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![Glory [Blu-ray]](http://www.shopping2d.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/glory-blu-ray.jpg "Glory [Blu-ray]")
Glory [Blu-ray]
Glory [Blu-ray] Reviews
Being a Civil War reenactor, as a group we tend to be very skeptical of the historical movies that hollywood provides.Glory is probably the only movie that almost every reenactor liked and sung the praises for. Glory stands out as a masterpiece of this terrible time in the nations history. The cast was outstanding. Broderick is entirely convincing in his role as the idealistic young Colonel Robert Gould Shaw who commanded ONE of the first all black units of the Civil war. Morgan freeman captures the persona of the “wise, veteran seargeant” that is a classic motif of the war movie genre. However to me the actor who steals the show is without a doubt Denzel Washington. Washington gave even us rebs someone to admire(even as he was taking down 2 and 3 rebs at a time) as he went from the angry, rebellious young private(and for good reason) to the fine soldier.
The plot of the movie is consistent, and came across as a true STORY to the audience, and not just a lecture. The film captured the extremely racist attitudes of the time, and the utter hell that the characters went through to overcome it. Also the score was great, especially the final climatic scene for the attack on Battery Wagner. When Shaw is killed by Confederates, the score picks up with a perfect tune as the 54th makes their final assault. But most importantly the movie does not bore the average viewer like Gettysburg did with its hours of talk. The movie takes a very good story, throws in some great characters, and follows it to a T. There is no wasted scene in Glory(which is more then we can say for other Civil war attempted movies). This made it a joy for both Civil War buff and regular viewer alike.
Now for the big sticking point. Historical accuracy. To this the movie scores a rather well score. Sure the final battle was not 100 percent accurate, and even the earliar skirmish in the woods(known in the war as the Battle for Sol Legare Island). But this movie was not a documentary. Its goal was not to give a blow by blow history of the 54th… just to tell their general “story”. With that intent, the movie greatly lived up to its accolades for its accuracy. The battle scenes were outstanding and gave war its “hellish” view that was absent in Gettysburg to large degree. Only Private Ryan beats this movie in its effect at showing the viewer a taste of War.
Glory has also been arguable the most influential Civil War movie of all time. Tens of Thousands of people who had never picked up a Civil war book in their life, became hooked on this time period from Glory. That will perhaps be one of its finer legacies. How many african Americans(and Americans in general) became aware for the first time of those Blacks who wore a uniform in the Civil War from this movie. Countless. How many people do not know that honored legacy now that Glory has come out. Very few.
Move over Gettysburg, GWTW, and all the other “attempts” at a Civil war movie. Glory will probably never be topped in this genre. The best!!
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