Glory: A Chronicle of the 54th Massachusetts
An immersive exploration of the seminal Civil War film, detailing its narrative, production, historical context, and enduring legacy.
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Plot Synopsis
The Formation of the 54th
The film chronicles the experiences of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the Union Army's earliest African American regiments during the American Civil War. Following his injury at the Battle of Antietam, Captain Robert Gould Shaw returns to Boston and accepts the promotion to Colonel, commanding the newly formed 54th. He is joined by his friend Cabot Forbes as second-in-command. Early recruits include Thomas Searles, a scholarly free African American, and others like John Rawlins, Jupiter Sharts, and Trip, a former slave.
Rigorous Training and Challenges
Despite the threat of execution for captured Black soldiers and their white officers by the Confederacy following the Emancipation Proclamation, the regiment undergoes intense training under Sergeant-Major Mulcahy. The soldiers face internal challenges, such as unequal pay ($10/month for Black soldiers versus $13 for white soldiers), which leads to a protest where Trip encourages the men to refuse pay. Colonel Shaw, in solidarity, tears up his own pay stub. Rawlins earns promotion to Sergeant-Major due to his leadership and support for Shaw.
Combat and Sacrifice
The 54th is initially assigned to less critical duties, including raids on civilians. Shaw advocates for a combat assignment, which is granted after a successful engagement at James Island. The regiment's defining moment comes with the assault on Fort Wagner. Despite heavy casualties and the death of Colonel Shaw, the soldiers, led by Trip, bravely advance, carrying the regimental flag until mortally wounded. The film culminates in the harrowing, albeit fictionalized, depiction of the regiment's final stand, emphasizing their courage and sacrifice.
Key Cast Members
Principal Roles
The film features a distinguished cast portraying the historical and fictional figures of the 54th Massachusetts:
- Matthew Broderick as Colonel Robert Gould Shaw
- Denzel Washington as Private Trip
- Cary Elwes as Major Cabot Forbes
- Morgan Freeman as Sergeant Major John Rawlins
- Andre Braugher as Corporal Thomas Searles
- Jihmi Kennedy as Private Jupiter Sharts
Supporting Cast
The ensemble cast further enriches the film's portrayal of the era and the regiment's journey:
- Cliff DeYoung as Colonel James Montgomery
- Alan North as Governor John Albion Andrew
- John Finn as Sergeant Major Mulcahy
- Mark Margolis as 10th Connecticut Soldier
- RonReaco Lee as Mute Drummer Boy
- Donovan Leitch as Captain Charles Fessenden Morse
- Bob Gunton as General Charles Garrison Harker
- Jay O. Sanders as General George Crockett Strong
- Raymond St. Jacques as Frederick Douglass
- Richard Riehle as Quartermaster
- Jane Alexander as Sarah Blake Sturgis Shaw (uncredited)
Production Insights
Development and Scripting
The screenplay, penned by Kevin Jarre, drew inspiration from Lincoln Kirstein's Lay This Laurel and Peter Burchard's One Gallant Rush, alongside Shaw's personal letters. Jarre's deep interest in the Civil War fueled his writing process, aiming to capture the essence of the 54th's struggle and sacrifice. Director Edward Zwick emphasized portraying the regiment's story authentically, balancing the narrative focus between Colonel Shaw and the soldiers of the 54th.
Filming and Direction
Principal photography took place across Massachusetts and Georgia, with the climactic Battle of Fort Wagner filmed on Jekyll Island, Georgia. Scenes depicting the Battle of Antietam utilized historical reenactors filmed at Gettysburg, while the Battle of Grimball's Landing was shot at Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park. Shelby Foote served as a technical advisor, lending his expertise to the film's historical accuracy.
Musical Score
James Horner's Composition
The film's powerful score was composed and orchestrated by James Horner, featuring contributions from the Boys Choir of Harlem. Released by Virgin Records, the soundtrack was lauded for its evocative themes that heightened the emotional impact of the film's narrative and battle sequences. Horner's work was recognized with a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for Television.
Accolades and Recognition
Academy Awards and Beyond
Glory garnered significant critical acclaim and numerous awards, underscoring its impact. It received five Academy Award nominations, winning three:
- Best Supporting Actor for Denzel Washington
- Best Cinematography for Freddie Francis
- Best Sound for Donald O. Mitchell, Gregg Rudloff, Elliot Tyson, and Russell Williams II
The film also earned Washington a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor and received nominations from the BAFTA Awards, Casting Society of America, and Writers Guild of America. It was honored by the Kansas City Film Critics Circle, the Political Film Society, and the NAACP Image Awards.
Key Nominations and Wins
A comprehensive overview of the film's accolades includes:
Box Office and Media
Financial Performance
Glory premiered in limited release on December 15, 1989, and expanded to a wide release on February 16, 1990. It grossed $27 million worldwide against an $18 million budget. While not a massive box office success initially, its critical acclaim and enduring themes contributed to its lasting impact.
Home Media Releases
The film has been released across various home media formats, including VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray. Special editions often feature director's commentary, behind-the-scenes documentaries, deleted scenes, and historical context, enhancing the viewing experience and providing deeper insights into the film's creation and subject matter.
Historical Foundations
Primary References
The screenplay for Glory was based on several significant historical works, providing a foundation for its narrative:
- Lay This Laurel by Lincoln Kirstein
- One Gallant Rush by Peter Burchard
- The personal letters of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw
- Brave Black Regiment - History of the fifty-fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry by Captain Luis F. Emilio
These sources offer detailed accounts of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment's formation, training, and combat experiences, contributing to the film's historical depth.
Historical Accuracy Notes
Artistic License and Reality
While Glory is celebrated for its powerful portrayal, certain aspects were adapted for dramatic effect:
- Fictionalized Characters: Most members of the 54th, including Trip and Jupiter Sharts, are fictional composites, though based on the experiences of real soldiers. Lewis Henry Douglass, son of Frederick Douglass, served as the real Sergeant Major.
- Shaw's Character: The film depicts Shaw as quickly accepting command and holding progressive views, whereas historical records suggest he was initially hesitant and expressed racist sentiments in his private letters.
- Equipment and Pay: The regiment was well-equipped from the outset, contrary to the film's depiction of supply shortages. The unequal pay issue was a complex, ongoing struggle, not resolved as shown in the film.
- Flogging Incident: The whipping of a soldier (Trip) was a dramatic invention, as flogging was prohibited in the Union Army.
- Battle Depictions: Minor details, such as the direction of the Fort Wagner assault and the presence of snow during Christmas scenes (which occurred in July), were altered for narrative purposes.
- Fort Wagner's Fall: The film implies Fort Wagner was never captured, but it was abandoned by Confederate forces later in September 1863.
External Resources
Further Exploration
For deeper insights into the film and its subject matter, consult these resources:
- Official Glory Website (opens in new tab)
- Glory on IMDb (opens in new tab)
- Glory on TCM (opens in new tab)
- Glory at AFI Catalog (opens in new tab)
- Glory on Rotten Tomatoes (opens in new tab)
- Glory at Box Office Mojo (opens in new tab)
- Quotations related to Glory on Wikiquote (opens in new tab)
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Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While efforts have been made to adhere strictly to the provided source material, interpretations and stylistic choices have been made to enhance readability and engagement for a Master's level audience.
This is not professional historical or cinematic advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for consulting primary historical sources, official film documentation, or seeking advice from qualified historians or film critics. Always refer to authoritative sources for definitive information.
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