Glory

Rating: 7/10 (16 October 2008)

From Golden Globe nominated director Edward Zwick (Legends of the Fall, Blood Diamond), this is a terrific war film that I mainly knew for the title, three of the actors, and the fact that one of them won an Oscar. Based on the letters of the lead character, Col. Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick) of the Federal Army during the American Civil War volunteered to lead the first company of black soldiers. In this company included Shaw's right hand, Maj. Cabot Forbes (Cary Elwes), Sgt. Maj. John Rawlins (Morgan Freeman), Pvt. Jupiter Sharts (Jihmi Kennedy), and of course, Pvt. Trip (Oscar and Golden Globe winning Denzel Washington). Shaw was forced to deal with prejudices from both the enemy (who had orders to kill commanding officers of blacks), and of his own fellow officers. Also starring Andre Braugher as Cpl. Thomas Searles, John Finn as Sgt. Maj. Mulcahy, Donovan Leitch as Capt. Charles Fessenden Morse, John David Cullum as Henry Sturgis Russell, Alan North as Gov. John Albion Andrew, Cliff De Young as Col. James M. Montgomery, Bob Gunton as Gen. Charles Garrison Harker and Jane Alexander as Sarah Blake Sturgis Shaw. Broderick's performance may be slightly woody, but its still substantial, Freeman and Washington obviously have no problem proving themselves worthy actors, and Washington certainly deserved his Oscar. The battle scenes are all very watchable, and the premise of the film is very appealing to see the history of who was allowed to fight in future wars change. It won the Oscars for Best Cinematography and Best Sound, and it was nominated for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration and Best Film Editing, it was nominated the BAFTA for Best Cinematography, and it was nominated the Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture - Drama, Best Original Score for James Horner and Best Screenplay. Denzel Washington was number 28, and Morgan Freeman number 27 on The 100 Greatest Movie Stars, Washington was also number 40 on The World's Greatest Actor, the film was number 68 on The 100 Greatest War Films, and it was number 31 on 100 Years, 100 Cheers. Very good!