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Glory (1989)

tomatometer

93

Average Rating: 7.9/10
Reviews Counted: 41
Fresh: 38 | Rotten: 3

Bolstered by exceptional cinematography, powerful storytelling, and an Oscar-winning performance by Denzel Washington, Glory remains one of the finest Civil War movies ever made.

90

Average Rating: 7.4/10
Critic Reviews: 10
Fresh: 9 | Rotten: 1

Bolstered by exceptional cinematography, powerful storytelling, and an Oscar-winning performance by Denzel Washington, Glory remains one of the finest Civil War movies ever made.

audience

92

liked it
Average Rating: 4/5
User Ratings: 56,892

My Rating

Movie Info

Glory is a celebration of a little-known act of mass courage during the Civil War. Simply put, the heroes involved have been ignored by history due to racism. Those heroes were the all-black members of the 54th Regiment of the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, headed by Col. Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick), the son of an influential abolitionist (played by an uncredited Jane Alexander). Despite the fact that the Civil War is ostensibly being fought on their behalf, the black soldiers are

R,

Drama

Jan 1, 1998

TriStar

Watch It Now

Cast

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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 Source: TIME Magazine
TIME Magazine
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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 Source: Variety
Variety
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A pretty watchable and always interesting period film, well photographed by English cinematographer Freddie Francis.

February 9, 2007 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader
Chicago Reader
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The stark clarity of Freddie Francis' cinematography combined with Zwick's intimate style evokes immediacy and fear.

June 24, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out
Time Out
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This is a good, moving, complicated film.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times
New York Times
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Glory is, without question, one of the best movies ever made about the American Civil War.

January 23, 2003 Full Review Source: ReelViews
ReelViews
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Excellent Civil War movie for mature teens.

December 15, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media

Exceptionally well-rendered and emotive war drama.

January 6, 2010 Full Review Source: Empire Magazine
Empire Magazine

A visceral, astounding war film, intelligently told.

January 6, 2010 Full Review Source: Film4
Film4

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

June 30, 2009 Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk
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 Source: Groucho Reviews
Groucho Reviews

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

August 9, 2007
Film Threat

One of the best films ever made

May 6, 2005 | Comments (4)
Film Threat

Audience Reviews for Glory

Best Civil War movie ive ever seen. Top to bottom the acting was amazing.
March 29, 2007
jmanard52

Super Reviewer

Edward Zwick's Glory is a stunning, well acted war drama about the first all black regiment that fought in the civil war. Matthew Broderick heads a great cast of talented actors who all deliver some terrific performances. This is a well paced movie that tells a thrilling story that is a must see for cinema buffs everywhere. Now, I've never really been a fan of Broderick's work, but in Glory he really gives a stunning, immaculate performance that you simply can't ignore. Glory is a powerful picture that succeeds at telling a great story due to the fact that Edward Zwick is a great director, and all his films are wonderful, but Glory is by far one of his finest. War film fans will surely enjoy this different genre film, and it is a film that not only acts as a war picture, but one that holds a powerful message. I really enjoyed the film, and thought that it is a stunning piece of cinema that is worth checking out if you love war films. Broderick shines here, and he has come a long way since playing in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. You can clearly see him maturing as an actor and it is a stunning performance that will erase doubt in what he can accomplish as an actor. Broderick is great here, but other performances that stand out are that of Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington. All three actors make the film that much more entertaining and with a well written script by screenwriter Kevin Jarre, this is an accomplished picture that also acts as an important history lesson. Edward Zwick is an underrated director, and he deserves more praise in terms of filmmaking as he truly has an eye for making entertaining and memorable films that stand out among others. Glory is a great film that is elevated with a powerful script, flawless acting and directing. If you love war films, you owe it to yourself to check this one out.
May 13, 2013
TheDudeLebowski65
Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski

Super Reviewer

    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)

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Latest News on Glory

April 22, 2011:
Screenwriter Kevin Jarre: 1954-2011
Kevin Jarre, whose screenwriting credits included "Glory" and "Tombstone," has passed away at the...

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Director Ed Zwick ("Glory") and his frequent writing partner, Marshall Herskovitz, will...

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