Glory (1989) *FIRST TIME WATCHING / MOVIE REACTION* This Movie Is IMPORTANT!

[@BigGator5]

In my Top Ten favorite movies. As a Civil War enthusiast, I highly recommend reading up on the real 54th Massachusetts. Their story didn't end at Fort Wagner. Trivia: At the end of the film, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw's body is thrown into the mass grave with the black soldiers. Normally, officers were given formal burials, but the Confederacy had such contempt for the black regiment that the officers were thrown in with the regular soldiers, and no honors were rendered. After the war, Shaw's parents visited the site of Fort Wagner in South Carolina. When asked if they wished to have their son's body exhumed so they could take it home to Boston for burial, they declined. "We would not have his body removed from where it lies, surrounded by his brave and devoted soldiers," explained Shaw's father, Francis George Shaw. "We can imagine no holier place than that in which he lies, among his brave and devoted followers, nor wish for him better company. What a bodyguard he has!"

[@simeonteitelbaum3673]

I grew up in Boston and I've walked by the memorial to the 54th regiment many times. I always take a moment to look at the names of the brave men who paid the ultimate price to preserve the union and restore human dignity to those cruelly deprived

[@Charles-i4y]

This is one of the best Civil war movies. Not only did it show the contempt the South had for the 54th, it also showed that the Union had some hate for them too.

[@smakedoctor]

Glory has to be one of the all time best scores.

[@FlixTalk]

Agreed

[@naughty.r0bot]

Look James Horner up on IMDB. The film world lost a titan when he died.

[@tear728]

@@naughty.r0bot my favorite film composer.

[@Emelefpi]

especially when the Harlem Boys Choir parts come in

[@retromillenium]

James Horner is my favorite film composer ever. Rest in Peace James Horner.

[@renee7407]

I can count on one hand movies that truly affected me and stayed with me weeks after watching it. This is one of them.

[@FlixTalk]

The overall message and reason to fight was beautiful.

[@andreasesser4641]

Glory is an underappreciated masterpiece.

[@pladuke71]

This is what made this story so powerful. The bravery of these men. It was a suicide mission and they knew it. They charged in knowing they would die, but hoped it would make the difference in the war.

[@thomaseggle8886]

Impossible to watch this with dry eyes. I've seen this many times and it still gets me every time.

[@blueroninstudios]

23:27 Small almost missable moment but still powerful all the same, is Trip finally giving respect to Thomas by making sure he didnt fall when he they were all standing in formation. He dogged him the entire film, was a bully, a loudmouth, but grew to respect him as a fellow man and soldier, so when he faltered slightly in formation, he righted him and looked at him and patted him on the shoulder as if to say "You good, brother? Okay." I love little character moments like that showing respect between two men that may not have come to respect eachother under different circumstances. Thomas found his courage and Trip found his family.

[@adriannespring8598]

Truth!! That was so subtle but incredibly powerful.

[@davidwoolbright3675]

It wasn’t courage as much as he was wounded.

[@saharafox8209]

Thomas never lacked courage, Thomas lacked "hard ship and struggle" that the other members of the 54th knew, I'm sure Thomas had his own struggles being black in the 1840s 50s 60s etc but compared to the others he was viewed as soft. But Thomas more than proved himself same with Forbes and everyone else Semper Fidelis 54th

[@rsuriyop]

Some other facts about this movie... Morgan Freeman's character was actually based on a real life Union soldier who survived Fort Wagner as well as the entire Civil War. You say Morgan Freeman is a legend. Well apparently so was the real life person he portrayed. And also, just some years back, Colonel Shaw's sword had been discovered tucked away in his descendants' attic unknowingly for several decades. It now sits in a museum. Great reaction video by the way!

[@rustincohle2135]

Remember watching this film for the first time and loving every bit of it until THAT ENDING. I was thinking, "What? They... LOST??" I was thinking "what was the point of this story?". And then that epilogue came and it detailed exactly why the defeat of the 54th Massachusetts was such a critical moment in both the Civil War and American history. Their bravery even in the face of overwhelming defeat inspired an entire nation and led to the influx of hundreds of thousands more troops which ultimately turned the tide of the war. Because people either forget or simply aren't aware that the Civil War was actually far in the South's favor, and if it wasn't for this particular moment in history, the South could very well have won-- and the Union would have been split and slavery would have persisted... well into the 20th Century, perhaps beyond. It was that realization that hit me like a ton of bricks. This film and this story greatly realigned my perception of American history. And it just irks me that this incredibly important historical moment is not taught widely in schools. Why doesn't everyone know this story??

[@gabrielegenota1480]

It's so upsetting that so many black individuals like those of the 54th would fight and die for the union-- only for their sons and daughters to go through Jim Crow Laws.

[@billprice8596]

You spoke of that last frame, seeing Robert Shaw being buried and then Trip resting on Robert, as brothers in arms. When Robert Shaw's parents were asked if his body should be exhumed his father said, "We would not have his body removed from where it lies surrounded by his brave and devoted soldiers. ... We can imagine no holier place than that in which he lies, among his brave and devoted followers, nor wish for him better company. - what a bodyguard he has!"

[@shan0997]

Matthew was underated in this movie. Yes, Denzel absolutely owned the screen from the first moment he was introduced. But Matthew had an understated way of portraying Shaw. His tug of war relationship with Trip and their eventual mutual respect was nothing less than perfection.

[@PapaEli-pz8ff]

Matthew was NOT underrated.. for those of us who were paying close attention! With all the star power i this film I will always see it as a great e Ensemble piece

[@shan0997]

@@PapaEli-pz8ffSir, it's MY OPINION that he was underrated.

[@darthmong7196]

American history bears little resonance with me, a brit. But I love this film. Everybody is at the absolute top of their game. Freeman, Washington, even Broderick who at that point was starring in comedies and teen movies, all turned in Oscar-worthy performances (only Washington got one). James Horner never got the credit he deserved for the score. I am lucky enough to have traveled to Boston on a number of occasions, most recently a few weeks ago. I always have to pay my respects to the RGS monument, as seen during the end credits.

[@alexandergreene6986]

Glory brings to life all the fun and excitement that being a Civil War Soldier could be. The sad truth was that most soldiers on both sides died from the disease. Dysentery, diarrhea, flu, typhoid, typhus, whooping cough, measles, mumps, infection from wounds, food poisoning, cholera, the list was endless. Another killer was homesickness. Thousands of soldiers died from homesickness, as America was a very different country back then, and most soldiers had never been more than ten miles from their village. Places like New Orleans, or Atlanta, would have been like being on the moon. Truly one of the most tragic wars in history, a war that America has never truly recovered from. Even more tragic, was how they treated psychiatric patients, some were just let loose from the camp to wander around endlessly with untreated head wounds, others were put on trains with the names of their home towns pinned to their chests, ten of thousands of untreated PTSD soldiers, hooked on opium from laudanum for their wounds, traveling throughout the countryside. One of the main reasons why the wild west was so violent, as tens of thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers flooded the west looking for their fortune. One story I recall was when a regiment of soldiers was passing through Chicago to be deployed and sent home. A Policeman told the commanding officer to have his soldiers march in the street, rather than on the sidewalk so as to not disturb the gentlefolk. The commanding officer informed the cop, that if he was to give such an order, these men with four years of combat experience, would have no hesitation in lining up in a battle in order to fight any police interference, but informed the police officer he was most welcome to try.

[@TheRealMediaMan]

And easily one of the best battle scenes ever filmed. The chaos is perfectly captured. And when Forbes calls out for his friend it’s so impactful Amazing acting

[@clearsmashdrop5829]

I didn't see this in the theaters cause I had no interest in the Civil War era. Saw it on VHS a year or two later and found it to be incredible. I still get choked up at the end.

[@FlixTalk]

What they were fighting for and seeing the bodies together in the ditch was pretty damn haunting

[@lisahumphries3898]

This movie affected me so much when I saw it in the theater that I bought a book on The Mass. 54th and Col. Shaw. So interesting. The narration from Shaw in the movies are snippets from his letters to his mother. There is a book of all Col. Shaw’s letters he wrote. If I remember correctly, he mentioned that the incident with the other Colonel and group of black soldiers was a horrible time of his career. Great movie to show history.

[@suprchickn7745]

That last shot is one of the most powerful and poignant scenes in film history! Great reaction brother!

[@cinemasenses]

FANTASTIC movie, Glory. One of the all-time greats, that one. So glad someone your age is willing to go a bit further back in modern cinematic history and experience & appreciate these hidden gems. Denzel blew me away in this one, so deserving of the Academy Award he received for that role. Try one from 1988 or 89 called Casualties of War. Oh man, it is a tough one!

[@michaelvincent8208]

The music just tugs at your heart. Powerful, strong, beautiful and sad.

[@graceandpeace4414]

One of the best Civil War movies. My plan is to visit Morris Island, SC and the monument dedicated to the 54th in Boston.

[@dupeesfashionconsultant4204]

I'm not crying I'm just chopping onions on a pile of dust, you're crying.

[@paulobrien9572]

The opening battle scene was depicting The Battle of Antietam in Maryland the single bloodiest one day battle of the war with 23,000 casualties

[@FlixTalk]

It's terrible

[@usmcmech96]

@@FlixTalk Antietam was and remains the single bloodiest day in US history. Gettysburg was bigger, but spread out over 3 days. The Galveston Hurricane was the country's deadliest natural disaster with 9000 dead,

[@Akaeus]

"Knowing that at any second a cannonball could decapitate you" *5 seconds later the officer leading them gets a cannonball to the head*

[@damonmcfarland9364]

I have yet to see any reaction to this film where the viewer was not crying at the end.

[@fiddleback1568]

The altercation between the white and black soldiers. Was more to do with the seasoned combat veterans and fresh troops strutting around. As that one soldier said: "There are men dying down there." The lack of respect is what led to it falling to a racial incident.

[@greggross8856]

As good as this movie was, it blew a major piece of the history. In the actual battle, Pvt. William Carney, played in part by Denzel Washington, picked up the flag after the flag bearer was killed. He never ;et the fall fall agan, despite being shot multiple times. When the 54th grudgingly withdrew, he fell behind due to his wounds. White Union soldiers offered to carry it for him; he refused. He made it all the way back to the 54th regimental bivouac. "The old flag ever touched the ground, boys," he said, then collapsed. He recovered from his wounds, was promoted to Sergeant, survived the war. In 1900 -- 35 years after the Civil War was over -- he became the first African-American soldier to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Why the filmmakers refused to incorporate the story of William Carney into this movie is beyond me.

[@TheRealMediaMan]

23:49. This is good directing. Without a single word you see Shaw, looking out over the peaceful waves, then back towards the hell that waits, and as the music swells, his breathing quickens and realizes he’s going to his death. All without a single word spoken.

[@richardperez9068]

I cried in the 80s when it came out ...cried in 2021..

[@k1t152]

"What are you thinking about on your final day on Earth," .. you're thinking about eternity.

[@SC1W]

Your comments are absolutely fantastic- credit to you for realising how lucky we are today to live the way we live. Brilliant 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@CherylHughes-ts9jz]

In the early seventies I used to watch a young Morgan Freeman on a children's educational show called, Electric Company. He wore red and purple and had an afro. He made me smile and helped me learn to read ☮️

[@sirus976]

Flix! I wanted to comment on the Real History of the 54th. The thing with the 54th is that they were not alone in charging. The white regiments went over the river, they did push the beach head but it was not just them. Although I will say these man deserved respect, infact Robert Shaws body "the turned it down in the movie" was humiliated through Fort Wagner and to make it worse they dug a hole threw his body in it and threw his men on top of him and gave them no graves. And when the General asked Confederate prisoners where his Body's were they said this "Haha, his Body? We buried him with his n******." It's heart breaking, on a brighter note. One of these men was the first to receive the medal of Honor as a black man. The Sergeant Flag Bearer being shot 3 times made it back to the Union Camp flag still in hand, he never let it drop. These men were brave and deserve the utmost respect. Thank you for reacting to this Flix. "Give em hell 54th!"

[@FlixTalk]

Thank you for your comment and thanks for watching!

[@jeanb.5405]

This Movie is a Historical Proof that HATE & PREJUDICE is overcome a sense of common purpose.

[@chrisl4451]

Great movie. I had seen Denzel Washington before in a tv drama, good for it's time but seeing him getting "punished" without saying a single word made me sit back even as a kid stunned, so this is what great acting is.

[@FlixTalk]

Thanks for watching

[@jamesgreenhow108]

I am a 62 yr old NAVY Veteran and have seen this movie over 30 times. And the tears still flow. In 1992 I tried to visit FORT WAGNER. Tours was not available at the time I visited. No explanation if tours were ever given.

[@KeoTower]

I first saw this movie in 7th grade in a class called Texas history. I had zero interest in watching it whatsoever but by the end of that class period this movie has become one of my top 10.

[@taztaztaz]

yeah , agree about that last frame .. kinda says it all .. brothers sacrificing themselves, for each other , for the country, ,and for all of us .. powerful shot..

[@kilgh]

Glory is one of the best war films ever made. And to think it was based on reality too! Broderick looks a lot like the actual Colonel. Another great Denzel film is "Courage Under Fire". Very interesting topic. Also, Empire of the Sun is a fantastic WW2 film. Stars a very, very young Christian Bale.

[@davidwoolbright3675]

Courage under fire is complete fiction. A good movie but fictional!

[@kilgh]

@@davidwoolbright3675 Dang. Thought it was loosely based on a true story. But you are correct. It isn't.

[@darthmong7196]

Empire of the Sun has also got to one of the most underrated movies ever. Also probably the best Ben Stiller movie ever.

[@tomwallace3103]

The last battle of the revolutionary war. In a Republic of free men it took 75 years to face Slavery. But just think, our country is just 246 years old. That’s just the lifespan of three men living to 85 years old back to back. It’s impossible to judge or condemn history. We must learn and leave the hate out of our examination.

[@ny2979]

that battle was over before it started. It was said that the Rebels refused to give up Shaws body and instead buried him in a pit with his men.

[@wavealip8059]

The scene at the end with the bodies and James Horners score always gets me.

[@dougmphilly]

not just you

[@soultraveller5027]

No the voice over was The Actor Matthew Broderick portraying the Union commanding officer "Colonel Robert Gould Shaw " of the 54th regiment the script Mathew Broderick Used contained letters colonel Robert Shaw written to be wife what he had experience at the time training the black soldier's and the brutal existence as a Slavas they had to endure in them times

[@laurab391]

Awesome movie. Such great acting. It is an emotional movie.

[@JoseDiaz-pb9dg]

Great review! Top 3 war films for sure. Ur an authentic reviewer.... keep em coming.

[@FlixTalk]

Thanks for the compliment! And thanks for watching! So glad I finally got a chance to watch this

[@cmoeller3]

I love the look of pride of The drill sergeant..

[@dougmphilly]

he did a good job

[@Mc.Garnagle]

The second that tear rolled down Denzel's cheek he owned the Oscar for Best Supporting

[@MoniqueEnglish-sh5zk]

Looking back on this film until the end always put things in perspective for me. Ky family is from the Carolinas and lived thru the civil war and slavery. I appreciate the sacrifice that was made for my freedom. It was tragic yet triumphant. Because of them and many others im able to achieve any thing. ❤

[@truthseeker0401]

I watched this movie the first time in middle school. The teacher showed it to us and so many of us had tears in our eyes at the end. This is such a powerful movie I can't watch it unless I am in a good frame of mind. It's still my top 3 war movie and definitely in my top 10 movie list of all time.

[@transrapide]

If you ever come here to Boston, you can see the 54th Regiment memorial on Beacon St across from the State House. It was used as the background for the end credits. It still makes my mother emotional to visit it after seeing Glory.

[@saharafox8209]

Glory is seriously the best war movie ever made

[@flynnstone3133]

“How do you just walk into that knowing that a cannonball can just decapitate you in one second” Me, who knows what’s literally moments away: Oh dear

[@johnthorsson1515]

The Confederate soldiers buried Shaw’s body in a common grave with his black soldiers, because they meant it as an insult to him. His father would never let his son’s body be moved, and instead said: “We would not have his body removed from where it lies surrounded by his brave and devoted soldiers....We can imagine no holier place than that in which he lies, among his brave and devoted followers, nor wish for him better company - what a body-guard he has!”

[@simeonteitelbaum6219]

There's a memorial to the 54th regiment that growing up in Boston I've walked by several times. Hail the 54th

[@CherylHughes-z8d]

The scene when they parade in their new uniforms makes me cry every time 😢

[@pvtj0cker]

"You have lost the king's colours, sir" "But sir; we have no king and its colors."

[@thewiseoldherper7047]

You made a comment after the scene where Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman have their confrontation with white Union soldiers about how even whites on the same side treated them badly. In 1865 that certainly sometimes happened. But you missed some of the context here. The white troops were coming off the front line and had seen their comrades killed and wounded. The 54th had not yet seen action. So what you have are soldiers that aren’t yet facing the same risks bragging to people who just saw their friends killed.

[@PapaEli-pz8ff]

Excellent point. Thank you!

[@TheWinterShadow]

Wow bro....you really took this movie in all the way to the last frame.

[@davidmichaelson1092]

The whipping scene is hard to watch. And Denzel's acting is amazing. But that was the punishment for desertion for ANY soldier. Shaw had no choice. He would have been breaking regulations had he not followed through. Though I have heard that by this point in the war this punishment was being phased out, so maybe he could have found a way around it, but it is probably what he knew. The British Navy was infamous for floggings. This is shown in the movie Master and Commander, another amazingly accurate war movie, this time at sea and based earlier in the 19th century. If you haven't seen it, I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend it.

[@brianrecinos3914]

After watching this movie, you must give Gettysburg a watch. It's a great movie that details the battle from soldiers of both sides.

[@christopherpeters6365]

I shit you not, I've been running to this soundtrack since my army days and I've been out since 1999🤣

[@FlixTalk]

I thank you for your service my dude & thank you for watching!

[@ReklawLah]

Again, the very highest quality reaction. You, sir, are a gift to the reactor community. I hope your channel takes off.

[@FlixTalk]

Ahhh man thank you so much for that comment! Made my day! I love movies so much and love talking them with an awesome community of people like yourself that appreciate my time!

[@danielgremley9475]

Great reaction...this is my favorite war film. It really pulls no punches demonstrating what black soldiers were faced with in this Era. Really perfect film in every way

[@kojarart3184]

Ive cried like a baby watching this movie

[@josullivan5604]

my 3 sisters and I watched this movie NON STOP when we were little! Our favorite movie! Required for everyone in the USA. ❤

[@rxtsec1]

Denzel did win his first oscar for this

[@ricardorgomez]

Maybe the best reaction with possibly the best mix of emotion and intellectual summary. It's easy to get wrapped up in the emotion... But the added empathy and attention to detail you see in the movie is also, a great contribution. Well done.

[@irwinpaepae8071]

I love your absolute sincere and honest review about this movie and the characters that these actors portrayed … you’ve made a subscriber out of me because of that

[@FlixTalk]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@annb8296]

RIP Andre Braugher (Thomas) July 1, 1962 - December 11, 2023 🙏❤️💐

[@conchfritters01]

My brother lives in Boston. Can’t visit without a walk down the Freedom Trail and seeing the monument to the 54th.

[@valeriefields7902]

Have you seen "The Longest Day?" My Dad insisted on we kids watch it at a drive in.

[@glennalpaugh2820]

Don't know if you noticed, but the dead black soldiers laying in their mass grave at the end of the movie were stripped of their shoes; so sad after what they went through to earn them.

[@garynixon9035]

Yea I noticed that too !!!!!!

[@mikecarew8329]

Glory is underrated but one of my all time faves. Another underrated war movie you may enjoy: We Were Soldiers about the first major battle in Vietnam War.

[@zeleptic]

Just watched this in film class while everyone else fell asleep and I balled eyes out.

[@haraldisdead]

I live about 120 minutes from Gettysburg. My area suffered in that campaign. It's really hard for me to not hate the south.

[@jeanb.5405]

Watch Tora Tora Tora it was made unlike other WW2 movies, with the input and history from the enemies (at that time) point of view and documents.

[@seanwalters1977]

Oh of my favorite movies ever not just civil war movies. Another great is Gettysburg. It's long but worth the watch!

[@Magmax30]

Very brave Men

[@Salguine]

Regarding your comment in the beginning about, "how can they just march upright into that, knowing a cannonball could just decapitate you..." A cannonball would have been the least horrible thing here...At closer range like this, the confederate artillery would have been using canister shells, which is basically a tin can filled with 150-200 lead balls. It's intended for use against oncoming masses of troops, and basically turns the cannon into a giant shotgun. That's what they would have been walking into here. I'd much rather face a cannonball than a canister shell.

[@veot.2869]

Excellent reaction. I've seen a lot of reactions to this movie and yours is in the top five. I saw this movie when it was released and it was great in the theatres. My only complaint would be not showing the final "church" scene of the men. But, your editing was on point. I need to see your other content and hopefully that will lead me to subscribe. You certainly deserve more!!!! I would also like to throw in a recommendation: *Girl With a Pearl Earring.* This is my all time favorite film and I have seen thousands. It is based on the famous painting by Johannes Vermeer. I don't want to spoil it so that's all. Hopefully you will do it. 😌

[@darkmagus64]

I could watch this film everyday. My favorite war movies are Gettysburg, A Bridge Too Far, and Apocalypse Now.

[@adampare8088]

Trip DID pick up that flag after Shaw got killed. By then it was it doesn't matter for your personal feeling, we are all brothers right now

[@ILLUSIONFUSION1]

5 out of 5 hands down no questions asked!!

[@louis1443]

Give them hell 54!!!!!

[@haraldisdead]

Best. Movie.

[@FlixTalk]

It was pretty amazing !

[@luvlgs1]

The Thin Red Line, Zulu, Lawrence of Arabia, Apocalypse Now,, Full Metal Jacket.. Keep on rockin

[@luvlgs1]

That scene where the captain releases his horse from duty, and gazes out at the ocean always gets me. Great movie. I cry everytime I watch it.

[@patrickownby6151]

Gettysburg and Gods and Generals are must see war movies

[@rxtsec1]

Glory & Casulties of war are my favorite war movies

[@2104dogface]

also just an FYI - William H. Carney of New Bedford , ma was the 1st Black Soldier to earn the Medal of Honor was with the C co. 54th and during the assault on FT. Wagner , he saved the Colors and was wounded 2 times. Also (sadly )more recently BLM vandalized the monument too the 54th in Boston

[@trojankev]

Lawrence of Arabia! Historical and inspiring. A must see. Best on a big screen

[@drewsimon3500]

🇯🇲 Respect 🇺🇸

[@ConnieSaysHello]

Well done. Good commentary!

[@IrishPizzaMan]

Hey. Great reaction. How bout something a little bit lighter. You said you’re going to travel soon how about Midnight Run (if you haven’t seen it) A Robert DiNero movie very funny From New York to LA cross country theme!

[@TheRealMediaMan]

Definitely one of the best films ever made

[@sadeaton]

Great review and good call on the teeth of the actors, I never noticed that before.

[@EpicMRPancake]

1993's 'Gettysburg' would be a great next civil war film!

[@CherylHughes-ts9jz]

Such a great cast‼️☮️🇺🇸

[@GrouchyMarx]

Another excellent movie and reaction Flix! You wanted more war movie ideas do the "Band of Brothers" a WWII mini-series based on true accounts including some brief interviews with the actual veterans throughout. Since you just did Casablanca, and want a few more war movies earlier than the 70s I suggest "Objective, Burma!" (1945) with Errol Flynn, just a typical raw war movie of the era and released while the war was still going on. "Sergent York" (1941) an excellent one with Gary Cooper about WWI, based on the true story of York and released five months before the Pearl Harbor attack, and is definitely one you should do! And a more recent one "Patton" (1969) with George C. Scott you'd like that was a big hit in 1970. ✌️😎

[@AeonAxisProductions]

If you like war movies you HAVE to watch Gettysburg, it has just as good of a cast and is honestly imo the best civil war movie, Martin sheen as Robert e Lee, Jeff Daniels as Joshua chamberlain, and Sam Elliot as John buford

[@johnhickton7944]

As a white man not particularly impressed by the conduct of modern day people of colour "GLORY" is on of the bst films ever made. The acting is awesome. "Thomas" should have won an oscar alongside Freeman, Washington, Broderick and Elwes. The message from this film for all people of colour.? You don't demand respect. You earned it. The 54th earned it! They were men of honour and integrity.

[@ScottMaresh]

I would also like to recommend you react to Courage Under Fire starring Denzel Washington and Meg Ryan and Crimson Tide starring Denzel Washington ad Gene Hackman