Glory (film)
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| Glory | |
|---|---|
| Image:Glory.jpg | |
| Directed by | Edward Zwick |
| Produced by | Freddie Fields |
| Written by | Kevin Jarre |
| Starring | Matthew Broderick Morgan Freeman Denzel Washington Andre Braugher Cary Elwes |
| Music by | James Horner |
| Distributed by | Columbia TriStar |
| Running time | 122 min. |
| Budget | $18,000,000 (est.) |
| IMDb profile | |
Glory is a 1989 docudrama which follows the history of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment during the American Civil War. The 54th was the first formal unit of the U.S. Army to be made up entirely of African Americans (apart from the officers).
Contents |
[edit] Outline
The film depicts the unit's organization by Col. Robert Gould Shaw and other white abolitionists, and its struggle against racial prejudice in many forms. The film also depicts the struggle Colonel Shaw faced to get supplies for his troops, and also to get his regiment into battle to prove themselves as "true men, worthy of fighting among Whites". The climax depicts the Union's attack on Fort Wagner, which was spearheaded by the 54th, who took heavy losses but were hailed for their bravery.
[edit] Cast and crew
The movie was adapted by Kevin Jarre from the books One Gallant Rush by Peter Burchard and Lay This Laurel by Lincoln Kirstein, and from Colonel Shaw's own memoirs. It was directed by Edward Zwick, and stars Matthew Broderick (as Colonel Shaw), Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes, Morgan Freeman, Jihmi Kennedy, and Andre Braugher.
[edit] Awards
[edit] Academy Awards
[edit] Comparisons with historical fact
- The film suggests that most of the black soldiers were escaped slaves from southern secessionist states who wished to battle for the abolitionist north, but in fact the majority were born free in the North, although some did escape from slavery.
- Of the major characters in the movie's version of the regiment, only Robert Gould Shaw was a real person. The rest are composite characters.
- In the film, Shaw is offered and accepts the job to be the commanding officer of the 54th on the same day. In reality, he rejected the offer once and accepted only after many days.
- The incident just before the charge into Fort Wagner in which Colonel Shaw points to the flag bearer and asks "If this man should fall, who will lift the flag and carry on?" is based on a real event. However, the person who asked the question was General George Crockett Strong; Shaw was the person who responded. When the flag bearer fell, another black soldier, Sergeant William Harvey Carney grabbed the flag and carried it all the way to the bulwarks of Fort Wagner. He remained there under enemy fire until the 54th was forced to retreat. Sergeant Carney struggled back to Union lines with the flag, receiving four wounds from which he recovered. Carney became the first black recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor.
- Colonel Shaw was married, but his wife is not depicted in the film.
- The manner in which Colonel Shaw dies in the movie is based on fact. His final words were "Forward Fifty-fourth" before he was shot several times in the chest.
- In the movie, it is claimed that "over half" of the regiment were killed during the assault on Fort Wagner. However, official records state that the 54th sustained 256 casualties, which is closer to 40%.
- In the movie, the ocean is on the left side of the regiment when they charged the fort, presumably stating they came from the north. In reality, they charged with the ocean on their right, coming from the south.
- The real second in command was Lt. Colonel Edwin Hallowell. The fictional Major Cabot Forbes, played by Cary Elwes, is based on him. Although he was seriously wounded, Hallowell did survive the attack on the fort and led the regiment until it disbanded in 1865. He retired with the rank of Brigadier General.
- In the movie, Shaw is surprised when the men refuse pay that was reduced because they are a "colored" regiment (though he eventually joins them in their refusal). In reality, the refusal was his idea, and he encouraged them to do it.
[edit] Soundtrack
James Horner composed the soundtrack to the film. One of the most popular songs is Charging Fort Wagner. This music plays when the regiment charges the fort.
[edit] Film Glitches
- During numerous battle charges where bayonets are shown, you can see the bayonets flex as they were made of rubber for safety.
- In the scene where the regiment passes a group of children, one of the children is wearing a digital watch.
[edit] References
Luis F. Emilio, A Brave Black Regiment: A History of the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry: 1863-1865 (Boston: The Boston Book Company, 1891).
