"Glory" is an important film for all Americans to see...

Rating: 10/10 (6 July 2009)

When I first heard of the film "Glory" all I saw it being was another war movie with plenty of action and re-enactments of historic battle scenes. Since I am a fan of these films I felt that I needed to see it. Ironically, I viewed this film only a day after the Fourth of July, a national holiday that celebrates the American spirit to the fullest. I can safely say that "Glory", a film based off the the true story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry exemplifies what it truly means to be an American and fit in very appropriately with my Independence Day state of my mind.
The Civil War was a dark point in American history. Not only did it force fighting among brothers, it was the deadliest military conflict America has ever engaged in. The goal of the war for President Lincoln was to end slavery in the South, but to ultimately preserve the Union. "Glory" begins with Matthew Broderick who brilliantly plays the young Col. Robert Shaw at the battle of Antietam where he witnesses the horror of war. Shortly after the disastrous battle, he returns to his home where he is offered the command of an all black regiment, the 54th Massachusetts Infantry. Shaw accepts the offer and the main plot of "Glory" commences.
Broderick is perfect as Shaw because historically Col. Shaw was very young when he took command of the 54th. Broderick perfectly displays a young man who is forced to grow up and lead a group of hundreds of freed black slaves. He attempts to train them like typical Union soldiers and the recruits respond well, but when one recruit named Trip (Denzel Washington) disobeys orders, a severe punishment of flogging sends the whole regiment into painful memories of slavery. It is after Trip's lashing that the unit begins to grow together as one.
"Glory" is a great testament to the racism that plagued our nation during the Civil War. This is best displayed in the scene where Trip gets into a verbal conflict with a white Union soldier. Trip insists to the soldier that the 54th would win the war if they would be allowed to fight but the white soldier disagrees and a shoving match ensues. When I watched this I couldn't believe that racism could make men who were fighting on the same and would ultimately die together so hateful towards each other. This moment causes Trip to be condescending to his fellow regiment members as well for he has lost all confidence that he will ever get to fight for the nation he loves. Sgt. Maj. Rawlins (Morgan Freeman) clues Trip in on the fact that their white comrades fought to free the slaves and by doing so gave them the opportunity to serve in the 54th.
The feel good moment of the movie however for me was when the 54th finally earns their right to fight and are included on a siege of Fort Wagner. The 54th knows this is their chance to prove themselves as soldiers and also as men. They volunteer to lead the assault even though they knew that their chance of survival would be low. As they marched through an assembly of white Union soldiers on the day of the attack one of the white men shouts, "Give em' hell 54" and the other soldiers join in. This is a triumphant moment in cinema for it is the first time that race was thrown out of the picture because they were together to the end...together they were free men...together they were Americans.
By reading this review you should know by now that I am in love with this film and the lessons I learned from it will stick with me forever. It makes one point very clear...hatred will destroy us. It also beautifully shows how men can come together and form incredible bonds that last a lifetime. In the end of the film when the 54th is slaughtered by the Confederates at Fort Wagner they are buried in a mass grave outside the fort. The film first shows Shaw, the privileged white man from Boston, go in the grave. Next to follow him is one of his soldiers. Forever they would rest in that place together. That moment was very moving for me.
Once again this film is extraordinary and the acting is superb. I can clearly see how this film jump started Denzel Washington's career because he was amazing as the conflicted Trip. Morgan Freeman was awesome as Rawlins, for once again he was a wise mentor, just like he is in every movie I see him in. It is full of great action sequences and one of the best story lines I have ever witnessed in a war film. If you haven't seen the movie go see it! 10 out of 10! Two thumbs up!