This Civil War period piece is simply stunning

Rating: 9/10 (25 October 2016)

Set in the mid-1800s when the South was ravaged by slavery of the African-American descent and society was plagued by the spread of racial prejudice against all outside the White protestant, this Edward Zwick directed period piece pulls viewers into the harsh reality of the Civil War, a violent, bloody conflict between the Union and Confederacy that changed the face of America forever; but without the deaths of many American lives. Based on true historical events, this Civil War epic sees a charismatic cast of Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman, and Denzel Washington each in one of their most alluring roles of their career, with performances that shine like gold and a beautifully written story that drives on an irresistibly powerful journey through the heart of one of America's harshest periods. The film tells the intriguing story of Colonel Robert Shaw (played by Matthew Broderick) following his injury in the devastating Battle of Antieham, a soldier of the Union Army who lead the first African American infantry unit on the battlefield with his childhood friend Lieutenant Cabot Forbes (played by Cary Elwes)second in command. Some of his unit recruits include former slave Private Silas Trip (played by Denzel Washington) and Sergeant Major John Rawlins (played by Morgan Freeman) as these brave men sprawl across the South in a blood-raging battle against the Confederate Army.
What becomes of a war for freedom costs the lives of the brave ones who are willing to fight for it, and this historical epic doesn't pull the punches when showing this. Opening up with the brutal depiction of the Battle of Antieham that ends in gruesome imagery of mortally wounded soldiers, this film sees Edward Zwick portraying the reality of the Civil War in arguably one of its finest cinematic depictions yet, if not the best. The story which is written by Kevin Jarre magnificently sets off a compelling journey of Colonel Robert Shaw and his daunting effort to lead a group of African-Americans in a fight for justice, while facing various tribulations of war and the hardships of keeping the old soldiers in lane. While the characters (even Robert Shaw) are by no means unlikable, they are definitely shown to be conflicted with inner demons; particularly from the results of their experience of racial prejudice, And this provides plenty of elements of substance. As the story progresses, we are allowed precious time to explore the heroism of the characters as well as their uncertain flaws including the rebellious Silas Trip played by Denzel Washington who is deeply absorbing and emotionally investing in his role, a man who struggles to face the hardships of role and rebels against his fellow commander; resulting in a emotionally powerful whipping scene. Matthew Broderick and his co-stars Cary Elwes and Morgan Freeman are also given the opportunity the stretch their immersive talent in their roles. But in the end, it is Washington who becomes the primary source of poignancy.
Glory is a stunning Civil War epic that succeeds on a smart narrative scope, but not without the enchanting performance by Matthew Broderick and the leading source of emotional resonance by Denzel Washington. Though this isn't the grittiest war picture out there, especially when compared to more modern efforts in the war genre. But it is definitely a smart one that is more than worth sitting through.