Glory

Rating:
Summary: The best Civil War movie of all time.
Review: Being a Civil War reenactor, as a group we tend to be very skeptical of the historical movies that hollywood provides.Glory is probably the only movie that almost every reenactor liked and sung the praises for. Glory stands out as a masterpiece of this terrible time in the nations history. The cast was outstanding. Broderick is entirely convincing in his role as the idealistic young Colonel Robert Gould Shaw who commanded ONE of the first all black units of the Civil war. Morgan freeman captures the persona of the "wise, veteran seargeant" that is a classic motif of the war movie genre. However to me the actor who steals the show is without a doubt Denzel Washington. Washington gave even us rebs someone to admire(even as he was taking down 2 and 3 rebs at a time) as he went from the angry, rebellious young private(and for good reason) to the fine soldier.

The plot of the movie is consistent, and came across as a true STORY to the audience, and not just a lecture. The film captured the extremely racist attitudes of the time, and the utter hell that the characters went through to overcome it. Also the score was great, especially the final climatic scene for the attack on Battery Wagner. When Shaw is killed by Confederates, the score picks up with a perfect tune as the 54th makes their final assault. But most importantly the movie does not bore the average viewer like Gettysburg did with its hours of talk. The movie takes a very good story, throws in some great characters, and follows it to a T. There is no wasted scene in Glory(which is more then we can say for other Civil war attempted movies). This made it a joy for both Civil War buff and regular viewer alike.

Now for the big sticking point. Historical accuracy. To this the movie scores a rather well score. Sure the final battle was not 100 percent accurate, and even the earliar skirmish in the woods(known in the war as the Battle for Sol Legare Island). But this movie was not a documentary. Its goal was not to give a blow by blow history of the 54th... just to tell their general "story". With that intent, the movie greatly lived up to its accolades for its accuracy. The battle scenes were outstanding and gave war its "hellish" view that was absent in Gettysburg to large degree. Only Private Ryan beats this movie in its effect at showing the viewer a taste of War.

Glory has also been arguable the most influential Civil War movie of all time. Tens of Thousands of people who had never picked up a Civil war book in their life, became hooked on this time period from Glory. That will perhaps be one of its finer legacies. How many african Americans(and Americans in general) became aware for the first time of those Blacks who wore a uniform in the Civil War from this movie. Countless. How many people do not know that honored legacy now that Glory has come out. Very few.

Move over Gettysburg, GWTW, and all the other "attempts" at a Civil war movie. Glory will probably never be topped in this genre. The best!!

Rating:
Summary: One of the Greatest Films Ever Made
Review: I'm going to be very simple with this. If you have never seen this movie, buy it right now! You will not be dissapointed. Many people, including myself, describe this movie as one of the greatest ever made.

Rating:
Summary: wow
Review: Saw this in the 8th grade and liked it..saw it again yesterday in US HIstory..LOVED IT. i'ma buy it on dvd now.!!

Rating:
Summary: My favorite war movie
Review: I thought that the whole cast was superb in this movie. I almost cried when Denzel Washington's character was whipped. The look in his eyes sent chills up and down my side. The battle scenes were glorious and epic.

Rating:
Summary: one of the best films ever made!
Review: "glory" was one of the finest films i have ever seen. i am a huge civil was fan and this is perfect for showing what it was like! all the actors did a wonderful kob, even mathew brodric which i was really surprised at. usually he is a pretty lousy actor, but he was great in this! the music is wonderful, it was written by james horner. this movie won three academy awards inclyding best supporting actor "denzel whashington", best sound and best cinematography. i think it deserved best picture! if you are a war movie fan, you will love this!

Rating:
Summary: Made for TV quality
Review: Having read such glowing reviews I ran out and bought this movie. I was very disapointed. It has the look and feel of a made for TV movie. Everyone looks as if they just hopped out of the shower. The battle scenes appeare to have been filmed on a freshly mowed golf course, the putting greens possibly. The confederates are as well clothed as the union soldiers. They all have boots! The music indicates when you are supposed to feel moved. I can't feel moved 50 times an hour. The characters all act and talk as if it were 1989. This has been my least favorite war movie.

Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: This movie is an absolute success in filmmaking! Denzel does a great job acting, and so does Mathew Broderick. It builds as the movie progresses and it ends on a powerful note. Great use of accents by all and a very patriot movie that shows one of the many struggles for freedom. If you like movies in this category, but this one now, it is one of the greats!

Rating:
Summary: The Glory...and the Dream
Review: "Glory" ranks on my list as one of the best Civil War films ever made! This cinematic masterpiece traces the founding and short-lived career of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, the first "all-black" volunteer regiment in the Union army. (By law, all officers had to be white.)

Matthew Broderick stars as the 54th Regiment's commanding officer, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw. Already a grizzled veteran of a the battle of Antietam at the tender age of 24, Shaw is offered command of the new all-volunteer regiment of black soldiers. He accepts the risky officer, enlists the aid of his friend, Cabot Forbes, and begins to recruit runaway slaves and northern "freemen" to join the regiment.

Much of the movie chronicles the 54th regiment's struggle to become a credible fighting force. It's a struggle made nearly impossible by the institutional ineptitude of the Union army and the racial bigotry of many of its officers. The newly recruited black soldiers want nothing more than to fight; the army brass sees them as nothing more than a political expedient and a laughable experiment, capable of nothing more than digging ditches and clearing forests. Against these odds, Shaw, with the help of Forbes and the irascible, bigoted Irishman, Sergeant Major Mulcahy, manages to turn his ragtag band of soldiers into a cohesive fighting unit. How the 54th Massachusettes Regiment fares in its first major engagement - the assault upon Battery Wagner in 1863 - forms the beautiful climactic event of this film.

Matthew Broderick moves away from his usual fluffy, comedic roles (i.e., Ferris Bueller,) and successfully proves himself a serious actor capable of bringing maturity and depth to his role as Colonel Shaw. Denzel Washington's marvelous portrayal as the embittered, cynical runaway slave Trip earned him an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor. Cary Elwes is less successful in his role as the irresponsible and sometimes insubordinate Major Cabot Forbes. His acting seemed a bit "over the top" at times. Excellent performances are also turned in by Morgan Freeman (Sergeant Major Rawlins), Andre Braugher (Thomas Searles), John Finn (Sergeant Major Mulcahy), and Jihmi Kennedy (Jupiter Sharts).

"Glory's" cinematography is breathtaking throughout. The screenplay is powerfully lyrical in its beauty, and James Horner's beautifully haunting musical score adds a tremendous depth of emotion to an already powerfully evocative film.

"Glory" is a sumptuously produced and well acted movie, a sure bet to please all fans of a good war movie. Highly recommended!!

Rating:
Summary: THIS IS A MOVIE
Review: I think those who think "THE PATRIOT" ( with Mel Gibson ) is a great epic movie, should watch "GLORY". This is a true movie. The battle sequences really have meaning and add to the plot. The personal drama of the characters don't seem forced or artificial. The cast is inspired, Washington launched his career here. The ending is not a fairy tale ending, but a real one. Anyway, it's already a classic, even being only eleven years-old.

Rating:
Summary: an unlikely group of heros
Review: When the Government in Washington gave its grudging permission in January, 1863,Massachusetts set about recruiting and training a pioneer Black regiment to prove that "Black Men can Fight" and, by extension, function as members of a democracy. "Glory" tells the story, in part through the letters of its commander, the very young, shy, idealistic patrician, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw. He's portrayed as a historically real person; his Black soldiers (very little is known about them) are portrayed as lads-going-off-to-war types, but well defined and of course with a new slant to the old formula: they're Black. The story includes not just recruitment and training but shows the terrible prejudice against which men and officers had to struggle: ironically, they had to fight in order to be allowed to fight. The acting's excellent, including Matthew Broderick as Shaw: even his occasional woodenness and remoteness bring him alive as he sets out to build his regiment. We see him grow,and relax as he gains confidence. The Black soldiers--Denzel Washington, Morgan Freman, Andre Braugher and Jhimi Kennedy--work well as individuals and as ensemble actors. As they wrestle with their fears and limitations, we also see them grow. As the historical figure Frederick Douglass says in the film, an opportunity to strike a blow for their own people will confer honor "where they have known only degradation." That takes growing, too. Meanwhile the Award-winning photography draws us in with the specifics while letting the past stay in the past. There are some lovely shots to look for: my favorite is of a soldier proudly trying out his new combat boots. The film's famous battle scenes are vivid, horrendous and terrifying. Over all the music soars, drawing us in even when we want most to resist. For a summary of what the Civil War was really about, you can't do better; for a moving experience watching human beings growing and trying to become better people, you probably can't do better, either.