Glory (1989)
Film · Drama, History, War
Stream itfor a handsomely staged, emotionally resonant portrait of the American Civil War's first all-black volunteer regiment.
A stirring and beautifully shot historical drama that honors bravery while confronting the harsh realities of war and prejudice. It is both inspiring and heartbreaking, led by powerful performances that earned high critical acclaim and multiple awards.
What it is about
Robert Gould Shaw leads the US Civil War's first all-black volunteer company, fighting prejudices of both his own Union army and the Confederates.
Trailer
What Glory is like, and who it is for
What it is like to watch
Watching this film feels like observing a grand, classical oil painting come to life. The pace is measured and deliberate, allowing the internal frictions of the camp to breathe before transitioning into chaotic, percussion-heavy battle sequences. The intensity is derived from the palpable tension between the soldiers' dignity and the systemic disrespect they face from their own superiors. It balances a sweeping, orchestral scale with intimate, lantern-lit moments of vulnerability.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
This is essential viewing for those who appreciate historical epics that prioritise character growth and moral weight over mere spectacle. Fans of powerful ensemble acting will find much to admire, though those seeking a purely gritty, modern subversion of the genre might find its traditional heroism a bit earnest. A necessary caveat is that the story is filtered through the perspective of a white commanding officer, which occasionally frames the narrative in a paternalistic light.
The right evening for it
It is ideal for a quiet evening when you want to be moved by a story of collective courage. It suits a viewer looking for a serious, high-quality production that provides both historical education and a cathartic emotional release.
Written by our AI from the facts on this page. It has opinions; it has not watched it.
Clip
Clip · Clip
How Glory leaves you
One line on the mood it ends on, with no plot. Some people count that as a spoiler, so it stays hidden until you ask.
You will likely feel deeply moved and reflective, carrying a sense of solemn respect for the heavy cost of integrity and the enduring weight of historical injustice.
How Glory ends
Spoilers. The whole ending, in a few lines. Nothing shows until you ask and then confirm.
The film ends with the 54th Regiment's desperate assault on Fort Wagner. During the charge, Shaw is killed while trying to rally his troops, and Trip is mortally wounded after lifting the regimental flag to lead the survivors forward. A small group, including Forbes, Rawlins, Thomas, and Jupiter, manages to reach the fort's outer defences, only to be confronted by a Confederate gun before the screen fades to black. The following morning, Confederate soldiers bury the fallen Union soldiers in a mass grave, where Shaw’s body is cast in next to Trip's.
The film's closing titles say that although Fort Wagner was never captured, the courage of the 54th inspired the Union to accept thousands of Black men for combat. This shift is credited by President Abraham Lincoln with helping to turn the tide of the American Civil War.
Summarised by our AI from the plot section of the Wikipedia article, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. This summary is shared under the same licence.
Stills
Images from TMDB.
If you like this, try
Paths of Glory (1957)
the same focus on the tragic intersection of military bureaucracy and individual sacrifice
Gallipoli (1981)
the poignant journey of young men marching toward an inevitable and devastating conflict
Suggested by our AI for what they share with this one. Linked titles have a page here; the rest are worth a search on the browse page.
More clips
Featurette · Morgan Freeman on making GLORY
Glory soundtrack
Music by James Horner
Awards
Glory won Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography and Best Sound at the Oscars. It also won at the Golden Globes.
Oscars
- Won: Best Supporting Actor · 1990
- Won: Best Cinematography · 1990
- Won: Best Sound · 1990
- Nominated: Best Film Editing · 1990
- Nominated: Best Production Design · 1990
Golden Globes
- Won: Best Supporting Actor (Motion Picture) · 1990
- Nominated: Best Original Score · 1989
1 other awardShow
- Won: National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
From Wikidata, which can miss some.
Questions people ask
- Is Glory a feel-good film?
- Yes. On Watchlist Boosted it is tagged Feel-Good, with a tearjerker streak. A stirring and beautifully shot historical drama that honors bravery while confronting the harsh realities of war and prejudice. It is both inspiring and heartbreaking, led by powerful performances that earned high critical acclaim and multiple awards.
- How long is Glory?
- Glory runs 122 min and was released in 1989.
- Where can I watch Glory in Australia?
- In Australia, Glory is included with Netflix (all plans), Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel, SBS On Demand (free).
- What awards did Glory win?
- Glory won Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography and Best Sound at the Oscars. It also won at the Golden Globes.
- Who composed the music for Glory?
- The music for Glory is by James Horner.
- Is Glory worth watching?
- Stream it: for a handsomely staged, emotionally resonant portrait of the American Civil War's first all-black volunteer regiment. IMDb users rate it 7.8 out of 10 from 150,916 votes, Rotten Tomatoes gives it 95%, Metacritic 78 and TMDB users 7.5.
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