Glory (1989)

All Critics (41) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (42) | Rotten (3) | DVD (18)

It is the movie's often awesome imagery and a bravely soaring choral score by James Horner that transfigure the reality, granting it the status of necessary myth.

January 6, 2010 Full Review

Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

Top Critic

A stirring and long overdue tribute to the black soldiers who fought for the Union cause in the Civil War.

June 5, 2008 Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

A pretty watchable and always interesting period film, well photographed by English cinematographer Freddie Francis.

February 9, 2007 Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

The stark clarity of Freddie Francis' cinematography combined with Zwick's intimate style evokes immediacy and fear.

June 24, 2006 Full Review

Time Out

Top Critic

This is a good, moving, complicated film.

May 20, 2003 Full Review

Vincent Canby

New York Times

Top Critic

Glory is, without question, one of the best movies ever made about the American Civil War.

January 23, 2003 Full Review

James Berardinelli

ReelViews

Top Critic

Excellent Civil War movie for mature teens.

December 15, 2010 Full Review

Charles Cassady

Common Sense Media

Exceptionally well-rendered and emotive war drama.

January 6, 2010 Full Review

Ian Nathan

Empire Magazine

A visceral, astounding war film, intelligently told.

January 6, 2010 Full Review

Film4

one of the great war films and perhaps the greatest film ever made about the American Civil War

June 30, 2009 Full Review

James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

In its broad strokes, Glory gets at the spirit of a group of previously unsung black heroes, and the filmmaking is of a high caliber. [Blu-ray]

June 10, 2009 Full Review

Peter Canavese

Groucho Reviews

Still one of the best war epics ever made, with all around fantastic performances...

August 9, 2007

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Film Threat

One of the best films ever made

May 6, 2005 | Comments (4)

Clint Morris

Film Threat

• 1. John Rawlins: [part of the prayer group] Lord, we stand before you this evening, to say thank you! And we thank you, father, for your grace, and your many blessings! Now I run off, leaving all my young'uns and my kinfolk, in bondage. So I'm standing here this evening, Heavenly Father, to ask your blessings on all of us. So that if tomorrow is the great getting-up morning, if that tomorrow we have to meet the Judgement Day, O Heavenly Father, we want you to let our folks know that we died facing the enemy! We want 'em to know that we went down standing up! Amongst those that are fighting against our oppression. We want 'em to know, Heavenly Father, that we died for freedom! We ask these blessings in Jesus' name. Amen!
  – Submitted by Adam O (3 months ago)
• 1. Sgt. Mulcahy: [berating Private Trip] You half-wit black bastard! Did they truly cut your balls off at birth? I'm gonna work on you, you bastard, until I get you broken.
  – Submitted by Adam O (3 months ago)
• 1. Col. Robert Gould Shaw: Dear Mother, They learn, learn quickly, faster than white troops it seems to me. They are almost grave and sedate under instruction and they restrain themselves. But the moment they are dismissed from drill every tongue is relaxed and every ivory tooth is visible and you would not know from the sound of it that this is an army camp. They must have learned this from long hours of meaningless, inhuman work oo set them free so quickly. It gives them great energy. And there is no doubt we will leave this state as fine a regiment as any that as marched. As ever, your son, Robert.
  – Submitted by Adam O (3 months ago)
• 1. Col. Robert Gould Shaw: Good morning gentlemen, I am Colonel Robert Gould Shaw. I am your commanding officer. It is a great pleasure to see you all here today. It is my hope that the same courage, spirit, and honor, which has brought us together, will one day restore this Union. May God bless us all.
  – Submitted by Adam O (3 months ago)
• 1. John Rawlins: That's right, Hines. Ain't no dream. We runaway slaves but we come back fightin' men. Go tell your folks how kingdom come in the year of jubilee!
  – Submitted by Adam O (3 months ago)
• 1. Trip: [addressing the 54th the night before battle] I ain't much about no prayin', now. I ain't never had no family, and... killed off my mama. Well, I just... Y'all's the onliest family I got. I love the 54th. Ain't even much a matter what happens tomorrow, 'cause we men, ain't we?
  – Submitted by Adam O (3 months ago)