GLORY(1989)
CAST: Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Cary Elwes, Andre Braugher, Jihmi Kennedy, Bob Gunton, Cliff De Young
REVIEW: Perhaps the best Civil War movie ever made- and one of the best war movies period- Glory depicts the oft-told war between the states from an extremely rarely shown viewpoint- that of freed slaves fighting for the Union (albeit under the command of white officers). Author Kevin Jarre once commented that he hadn't realized blacks fought in the Civil War until he saw the relief sculpture depicting Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Regiment Memorial in Boston Common, by August Saint-Gaudens. After this discovery, and the knowledge that the majority of other Americans probably didn't realize it either, Jarre felt compelled to bring their neglected story to the screen. The main source for the screenplay were the writings of Colonel Shaw himself, which he sent back home to his parents in Massachusetts. Aside from Shaw, the other main characters are not based on specific people, but are composites of various soldiers of the 54th.
GLORY begins at the Battle of Antietum, the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, during which we meet Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick), a young Union captain from a wealthy Abolitionist family in Massachusetts who reads Emerson and is filled with the idealistic belief that the Northern objective is to liberate the slaves. Shaw next attends a meeting of Union officers and Northern political figures, among them his parents and the legendary escaped slave Frederick Douglass (Raymond St. Jacques), who inform him that President Lincoln has decided to form a regiment of black soldiers. Despite his idealistic belief in freeing the slaves, Shaw and his friend Forbes (Cary Elwes) are none too enthusiastic when they are selected to command them. The first recruit is Shaw's freeman friend Thomas (Andre Braugher), who soon discovers that his comrades do not approach his level of culture and education. Among them are the gravedigger Rawlins, the stuttering Jupiter Sharts (Jihmi Kennedy), and the tough, bullying Trip (Denzel Washington, in a deservedly Oscar-winning role). Each of these men are distinct and rounded individuals, and while Shaw's worst fears initially appear to be realized when his new men have no idea how to organize themselves for his viewing, he soon comments proudly in a letter to his mother that they seem to learn faster than white soldiers. At the same time, he is insecurely aware that they are a separate culture, and doesn't feel as though he connects with them as much as he would like. During their combat training with the harsh Irish Sergeant Mulcahey (John Finn), he must also deal with Forbes, who doesn't believe they will ever be allowed into combat and isn't bothering to properly train them. The men think of Shaw as a "hard man", but the more observant and intelligent among them, particularly Thomas and Rawlins, realize that he is teaching them what they need to know. When they are finally sent into the field, Forbes' prediction that they will never be allowed into combat seems to come true as the 54th Massachusetts is used only for menial labor, and is jeered at by white Union soldiers who refuse to obey Rawlins even when Shaw promotes him to Sergeant. A frustrated Shaw finally goes to General Harker (Bob Gunton) and the zealous Colonel Montgomery (Cliff De Young) to demand a battle command, which the 54th receives shortly thereafter and quickly distinguishes itself in combat. The 54th's reputation in battle grows, until they are chosen to make a dangerous climactic assault on Fort Wagner in Charleston Harbor.
Technically and historically speaking, Glory is one the best Civil War movies ever made, and on that and nearly every other level, it is one of the best movies period. The entire cast is completely authentic; Broderick is particularly impressive for those who only know him as Ferris Bueller. Freeman is the wise, patient character he is so adept at playing, and Washington has a powerful scene where he is whipped by Sgt. Mulcahey, a single tear running down his hard face. The assault on Fort Wagner is one of the most powerful and harrowing battles I have ever seen onscreen, and it is impossible not to be moved by the end of this stunning film. If Kevin Jarre's goal when writing Glory was, as he said, to call attention to the neglected contributions of black Civil War soldiers, he has every right to be proud of his work, as does everyone involved.
RATING: 
