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Rating: 5 out of 5
Glory is, without a doubt, one of the BEST movies made about the American Civil War. There are so many reasons why this film is beyond EPIC. The script is fantastic, followed by the excellent acting of many of the characters. Glory is one of the few films that portrays another side of the Civil War that many people don’t talk about. Well, we are going to talk about it today. A film that shows BLACK EXCELLENCE!!
Before I start my review on Glory, let me drop some educational knowledge on you. Do you know how many African American soldiers volunteered and served in the American Civil War? By the end of the Civil War, roughly 179,000 black men (10% of the Union Army) served as soldiers in the U.S. Army, and another 19,000 served in the Navy. Nearly 40,000 black soldiers died throughout the war. Losses among African Americans were high: in the last year and a half, and from all reported casualties, approximately 20% of all African Americans enrolled in the military lost their lives during the Civil War. Glory is a film about one of the first all-African-American regiment: the 54th Massachusetts Infantry. Men that served and are immortalized in American history.
Glory is told through the eyes of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw (Broderick). Following the Battle of Antietam, Colonel Shaw is sent back home on medical leave. While at home, Shaw is offered command of one of the first all-African-American regiment. Shaw decides to take command of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. With his best, Major Cabot Forbes (Elwes) by his side to help lead, Shaw begins his duty into forming a strong and proud unit. With volunteers coming from all over, including escaped slave Trip (Washington) and the old gravedigger John Rawlins (Freeman), the pride of the volunteers is high. Yet, begins the first steps of these men incredible journey training, disputes with fellow soldiers/administrators, and a place to prove themselves. The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry puts everything on the line for their freedom and place in the history books.
I don’t even know where to begin with this movie. It was so good and powerful. I had the feels when watching this movie and seeing black excellence all around. I guess we shall start with the story. One can say that it is a little off because it is told through a white man’s eyes. That shouldn’t be a problem! Through Shaw’s writing, he showed that blacks were meant to have their shot at their own freedom. Why couldn’t they help in the war and be treated the same way? He had to lead these men, and he led them with honor that anyone should be proud of. He wanted the best training, guns, and uniforms because he wanted them to feel proud of themselves. I was proud when they received not their weapon but that blue suit.
Several scenes show the greatness of this film. The first one is the siege of Fort Wagner. Everything about that scene will give you goosebumps. Against significant odds, the 54th volunteers for the raid. The night before, you see the men sitting around a fire singing and saying what they are grateful for. The next morning, they storm the fort. It is one of the most intense and powerful fight scenes. The music gets to you.
The scene that shows everything the men fought for was when they are marching towards Fort Wagner. A couple of days before, Trip gets into it with a couple of white soldiers as they are walking back from a battle. Trip yells that everyone should give the 54th a chance. Now the black and white soldiers get into it. Fast forward, and as the 54th are walking through lines of white soldiers on both sides, the white soldier who got into it with Trip before yells, “Give them Hell, 54th!” This is followed by the white soldiers cheering them on. I teared up so bad at this part. So good and so powerful.
I must also speak about the music for this film. My god is the music outstanding for this film. James Horner, I applaud you for the soundtrack that you put together. The music that you put in for the final charge of the 54th was simply outstanding.
Let’s make this easy and genuinely get to the point of the performances. Matthew Broderick’s performance as Colonel Robert Gould Shaw was actually outstanding. It was pretty shocking and surprising how well Broderick did. He showed Shaw as a righteous and caring person for his men. That he wanted the very best for them and tried his best to learn from his missteps. Cary Elwes’s performance as Major Cabot Forbes was terrific! He cared for his friend but also cared for the men he oversaw. Elwes was the fun-loving one, and it showed on his face, mainly when they shot guns. He also was quite angry as he knew when something was wrong.
Morgan Freeman’s performance as Sergeant Major John Rawlins was also amazing. Freeman played Rawlins as that old grandpa that many Black kids know. The one who had that caring smile but also all the words and wisdom.
The granddaddy of them all. Denzel, Denzel, Denzel!!! Washington’s performance as Private Silas Trip. I just want to stand and applaud Mr. Washington because I honestly forgot how amazing he was in this role. He did win his first Academy Award for this role. Washington played Trip as the Angry Black Man and boy; did he play the angry black man. Washington seemed like he was mad at the whole world. When that one tear went down his face, you felt the pain of Trip. That was the winning moment.
Glory is the best and should be watched in history class, during Black History Month or just if you need a history lesson. If you want to watch Denzel Washington’s first Oscar-winning role, then this is the film. A powerful and great movie to watch.
