Glory (1989) originated with Lincoln Kirstein. Lincoln Kirstein was a true Renaissance man. He was a writer, co-founder of the New York City Ballet, philanthropist, and impresario. Among his books was Lay This Laurel: An Album on the Saint-Gaudens Memorial on Boston Common, which centred on the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment and Robert Gould Shaw. Lincoln Kirstein thought the story of the 5rth Massachusetts Infantry Regiment would make for a compelling film, and so he sought a screenwriter to write a script based on the military unit.
He first turned to Lloyd Fonvielle, who had written the films The Lords of Discipline (1983) and The Bride (1985), but, in Mr. Fonvielle's own words, he was too in awe of Lincoln Kirstein to collaborate with him. He then directed Lincoln Kirstein to his friend Kevin Jarre. Kevin Jarre had written the story for Rambo: First Blood Part III (1985) and had been an American Civil War buff since his childhood. Kevin Jarre read Lincoln Kirstein's book Lay This Laurel, as well as the book One Gallant Rush by Peter Burchard, as well as the lettres of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw. and Brave Black Regiment - History of the fifty-forth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry by the Captain Luis F. Emilio, who was one of the officers of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment also provided inspiration for the film.
As a script centred around a Black infantry regiment during the Civil War, the script for Glory (1989) was not particularly easy to sell. Eventually director Bruce Berersford committed to making the film, and he brought in producer Freddie Fields, who worked out a deal with Columbia Pictures,. Unfortunately, when David Puttnam left Columbia Pictures as its CEO and chairman, pre-production on the film stalled. Bruce Bereford left the project afterwards. Freddie Fields then took Glory (1989) to Tri-Star Pictures. Tri-Star Pictures brought Edward Zwick onboard as the film's director.
According to an article from Entertainment Weekly, Edward Zwick fought to avoid making Glory (1989) "a white saviour narrative." He said, "I ended up cutting a lot of what the studio had tried to insist that we put in the script or even shoot, because it was just fine, but it wasn't essential." Ultimately much of what the studio had insisted upon adding to the film would be cut. Morgan Freeman, who played Sergeant Major John Rawlins in the film, said of it, "This is a picture about the 54th Regiment, not Colonel Shaw, but at the same time the two are inseparable." To insure the movie's historical accuracy, Edward Zwick turned to historian and author Shelby Foote.
Glory (1989) ws filmed on location in both Massachusetts and Georgia. Among the locations in Massachusetts were Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Appleton Farm in Ipswich, and the African American National Historic Site on Beacon Street in Boston. The locations in Georgia inlcuded Savannah, Jekyll Island, and McDonough. The opening of the film, portraying Battle of Antietam was filmed at the Battle of Gettysburg site.
Glory (1989) entered limited release on December 14 1989. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews. Roger Ebert gave the film four and a half stars and wrote of the film "Glory is a strong and valuable film no matter whose eyes it is seen through." In The New York Times Vincent Canby wrote, "Gloary is celebratory, but it celebrates in a manner that insists on acknowledging the sorrow. This is a good, moving, complicated film." Richard Schickel in Time wrote of the movie, "It's the movie's often awesome imagery and a bravely soaring choral score by James Horner that transfigure the reality, granting it the status of necessary myth." Glory was nominated for five Academy Awards. It won the Oscars for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Denzel Washington, Best Cinematography for Freddie Francis, and Best Sound for Donald O. Mitchell, Gregg Rudloff, Elliot Tyson, and Russell Williams II.
Like many historical films, Glory (1989) does depart from history at times. Except for Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, the members of the 54th film are all fictional creations. The movie gives the viewer the impression that the 54th was largely comprised of escaped slaves. In fact, the majority of the regiment was made up of freemen who already lived in the North, many of them educated and literate. Indeed, Lewis Douglass, son of Frederick Douglass, served as a Sergeant Major in the 54th. The 54th also did not have any problems with being properly equipped. While Black soldiers were only paid $10 as compared to the $13 paid to white, Colonel Shaw never tore up his voucher in protest. He did protest to father and the Governor of Massachusetts. There are yet other inaccuracies in the film beyond these.
While Glory (1989) does have many historical inaccuracies, there is still some truth to the film. Even in the North, African Americans were subject to racism and discrimination in the 1860s. Black solders serving during the Civil War did indeed have many hurdles to overcome. The white Union troops did not always make them feel welcome. Many of the scenes in the film, if they did not happen to the 54th themselves, happened to other Black units.
It is largely because of this truth that Glory (1989) is an inspiring film. It demonstrates the difficulties faced by one of the earliest Black units in the United States Army, and show show the 54th overcame them. Aside from being an inspiring story, Glory (1989) has probably led many to seek out the actual story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. It was critically acclaimed upon its release and is today a classic.
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