Glory
Glory

Glory

1989Movie122 minEnglish

Robert Gould Shaw leads the US Civil War's first all-black volunteer company, fighting prejudices of both his own Union army and the Confederates.

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Insights

IMDb7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes93%
Metacritic75/100
Google Users94%
Director: Edward ZwickGenres: Drama, War, History, Action

Plot Summary

In 1863, a determined but conflicted young officer, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, is given command of the Union's first all-black volunteer regiment in the Civil War. Facing prejudice from both the Confederacy and his own ranks, Shaw and his men, including the fiery Private Trip and the wise Sergeant Major John Rawlins, must overcome immense challenges and prove their valor on the battlefield. The film culminates in their valiant, though ultimately costly, assault on Fort Wagner.

Critical Reception

Glory was widely acclaimed by critics for its powerful storytelling, historical accuracy, and exceptional performances, particularly from Denzel Washington. It resonated with audiences as a moving and important depiction of African American soldiers' contributions to the Civil War and is considered a landmark film in its subject matter.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its stirring performances and historical significance.
  • Hailed as a moving and important film about the Civil War and the contributions of Black soldiers.
  • Commended for its visual scope and emotional impact.

Google audience: Viewers lauded the film's powerful portrayal of courage and sacrifice, highlighting the performances and the historical importance of the story. Many found it to be an emotional and inspiring depiction of the fight for freedom and equality.

Awards & Accolades

Won 3 Academy Awards (including Best Supporting Actor for Denzel Washington) and was nominated for 2 more. Denzel Washington also won a Golden Globe for his performance. It received numerous other nominations and awards from various critics' circles and organizations.

Fun Fact

The film's authentic Civil War uniforms were so heavy and restrictive that the actors often had to be helped into and out of them, and during battle scenes, the cannons were loaded with blank charges that were still powerful enough to knock actors down.

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TMDB Reviews

4 reviews
kevin2019

kevin2019

"Glory" is an extremely important film and you can only hope it is historically accurate. It ought to be with the wealth of material widely available and historians knowlegable in the period being called upon to advise, assist and guide the...
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Based on historical fact and on letters written to his parents by Col. Robert Gould Shaw, this dramatises the creation of the first all-black regiment in the Union army that fought in the US Civil War. It was created as the Confederacy look...
Filipe Manuel Neto

Filipe Manuel Ne...

**An excellent film that deserves to be revisited and brought back from oblivion.** For me, as a historian, this film couldn't be more interesting. It's not your average war movie, with soldiers running and shooting, and heroism spilling...
John Chard

John Chard

And there wouldn't be nothing but rebs dyin if they'd let the fifty-fourth in it. Based around the actual letters sent by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw to his parents, this Civil War picture tells the story of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment...