Glory (Blu-ray) Official AVSForum Review

( Max score: 100 )

82

Film Synopsis:

The heart-stopping story of the first black regiment to fight for the North in the Civil War, GLORY stars Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes and Morgan Freeman. Broderick and Elwes are the idealistic young Bostonians who lead the regiment; Freeman is the inspirational sergeant who unites the troops; and Denzel Washington, in an Oscar winning performance (1989, Best Supporting Actor), is the runaway slave who embodies the indomitable spirit of the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts.

My Take:

As an African American I often find myself reflecting when I watch films or read story's like those depicted in Glory. I wonder what it must have been like for them and if I had lived during those times, could I have withstood the experiences these men went through? The Civil War itself was bad enough but having to endure the racial injustice that prevailed at the time must have added whole new dimension to it. I think that the film touches upon these to varying degrees and offers some level of insight into what it might have been like for all involved. This ranges from Colonel Shaw all the way down to Pvt. Jupiter Sharts. This period in our history was such a tumultuous one and Glory captures a snapshot that derives enough to encapsulate the strife that plagued our great nation. Character development is strong as we are given an intimate portrayal of the internal struggles experienced by both the black and white soldiers within and outside of regiment. Robert's personal thoughts are derived from his letters as his perspective is related in some detail. I saw Glory when it was released back in 1989 and have been a fan ever since. The casting, performances (Denzel Washington earned an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor) and direction are simply marvelous. The story of the 54th Massachusetts, the first black infantry regiment during the Civil War is not only compelling but poignant. These men, one and all, epitomized the unconquerable spirit of bravery, hope, dedication, and the belief that all men deserve freedom and the right to fight for what they believe in. A must see film.

Parental Guide:

The rating is for violence and thematic material.

Audio: 80

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Video: 84

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Glory comes to Blu-ray Disc from Tristar pictures featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 22 mbps and lossless Dolby TrueHD 5.1 channel audio that has an average bitrate of 1.5 mbps.

This high definition presentation of Glory looks great on Blu-ray Disc. This isn't an overly bright film in terms of color but those used appear vivid and naturally rendered. Resolution is excellent as images are well delineated with above average depth. Sharpness and the perception of fine detail can be scene/camera angle dependent however this is innate and attributable to the locations/settings and photographic style of the film. Grain is apparent and ranges from moderate to more prominent depending on the lighting and background. Blacks are crisp and deep while detail in darker scenes is good but not definitive. Bright sequences tend to look best as detail, dimension and colors provide a broader visual perspective that is discerning. The Dolby TrueHD lossless audio builds upon this excellent soundtrack as it breathes a bit more life into the beautiful music score, and adds dimension to the multi-layered sounds/effects that comprise it. James Horner's music sweeps through the room as its succulent, massed strings, timbered brass, and steady snare drum tempo are wistfully engaging. The track is dynamically solid with punchy low end response that lends weight to the battlefield sequences. The quality of the bass fluctuates sometimes and sounds a bit tubby and lacking in tight extension but it wasn't something that I found overly distracting. Dialogue is intonated, clear and always intelligible. The sounds of battle are spread throughout the listening area and establish an open, well integrated soundscape that contains discrete panning effects and discernible ambient background detail. As a whole this Blu-ray presentation easily bests either of the DVD versions.

Bonus Features:

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• Directors commentary
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• Virtual Civil War battlefield - Interactive map
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• The voices of Glory - 11 minute feature offering personal letters from members of the 54th as read by three guest celebrities
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• The true story continues - 45 minute documentary narrated by Morgan Freeman
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• Original theatrical making of featurette - 7 minutes
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• 2 Deleted scenes with optional Director Commentary
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• BD-Live enabled

Final Thoughts:

Glory is truly a must see film experience. It tells an important story that takes place during one of the darkest periods in our nation's history, the Civil War. The struggles undertaken to ensure the freedom and rights of all is not something that was taken lightly, at that time, nor by those who were part of this film. It is one of my favorites and I am so glad that it has come to Blu-ray Disc. Its high definition presentation is a good one and the bonus supplements are equally as strong. This is a solid package that deserves a place in your collection. Recommended.