The Greatest Civil War Film of all Time

Rating: 10/10 (27 October 2007)

If you haven't yet seen this film, prepare to be moved! James Horner composes arguably his best score (some think now that The New World or perhaps Braveheart top it) and it compliments the film in ways few other pieces can do. I should note that Morgan Freeman should have gotten the nod for best supporting actor here too, although Denzel did win for his role in this film which was much deserved for an excellent performance. Glory is the saga of the 54th Massachusetts regiment, a group of African-American soldiers who enlist to fight as Union soldiers for the chance to prove their worth in the chaotic times of the Civil War.
Set against this tumultuous backdrop, the uniqueness of Glory lies not only in the subject matter at hand but the way Edward Zwick delicately develops the the balance of racial prejudices between the characters. Zwick is a master of character drama in a historical setting and uses his knowledge to enhance the script and the direction of the film, ultimately leading to one of the finest war films of all time. To say this is only a war film though denies Glory of its right to stand as one of the great race relations and character dramas ever recorded. For, without giving anything away, it is clear that each of the fine performances delivered on screen represent the characters whom in real life, whether black or white, so passionately wanted to preserve the Union for all Americans.
10/10