Before I give my opinion of this movie, I want to start off by sharing with my readers one of the negative aspects that is shared by several people out there. And that is that this movie was a potentially racist movie because it was seen mostly through the eyes of the regiment leader, Robert Shaw as opposed to one of the black soldiers in the regiment. This is preposterous, if one has any knowledge of the background of this movie. This movie was based on the letters Robert Shaw was writing and he is the narrator of this movie. So why shouldn't the movie be seen through his eyes? Now granted, I think Washington and Freeman are the better actors. But, that just means that there should of been a better lead actor other than Broderick. I think the director's goal was to show his viewers how a white man reacted to the blacks. Maybe he didn't believe viewers would sympathize with the blacks unless they saw a white man's reaction. Anyways, like I said before, this racism complaint is absurd. This movie has nothing to do with racism, it is the telling of how black men, primarily free but also slaves lead by white men, give their all(their everything) in a seemingly lost battle.
Now that I have hopefully cleared that up let's talk about the movie. I will not be sharing too much about the movie, because it is a must see for those war movie buffs out there. I will say that this movie is the best war movie I have ever seen mainly because of the chemistry between Freeman, Washington, and Broderick. Like I all ready mentioned, I believe there could of been a better lead actor than Broderick, it does not take much away from the movie. I also enjoy the themes brilliantly portrayed in this movie: friendship, devotion, and courage. In one of the most desecrating battles of the civil war, where the 54th regiment was running uphill practically into gunfire, courage and devotion was the only thing that could possibly get them through. Director Zwick did a remarkable job interweaving these ideas together through excellent acting and cinematography. "Glory" won three academy awards in 1989, including best cinematography.
Before, I finish my review I want to leave with you a short dialogue from the movie.
" Lord, we stand before you this evening, to say thank you! And we thank you, father, for your grace, and your many blessings! Now I run off, leaving all my young'uns and my kinfolk, in bondage. So I'm standing here this evening, Heavenly Father, to ask your blessings on all of us. So that if tomorrow is the great getting-up morning, if that tomorrow we have to meet the Judgement Day, O Heavenly Father, we want you to let our folks know that we died facing the enemy! We want 'em to know that we went down standing up! Amongst those that are fighting against our oppression. We want 'em to know, Heavenly Father, that we died for freedom! We ask these blessings in Jesus' name. Amen! "
So, in conclusion, this movie is an excellent portrayal of courage and devotion even in the hardships of war. I would highly recommend it to anyone out there who loves war history. Even if you are not a fan, you will be touched by the compelling acting of the main characters and the themes so brilliantly conveyed in this movie.
What are your thoughts? Concerns? Was this movie a success? Who would you of chosen to play Broderick's role?
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