MovieChat Forums > Glory (1990) Discussion > The scenes that really move me In Glory

The scenes that really move me In Glory

posted 13 years ago by dazfiddy
36 replies | jump to latest

Glory is one of those films, that sticks in the mind long after you have seen it. The scenes that really get to me each time are:

1. Robert Gould Shaw's horse being let go before the final attack on the fort.You know that he believes that he will not survive.

2.Trip's face when he is being whipped,refusing to show pain. Match that with the anguish on Shaw's face as he watches the whipping.

3. The soldiers marching into battle, passing white Union soldiers on the way."Give them Hell, 54th!"You cannot failed to be moved by this.

4. Shaw's speech to his commanders, describing the actions of his men."They were a sight to behold."

Any others?

[–] OIF-Retread 10 years ago

All great scenes. But for some reason I also find the drummer boys scene moving. Where they reluctantly leave before the attack and the Sergeant-Major says something like "Get along child, we'll be by directly." You know he doesn't believe it.

And I still tear up when Tripp's lifeless body rolls onto Colonel Shaw's.

[–] capillow-1 10 years ago

All of the examples given are excellent, but one not mentioned is the scene where Col. Shaw announces to the troops that the Confederate government had decreed that any black soldiers captured in Union uniform would be summarily shot, as would any white officers captured leading black troops. Shaw says that anyone wishing to be discharged would be allowed to do so. This took place at night in the rain. In the morning, Shaw emerges and asks how many are left. He then looks out and all are there, in formation. Shaw says, "Glory Hallelujah!". Gives me chills every time.

[–] Sparky48 10 years ago

The scenes you mentioned were indeed great and memorable, and here are some add-ons:

- Trip's confrontation with Thomas in the tent after the latter was beaten by the drill sergeant. Trip says to him, "You learnin' now, ain't ya Snowflake?" (Translation: You thought that because you're well educated and speak the King's language white folks will accept you as their equal, but it doesn't work like that.)

- When Trip agitates Thomas to the point that Thomas finally decides to fight him, Rawlings--who was just appointed Sergeant Major--intervenes and berates Trip for his hatred of everything and everyone. It's then that Trip realizes that his own self-hatred, which happens to be his worst hatred, is leading to his self-destruction. (Why Freeman wasn't nominated for an Oscar for his brilliant, powerful performance in this film was, IMO, a crime.)

- After Shaw is shot during the attack on Ft Wagner, Trip, who initially declined to carry the union flag, not only takes the U.S flag but assumes the leadership of the 54th by screaming to the top of his lungs "CHAAARGE!!" The scene, which I thought was the most powerful one in this film, powerfully portrays the immense courage of the 54th as well as pays homage to the black soldiers of the Union who, as Lincoln himself said, "help turn the tide of the war."

[–] bps3013 10 years ago

The whole build up to the charge on Fort Wagner. Everyone knows it's a suicide mission, yet they're still willing to sacrifice their lives for their liberty. It's one of the most powerful and moving sequences I've ever seen. And it gets me every time.

[–] harveythepooka 10 years ago

After shaw dies and drops the flag and then Trip picks it up, even after he said he didn't want to carry the flag because he was fighting for himself and not the US. That gets me every time.

[–] michaeluk26 9 years ago

I just came here because of the "give em hell 54th" line brought tears to my eyes just now. Glad to see it moved others as well. Powerful scene.

Haters gonna hate

[–] katiekeene 9 years ago

I can't remember when I last teared up in a movie but I did for Glory. Thanks to actress, Diahann Carroll, for her request to show it on TCM.
Denzil Washington was sensational and earned the Oscar for his first co-starring role.

katie keene

[–] nabeel722 9 years ago

Excellent collection of memorable scene. I would like to add that night when they were singing before last war and Trip told the unit that he had no family but this is his family.

[–] BPD1586 9 years ago

That was a moving scene, especially the sermon given by Jupiter Sharts.

[–] BPD1586 9 years ago

I was really moved in the scene showing the conversation between Col Shaw and Sgt Maj Mulcahy regarding the drill sergeant being 'hard' on Thomas during training. I just loved the Sergeant Major's reply to Col. Shaw.
Sgt Major Mulcahy:"You grew up with the boy?"
Col. Shaw : "Yes"
Sgt Major Mulcahy: "Well let him grow up some more...sir"

[–] darthkarl66 9 years ago

The Battle of Ft Wagner itself, awed me when I first saw it. And still does.

[–] dazfiddy 9 years ago

I forgot to mention the scene where Thomas saves Trip's life. The look on Trip's face when he realises that the man he has mocked and belittled as house n****r saved him from certain death.