Rating of
3/4
"Glory" by Yojimbo
Yojimbo - wrote on 03/31/12
Glory is the story of a white liberal Bostonian Colonel who headed the first black regiment in the Union army. Like most of this kind of worthy and well meaning historical dramas, Glory is a little patronizing and guilty of emotional manipulation, sometimes descending into schmaltz. What makes the film however is the strong cast, particularly Denzel and Morgan Freeman who share all of the best scenes; particularly when the regiment are ordered to put a civilian Southern town to the torch, and when Freeman finally steps up and puts mean spirited, smart mouthed Denzel in his place. The battle sequences are also well staged and grittily realistic, the final attack especially is well worth the wait. Matthew Broderick didn't entirely convince me as a leader of fighting men, but as a whole it's a well executed tale of an interesting period in American history and a quality war film.
