Home
Glory

Page

Glory

Summary
How to watch
News & features

❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

Watch trailer

01:27

Glory

Name: Glory
Director: Edward Zwick
Genre: Documentary, Drama, War, History
Released: 1989
Duration: 2 h 2 min
Cast: Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Cary Elwes, Jihmi Kennedy

Save

Documentary
Drama

1989
Edward Zwick
122 mins
15

Summary

Historical war drama starring Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman. In 1862, a young Union colonel is given command of the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, which is to become one of the first units of black soldiers to go into combat. But as the raw recruits embark on a rigorous training programme, they have to contend with racism from their own side.

IMDB

Review

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Adrian Turner

This American Civil War tale is a long overdue tribute to the 54th Massachusetts Voluntary Infantry, one of the first black regiments to go into combat. The details are culled partly from the letters of the 54th's commander, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw (played by Matthew Broderick), a sensitive 25-year-old (but already a veteran) from an abolitionist family who's determined to lead his men into full battle. Shaw faces resistance from both above and below: his racist superiors won't even allow the soldiers boots, and the troops resent the white man's leadership, especially rebellious runaway slave Denzel Washington. While there are undoubtedly pockets of stereotyping, such as the embarrassing scene in which Morgan Freeman, Washington and the rest of the black cast burst into spiritual harmonies, the lasting impression is of Washington's performance in particular and the plight of the men in general. Fabulously photographed by Freddie Francis and with brilliantly staged (and shockingly violent) battle scenes, Glory will bring tears to the steeliest eye.

imdb-square

7.8/10

How to watch

Loading

Streaming

Sky Store

Credits

Cast

rolenameColonel Robert Gould ShawMatthew BroderickTripDenzel WashingtonJohn RawlinsMorgan FreemanCabot ForbesCary ElwesShartsJihmi KennedyThomas SearlesAndré BraugherSergeant MulcahyJohn FinnCharles MorseDonovan LeitchRussellJohn David CullumGovernor AndrewAlan NorthColonel MontgomeryCliff De YoungGeneral HarkerBob GuntonSarah Blake Sturgis ShawJane AlexanderGeneral George Crockett StrongJay O SandersFrederick DouglassRaymond St Jacques