The 1989 historical war epic Glory will be broadcast on Film4 tonight, September 30, at 9pm. The Oscar-winning film, which has been called 'the best war movie of all time' by fans, features a star-studded cast.
Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman and Matthew Broderick lead the film, with Andre Braugher, Jihmi Kennedy, Cliff DeYoung, Alan North and John Finn completing the ensemble cast.
Story of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment
The film follows the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the first official African American regiments in the Union Army during the American Civil War, charting the unit's journey from formation to the Second Battle of Fort Wagner. Colonel Robert Gould Shaw was the regiment's commanding officer.
Directed by Edward Zwick, Glory is based on Lincoln Kirstein's 1973 novel Lay This Laurel, Peter Burchard's 1965 book One Gallant Rush, and Colonel Shaw's personal letters. The screenplay was written by Kevin Jarre.
Critical and Audience Acclaim
The film's official plot states: "Robert Gould Shaw leads the U.S. Civil War's first all-black volunteer company, fighting prejudices from both his own Union Army, and the Confederates."
Glory was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning three, with Denzel Washington taking home the Best Supporting Actor Oscar and the Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe for his performance. The film holds a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
One critic said: "A superbly designed tearjerker of a war epic, highlighting an often overlooked historical division entirely deserving of this big-budget, star-studded, theatrical adaptation." Another reviewer wrote: "Still one of the best war epics ever made, with all around fantastic performances."
Audiences have also praised the film, with one fan writing: "From beginning to the end, this movie is absolutely phenomenal. Near perfection. It is so strong, powerful, emotional, and deeply patriotic." Another added: "A terribly underrated film which deserved better. With one of the best ensemble casts of all time, this ranks as one of the best war films of all time."
Glory airs on Film4 tonight, September 30, at 9pm.
