Glory is a true story detailing
the trials and accomplishments of the first all-black volunteer company serving
the Union Army during the U.S. Civil War. The company was commanded by Robert
Gould Shaw. The film is based on two books on the topic and Shaw’s own letters
(which are read throughout as voice-over narration).
Director Edward Zwick has had an up and
down career in Hollywood. His first film About Last Night… served as his
breakout into features (he had only made TV movies previously), finding
popularity (while not being that great) as one of the Brat Pack movies. For his
next film, Glory, Zwick made a strong drama built on fantastic characters and
social relevance. He has since made eight films, the best of which seem to
focus on the same dramatic area – exploring social issues in war time or a war
torn area (films like: The Last
Samurai, Blood Diamond and Defiance, though Courage Under Fire is the
exception).
Glory features a fantastic and
memorable score from James Horner
(here is a suite). Freddie Francis also provides
wonderful cinematography (winning an Oscar), and Norman Garwood’s production
design is top notch (the film falling right in Garwood’s prime, between films
like: Brazil, The
Princess Bride and Misery).
The cast is quite strong in the
film as well, many of the actors giving brilliant performances. Matthew Broderick (maybe
miscast, but still good) plays Shaw, while Denzel Washington (winning an
Oscar for his work), Cary Elwes,
Morgan Freeman (who could
have been nominated for an Oscar too), Jihmi Kennedy, and Andre Braugher make up the
supporting cast.
Glory is among the great war
films in cinema history (and certainly among the 1980’s best: The Big Red One, Das
Boot, Gallipoli, Come and See, The Killing Fields, Platoon, Empire of the Sun, and Full Metal Jacket). It is a
must-see for fans of war films.
No comments:
Post a Comment