A Wonderful Cinema Experience

Rating: Null/10 (2 November 2001)

There is a scene near the end of this movie when Shaw is about to lead his men against Ft. Wagner. He hands letters to a reporter and then spends a few minutes alone with his thoughts. He knows he will likely die. In his face, you see the conflict between the fear and desire to live, and the duty he has to himself, his men, and his cause. It also seems you can see the grief and longing for the life he knows he won't get to have. How many times throughout history have men struggled so before a battle. That Broderick can capture and deliver these emotions is a testament to his acting prowess, and he winds up delivering the most quietly poignant moment of this truly great movie.
Broderick sneaks up on you. I first thought he was sleep-walking through the film. On reflection, you can see the intricacies of his subtle performance and how the tone was right for the story. Other performances are obvious in their greatness. Denzel Washington's Trip, for instance, with a single tear invading his stoicism and defiance against the whip. Here was a man whose color denied him the opportunity that his obvious intelligence should have afforded him. He is smart enough to analyze his plight endlessly, and becomes bitter and pessimistic. Yet still he fights, and he ultimately finds the only family he has really known. A well-deserved Oscar for Washington. Then there is Morgan Freeman - the great Morgan Freeman. Is he even capable of a bad job? Rawlins is every bit as intelligent as Trip, yet more seasoned by maturity and possibly family. He is a father-figure to the younger men and an anchor for the brigade. Andre Braugher's Thomas struggles to be a good soldier, an experience common to men, regardless of color, who were first facing the rigors of military training. Surviving training will help him survive on the battlefield. Shaw knows this and knows that his friend must persevere.
Excellent acting. Impressive battlefield sequences. Masterful score. Wonderful character development. And the historical perspective of showing all people that black people fought, and fought well, to win their freedom. Some of the treatments, attitudes and remarks in this movie are offensive to our modern day sensitivities, or should be, but they were the reality of the time and to include them makes the accomplishments of these men that much more heroic.
I am aware of the obstacles facing black actors in Hollywood and the dearth of quality parts. Yet I know that actors of color have given some of the most memorable performances in cinema history. Glory gives many of them a chance to shine, and they deliver. Thanks to them, this white male has a better appreciation of an important chapter in history. See this film. Then see it again.