A better film these eyes have never seen!

Rating: 10/10 (21 June 2003)

I'll come right out and say it: This is the BEST film I have ever seen. I felt that way in early 1990 when I first saw it. I still feel that way now.

Everything about this film is excellent and inspiring. The entire cast is wonderful. The direction is flawless. The music is awe inspiring. The story is unforgettable. Any words I could come up with could never give this film the props it deserves. I wanted to scream when I heard this film wasn't even up for best picture in 1989. What in the hell were those Hollywood idiots thinking?
The film portrays the struggles of the first black United States regiment of soldiers during the Civil War. We are shown not only their battle for acceptance as a regular regiment, but the ferocious combat they saw on the front lines.
The film captures all of these elements with incredible accuracy and sincerity. We get to know only four of the soldiers personally, as well as two of the officers, but we come away feeling like we knew all of the men in the 54th Massachusetts. Washington was well deserving of his Oscar. Morgan Freeman should have gotten one, too. In fact, the Oscars that year should have been named "The Glory Show".
There are numerous scenes that make even a stoic midwesterner like me break down into tears as the action unfolds. The most haunting are when Washington is whipped for what the officers believe is an escape attempt, and the final battle scene.
I could go on forever about this film, but I won't. SEE IT!!! You may not like it as much as I did. War movies are not for everyone. It will at least move you in some way, though.
God bless the men of the 54th Massachusetts. With any luck, I'll get to speak to some of them in Heaven some day!
5 of 5 stars
So sayeth the Hound.