Glory is a 1989 film which follows the history of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry during the American Civil War. The 54th was the first formal unit of the U.S. Army to be made up entirely of African Americans (apart from the officers).
Outline
The film depicts the unit's organization by Col. Robert Gould Shaw and other white abolitionists, and its struggle against racial prejudice in many forms. The film also depicts the struggle Colonel Shaw faced to get supplies for his troops, and also to get his regiment into battle to prove themselves as "true men, worthy of fighting among Whites". The climax depicts the Union's attack on Fort Wagner, which was spearheaded by the 54th, who took heavy losses but were noted for their bravery.
Cast and crew
The movie was adapted by Kevin Jarre from the books One Gallant Rush by Peter Burchard and Lay This Laurel by Lincoln Kirstein, and from Colonel Shaw's own memoirs. It was directed by Edward Zwick, and stars Matthew Broderick (as Colonel Shaw), Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes, Morgan Freeman, Jihmi Kennedy and Andre Braugher.
Awards
Glory was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (Norman Garwood and Garrett Lewis) and Best Film Editing (Steven Rosenblum). It won Oscars for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Denzel Washington), Best Cinematography (Freddie Francis) and Best Sound (Donald O. Mitchell, Gregg Rudloff, Elliot Tyson) and Russell Williams.
Washington's Oscar was the first for an African-American actor since Sidney Poitier.
Comparisons with historical fact
- The film suggests that most of the black soldiers were escaped slaves from southern secessionist states who wished to fight for the abolitionist north, but in fact the majority were born free in the North.
- The 54th was not in fact the only all-black regiment; so many men signed up to enlist that a sister regiment was formed, the 55th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.
- Of the major characters in the movie's version of the regiment, only Robert Gould Shaw was a real person. The rest are composite characters.
- In the film, Shaw accepts the job to be the commanding officer of the 54th on the same day. In reality, it took him several days.
- The incident just before the charge into Fort Wagner in which Colonel Shaw points to the flag bearer and asks "If this man should fall, who will lift the flag and carry on?" is based on a real event. However, the person who asked the question was General Strong; Shaw was the person who responded.
- Colonel Shaw was married, but his wife is not depicted in the film.
- The manner in which Colonel Shaw dies in the movie is based on fact; his last words really were "Come on 54th!" before he was shot through the chest. He fell next to the color bearer.
- In the movie, it is claimed that "over half" of the regiment were killed during the assault on Fort Wagner. However, official records state that the 54th sustained 256 casualties, which is more like 40%.
- In the movie, the ocean is on the left side of the regiment when they charged the fort. In reality, they charged with the ocean on their right.
- The real second in command was Lt. Colonel Edwin Hallowell. The fictional Major Cabot Forbes, played by Cary Elwes, is based on him. Although he was seriously wounded, Hallowell did survive the attack on the fort and led the regiment until it disbanded in 1865. He retired with the rank of Brigadier General.
- In the movie, Shaw is surprised when the men refuse pay that is less than that of white soldiers. In reality, it was his idea, and he encouraged them to do it.
- At the end of the movie, a summary of the battle for Battery Wagner states "The fort was never taken." What the film meant to say is that the fort was never taken by direct assault. In fact, Confederate forces evacuated Wagner about six weeks after the charge of the 54th. It may be accurate to say that the 54th's action on July 18 did not lead to the immediate capture of Wagner, but the fort was taken on September 6 after six weeks of naval bombardment. (If the fort "was never taken," that would seem to indicate that the fort is still continuing to hold out and fight against the United States to this day)
References
Luis F. Emilio, A Brave Black Regiment: A History of the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry: 1863-1865 (New York: Bantam Books, 1894).
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