Glory (1989) First Time Watching! Movie Reaction!!

[@TBRSchmitt]

An emotional and inspiring true story! So glad we were able to experience this film! Thank you all for the support!

[@goneetfierdeletre4032]

Hi from Lyon - France ^^ .....Another great movie on a true story that you absolutly must watch is " MISSISSIPI BURNING "

[@samantha_schmitt]

@@goneetfierdeletre4032 I’ve added it to the list! Thank you!

[@diha2271]

Warden from Shawshank redemption is playing corrupted authority figure once again ;)

[@eddyandthebadcheese2247]

you should try "A Soldiers Story" with Denzel Washington...which came out a few years earlier. A very different kind of war story..... atypical and historical.

[@dnazen]

Hi guys thanks for the reaction, I am actually a big fan of this movie's director Edward Zwick, I highly recommend checking out more of his work, he has done a lot of war themes movies but also some other things. My top recommendations for Zwick's work would be Blood Diamond (2006), Legends of The Fall (1994), The Last Samurai (2003), and Courage Under Fire (1996)

[@k.c.8658]

The Rebs thought they were dishonoring Shaw by burying him with the black troops. Shaw’s father reported that they could not have given him higher honor.

[@Lethgar_Smith]

Yes, and in addition to that an army, when burying the enemy dead, officers usually were given individual graves and only the enlisted were buried in a mass grave. So it was a double insult.

[@johntaylor7029]

Yeah his father even told Union soldiers to not move his son's body when they had an opportunity. "he could have no better honor guard" I think he said.

[@samworf6550]

@@johntaylor7029 "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!"

[@nenabunena]

@@samworf6550 wow, thanks for sharing that!

[@Y_.R]

Yes, his body remained with his soldiers as his parents wished. Eventually, they removed all the bodies and reinterred them in the Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, SC. The cemetery was created by Abraham Lincoln for the interment of fallen Civil War soldiers. In 1987, bodies of the 55th Regiment, the sister company of the regiment in Glory (also African American) were discovered on a South Carolina beach. They were reinterred at the Beaufort National Cemetery and the cast of Glory served as pallbearers. The Beaufort National Cemetery is now home to veterans of every American War since the Civil War, including my parents.

[@draskang]

I feel like many ppl misinterpreted Shaw's requirement that the men have to go through channels to speak to officers. I think this is honestly a sign of respect. Shaw treats his men like all soldiers are, not just in privileges but in responsibility. He could have let them stay safe just doing manual labor & marching for show, but he chose to be part of the war & risk his life to change things. To me, that's the whole film. These men lived & died like men with purpose of their own choosing.

[@stevesparks2001]

You understand!

[@jw1731]

Exactly. Rules against fraternization in the military between officers and the enlisted are made for pragmatist reasons instead of just making the officer class feel good about themselves. In Master and Commander part of Mr. Hollom's downfall is that he was too friendly and too eager to be buddy-buddy with the sailors; they no longer respected him, and being superstitious, blamed him for their bad luck, driving him to internalize that blame and commit suicide. On the other hand, in the film Glory, Rawlins is shown understanding this concept in de-escalating the solders' quarrel instead of reporting it to Major Forbes, who, given his protective albeit somewhat paternalistic attitude toward black Americans, was already more than happy to punish those who would racially abuse men of the 54th. But escalating a quarrel, which to be fair was started by Trip, would make the 54th seem like snitches. While at the end of that exchange some of the white soldiers were still having the last word but the main one was silent and had a confused look of remorse and gratitude, and sure enough later he was the one to cheer 'give 'em hell 54th'.

[@dasqussy4540]

Facts

[@bbwng54]

Agree- even in today's corporation, one needs to go through your own line Manager within your department. You don't approach the CEO (unless he/she say it's OK to do so)

[@rebekah1362]

Yes, but you have to remember when this movie was made. It's a whole different generation now. You're right of course, he was actually paying them respect by treating them like real soldiers, because that's what they were. Although, he failed to realize the complete truth of how much they lacked (socks and shoes). It's amazing the difference those two items can make to a good soldier.

[@tajcee]

Glory doesn’t get nearly enough credit as a war film. And my god, Denzel’s single tear during *that* scene…….😭😭😭

[@BClarke]

And the music strikes that single note as he can’t hold his hard facade any more and that tear rolls.

[@shanenolan8252]

Agreed the tear

[@rxtsec1]

Give that man a oscar. Oh yeah they did

[@ronmaximilian6953]

The movie won three Academy awards. One of these was win Denzel Washington for Best supporting actor.

[@johnnymoreno5065]

Craziest thing tho Denzel wanted to do that scene alone because he want to felt the pain how they gone thru. That's something deep indeed🙏🙏🙏

[@TheOldKevin]

I was so disgusted when I saw that a monument to the 54th was vandalized when they were tearing down all the statues, including a statue of Frederick Douglass.

[@louiscachet7681]

It only shows these guys died for nothing and their descendants are a disgrace

[@TheOldKevin]

@@louiscachet7681 To be fair, it was mostly the white people that dressed in Black Bloc that are only an idea.

[@handsomeX]

@@louiscachet7681 Have u ever considered testosterone replacement therapy?

[@dicktater6245]

@@handsomeX dilate

[@atlasmasterdmind4070]

Thing is it was done mostly by white betas.

[@cluster_f1575]

"Give 'em hell 54!" gives me chills. Every. Time.

[@Ivy94F]

That, and the ‘how many are left,’ scene. Every. Time.

[@NateConklin]

This

[@72tadrian65]

If what I understand is correct, Shaw’s statue was tore down by BLM... There is so much ignorant misinformation that I don’t know what’s real anymore in the media...

[@willp8003]

@@72tadrian65 I'm not sure if it was Shaw or a monument to the 54th or a combination. I believe it was to the 54th itself. It was horrible it was torn down.

[@Ausl0vich]

@@72tadrian65 it wasn't torn down, it's currently being restored at a cost of $3m. It was graffitied with anti-police slogans during the George Floyd protests, however.

[@drlee2]

Matthew Broderick was so underrated in this film. Over time, I appreciate his incredibly nuanced performance more and more. He's not just the nominal lead of this film, but delivers a seriously great performance and gives the film it's heart as much as any of the other famous actors.

[@JFinSD2]

totally agree. I think because Broderick was known for his comedic roles, he was grossly overlooked among actors like Freeman and Washington. I really think Broderick was greatly over looked in this film. I hope Mathew Broderick realizes how well he did in this film.

[@johnnymoreno5065]

Not only that but Broderick look eerily similar to Col. Shaw which is crazy but yes this is true cuz everyone for years had pointed this out alot. It was stated he had ancestor who fought in the war but didnt say who exactly

[@jjkcharlie]

He should've won an award. Verily i say unto You. So many Actors on this film.

[@Ivy94F]

So true. I bought the book of col robert shaw’s diary because of this film and his performance.

[@killingjoke535]

Completely agree

[@dan2007kohn]

Morgan Freeman wasn’t practicing in the rain, he was on guard duty. Col Shaw didn’t think he was better than the men. He was an inexperienced commander and was following army regulations. Officiers could not fraternize with enlisted men and enlisted men could not speak to a commander without permission according to regulations. The soldier that called the soldiers the N word and latter said “giv’em hell 54” is the writer of the film. He also wrote Tombstone.

[@AudieHolland]

Shaw didn't want to make such a mistake, being friendly to Thomas could have been regarded as favouritism because they were friends in civilian life.

[@MojiBeau]

Interesting, both Tombstone and this feature an incredibly well-written and even better performed side character that ends up being the standout.

[@paulhewes7333]

100 percent accurate. Shaw was trying to make sure that the discipline was above reproach. He especially. He made his dedication to the unit obvious when he chastised Major Forbes and claimed he owed them his own life. He meant it.

[@mikebailey9566]

Yes, in the military it's called following the chain of command. He would have been better off complaining to the sergeant, who then would have taken it to the major and so on. Complaints and orders go up the chain....not down.

[@danh8804]

@@AudieHolland would have been, and rightfully so. That he had as many unguarded exchanges with Thomas as it was, was an indulgence.

[@rogercline5377]

The "You're too good, need an appointment to talk to me" thing is a sign of respect for his men. That's how regular army is/was. He was treating them like regular army.

[@UrbanAnywhere]

Yup 100%. Many people miss this or misinterpret this. It's pretty obvious to people who served.

[@russeads2995]

Yes, and if a private soldier gets special treatment from the commanding officer, his peers will resent him for it.

[@lethaldose2000]

Glory had a sad ending. But the real victory was the 54th being given a chance to fight. Show that their guts and grit were equal and sometimes even stronger than their white counterparts. Glory is so intense and the fact that it's true makes it even more harrowing. All hail the men of the 54th.

[@daustin8888]

That's why the movie is called "Glory" not "Victory"

[@최유현-r2s]

It can be significant that they fought. The Battle of the 54th Regiment was not just a battle, it was also a black civil rights movement.

[@__mindflayer__]

“GIVE EM’ HELL 54th!”

[@GF_Baltar]

I've seen this movie 8 or 9 times, and it's gut-wrenching every time. "Yall'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?"

[@CaptLoquaLacon]

On the director's commentary on the DVD, it revealed that the campfire scene was largely improvised - when Glory was being made, a lot of African-American people volunteered to be extras because they wanted to make sure the story was told properly, and you had a whole load of extras camping. The director and the (I think) screenwriter heard some of them singing while camping and it inspired them to put a scene in before the battle where the soldiers have this moment of an affirmation of faith using the song that the extras had been singing. It's one of the best director's commentaries I've ever seen, and well worth tracking down if you can

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

@@CaptLoquaLacon, @Daniel Allen & @The Mooner: god... stop making me weep y'all. I'm a grown ass man, damnit!! :')

[@GF_Baltar]

@@CaptLoquaLacon Wow, that makes me love the movie even more than I already did!

[@citizenbobx]

That was the Oscar scene.

[@kevinscott59]

@@danielallen3454 More like they threw themselves into the jaws of death in order to have a chance to draw blood from the people that held them in subjugation.

[@usmcmech96]

The first battle in the movie where Shaw is wounded was the Battle of Antietam which remains the deadliest day in US history with 7560 combined fatalities.

[@billparrish4385]

I had the privilege a few years ago to visit the Antietam battlefield. Just knowing what the ground under my feet had seen 140 years earlier was a sobering and moving experience. The cornfield to the north that had been cut down almost like a harvest by gunfire. Standing next to the rebuilt Dunker church, looking out over the 'heights' (really, rolling Maryland farmland, but in battle any elevation is an advantage). Walking the actual Sunken Road. Crossing the lower bridge, Burnside Bridge, imagining Confederate sharpshooters dug in along the opposite bank. It was as somber as a cemetery. Other groups of visitors spoke in muted tones, if at all, as did we. So much bloodshed. So much death. Shaw doubtless saw many things that day that he never forgot, the stuff of nightmares. That scratch on his neck would not have been the only wound he carried away from Antietam Creek....

[@peterkragelund4794]

But it was technically the victory Lincoln needed morally to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, wich was the beginning of enabling black soldiers fighting for the Union.

[@MrFrikkenfrakken]

@@billparrish4385 That is why I am a proud member of the American Battlefield Trust, to preserve those places where you can visit and ponder and contemplate.

[@billparrish4385]

@@MrFrikkenfrakken Thank you for that work, sir. Especially in these times, it would do us all good to stop and consider what brother fighting against brother cost us the last time, and all of us find our way, together, back to union....

[@pantlessreactions]

"Give 'em Hell, 54" That line always gets me

[@desmondhoneycutt4434]

I always tear up when they assault fort Wagner.

[@Emelefpi]

I need that slogan on a t-shirt

[@greggross8856]

That line gets everybody. Every time.

[@acereporter73]

"I'll see you in the fort, Thomas." That's when I start to break and can't hold the tears back anymore.

[@mikerhodes8454]

My dad said this had one of the most realistic scenes in a war movie. during the final charge, Matthew Broderick blows the sand out of his revolver. My dad said that was a detail that no one would have thought to put in.

[@atlasmasterdmind4070]

It's normal for any soldier in war. We all did it in Iraq. So your Dad was a Civil War Vet? 😆

[@jackpartmann532]

The scene where the union soldiers cheer for them as they march towards the final battle always was a favorite scene of mine

[@Ivy94F]

‘Give em hell, 54th!!’ Said by the very man that gave them shit when they were about to fight in the trenches. Very moving.

[@dastemplar9681]

Fun fact, the guy who yelled “Give em Hell, 54th” was the Civil War technical advisor for the film.

[@eXcommunicate1979]

@@dastemplar9681 the screenwriter, I heard

[@oilersridersbluejays]

The white Union soldiers that said “I’ll see you again” was right. Bit of foreshadowing there.

[@tommaxwell429]

Training soldiers to act without thought, to take orders without delay, and put their lives in jeopardy without hesitation is no easy task. It is a tough job and is relevant today as it was 200 years ago.

[@DanielFrost21]

The casualties in the Civil War were so high because the weapons had outpaced the tactics. Military strategy back then was to basically line up and march on an enemy position. With the weapons becoming more advanced, the end result was the slaughter of thousands of men. After Fredericksburg, which was a horrific battle, Robert W. Lee remarked, "It is well that war is so terrible lest we grow too fond of it".

[@nipoone6109]

The officers and Commanders that led the troops of both sides were trained in the Napoleonic style of warfare, which meant advancing to within 80 metres of the enemy before firing as that was the range muskets had a decent chance of hitting anything. By the time of the civil war the new rifle muskets were reasonably accurate at 200 metres. This of course caused problems. Putting the men in line like that was the best way to keep cohesion and to command the troops. There are no radios, orders have to be shouted or issued through flags and instruments. If the men are scattered then issuing orders and advancing as a unit becomes extremely difficult. Grouping the men in such a way also maximized firepower. The weapons did indeed become deadlier but Line formations were still the best way to form troops. By the time say WW1 starts formations have decreased in size to a few hundred men in smaller units with much more flexibility and they no longer march in lines. Problem of course was that Commanders didn't know how to counter fixed defensive positions equipped with barbed wire and machine guns.

[@DanielFrost21]

@@nipoone6109 It was also the best way to get men slaughtered.

[@billprice8596]

In 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!"

[@ThePoorBoy]

Broderick's casting was met with mixed reactions when the film was first released (I assume because of the perception that he was Ferris Bueller or the hacker kid from WarGames), but in addition to actually looking like Shaw, he gave an incredibly beautiful and pitch-perfect performance that, of course, is part of an ensemble of extraordinary performances. Glory is one of the greatest war films ever made, and as a piece of historical filmmaking, one of the most important. I would never be in favor of the film being remade, but it would be very timely to re-release it in theaters -- many sacrifices were made by Americans both black and white so that everyone in this country could eventually taste freedom.

[@r.g.o3879]

Broderick did not get the credit he deserved for Glory, both Freeman and Denzel were excellent but it was Brodericks film so to speak and his portrayal of Col Gould captured his dedication and bravery both to take the job in the first place and to lead them into battle. His training and the care he took of his men earned their respect and affection and they followed him into the hell of Confederate canon fire. This was a true story and despite a tad bit too much political correctness it was very well done and ranks as one of the best Civil War films ever made

[@CEngelbrecht]

The "Give 'em hell, 54!" soldier that earlier picked the fight with Trip, that's the screenplay writer. The guy who did all the research piecing this togather, that bit part is his cameo.

[@Perma-Tempo]

Made a comment on this film a couple months back. Forgive the laziness, but it has everything I want to say... That final charge of the 54th under impossible circumstances, the swelling of the music, the waving of the American flag, the authentic feeling of courage and fear on display, then ending on the shot of two men of different color, who had fought for the right to be equals, having their bodies meet in a final embrace at the end...this sequence leaves me crying for long periods of time, just thinking about it, nevermind watching it. This came out when I was 12. Saw it in the theater. I feel like this was one of those movies at that age that leaves you a different person. I became a young man after that day, and it has always been a priority of mine to fight for equality ever since. Some movies really shape the kind of person you are at that age. I feel fortunate for the timing of this one. Thanks for reacting to this. It's a fantastic film in just about every way.

[@samantha_schmitt]

I loved reading this! Thank you so much for sharing your experience watching this film for the first time and the impact it had on your life! ❤️

[@stevenmcanales3813]

Shaw, himself, when offered command of the 54th, spent 3 months trying to make a decision. Another thing, besides being an inexperienced commander, was that during Darien, he was not disgusted by the colonel of the non-professional slaves that were given union uniforms. In fact, he was inspired. The ORIGINAL 54th were not these runaway slaves. They were all like Thomas, free, many educated, working class black men. But the fact that the 54th needed a translator to understand the freed slaves was accurate.

[@Lethgar_Smith]

True, however, I like to think that because we never hear a word from any of the other soldiers other than the main cast, perhaps the majority of them are free men and it's just a fluke that 3 former slaves and one free man would end up sharing the same tent.

[@jasondecharleroy4161]

Perhaps it is not appreciated enough the risk free blacks took by putting on that uniform. Death was not the only fate that awaited them. If captured, they risked being treated as runaways and enslaved. All the more reason to honor their sacrifice.

[@Ailurophile1984]

They were speaking pretty authentic Gullah from the sound of it:)

[@Ambaryerno]

That colonel was James Montgomery. This historical Montgomery was a zealous abolitionist, not the racist bastard ex-slave owner depicted in the film. Shaw did object to the firing of Darien, as depicted in the film, however the action was not a wanton act of looting and destruction but a part of the Union philosophy of total war. Shaw's family later contributed significant donations to the rebuilding of Darien after the War.

[@helmedon]

You guys were upset with Shaw's manner with the men. That was, and to some degree still is proper military protocol. As a leader you have to keep a certain distance between yourself and those you command. Same with superiors fraternizing with subordinates. That's mainly to maintain the chain of command and authority over subordinates. When officers get too familiar with those they command it gets harder to give difficult orders and soldiers tend to view the officer as a buddy rather than a commander. With the colored regiment Shaw didn't want to give the appearance of going easier or what-not. He wanted to prove that colored men were just as good as white men.

[@coreyhendricks9490]

Not only this is a great film but also Denzel Washington win an oscar for this film. Bravo Denzel Bravo 👏

[@samantha_schmitt]

Yes! So well deserved!

[@tajcee]

Denzel was on fire in this film! One of my favorite performances he’s done in any film.

[@coreyhendricks9490]

@@tajcee Also in Training Day

[@tajcee]

@@coreyhendricks9490 Yes!!! Add Malcolm X, Man On Fire, Mo’ Better Blues, He Got Game, American Gangster, Crimson Tide…. The list is endless

[@coreyhendricks9490]

@@tajcee 💯% Of Classic Films Of Denzel Washington

[@McPh1741]

This has to be one of James Horner's best movie scores. It really elevates the movie to another level.

[@simeonteitelbaum3673]

James Horner is my all time favorite film composer

[@Ivy94F]

Just the absolute best! My favorite of his as well.

[@zzzkoszzz]

18:20 the most epic Morgan Freeman scene ever. Denzel swept the awards but Morgan was the movie.

[@MrLovegrove]

I don't necessarily disagree, but I still think Andre Braugher doesn't get nearly enough respect for the job he did. He was (to me) every bit as good as anyone else in this.

[@PapaEli-pz8ff]

@@MrLovegrove Yes indeed! His character's transformation was great.

[@7bootzy]

"Oh man, they just casually strolled up to their doom." Human history, man...

[@Wholesomewebs]

The way Shaw looks out into the sea one last time, taking it all in before hell breaks loose perhaps into certain death. Always been powerful to me.

[@michaelc.6532]

I imagine him looking out into the sea one last time. Since he grew up in Boston he grew up on the Atlantic and as he gazed out he was saying his goodbyes.

[@ephennell4ever]

Yeah, gazing out, at a peaceful ocean view, but knowing he was about to - literally and figuratively - turn his back on that peaceful view ... wow, so powerful! Many times, when things weren't going well for me, I'd go to the shore and watch the waves come in, and - gradually - the angst/anxiety/worry would be eroded away. Shore-fronts can be _so_ calming/relaxing!

[@devinrivers5808]

I felt the same way too

[@chrisadams8182]

And knowing all his men will die as well. Just gut wrenching. He truly did a fantastic job.

[@WaitAMinute1989]

That's why he set his horse free.

[@christopherparrisjr.3146]

My 2x Great Grandfather served in Company G, 54th Massachusetts. He survived Fort Wagner but was later wounded at Olustee.

[@leopardskills69]

The civil war is an example of Battle Tactics not catching up too the advance of weaponry. The Rifles had way better point target compared too the Napoleonic Muskets, which didn’t have rifling in the barrel. Add in the Mini- ball a conical bullet, you have a point target of about 200 yards to the 40 yards of a non rifled barrel. The Chain of command remains the same today. There are some candid moments, such as a greeting here and there. Basic training is tearing down the man as he was, to build a soldier. ( this example is also late 1800’s. Keep that in mind, so a grain of salt is included). When Shaw’s father heard of his death, and where he was buried. His father stated, he couldn’t have been in a more honorable place. This was said with sincerity. The First Black Soldier earned the Medal of Honor from the Fort Wagner battle. So 3 things occurred 1- a colored unit gained respect for ALL colored units. 2- their story is still told (Legends never die). 3- The first MOH was issued to a Black Soldier. This film is a master piece.

[@Rammstein0963.]

Your ranges are off, no offense. 400-500 yards was often achieved with Springfield Pattern 1861 rifles (Union standard issue), this is part of what made earlier battles like Antietam such horror shows, the troops didn't fully appreciate the lethality of these new weapons, nor did the officers.

[@MrIMABIGMONKEY]

I’ve also heard a different argument that battles were fought like this for the reasons you stated but also bc just the geography of the country at the time and/or defensive positions the confederates took (as they were the ones defending for the first half of the war) forced union troops to fight in open fields, which is obviously favorable to the defenders.

[@charlesmaurer6214]

Some sharpshooters can hit a quarter at 1000 yards with a Springfield, they didn't teach aiming well then. Worried more about fast loading and led to many shooting over or into the ground. Those who learned to aim at ranges would have been twice as deadly.

[@ericjahoda2997]

Denzel's career was made with this performance. Great choice guys!

[@M0rmagil]

It also reinvigorated Morgan Freeman’s career.

[@geraldgarcia777]

This film has a great soundtrack.

[@samantha_schmitt]

Agreed! The end was epic

[@THOMMGB]

James Horner should have been nominated for an Oscar for his music in this film.

[@claymccoy]

@@THOMMGB It did win a Grammy.

[@THOMMGB]

@@claymccoy Actually, you're thinking about the John Legend song, Glory. "Glory" is a song by American rapper Common and American singer John Legend. ... The song won the award for Best Original Song at the 87th Academy Awards (2015) and the 72nd Golden Globe Awards (2015), as well as the award for Best Song Written for Visual Media at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards (2016).

[@claymccoy]

@@THOMMGB No, it won the Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for Television in 1991.

[@61051208]

I absolutely love and hate this movie. It makes me feel so many emotions within two hours. I haven't seen a movie since that made me feel so much. Such a great film.

[@CaptLoquaLacon]

@SuperPunch76 A friend of mine said there is a theory that the emancipation of slaves was partly political - the South were open to being helped by Britain, but the North knowing the efforts that Britain had taken to stop the slave trade realised that if they freed the slaves, Britain could no longer be seen to help the south. There are certainly moments in this film where you get the impression that some of the people beyond the hardcore abolitionists were much more ambivalent about the idea of equality which may have been a fair reflection of the times

[@ignitionSoldier]

This movie was the first one to ever make me cry. I love this film so much. And RIP James Horner.

[@robertopalomino4604]

The Director of this film is also the Director of The Last Samurai. You can see a very similar scene in the learning to shoot scene. Both main characters pressure the best shot of the regiment to load and shoot by firing a pistol. I always found this interesting.

[@bonya4585]

Edward Zwick is a treasure

[@Ozai75]

The amputation scene is a little anacronistic. They had Choloroform and other knock out drugs, but a lot of the times during extremely bloody battles (Antietam was the single bloodiest day of the war) they'd run out. Also the Minie Balls that they used were lead and .58 cal so when they hit a bone they would shatter it into little pieces. We can't do anything with bones like that *now* much less 150 years ago. The only thing they *could* do was amputation.

[@joefish2264]

And when Thomas got shot in the shoulder with a minie ball, there would be NO WAY you could get up and fight after taking a round of that size. You would likely be dead, or at least, laying on the ground in shock unable to move.

[@JeepersCreepers2013]

The scene where Shaw let's his horse go after he stares out at the ocean tells you all you need to know about his fate. Such a powerful scene. The colors were actually returned to the line by a soldier with something like 10 bullets in him... including one in the head

[@beanz6745]

Beautiful scene, but taking the saddle off the horse before setting it free would have been perfect.

[@TheRealMediaMan]

The scene with shaw on the beach. Looking at peaceful waves then to the certain death that awaits. His breathing quickens ans he knows he's going to die. Amazing acting

[@jp3813]

Please follow this up w/ The Last Samurai (2003), which is also directed by Edward Zwick.

[@annb8296]

RIP Andre Braugher (Thomas) 12/11/2023 🙏 ❤️ 💐

[@jaojmnhzhzm]

The beautiful soundtrack is half of the film's greatness.

[@stevenmcanales3813]

As for Wagner, though out-gunned, and out-numbered, had nature as an ally. The ocean on one side, a marsh on another, and a swamp covering the rest. The tertian was HORRIBLE for any one attacking. Yes, the 54th was the first in, and only a few white units made it. The bulk of the main force never made it because Confederate sharpshooters killed every single messenger sent to tell the main force reinforcements were needed to take Wagner

[@barte3822]

The Civil War was definitely a meat grinder. Great movie and great reaction. Anything with Denzel is gold. I suggest you watch Man on Fire with Denzel and Dakota Fanning when you have time.

[@Kaddywompous]

They’re gonna watch it piece by piece, do you understand me? Piece by piece!

[@Bhint320610]

That Denzel tear…had me mad and snot crying when I first watched it as a young boy.

[@jean-philippedoyon9904]

It's amazing how much that movie's ending remind me of the one in The Last Samurai ( same director). It's bitter sweet and end iin a glorious last stand were every character final journey end in what they wanted in some way ! A movie called Glory, you would think it would end in glorious victory, but it's a defeat who leaded to glorious results, more black soldier in the Union army. It's fascinating !

[@jp3813]

Although you're possibly spoiling the ending of The Last Samurai for the reactors.

[@seanobrien798]

The Battle of Antietam (or Sharpsburg) on September 17, 1862 was the bloodiest day in American history.

[@metalmadness5851]

The 54th didn't need to win the battle, just to win the "Glory" that the nation needed to finally unite both White and Black. And that ended up winning a seemingly unwinnable war. All these years later since I first saw this movie, it's still my favorite of all time!

[@nothingtobeconcernedabout7477]

Every drop of sweat you shed during training and/or preparation avoids shedding 1 drop of blood during battle

[@RLKmedic0315]

Old military saying: "Drills should be bloodless battles and battles will be bloody drills."

[@frankgesuele6298]

@@RLKmedic0315 That's from the writings of Flavius Josephus regarding the Roman Legions. "Their drills were bloodless battles & their battles bloody drills."

[@RLKmedic0315]

@@frankgesuele6298 I knew it was an old quote, and I think I remember hearing that it was from Rome, but I did not know who said it. Thank you for the information.

[@blueroninstudios]

This was it. This was the film that put Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington's name on theater marquees around the world as really damn good leading men! Hell, the entire cast shines! I actually saw this for the first time in history class, and the entire class was in tears by the end, including me, naturally!

[@rxtsec1]

Actually freeman and Denzel both got nominated for supporting actor in 87. Freeman for street smart & Washington for Cry Freedom. Also Glory did take Washington to the next level but for Freeman it was Driving Miss Daisy which beat Glory in 89 for Best picture

[@AR_112]

@@rxtsec1 Glory was not nominated for Best Picture

[@rxtsec1]

@@AR_112 I just looked that up and your right

[@christopherrousseau1173]

This is one of only three movies that have brought me to tears. I cry every time Denzel gets whipped for trying to get shoes.

[@johnnyfive4436]

That ending brings me to tears every time. The last twenty minutes of the film is such a roller-coaster of emotions. The final charge where it looks like they are going to over take the fort only to get massacred at the end. Gets me to tears every time.

[@kieronball8962]

An incredible piece of cinema, featuring an amazing cast of actors.

[@bdog1323]

I always liked the one glaring mistake people usually miss and that's when the kids are waving good bye to them in Georgia, you can see one of the little kids with a digital wrist watch. LOL

[@briannarivera4694]

Ha Ha, noticed that on the dvd, too funny!! LOL

[@outrider7577]

Time traveller!

[@PapaEli-pz8ff]

The Production Assistants can't catch every little detail. Especially in scenes with large groups of background performers. It's also very possible that very few of the children were experienced actors. Just saying..

[@briannarivera4694]

@@PapaEli-pz8ff And it's fun to find those mistakes in movies, keeps you sharp.

[@charlesmaurer6214]

A bigger one is red sashes instead of blue used by all infantry. Red is for artilery. Another mistake hollywood tends to do is calvery rank patches on officers (gold base color)

[@scottjo63]

19:09 always the bad guy, remember the warden...you know Shawshank Redemption

[@shanenolan8252]

I saw him playing a good guy a couple of times or a good guy who does bad things. A particular episode of star trek the next generation. The wounded a veteran who lost his wife and children during a war cant accept peace with the enemy. One of the best star trek episodes imo .

[@hopefulagnostic336]

Holy shit! I've seen both of these movies countless times, and that's the first time I realized it was the same actor! Thank you!

[@lethaldose2000]

What made the Civil War so brutal, was the fact that the armies were using 18-century battle tactics with modern updated weapons. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the weapons were very inaccurate. Only able to hit 1 out of 15 they aimed for, by the Civil War that number was 1 out of 4. So the carnage was way more intense.

[@Kayoss13212]

Yeah. It’s also crazy and scary to think about how defenseless they are as soon as they fire that first shot.

[@auerstadt06]

They were using Napoleonic war tactics.

[@brianherr2699]

The world failed to pay attention to the stupidity of Civil War tactics in comparison to the technology giving us WWI.

[@lethaldose2000]

@@Kayoss13212 Heck. American Indians were way more accurate with bow and arrow riding full speed on horseback.

[@lethaldose2000]

@@Kayoss13212 Hell Gengis Khan conquereed the world with elite bow and arrow on horseback. Riding forward and reverse. It took the west 600 years to catch up.

[@jimtatro6550]

This movie should be required viewing in America History class.

[@nathan4919]

Was a film I watched for the first time when I was at Elementary school.

[@jasonsabbath6996]

It was in my Jr. High. The US history class watched it every year. Also 1776 and a few others. I had already watched the movie in the theater.

[@jasondecharleroy4161]

Saw it in Junior High

[@ricardoaguirre6126]

I saw it in eight grade.

[@seannovack3834]

My 15 year-old son did see it in school back when he was 13. It was released the year I graduated from High School

[@1MahaDas]

Morgan Freeman's character was not "practicing" at night and in the rain. Though he possessed no rifle, he was more likely on guard duty!

[@sydhamelin1265]

One of my favorite movies. The score is incredible, and the acting is just phenomenal. I lived in Boston for years, where the Robert Shaw memorial is (the one in the ending credits). It says a lot that they used his letters, what an epic movie.

[@jons8607]

Growing up in Massachusetts we learned about the history of this at a young age (for my school). Some interesting facts, the area they trained in is called Forest Hills, which now there is a subway/commuter rail station. Also the statue at the end of the film is right front of our state house right on the far corner of Boston Common.

[@rodroller6634]

This is such an under the radar movie. Every time I watch it I get emotional. It’s so refreshing to see a movie based on a true story that decided to reflect reality over the feel good ending.

[@SeekingFreedom369]

More 👏🏾people 👏🏾 need 👏🏾 to 👏🏾 see 👏🏾 this👏🏾

[@samantha_schmitt]

Absolutely!

[@Alte.Kameraden]

Tragically the memorial for the 54th Massachusetts was vandalized during the 2020 riots/protest.

[@MadAngel209]

7:07: It was true. It was called "The Fugitive Slave Act" which was passed by The US Congress.

[@eddyandthebadcheese2247]

you should try "A Soldiers Story" with Denzel Washington...which came out a few years earlier. A very different kind of war story..... atypical and historical. I like it better than Glory, you'll be thrown for a loop....

[@revbray]

Great, great movie!

[@aboutthat1440]

It's a great movie. A couple of other underrated Denzel movies are Devil in a Blue Dress Crimson Tide with Gene Hackman and Viggio Mortenson among others. A great cast all around. I think both are good reaction movies.

[@gregall2178]

That's a good one. Howard E. Rollins, Jr and Adolph Caesar were great.

[@darkmagus64]

100%. That was a great and underrated movie.

[@SMRMUSICATX]

Yes!

[@Dec4AllTimeAlways]

I just finished watching Glory (1989) after seeing Saving Private Ryan (1998) and Schindler's List (1993). Three masterpiece films of cinema. I saw Glory many times in the early-90s. Still an amazing movie after 34 years. With Oppenheimer out, I'm in a binge watch for war films even if many of them are heavy to rewatch. Glory's music is soaring! Thank you to the late-James Horner and the Boys Choir of Harlem. Now that's a very moving war movie about sacrifice and about two races coming together as one. I still have tears in my eyes because how much emotion I felt watching it so many years later. Listen to Glory's "Charging Fort Wagner" and the closing credits. It's the same unbelievable feeling after you see the ending to The Shawshank Redemption and Top Gun: Maverick. The music absolutely soars!! Glory is the only film I ever liked Matthew Broderick in. I always found him too soft in other films. Glory has one of the best end credit songs next to the mediocre-rated Far and Away (1992) which has Enya's "Book of Days" at the end. Now that Enya song feels epic after you watch Far and Away. John Williams worked on that film and it's amazing like pretty much any of his work. Glory is a film to never forget. It's a film I first saw maybe when I was 11 or 12 on cable circa 1991-1992 and made me want to write a history report on the Civil War in the 6th grade (1992-1993). Still remains one of the greatest films I've ever seen. I'm not African-American but I want those who are to always be proud of these heroes and events chronicled by this great film.

[@bigjoeofthe707]

One of my favorite war movies of all time. A classic. Got Denzel his Oscar for best supporting actor. That battle at Fort Wagner man. The music. And when they shout “CHARGE!” as they storm up the hill after seeing their leader get gunned down man it sends chills.

[@jpa5038]

This is my favorite Civil War movie.

[@tommyv8584]

That scene with Denzel being punishes,is so real is painfully emotional.🎥👍🏼🤚.......

[@MrSmithla]

It’s a super minor point, but when you see the unit parade immediately after receiving their uniforms, you see the traditional navy blue coat and lighter blue trousers. The problem is that, if their uniforms were new, the trousers would be the same color. Viewers are so used to seeing the two-tone uniform, the filmmakers went with it. New Union trousers were the same color that bleached from labor in the sun while jackets were habitually set aside. Both sides used the materials most at hand, cotton for the South, wool for the Union. The gray cotton trousers, of course, faded but it wasn’t as noticeable of a contrast between trousers and jacket as the Union uniform.

[@vahauser51]

Thank you for a fine reaction! Samantha commented early in the film about the horrors of "burial detail". Her comment immediately reminded me of Theodor Plievier's "Stalingrad", which is in large part about a German penal battalion and the horrors of being on "cleanup crew" in the midst of arguably the most horrible battle in human history--Stalingrad. I highly recommend you read it, but this book is not for the faint of heart, and you will never forget it once you read it.

[@fmatson]

When we deployed to Saudi Arabia for Desert Shield/Storm in late 1990 we flew over on a chartered 747. We flew out of Norton AFB, making stops in NY, Newfoundland & Rome without being let off the aircraft due to being at civilian terminals. On the last leg of the flight from Rome to Riyadh they showed Glory as an inflight movie. As the ending pan across all of the dead bodies, the cabin lights came back on the pilot announced we were making our final approach to Riyadh...keep in mind we were thinking we'd be in combat within days or even hours.

[@caseymathis9184]

Inspirational, emotional, beautiful; such great acting, especially by Denzel Washington, who won a Best Supporting Actor oscar for his role. I remember watching this on the big screen; one of my favorites

[@andyinpa1]

The final battle scenes on the beach were filmed on Jekyll Island, Georgia. After the movie came out, they renamed the location Glory Beach.

[@andreacongdon7912]

If your interested in another really good Civil War movie check out Gettysburg. This also has a pretty impressive cast Martin Sheen, Jeff Daniels, Tom Berenger, Sam Elliott, Stephen Lang and others. It's a long movie but it's very well done

[@unxprienced9548]

The entire cast of this movie is amazing but Andre Braugher doesn't get talked about enough. For this to be his first movie and to come in with that skill is amazing to me.

[@bonya4585]

RIP Andre.

[@randallshuck2976]

It wasn't practice. He was walking guard duty.

[@johncox6321]

Sgt. William Carney was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions at Ft. Wagner... he returned with the division flag, stating "That it never touched the ground boys." He was the first African American serviceman so honored.

[@dwaneanderson8039]

7:36 He's standing watch. During bootcamp, there is always a man standing watch over the barracks, 24 hours a day, every day. Typically in 4 hour shifts.

[@spencerstewart2172]

What is great about "Glory" is it wasn't overdone like most war movies done by Hollywood. Even Historians have have it was actually quite accurate on what happened

[@EyeTunz]

Man I've seen this 100 times and I'm crying watching this version. How do you guys keep it together?

[@watsonsd1]

It isn't Broderick's sense of superiority that renders him unwilling to fraternize with Thomas, but Army policy. Officers are required to hold themselves above the enlisted and consequently forbidden from such fraternization. This still holds true today, though not to such an extreme. Shaw was an ally of his men from day one, but that didn't mean he was going to flout Army policy. That would have set a poor example and made him a weak officer.

[@bbwng54]

Completely agree with you! They don't understand the chain of command that an army needs to have.

[@jentoby73]

Andre Braugher from Brooklyn 99 is one of my favorite actors. He starred in a show in the early 90s called Homicide: Life on the Street. He was amazing in that show, and the show itself was wonderful. Highly recommend it.

[@gregall2178]

I enjoyed him in Men Of A Certain Age, also... but he was crazy good in Homicide.

[@handsomeX]

@@gregall2178 Homicide Is one of my all-time favorite shows. He was brilliant in that.

[@Roninredstone27]

Glory is one of my all time favorite movies, I'm so glad you reacted to it! Another great war film to add to the list is "Courage Under Fire". It stars Denzel Washington and Meg Ryan, and is directed by Edward Zwick, who directed Glory. Love you all's reactions.

[@r.g.o3879]

Though it's not based on a true event Courage Under Fire was an excellent film and well worth watching

[@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??

[@MegaTj1981]

This is a great take

[@rustincohle2135]

@@MegaTj1981 Thank you! :)

[@ephennell4ever]

"in the South's favor"? The Union had a *significantly* larger population, *way more* industry, and a larger/better-equipped Navy. The advantages the South had were two ... one: that the P.R. messaging in the North was so _very_ dismissive of the South that the large majority of the Northern population assumed it'd all be over in 2 or 3 months ... 6 or 8 months *at most!* So when the fighting was still ferocious _18 months later?!_ Well, talk of reaching some kind of 'accommodation' with the South got stronger. Two: the South had significantly more officers who were graduates of military academies. But the average Northerner didn't realize that the South was being slowly bled white (the North was losing plenty of men too ... but they had more men to lose, anyway!). That's why *some* in the South started to talk about emulating "those damn Yankees", and bring blacks into the C.S. Army - although only a very few proposed arming them for combat! Fear of "slave insurrection" among Southerners was almost universal - _especially_ after John Brown's Raid On Harper's Ferry. Even 4 years later, with the war chewing-up the (white!) population, very few Southerners wanted to envision guns in the hands of Blacks!

[@chrisadams8182]

How this didn’t win the Oscar for best picture still blows my mind.

[@THEvagabond29]

I actually read this book in elementary school "One Gallant Rush" before it was banned. Went to a magnet school in San Diego and had to do book reports every 2 weeks... they told us not to read books with a red tape on the book end (to be banned books by the legislature), but me being defiant i read those FIRST!!! Amazing and changed my life as it was primarily the letters he wrote home to his mom during his war service. Very becoming of a man and I cant fathom why this was banned...

[@samantha_schmitt]

Wow I had no idea it was banned! I’m glad you got to it first!

[@THEvagabond29]

@@samantha_schmitt I think partly the N-word was used throughout the book. It was a different era that we need to remember always.

[@mrmaster9801]

One of my favourite war movies. Cast, story, soundtrack, dialogues, it all worked well. And the ending is just epic, sad but epic.

[@mawkushbrody7748]

love that you guys reacted to this. One of my favourite films. The score is just so good!

[@ralphroshia9247]

The Monument at the end is the 54th Massachusetts Memorial and I've seen it Twice

[@JeepersCreepers2013]

I saw this movie when I was in college. It was the first movie I saw in a theater with stadium seating. Before that it was the standard rows of seats. I remember the girl I went with talked me into watching it because she was a huge fan of the composer who did the score. That's the only time I've ever been talked into watching a war movie by a girl... usually it's the other way around lol. I love how movies always remind me of the exact time and place when I first saw them. When I saw Braveheart I had a large coke and the lid came off and it all dumped right in my lap. I looked at my girlfriend and said "oh well, let's stay" because that was the money I had saved up for that weekend. I hope we get theaters back going like before covid. They're such an escape into a different world. At least for me anyway.

[@drewg5637]

A little tidbit about Andre Braugher before Brooklyn 99. He won 3 Emmy awards for the tv show Homicide: Life on the Streets, which ran for 7 seasons.

[@bdog1323]

A little side note that people may not be aware of, the first Northern soldier who gets credit for firing the first shot(canon) at the Rebels when the south was bombarding the fort is Abner Doubleday who went on to baseball history fame. Even though it's been debunked if he actually made the rules for baseball, but none the less it's his credit for the first shot of retaliation in the Civil War for the North

[@pvtj0cker]

Cpt. Shaw knows what makes a good soldier.

[@dattallaudiophile236]

10:28 Discipline, they are in the army, there's protocols to be followed, a chain of command to be respected. You can't make distinctions nor exceptions. You can be friends with a higher rank outside, but inside, you will do stuff as they tell you to.

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

Yeah, I don’t think they’re clearly understanding that or the level of bureaucracy in the army, particularly back then.

[@MrUndersolo]

Andre Braugher is the man you are referring to at the party. He was great in both 'Brooklyn 99' and 'Homicide: Life on the Streets'.

[@janfg1578]

I recommend the movie "Come And See" directed by Soviet filmmaker Elem Klimov. It shows WW2 highly accurate and drastic from eastern europe perspective through the eyes of two children.

[@TheDirtyBum900]

You tryna traumatize these ppl lmao

[@serlotsadoe]

I saw this in the theater with my grandpa ! Although I was young it left an lasting impression on me that I'll never forget. Great film !

[@louielouie22]

My top 10 favorite movie of all time. The most intense north and south fight in movie history I believe is the opening scene of Lincoln.

[@td811]

Give’em hell 54th!