Glory

Super production - acting, script, follows historical storyline. Inspirational.

There are three interrelated movies giving perspective on the period from April 1861 to July 1863, better viewed not in the order they were produced but in the order of the historical timeline of events. Although Gods & Generals is the prequel to Gettysburg, the timeline of the era involves the events of Glory occurring before and at the same time as the events at Gettysburg, and they are therefore contextually integral in such a way that you may wish to view the film Glory before viewing Gettysburg. There is much difference in the production values not reviewed here, and these differences should not be considered when viewing this history since it is an assemblage of disparate productions. That being said, all three movies are well made, one being better than another and not a true example of a trilogy because the scripts were written at separate times and with different themes and different casts. Even so, all three scripts and their particular actors and visuals are interesting and fully hold your attention while fairly presenting history, except for minor takes for theatrical necessity. Gods and Generals covers the period from April 1861 to May 1863. Glory covers the period from September 1862 to July 1863. Gettysburg covers the period from June 1863 to July 1863. "Gods & Generals" is a 2003 American historical war drama film based on the Ronald F. Maxwell screenplay adaptation of the Jeffrey Shaara 1996 novel of the same name and prequel to Maxwell's 1993 film "Gettysburg", financed by media mogul Ted Turner. The film follows the story of Stonewall Jackson (b. January 21, 1824 – d. May 10, 1863) from the beginning of the American Civil War (April 12, 1861) to his death (May 10, 1863) from wounds at the Battle of Chancellorsville (April 30 – May 6, 1863); known as Confederate General Robert E. Lee's "perfect battle" because his risky decision to divide his army in the presence of a much larger enemy force resulted in a significant Confederate victory. "Glory" is a 1989 American historical war drama film based on the Kevin Jarre screenplay adaptation of the Lincoln Kirstein 1973 essay "Lay This Laurel" and the Peter Burchard 1965 book "One Gallant Rush" about the important 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the Union Army's earliest African-American regiments in the American Civil War. Covering the period from the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, the men learn that in response to the Emancipation Proclamation (January 1, 1863), the Confederacy has issued an order that captured black men are to be returned to slavery and that black soldiers found wearing uniforms will be executed as well as their white officers. In the famous Second Battle of Fort Wagner on July 18, 1863, about 1,515 Union soldiers were killed, captured, or wounded in the assault; although a Confederate victory, the valor of the Black Union soldiers in the battle was gloriously hailed. Over 180,000 volunteered, and President Abraham Lincoln credited them with helping to turn the tide of the war. "Gettysburg" is a 1993 American historical war drama film based on the Ronald F. Maxwell screenplay adaptation of the Michael Shaara 1974 novel "The Killer Angels" about the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, during the American Civil War. Originally filmed as a miniseries for TNT, under the direction of Ted Turner, at 254 minutes (4 hours and 14 minutes), it is the longest film released theatrically by a major film studio in the United States. The film begins with a narrated map showing the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by Confederate General Robert E. Lee, crossing the Potomac River to invade the North in June 1863, marching across Maryland and into Pennsylvania. On July 3rd, Lee decides to send three divisions to attack the center of the Union line at Cemetery Ridge and orders an infantry assault against Union positions on the last day of the Battle of Gettysburg, known as Pickett's Charge, which ultimately fails. The attack ended Lee's invasion of the north and forced a retreat back to Virginia, widely considered the Civil War's turning point, ending the Confederacy's aspirations to establish an independent nation and the Civil War's bloodiest battle.

Fantastic movie!

I enjoyed the movie.

"Glory" is a glorious film, telling the little-known story of one of the first all-black regiments in the Civil War and the regiment's commanding officer, Col. Robert Gould Shaw. My husband went to high school with the film's director, Ed Zwieck, just to add a personal note. The film is powerful and moving, giving us glimpses of various aspects of the racial issues that were at the heart of the Civil War. Over 200,000 freed men fought on the Union side, and their sacrifices helped to win the war. The film is great simply because it brings this story to the screen in the first place and then does it so well. The performances are first rate as are the music score and screenplay. One complaint I have about the film is that it sanitizes the horrors of battle. I've done some reading about the Civil War and the battles were horrific and savage, men butchering other men in hand to hand combat. Photographs of the real battlefields are beyond description. In some ways, the film would have seemed truer to me if it had been shot in sepia tone. We also don't get a sense of the degree to which nature was as much a foe as the enemy fighters--the rain, cold, mud, disease-ridden forests and swamps, and the raging rivers. The film is just too "pretty" in a way for it's subject matter. The other problem is that the director chose to present an idealized version of Robert Gould Shaw. While his parents were ardent abolitionists and friends of Frederick Douglass, Shaw was not himself much of an abolitionist. Perhaps he was too young to have fully formed mature values. He was, after all, only 25 years old. I believe his mother convinced him to take the commission. One wonders if he did so only out of a sense of filial duty, to gain a higher rank or for more complex motives--and if his values changed as time with the men progressed. His unquestionable bravery and valor were admirable and meritorious whatever his values may have been, yet I think it would have been a more interesting film if Shaw's beliefs had been presented more honestly. Sadly, far too many Hollywoid films--which "Glory" is in the best sense--change true stories into feel-good narratives and turn human beings into flat, cardboard characters. Films at their best tell the truth about what it means to be human--and a human being. Denzel Washington gives the best performance in the film, and Cary Elwes is very good as well. His character is much more fully rounded than what Matthew Broderick is given to work with. I found his performance to be rather wooden and emotionless. Still, all in all, I give this film an A for effort. I am glad it was made and that it's story was told. It helps to redeem part of our history for black and white alike.

"Glory" ranks on my list as one of the best Civil War films ever made! This cinematic masterpiece traces the founding and short-lived career of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, the first "all-black" volunteer regiment in the Union army. (By law, all officers had to be white.) Matthew Broderick stars as the 54th Regiment's commanding officer, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw. Already a grizzled veteran of the battle of Antietam at the tender age of 24, Shaw is offered command of the new all-volunteer regiment of black soldiers. He accepts the risky officer, enlists the aid of his friend, Cabot Forbes, and begins to recruit runaway slaves and northern "freemen" to join the regiment. Much of the movie chronicles the 54th regiment's struggle to become a credible fighting force. It's a struggle made nearly impossible by the institutional ineptitude of the Union army and the racial bigotry of many of its officers. The newly recruited black soldiers want nothing more than to fight; the army brass sees them as nothing more than a political expedient and a laughable experiment, capable of nothing more than digging ditches and clearing forests. Against these odds, Shaw, with the help of Forbes and the irascible, bigoted Irishman, Sergeant Major Mulcahy, manages to turn his ragtag band of soldiers into a cohesive fighting unit. How the 54th Massachusettes Regiment fares in its first major engagement - the assault upon Battery Wagner in 1863 - forms the beautiful climactic event of this film. Matthew Broderick moves away from his usual fluffy, comedic roles (i.e., Ferris Bueller,) and successfully proves himself a serious actor capable of bringing maturity and depth to his role as Colonel Shaw. Denzel Washington's marvelous portrayal as the embittered, cynical runaway slave Trip earned him an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor. Cary Elwes is less successful in his role as the irresponsible and sometimes insubordinate Major Cabot Forbes. His acting seemed a bit "over the top" at times. Excellent performances are also turned in by Morgan Freeman (Sergeant Major Rawlins), Andre Braugher (Thomas Searles), John Finn (Sergeant Major Mulcahy), and Jihmi Kennedy (Jupiter Sharts). "Glory's" cinematography is breathtaking throughout. The screenplay is powerfully lyrical in its beauty, and James Horner's beautifully haunting musical score adds a tremendous depth of emotion to an already powerfully evocative film. "Glory" is a sumptuously produced and well acted movie, a sure bet to please all fans of a good war movie. Highly recommended!!

everyone in this country needs to watch this amazing historical drama. It is a military drama, yes, but is also a clear-eyed depiction of events during a tumultuous time. Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington provide stellar performances. There are discrepancies between the movie and real events. If you haven't seen it, or haven't seen it recently, please do watch it again. It is so well performed and has a message that shouts out loud what many today are only whispering.

Good movie

One of the most important incidents in American history. A true documentation of man' ruelty towards man. The cast is superb. One feels sorry for the youngsters who died in this unnecessary civil war. Not to be missed.

Malgré les années, reste un des meilleurs films de guerre. Pour moi la meilleure oeuvre d'Édouard Zwick. Un jeu d'acteur parfait, une photographie immersive et réaliste. La bande son utilise parfaitement toutes les possibilités du son surround 5.1, surtout lors des scènes de combat qui nous met au cœur de l'action. L' l'excellente bande originale du film créé par le regretté James Horner (Titanic, Légendes d'automne,...) est aussi très bien intégrée DES BONUS EXTRÊMEMENT INSTRUCTIFS, et une interactivité assez sympathique à utiliser pour découvrir les dessous de la guerre de sécession. En résumé, un film que tout cinéphile devrait posséder dans sa collection.

名作だと思います。人間関係で仕事に行き詰まったとき（笑）何度も観てます。クライマックスの映像と音楽が素晴らしいです。

A must see true story.

Steeds goed kijken of er nederlandstalige ondertiteling is ,wat niet altijd het geval is