The war drama has a near-perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes (Image: Tri-Star Pictures)
While there’s no dearth of excellent war films populating the genre, there’s one underrated and often forgotten masterpiece that’s all set to air on television tonight.
The Oscar-winning film features a star-studded cast and has been hailed as ‘absolutely phenomenal’ and ‘terribly underrated’ by fans who say it’s ‘the best war movie of all time’.
Fans of war dramas can rejoice, as Glory will be broadcast on television on Film4 tonight, September 30, at 9pm.
The 1989 historical war epic stars Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman and Matthew Broderick in the lead, and the actors are joined by Andre Braugher, Jihmi Kennedy, Cliff DeYoung, Alan North, and John Finn to round off a stellar ensemble cast.
The masterpiece war film is about the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, which was one of the first official African American regiments in the Union Army during the American Civil War, and charts the unit’s journey from formation till the Second Battle of Fort Wagner. Colonel Robert Gould Shaw was the regiment’s commanding officer.
It’s airing on Film4 tonight at 9pm (Image: Tri-Star Pictures)
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 also on Colonel Shaw’s personal letters. The film’s screenplay has been penned by Kevin Jarre.
The war drama’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, of which it won three, and Denzel Washington bagged the Best Supporting Actor Oscar as well as the Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe for his powerful performance in the war epic.
With a smashing, almost perfect 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, praise for Glory has been abundant over the years.
One critic said of the film: “A superbly designed tearjerker of a war epic, highlighting an often overlooked historical division entirely deserving of this big-budget, star-studded, theatrical adaptation.”
While another reviewer writes: “Still one of the best war epics ever made, with all around fantastic performances.”
The war film features a star-studded cast (Image: Tri-Star Pictures)
Yet another critic notes: “This is the rare Hollywood blockbuster that has the gumption to tell us there really is no justice.”
Audiences are just as impressed, 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. Laced with outstanding performances from the beautiful Matthew Broderick, the legendary Morgan Freeman, and the unconquerable Denzel Washington.
“It will make you smile, cheer, and cry, and it will move your heart. The performances were remarkable, the direction was brilliant, the screenplay was flawless, and the result was a masterpiece.”
While another audience review reads: “This is by far one of the best movies I have ever seen over and over again.This movie was most excellent and outstanding. It does something very few movies do. It runs chills up my spine every time I see it. From the opening scene to the last, the cinematography and the battle scenes are spectacular.”
A user review posted to IMDB says: “WOW! That is all that can be expressed for this wonderful film. This has to be, without a doubt, Denzel’s best work and well deserving of the Academy Award he took home. Great scenery, great acting, and great costume design reminiscent of the time frame. A great tearjerker throughout and a marvelous film altogether!!”
While another fan of the film 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. With a collection of great black actors like no other, everything seemed to work well in this film, from the cinematography to the acting. Edward Zwick created a masterpiece.”
Glory will air on Film4 tonight, September 30, at 9pm.
