A Brief Review Of The Film Glory

Film Review: Glory Directed by Edward Zwick The film, Glory sets out to explain black soldiers role in the Civil War serving the Union Army. What kind of understanding do viewers and most importantly, viewers who are students gain from the film? How well does the film illustrate the 54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry’s (54th Regiment) role in the Civil War and does the film itself serve as an education tool in the classroom? In order for a film to be used as an educational tool, the film must overall depict an accurate portrayal of history. The director of the film, Edward Zwick recreates an era during the 19th century to highlight Colonel Robert Shaw and the 54th Regiment’s actions in the Civil War. Edward Zwick’s attempt falls

During their first battle, many are wounded and killed, but it ultimately results in the Confederates retreating. The 54th infantry is then given the command to invade Fort Wagner; a large military fortress on a beach occupied by the Confederate army. The only way to attack is through a small strip on the beach that offers little to no coverage from attack. The 54th Regiment charged and put up a good fight during the film’s largest battle at the end of the movie, but ultimately the Regiment’s men were killed in bloodshed and buried in a mass grave. The movie ends by stating although Fort Wagner was never overtaken, the bravery and courage the 54th Regiment portrayed enabled many black men to actively participate in the war through the Union

The film is based off of Colonel Shaw’s writing, but the film seems to lack the spirit of written evidence by failing to highlight and focus on the 54th Regiment’s role in the Civil War. Edward Zwick chose Colonel Shaw as the main character who, would best identify with the audience, but failed to capture the spirit of written evidence by focusing on the many heroes that made up the regiment that sacrificed their lives. The film serves as a credible and plausible piece to better educate viewers on the role Robert Shaw played in the Civil War, but the film differs from the historiography by narrowing members of the 54th regiment into several characters instead of focusing on individual