Rating: 
Summary: Truly great war film
Review: A wonderful way for people not familiar with the U.S. Civil War to familiarise themselves with this history. There is great acting from all the stars, notably Broderick, Washington, and Freeman, the last in an early role. James Horner's score is well up to standard and the battle scenes are exceptionally well staged. This touches on an often ignored part of history; the role that minority races played in the building of our great nations. This educates and informs, but above all, entertains. Great movie.
Rating:
Summary: A Historical Classic
Review: I saw this movie on TV a couple months ago and it prompted me to buy this DVD. Once I got the DVD, I immediately noticed the huge improvement in graphics and sound. The battle scenes on a home stereo system are incredible. Not only are the features good, but the movie itself is wonderful. This movie was one of the few movies to acurately reflect (from a historical aspect, as I have no person knowledge obviously) the struggle of the first black infantry division of the Union. With stars like Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington (Academy Award), and Matthew Brodrick this movie was set to be a hit from the start.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent DVD of an excellent movie
Review: Recently, I rented the DVD of the Civil War epic Glory. I had seen the movie before and I loved it. This DVD only made me appreciate more and I'm glad I rented it. Matthew Broderick gives an excellent portrayal of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, who is selected to lead the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, the first all black regiment of the Civil War. He not only has to fight for respect for his men, but also for his own respect. Cary Elwes is Shaw's brother, who is picked to help lead the 54th. Among the soldiers is Denzel Washington, in an Academy Award Winning Performance and Morgan Freeman. Washington, in the beginning of the movie, has no respect for the White man and hates him. But at the end, he gets rid of his hatred. That's what I think the film's final image represents: the unity of the black and white man as one. Shaw also gains the respect of his men when they charge Fort Wagner. The extras on the DVD are excellent. There is a commentary track from Director Edward Zwick that is excellent, though it may distract you from the movie. There are two featurettes: The original 1989 featurette that briefly covers the film's making and "Voices of Glory", which covers the story of the 54th from the actual letters from those who served. There is the original theatrical trailer as well as trailers for two other Denzel Washington movies (A Soldier's Story and Devil in a Blue Dress). There are also talent files and two deleted scenes. Though fascinating, after watching these scenes (With or without Zwick's commentary), it will be easy to see why they were deleted in the first place. The picture and sound quality is excellent. My only gripe is that in some scenes the sound is a bit low. Glory is one of those movies that uses both images and sound to its advantage. Nevertheless, the film is still just as powerful, especially during the final scenes at Fort Wagner. So all things considered, this DVD transfer is excellent and would make a welcome addition to anyone's collection
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Film
Review: One of the best films ever produced, with outstanding performances by Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington. This brilliant film was accompanied by some fantastic music to play upon the viewers emotions.
Rating:
Summary: The Absolute Best!
Review: Glory has to be the best movie ever made. There are so many memorable lines and moments in this film. There is not a more powerful scene than when they find Denzel Washington's character to be a deserter. He is then brought before the entire regiment and is flogged with a whip. But when they rip his shirt off, he has too many wounds to count from previous whippings, most likely as a slave. Col. Shaw makes the decision to procede, and as the two stare at each other eye to eye the music blares on until the scene climaxes with a tear running down Washington's cheek. Truly an outstanding film, even better on DVD. You must get this!!
Rating:
Summary: War at its harshest,Men at their bravest
Review: This movie inspired me to actually go to Harvard University to read the letters on which this movie is based.This is a true story.Men facing life and death and showing dignity at its finest.The dialog with keep you enthralled throughout and powerful performances by Matthew Broderick and Morgan Freeman was just a joy to see.The best of all was the perfomance by Denzel Washington.If you are a civil war buff and want to see a true story almost as it happened this is the movie for you.If you aren't a civil war buff...its still the movie to see.This is a movie that should and will someday be one of the great classics.
Rating:
Summary: The only film of it's kind
Review: Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, and Morgan Freeman are amazing in this masterful Civil War docu-drama about a platoon of African-American men fighting for their freedom. Scenery is exquisite. Directing is even better. The writing is a feat which most historical dramas since haven't reached.
Rating: 
Summary: Kick in like men!
Review: 'We've got to ante up and kick in, like men!" is the riposte of Morgan Freeman to the disaffected Denzil Washington in this Civil War drama based on a true story. As a Civil War buff, I loved it - possibly the best representation of Civil war fighting ever, with a strong story line, populated by the fascinating characters. Of course there are errors, some even possibly deliberate e.g. the real regiment was not made up of escaped slaves, but were free blacks all born in the North. Basically, it was a story of recovered manhood by an formerly emasculated group, the 'nub' being that to recover your manhood, you must risk your life, so is the bargain worth it? The main theme is that acceptance by Trip (Washington), who up to the end seems to be the doubter, the one who lacks the basic discipline to perform as a soldier. "We win this war, we get nothin'" he tells the Colonel (Broderick) "You can go back to your comfortable Boston". "You'll get even less if we lose", is Broderick's reply. In the end, Trip dies a hero's death (predictably) and is buried next to the Colonel, in real life Robert Gould Shaw, the son of abolitionists. This is the film where Broderick escaped from the 'teen' image, and he provides a credible portrait of another unwilling hero. Despite the occasional piece of forced 'worthiness' (e.g. I thought the contrast between the regiment and the undisciplined, looting plantation blacks was overdone - if anything, white Union troops carried out worse depradations in the South), the film works as a true reflection of the black man's experience of the Civil War.
Rating:
Summary: This is what a DVD should be
Review: What an excellent film and what great extras. If you are a high school history teacher, buy this for your class. The extra movies (documentaries) alone are worth the price.
Rating:
Summary: EPIC GREATNESS
Review: This could be the most-underrated movie of all-time. A movie that catapulted the careers of Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington also has great performances from Carey Elwes, Matthew Broderick and everyother cast member. A civil-war tale of the 54th Regiment, the first all-black regiment in the history of the United States. From the creation, the development and the heroic demise of the 54th. As all great epics do...artistic freedom is exercised by the creation of dramatized subplots. Whereas some movies drop the ball here (AHEM, PEARL HARBOR), this movie excels. My favorite subplots are Morgan Freeman's, Denzel Washington's and the character Thomas (a free-black "sissy"). One is the master of his soul. He's a mature leader with great ideals and easily lovable. Denzel is the anti-hero. He is so dislikable yet admirable. The character Thomas is neither accepted by blacks nor whites. He is the Uncle Tom character who wins his battle for respect. I cried numerous times throughout this movie for reasons of tragedy and joy. The highlight of this movie is the gospel-like campfire prayer of the black soldiers prior to the final scene of the movie. Every subplot is emotionally draining. I rate this movie in my Top 5 of all time alongside Godfather 1 & 2, Mississippi Burning, Empire Strikes Back and Black Rain. The DVD is the most feature-packed I own, and I own over 40. Brilliantly remastered. The sound, visuals, and features are incredible. An 80's movie that makes 2000 movie's shameful in technical brilliance. The play-along commentary by Morgan Freeman, Matthew Broderick and the creators were done separately. But the DVD creators have brilliantly mixed up various comments so as to appear that all were in the same room together. From Morgan Freeman's racially charged comments, the director's great insight into why he did what he did, to Matthew Broderick's anectdotal tales of his experiences making the movie. Don't just rent this DVD...BUY IT and watch it over and over again. You will never get bored of the emotional rollercoaster ride. You will feel like a hero just to have watch the heroism of the characters.
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