Civil War Regiment

Rating: 9/10 (7 October 2009)

The Civil War was probably the most important, and deadliest war in United States history. This war can be found in many arguments as the very ending of slavery.
The film Glory directed by Edward Zwick, which has to be the best Civil War film of all time, was based in 1863. Robert G. Shaw was appointed Colonel of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment which was a volunteer colored regiment that was offered money to fight for the union army. Shaw and his commanding officers prepared these men for battle, but it was very difficult since Shaw's superior officers refused to provide his men with boots and socks because they were for colored men. Robert Shaw was told by many other regiment officers that his men would never fight a battle because they were colored. The 54th regiment finally received orders to a possible battle after Shaw threatened to reveal his commanders secret of unlawfully war tactics. They surprised many with their stunning first battle victory. Colonel Shaw than volunteered his men to be the first wave attack on Ft. Wagner, which was unsuccessful.
This film had many intentions, but it's main focus was the level of racism during those times. Even though these men were volunteering their lives to fight for the Union Army, they were still degraded because the color of their skin. It was amazing to see what great pride these colored soldiers still had within them even while racism was among them.
This movie was great, especially if you care to know the significance of history, and how things that has happened in the past made the United States what it is today. Films like this definitely shows the struggles African-Americans acquired during there lives before and during the Civil War. Edward Zwick did a wonderful job showing the audience in as much detail as he could, a bit of what the war was like, while showing the difficulties of being a colored person before and during the Civil War.