The Oscar-winning 1989 historical war epic Glory will air on Film4 tonight, September 30, at 9pm. The film, starring Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, and Matthew Broderick, has been hailed by fans as 'absolutely phenomenal' and 'terribly underrated'.
Star-Studded Cast and Historical Story
The film follows the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the earliest official African American regiments in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It chronicles the unit's journey from its formation through to the Second Battle of Fort Wagner, under the command of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, as reported by the Express.
Directed by Edward Zwick, Glory draws inspiration from Lincoln Kirstein's 1973 novel Lay This Laurel, Peter Burchard's 1965 book One Gallant Rush, and Colonel Shaw's personal correspondence. The screenplay was crafted by Kevin Jarre.
Critical and Audience Acclaim
The official synopsis reads: "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 received five Academy Award nominations, claiming three victories, with Denzel Washington securing both the Best Supporting Actor Oscar and the Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe for his portrayal. The film boasts 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." A third critic noted: "This is the rare Hollywood blockbuster that has the gumption to tell us there really is no justice."
Fan Reactions and Viewing Details
Audiences have been equally impressed. One fan wrote: "From beginning to the end, this movie is absolutely phenomenal. Near perfection. It is so strong, powerful, emotional, and deeply patriotic." Another viewer said: "This is by far one of the best movies I have ever seen over and over again." A user review on IMDB reads: "WOW! That is all that can be expressed for this wonderful film."
One fan of the war drama says: "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 will air on Film4 tonight, 30 September, at 9pm.
