, and Andre Braugher. Directed by Edward Zwick (co-creator of the TV series thirtysomething), this unforgettable drama is as important as Schindler's List in its treatment of a noble yet little-known episode of history. --Jeff Shannon
Hats Off To The Massachusetts 54thReviewed by Alfred Johnson, 2010-02-10
Over the past several years that this space has existed I have
touted the heroic experiences of the American Civil War pro-Union
black volunteer regiment, the Massachusetts 54th Infantry many
times. Recently in preparing materials for this space to be posted
in honor of Black History Month I noticed that I had not reviewed
the subject of this entry, the Oscar-winning film "Glory". I make
amends here.
This fictionalized version of the creation of an all black
volunteer regiment (at least in the ranks) hews pretty closely to
the actual events in that process, taking into account the
inevitable dramatizations required by the "laws" of cinematic
license. And that fact is important. In other commentary on the
history of the 54th, and in previous recollections of my own
personal history of "discovery" of the regiment I have noted that
in my high school years in the 1960s no mention was ever made of
the exploits of this hardy band of soldiers fighting for their
freedom and the preservation of the American union. None. And that,
my friends, was here in Massachusetts the home of the regiment and
of the famous, if then obscure, Saint-Gaudens memorial plague to
the regiment that in front of the State House that, at one point in
my life I passed every day.
Lincoln and other Northern war leaders hesitated to create all
black regiments for a number of reasons despite the need for man
power on the battlefield as the war drew out inconclusively for a
long period. Those reasons did not include the fact that the likes
of the revolutionary black abolitionist Frederick were clamoring
for black soldiers not only to preserve the union but to actively
gain their own freedom, to prove their manhood and worth in the
parlance of the time. This film details the struggle by hard
abolitionist Massachusetts Governor Andrews and a significant
portion of the white Boston citizenry, including the eventual
leader of the regiment, Robert Gould Shaw and his parents, to
create such a unit.
The film goes on to look at the actual creation of the unit , its
training, the troubles over pay, the racial animosities on both
sides of the class line that were then current in that American
time, the deployment of the regiment South and the mauling that it
took at Fort Wagner, including the deaths of Shaw and many brave
black soldiers. I will tell you the best part though, although this
is not brought up in the film. At war's end what was left of the
Massachusetts 54th marched through Charleston, South Carolina, in
many ways the ideological and political center of the Confederacy,
singing "John Brown's Body". That seems just about right. Hat's off
to the 54th.
Note: I have not mentioned the very good performances here by
Denzel Washington as a testy recruit and Morgan Freeman as the wise
old man of the regiment. Let me put it this way, if you had a
choice, wouldn't you have this pair in this type of film.
No-brainer, right? Matthew Broderick also shines in an understated
performance as Colonel Shaw.
A Quick review of GloryReviewed by Michael A. Garcia, 2010-01-30
This 3 time Academy Award winning movie tells the account of the first black regiment in the U.S. army. Set during the civil war, this awe-inspiring movie tells the story of friendship, brotherhood and fortitude. See how racial barriers were broken as the blacks and their white commanders fought side by side, but most importantly, see how they died side by side. This film contains one of James Horner's best movie scores of all time that will leave you moved to the point of tears. Starring an all-star cast: Mathew Broderick, Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington and Carey Elwes.
GloryReviewed by Arnita D. Brown, 2010-01-04
Historical war drama about the Civil War battle at Antietam, and
the formation of the first black regiment, the 54th Massachusetts
Voluntary Infantry. Glory is a masterful piece of work that will
leave you breathless. Matthew Broddrick plays Colonel Robert Gould
Shaw and performs him masterfully. Denzel Washington's performance
was powerful as well. This movie stands as a great achievement,
that could very well be called a classic.
Great Civil War FlickReviewed by The Haze, 2009-12-12
Great movie. Plenty of action and drama. Too bad we treated the Negro soldiers like that.
Great movie bad strategiesReviewed by Theodor Black, 2009-11-20
This was a great movie. The cast was amazing. Sets, direction. Everything was great but when the troops would go into battle I kept thinking what horrible field strategies they were. It was like the troops were just marching into the line of fire. I have read a little about american history but I have not read about this battle (yet) but I find it hard to believe that the strategies of the north for this battle was this stupid.
