Glory Movie Review:


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

This story was based on the letters sent by Colonel Shaw (Matthew Broderick), during his command of the 54th Regiment during the Civil War.

The cast is to die for. The director Edward Zwick has had an illustrious directing and producing career and has proved time and time again that he has scope and vision so it stands to reason that this would be an outstanding film. The direction is excellent, allowing the actors room to work and breathe life into these letters to get more of a connection from the audience. Denzel Washington in particular is impeccable as the defiant Private Trip and Morgan Freeman gives his reliable credibility to the role of Sergeant Major Rawlins.Jihmi Kennedy also deserves a mention for his portrayal of wide eyed Private Sharts which brings some innocence to this movie where it is most definitely needed. This isn't to say the characters are unsympathetic. It seems like every person whom these characters are based on must have been thoroughly detailed in these letters because everyone is so well written and very rounded.

The only problem I found with this was Matthew Broderick, although it should be said that he should be commended for the courage he showed going into this role on the back of the very different Ferris Bueller. He is an excellent choice as Col Shaw but there are definitely times when he seems to be an actor reading his lines. Everyone else (perhaps with the exception of Cary Elwes) seems their character for every second but it seems Broderick perhaps lets it go a couple of times. He is obviously portraying a hero but at certain points, he doesn't seem like the right choice. As the narrator though, while making certain observations, he seems to be more comfortable and very sympathetic. This is not a major criticism. He is also very good in it. Only occasionally you get the feeling that perhaps someone could have brought more to the character.

Having said that, this is a truly excellent piece of work, which entertains on every level. It is, in my opinion, what a movie should be. It entertains while, at the same time, making you think. In the day of Private Ryan and the Black Hawks, this still stands up well as a war movie. Highly recommended.

Gary Gray

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