Civil War Themes: Struggle of the first regular Army unit of African-Americans (54th Mass.) raised in the North during the Civil War.

Battles/Moments: Antietam, skirmish, assault on South Carolina's Battery Wagner.

Glory should have won best picture for 1989. Frankly, my dear, it is the best Civil War film ever made, setting aside the best Civil War epic, that minor Gone With the Wind drama.

The cast is top-notch, rivaling any motion picture since Stagecoach. Morgan Freeman is always exceptional and brings up the value of any film he's in, being one of the best actors in Hollywood. Matthew Broderick shows that he has great range, especially how this film is entirely dramatic, a reversal of the very enjoyable comedy Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Denzel Washington deservedly won Best Supporting Actor for his role, and has continued to dominate the silver screen as a Hollywood icon. Cary Elwes is a better-than-average supporting actor, even though he'll never top The Princess Bride in my world, and has had to accept smaller roles in the decade since. Andre Braugher was an unknown at the time as the 'negro' who wanted to be accepted in white society, and gave us a preview of what to expect from an Emmy-winning performance in "Homicide: Life of the Streets."

James Horner's music is extraordinarily moving and used in all the right moments, and is tied with Gettysburg in its emotional draw. Horner must've loved it as well, because every score he's done since seems to incorporate a few notes from Glory.

The battle scenes, namely the final assault on Battery Wagner in South Carolina, are engrossing, and even more powerful when the realization hits that it was a failure with a large percentage of losses. But in terms of what the battle meant, it is a rousing victory for America.

The verdict: (out of 5) -- Simply maginificent on all counts.

From Leonard Maltin's review:

Exceptional story of America's first unit of black soldiers during the Civil War and the young, inexperienced Northerner (Broderick) who's given the job of training and leading them. Based in part on the letters of that young officer and brought to life with astonishing skill and believability.

Grand, moving, breathtakingly filmed (by veteran cinematographer Freddie Francis) and faultlessly performed. One of the finest historical dramas ever made. Oscar winner for Cinematography, sound and Supporting Actor (Washington). Screenplay by Kevin Jarre, Jane Alexander (as Broderick's mother) and Raymond St. Jacques (as Frederick Douglas) appear unbilled. **** out of four.