Glory Movie Analysis

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The 1989 film Glory was the first feature film dedicated to the role of African Americans in the civil war (appstate.edu). The movie follows the story of the first all African American regiment, the 54th Massachusetts infantry, from their rocky beginnings to their ultimate sacrifice during the assault on Fort Wagner. Glory is famous not only for its excellent depiction of African American involvement in the war, but also for its unique characters. There are several main characters in the film, but the three most important to representing the African American soldiers are Trip, John Rawlins, and Thomas Searles. Each of these characters represents a unique background and view of the war, and they all develop differently throughout the story. …show more content…
He comes from a more “privileged” past than either Trip or Rawlins, even being childhood friends with the 54th’s commander, colonel Shaw. Thomas’ reasons for joining the Union Army are a little more similar to what today’s listeners would be used to hearing than the other’s. He reminds me of an eager boy, ready to fight for a cause. Thomas is fighting less for anything else than because all the other men, including his friends, were off in the war. Yes, he wanted to fight for his people, but it feels more like he was anxious to fight alongside the other men who had left him behind. Thus when the opportunity to fight finally presents itself to Thomas, he jumps at it. Like Trip, Thomas changes dramatically through the movie. Initially he is overwhelmed by the military life, but soon he grows into it. This is to an extent that even when wounded in battle, Thomas refuses to be sent from the battlefield. Also, in the assault on Fort Wagner he volunteers to take up the regiment’s colors should the current bearer fall, knowing he would become a target. These actions would be completely out of character for the Thomas at the beginning of the film. Thomas’ transformation from a scared boy to a hardened soldier follow a sort of cliche that is familiar to everyday