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Glory (Special Edition)

Glory (Special Edition)

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: GRIPPING HISTORICAL DRAMA
Review: One of the best ensemble casts of all time. Captivating screenplay. Excellent acting. Impressive battlefield sequences. Mediocre score. Wonderful character development. And the historical perspective of the invaluable contribution of the African American people who fought, and fought well, to win the country's freedom.

Apart from the minor quibble that Matthew Broadwick was grossly miscast as the center piece of the movie (he simply does not have the panache to make a compelling job of the role), this film is perhaps the best movie I have seen on the American civil war, or any war for that matter.

I am no authority on American civil war, but I haven't completely figured out one thing: the pivotal spine of the theme is about the experience of blacks in the war (who had hitherto been "slaves") but still Zwick chose to narrate the saga from the point of view of the "54th's" white commanding officer. Why are we made to see the African American troops through his eyes instead of seeing him through theirs?

Despite that petty rant, and some historical inaccuracies (e.g., the 54th was not the first regiment to hire non-whites), this is a very well-made movie that's definitely worth owning for its absolutely electric atmosphere. And Denzel.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: "Give 'em Hell, 54!"
Review: "Glory" is a movie set in the mid 1800's during Civil War time. It centers around one regiment - the 54th Massachusetts - an all-volunteer black group of men. These men were looked down on (many or all as slaves) and had to prove themselves day in and day out. The 54th faced many struggles both mentally and physically... whether it be the acceptance from other Union members and regiments, the need for shoes and socks, the want of new uniforms, being paid less than everyone else, etc. Edward Zwick directs, Matthew Broderick (as a very young Colonel Robert Shaw) and Denzel Washington (as "Trip", a runaway slave with principles and an attitude) star. Denzel stole many a scene in this movie - the best probably being the scene where he deserted to find some shoes and ended up getting whipped in front of the entire 54th. Fine supporting roles from Morgan Freeman (as "Rawlins") and Carl Ewes (as Shaw's best friend "Major Forbes"). The 54th finally get their chance to do battle in a losing cause at Fort Wagner in South Carolina. "Glory" won 3 Oscars - for cinematography, musical score, and supporting actor (Denzel Washington). Only thing odd about this movie I noticed was that they would flash the month and year of what was going on... almost all months indicated were summer months, yet you saw the actors (and horses) breath in many a scene - indicating it was very cold. Great movie, but not sure the 'extras' on this new (2001) 2-disc set are worth the higher price of the original single disc release.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Not That Glorious
Review: This decent but far from excellent drama has a couple of good moments and manages to give some insight into the American Civil War, still it`s way too overrated and glorified. Director Edward Zwick wants to praise the black soldiers` stenght and relevant contribution, yet unfortunately his perspective is too similar to that of an average, altough well-intended, TV-movie. Sure, there are plenty of good performances here (Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, most of the cast is fine, to be fair) and the settings are competent enough, but the movie drags in many moments, has too many patchy scenes and the annoying and awe-inspiring score doesn`t help. "Glory" is a relevant document, not quite a particularly strong and impressive cinematic experience. It`s overlong, predictable and more PC than it really needed to, delivering an ok but nothing special movie. Good to kill a couple of hours and even think a bit, but a masterpiece it is not.

Competently made and watchable enough.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Civil War Movie
Review: This movie tells of the first all-black regiment to fight in the civil war.Some excellent performances by Morgan Freeman,Denzel Washington and Matthew Broderick. Denzel won his first oscar for his role as an illiterate black union solider in this film. The ending is very sad and I wont ruin it. Buy or rent this spectacular Civil War film.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: An Incredible Movie
Review: I saw this movie at school, as part of a unit about the civil war. I wasn't looking forward to it that much. When I found out that Matthew Broderick and Denzel Washington were in it, I was a little more excited about it. I am so glad I saw this movie. It is a great film. It has excellent performances by pretty much everybody in it, and is very poignant. Glory tells the story of the 54th Regiment during the Civil War. It is a must see not only for those interested in the Civil War, but for anybody looking for a great movie with great acting, great directing, great everything

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A movie about the all black 54th Regiment of Massachusetts
Review: What a great movie about the Civil War. I never knew the 54th Regiment existed or if I did I forgot and what they did actually happened until this movie came out. Great History lesson film!!! And watching it in a movie with great actors one such as Denzel Washington, in an Oscar winning performance as the runaway slave soldier whipped for leaving trying to find a pair of shoes to replace the ones he had with holes in them....and how he stood there taking the whipping, I appauld him and cried. Great performance by Morgan Freeman as well in his character as Sgt. Major Rawlins being the liaison between the black soldiers and Colonel Robert Gould Shaw played by Matthew Broderick, which I have never seen playing such a serious role, I was surprise. Cary Elwes was also good in his character as Major Cabot Forbes, which I think was good for Col. Robert Shaw to have such a friend by his side. Sad ending to a very well put together historical movie, one which should be in classrooms and used as a learning tool.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Shortest But Sweetest Review
Review: Best Movie ever.its a true story..its accurate

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: best civil war movie!!
Review: this is a great movie! i saw it in class thinking it was just another boring movie but it was the best! very sad at the end though! get the movie you will not regret it!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wonderful Civil War Epic
Review: This film not only represents the best depiction of the Civil War era of any film (including Gone With The Wind), it also portrays the complexity of race relations at that time with a diverse cast of characters who represent the full spectrum of attitudes and prejudices both white and black. Fine performances by Morgan Freeman. Denzel Washington , Mathew Broderick and many others contribute to the dramatic story of the 54th Mass. These men come to the training camp with a wide range of differences that at times seem unbridgeable and are united through hard experience in war that in the end enables them to look past those differences and honor each other's unique contributions.

The movie accomplishes all of this without becoming overly sentimental or contrived. The final battle scene is a remarkable ending that pays tribute to the bravery of these men with unforgettable symbolism.

Overall this is one of the finest historically based movies to come out of Hollywood in decades. Highest recommnedation.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Massachusetts 54th
Review: The Glory of this moving true story of Shaw and the Massachusetts 54th is unbelievable! The heroic deeds of this regiment have been beautifully recorded in this film as well as in writings of Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women, and in a beautiful monument in Boston Commons. This film was a fitting tribute to a brave group of men who gave their lives to preserve the union, and one commander, who was man enough to call a black man his brother.


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