The Film "Glory" as History

The film Glory (1989) is considered one of he most accurate historical films ever made. Yet, it is clear that the film cannot be entirely accurate for several reasons, including the fact that screen time and real time are very different and that selectivity has to be utilized in order to cover the material and present a dramatic vision of a historical reality. That reality begins with the fact that there was a 54th Massachusetts Infantry regiment in 1863 that fought the battles depicted in the film. Also accurate is the fact that the creation of this unit met with some resistance and fear about giving ex-slaves weapons which they might turn on their white officers, and yet the unit proved to be courageous and valuable. Also true is the fact that this regiment was largely forgotten for much of American history given that much black history has been left by the side of the road, only to be rediscovered in recent decades as blacks seek a fairer historical record. An examination of the film will show how some of the facts have been given more importance and some have been given less importance for the purposes of the film.

The training sequences in the film appear quite accurate, including the depiction of the weather. The training took place at Readville Camp in April 1863, and some 2,100 men were in the camp at that time. The blacks in the film, however, may be more black than the men who ere part of the original regiment, though this is in part a matter of judgment.

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ve occupied the ground ever since (Official Records of the Battle of James Island 75). The account by Emilio is more detailed and is followed closely in the film version. Emilio says Colonel Shaw took the 54th to a place where it halted and stood in line to fight. The battle is lengthy and involves two waves of attack by the enemy. The firing of the enemy in the first wave leads to their being repelled by the volley of the 54th, and the sense of victory in the film is found in the historical record as well: It was a supreme moment for the Fifty-fourth, then under fire as a regiment for the first time. The sight of wounded comrades had been a trial; and the screaming shot and shell flying overhead, cutting the branches of trees to the right, had a deadly sound. But the dark line stood stanch, holding the front at the most vital point. Not a man was out of place, as the offices could see while they stood in the rear of the lines, observing their men (Emilio 61). Omitted from the film is the concern about gunboat support, which was an important part of the battle: To those who were anticipating an attack by infantry, and looking for the support of the gunboats, their silence was ominous. Every ear was strained to catch the

Category: Film - T