Glory | | Cast : | Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes, Morgan Freeman | | Director : | Edward Zwick | | Studio : | Columbia Tri-Star | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen | | Released Date : | December 15, 1989 | | DVD Released Date : | January 30, 2001 | | Language : | French (Dubbed), Spanish (Dubbed), French (Subtitled), English (Subtitled), Portuguese (Subtitled), English (Original Language), French (Original Language), Thai (Subtitled), Unknown (Subtitled), Chinese (Subtitled), Korean (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled) | | Audience Rating : | R (Restricted) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | July 24, 2005 | | Summary | Must have Civil War DVD | Content
 | I will keep my review light here. Too many other reviewers have already said it all.
Again.....this movie shines and is a classic keeper for the Civil War movie buff. Based on a true incident and shows the terrible sacrifices mad by African American soldiers for their freedom as well as for the country itself.
Not to be missed. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 14, 2005 | | Summary | Glorious! | Content
| Once again you can't possibly have enough stars to rate this one in my opinion. With the role that African Americans and other ethnic groups played in every war foreign and domestic being downplayed left and right, throughout history and films this was a long awaited breath of fresh air. There was no sugar-coating, no side-stepping in this film at all from the opening battle at Antietum with it's very graphic war effects to it's heartbreaking, breath-taking ending. The racism, self-loathing, pride, elation, fear, rage, strength and most of all bravery is all portrayed here and it keeps you mesmerized. It's such a mix of emotions.
Every last performer in this movie was outstanding; even Cliff DeYoung's small role left a strong impression. Matthew Broderick should have been nominated for an Academy Award for his performance as Robert Gould Shaw. He was sedate yet he displayed such strength and determination. It was incredible and I can't say I've seen those traits come from him since. Morgan Freeman also should have been nominated for his dignified portrayal as the newly promoted Sargent Major rallying his men. (I believe this was his breakout role). Another standout was the vulnerable and naïve performance of Andre Braugher as Thomas, Robert Gould Shaw's friend/servant from home who volunteer's with the 54th.
Last, but certainly not least is Denzel Washington the one-tear wonder! His part of his portrayal of Pvt. Tripp is why he won the Oscar for this role. Although there is very little dialogue between Matthew and Denzel except shortly before the last battle, their eyes tell the story between them which is a sight to behold. The scenes between he and Andre Braugher were fantastic too. There was such tension and anger and resentment over Thomas being educated from Denzel's loose-cannon character that you wonder if he will derail any hopes of the 54th banding together. It's Brilliant! James Horner's score is perfection with the angelic voices of the Harlem Boys Choir being a perfect accompaniment to this masterpiece. Bravo Ed Zwick, you are a genius.
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| Rating | | | Date | June 19, 2005 | | Summary | good film but something missing | Content
| I thought this was a pretty good civil war movie and Matthew Broderick was a pretty good actor and I had not heard or seen him in anything else before. Of course as always Denzel Washington gives a solid performance and the same to Morgan Freeman. It is a great triumph and has some similarities to Remember the titans. There just seemed to be something missing though in this movie and I am still not sure what it is. Oh well. I am not sure if this movie should have been nominated for best picture of theyear for 1989 because I think Field of dreams should have won that. There were great supporting actors on this movie. Buy it if you like good civil war movies. This had fantastic sound. God bless you and have a awesome day. |
| Rating | | | Date | June 17, 2005 | | Summary | Excellent film but Let's Set the Record Straight | Content
| This is an excellent film on par with the monument erected to the 54th in Mass, one of the finest examples of war memorials ever placed anywhere in the world.
But to set the record straight, the 54th was not the FIRST black regiment to fight. There were three battles before the assault on Fort Wagner, where African-American units distinguished themselves. One, the siege of Port Hudson, south of Vicksburg, featured a similar situation, where Union infantry was thrown against Confederate fortifications. The Corps d'Afrique, raised in Louisiana, was one of the brigades involved in the assaults with heavy casualties. Another black regiment was the 4th Arkansas, African Descent, which fought in the battle line at Holly Springs in northern Arkansas. Another black Arkansas regiment helped defend Grant's primary logistics base on the west bank of the Mississippi during the Vicksburg campaign.
Second, as has been pointed out before, where the units above WERE primarily recruited from runaway slaves, the 54th was at its muster, made up of over 90% free men of color. The Regimental Sergeant Major, a role played by Morgan Freeman, was actually the eldest son of Frederick Douglas. The color bearer of the National flag was wounded, but recovered the flag and brought out of the fort, for which he was awarded a Medal of Honor.
Still, this is a film that highlights the service of almost 200,000 African-Americans toward a united America with justice for all, though it would be another hundred years before we really began to accomplish this, thanks to the ambitions and greed of a small elite of Southern politicians who maintained the South as an agricultural backwater and played the races off against each other to maintain their power. |
| Rating | | | Date | June 02, 2005 | | Summary | Compelling Testament of Dignity & Courage | Content
| A fine memorial to the American soldier. American soldiers, sailors, airmen & marines of all races can point to the Massachusetts 54th as wonderful example of America's armed forces. At a time when the military is engaged in dubious wars and is rocked by accusations of torture & gulag like POW facilities, Glory is a refreshing example of what's right with the men who fight. |
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