Movie-A-Day #63: Glory

[MadCardDisease]

Amazon.com essential video
One of the very best films about the Civil War, this instant classic from 1989 is also one of the few films to depict the participation of African American soldiers in Civil War combat. Based in part on the books Lay This Laurel by Lincoln Kirstein and One Gallant Rush by Peter Burchard, the film also draws from the letters of Robert Gould Shaw (played by Matthew Broderick), the 25-year-old son of Boston abolitionists who volunteered to command the all-black 54th Regiment of the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. Their training and battle experience leads them to their final assault on Fort Wagner in South Carolina, where their heroic bravery turned bitter defeat into a symbolic victory that brought recognition to black soldiers and turned the tide of the war. With painstaking attention to historical detail and richness of character, the film boasts superior performances by Denzel Washington (who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor), Morgan Freeman, Cary Elwes, and Andre Braugher. Directed by Edward Zwick (cocreator of the TV series thirtysomething), this unforgettable drama is as important as Schindler's List in its treatment of a noble yet little-known episode of history.


This ranks up there as one of my all time favorite films. It has amazing performances by Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman two of my favorite actors. In fact I believe that this was Washington's best role.

The cinematography is unblievable throughout the movie. My favorite seen has to be the final charge at the end of the movie.

Lets not forget that it also has probably the best sound track I have ever heard. I own the Glory CD and listen to it all the time. The Boys Choir of Harlem did a spetacular job. This music has been reused by countless other flicks.

What a great movie.

 

[Chaplin]

I pretty much agree with your entire sentiment, MCD. There are very little flaws in this film (ironically, the flaws are in the white actors, not black).

Denzel is absolutely riveting--the scene where he is whipped is one of the most well-acted scenes I've ever seen. I noticed the last time I watched it that during that scene I was actually sitting forward in anticipation of the acting--even though I had seen it countless times. (I have the DVD and Laserdisc)

This is also definitely a movie that can easily make a man cry.

 

[Dback Jon]

Another great choice! This is the film that made Denzel a major player in the acting world.

 

[FischerKing]

The wife always talked about how great this movie was and I finally watched it about a month ago - amazing story and amazing acting. I was totally floored and I loved it!!!

Good pick.

Shawn

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Originally posted by FischerKing
The wife always talked about how great this movie was and I finally watched it about a month ago - amazing story and amazing acting. I was totally floored and I loved it!!!

Good pick.

Shawn

Wow, you just saw it a month ago. What a great flick...one of the greatest war movies I've ever seen.

Mike

 

[MadCardDisease]

Originally posted by Chaplin
Denzel is absolutely riveting--the scene where he is whipped is one of the most well-acted scenes I've ever seen. I noticed the last time I watched it that during that scene I was actually sitting forward in anticipation of the acting--even though I had seen it countless times. (I have the DVD and Laserdisc)

Great Scene! When that tear roles down his eye during the whipping, Wow. I think I do the same thing when that scene comes on.

 

[mdamien13]

My favorite scene is that beautiful crane shot they do when Col. Shaw lets his horse run along the beach and faces his men. Just the beauty of it vs. the ensuing carnage is incredible.

Scene that jerks my heartstrings everytime - Denzel grabbing the flag during the final charge.

 

[Shane]

Great pickk and an absolutely superb movie!

This is easily one of my favorites of all time and is one that I can watch over and over!

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by mdamien13
My favorite scene is that beautiful crane shot they do when Col. Shaw lets his horse run along the beach and faces his men. Just the beauty of it vs. the ensuing carnage is incredible.

Scene that jerks my heartstrings everytime - Denzel grabbing the flag during the final charge.

**********SPOILER****************

And it's very tragic that both "main" characters (Shaw and Trip) die BEFORE the rest of the regiment enters the fort--I love that--as well as the final tracking shot of Cary Elwes and Morgan Freeman leading the men through the fort, and then ending so abruptly.

It's a terrific ending because he never shows whether or not they are actually killed--the graves only show Matthew Broderick and Denzel Washington. You assume they were killed, but I think it relies a bit on mystery at the end--makes you continue to think about it after the credits begin.

 

[Shane]

Chap,

Im curious what flaws did you see in the White actors?

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by Shane H
Chap,

Im curious what flaws did you see in the White actors?

I like Matthew Broderick, but I had some issues with his age, or at least, his look in the movie. He does a credible job, but matched up against Morgan Freeman and Denzel, you can see a big difference.

I also really like Cary Elwes, but the second half of the film made him almost seem like a throwaway character.

Sgt. Mulcahy was acted really well, if just a little cliched--which, as you probably know, I hate cliched movies/aspects of movies.

But my main beef is from Matthew Broderick--he didn't really portray his motivation to lead the regiment--we don't know why he decided to, after it appeared he wanted out of the war.

I'm not saying they were a waste--far from it. There are just some things that IMO hold the movie back from being "perfect".

 

[seesred]

LOve this flick. My favorite part is the night before the big battle they are sitting around a camp fire and start into a spiritual song each taking a part. Morgan Freeman was terrific in this movie and seeing his expressions and the cadense of his hands clapping will always be remembered by me as one of the saddest moments in film.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I just saw this for the first time last week and holy cow - incredible movie. The first movie I've been able to watch at home and sit throughout and not move once in years.

The final battle and tyhe final charge led by Freeman and Elwes was without a doubt one of the best movie climaxes I have ever seen. Really wish I had seen this in the theaters and not on a 27 inch TV screen. Brilliant, brilliant movie.

Oh - and the Braveheart score which I loved has been replac3ed by the original score it was basically usurped from in this film(yes - I know James Horner did the score for both movies - but it sounded almost like the exact same thing).

 

[Jersey Girl]

LOve this flick. My favorite part is the night before the big battle they are sitting around a camp fire and start into a spiritual song each taking a part. Morgan Freeman was terrific in this movie and seeing his expressions and the cadense of his hands clapping will always be remembered by me as one of the saddest moments in film.

Agreed!!! This was a great movie!!!

 

[Chaplin]

Oh - and the Braveheart score which I loved has been replac3ed by the original score it was basically usurped from in this film(yes - I know James Horner did the score for both movies - but it sounded almost like the exact same thing).

Too bad the score for Glory is only like a half hour long on CD.

 

[Bada0Bing]

I just started this movie last night while on the treadmill. All of a sudden I looked down and an hour was gone. I'm not sure how I missed this one. I thought that I had pretty much seen every 80's movie ever made. I can't wait to finish it off.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman, and Denzel gave absolutely wonderful performances in this movie.

 

[Bada0Bing]

I just finished this. Wow, this was a great movie. I might have to move this into my 20 movies to see list. Denzel was awesome. The last war scene was one of the best I’ve ever seen.