Glory

Glory is a 1989 war film starring Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elewes and Morgan Freeman. The film is based on the true story of the Battle at Fort Wagner and is based on the 1965 novel One Gallant Rush by Peter Burchard and on the book Lay This Laurel by Lincoln Kirstein. The film was directed by Edward Zwick.

Plot
Union General Robert Gould Shaw (Broderick) of the 54th Infantry permits freed slaves including Private Thomas Searles (Denzel Washington) and Sergeant Major John Rawlins (Morgan Freeman) to join the Union Army and battle the Confederate Army at Fort Wagner.

Why It Rocks

 * 1) The writing is well done.
 * 2) Battle scenes that bear a resemblance to the actual battle at Fort Wagner.
 * 3) Denzel Washington won his first Academy Award for this film.
 * 4) The music composed by the late James Horner is epic and memorable, especially during the end credits.
 * 5) Amazing performances by Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes and Morgan Freeman.
 * 6) Excellent cinematography.

Reception
Glory was released on December 14, 1989, but was given a wider release on February 16, 1990 and currently holds a 93% with an average of 7.9 out of 10 and a critic consensus that reads "Bolstered by exceptional cinematography, powerful storytelling, and an Oscar-winning performance by Denzel Washington, Glory remains one of the finest Civil War movies ever made." Film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert both gave the film a "thumbs up".

Awards and nominations
Glory was nominated for two Academy Awards including Best Film Editing and won three including Best Supporting Actor for Denzel Washington. At the 47th Golden Globe Awards, the film was nominated for four Golden Globes including Best Score, but won one for Best Supporting Actor for Denzel Washington.