watching the movie, I could tell what the criticism might be

Rating: 8/10 (15 April 2012)

This past weekend has mostly seen people remembering the 100th anniversary of the Titanic's sinking, but the past year has been another anniversary: the Civil War. One of the best movies about that war is Edward Zwick's "Glory", about the first all-black regiment in the Union army. While I was watching it, I got the feeling that there might be criticism of the movie since the main focus is Col. Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick), who led the platoon into battle. Even so, the movie devotes ample time to the recruits and the discrimination that they face even from their own side. I found Trip (Denzel Washington) to be the most effective character in the movie, especially in the scene where he has his least pleasant experience.
The point is that the movie does a great job showing how the 54th Regiment fought for what was probably the most important issue of the era, with fine performances from all cast members (who also include Morgan Freeman and Cary Elwes). Very much one that I recommend.