Edward Zwick's "Glory" is a cinematic testament to the heroism, bravery and courage of one of the first, and perhaps, most famous all-Black regiments during the American Civil War: The 54th Massachusettes Infantry. Matthew Broderick...
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Edward Zwick's "Glory" is a cinematic testament to the heroism, bravery and courage of one of the first, and perhaps, most famous all-Black regiments during the American Civil War: The 54th Massachusettes Infantry. Matthew Broderick leads an all-star cast through this epic period of time. Playing as Col. Robert Gould Shaw, Broderick finds himself thrust in to performing a duty that he initially has enormous apprehensions about. But over the course of the movie through narrations sourced from the actual letters and diary of the real-life Col. Shaw, Broderick comes to an epiphany of sorts about the opportunity he has been granted, and the extreme privilege that has been bestowed upon him in leading one of the first all-Black regiments in history. Cary Elwes plays Maj. Forbes who is Col. Shaw's second-in-command, and later on in the movie (as we come to find out), becomes Col. Shaw's voice of reason.

Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington each deliver outstanding performances as former slaves that become newly enlisted, and must quickly adapt to life in a (until then) all White army. They learn that even though they are fighting on the same side as other White regiments they don't always see eye to eye off the battlefield, as the other White soldiers tend to resent them. Andre Braugher plays an up and coming Boston socialite and childhood friend of Col. Shaw, as well as becoming the regiment's first volunteer.

The movie chronicles the real life hurdles that the soldiers from the 54th had to face both on and off the battlefield. Issues such as racism, acceptance, perseverence, duty, honor, comaradarie and more are all addressed in "Glory." For many who don't know much about the Civil War, the very idea of enlisting Black soldiers was just as controversial in many people's minds as the war itself. Many Northern free-thinkers who opposed slavery also opposed the raising of Black troops. But "Glory" does an excellent job of showcasing the many obstacles that these brave Black soldiers were forced to endure from their White counter-parts who wore the same uniform. One of Edward Zwick's best, "Glory" is a shining example of a modern film classic. It brings to the forefront an oft neglected aspect of one of the most crucial wars in American history; and I daresay it is one of the best war movies that has ever come out of Hollywood before or since.