Glory a wonderful film depicting the role of African-American soldiers in the Civil war, is based on two books, Lincoln Kirstein's Lay This Laurel and Peter Bruchard's One Gallant Rush. Bruchard's book provided the inspiration for the character played by Matthew Broderick, who was a real-life white solider. His letters formed the basis of this movie. Glory is not exactly a perfect war movie, there are some minor flaws such as the accent of Broderick and his not to so convincing performance, but the other characters do an incredibly brilliant job as newly appointed black soldiers. It is their Oscar-deserving performances, which obscure the slight flaws of the film that discusses an important issue in a unique manner. How did blacks feel when they were recruited in the Army and how were they treated by other soldiers are the kind of questions this film revolves around and provides highly convincing and absolutely true answers. The film traces the formation and performance of Fifty-fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, which was the first black army unit to participate in the civil war. The movie brilliantly captures the training period of soldiers and their final attack at Fort Wagner where Shaw lost his life. Glory shot to fame not only because of its unique script and powerful performances alone but also because it deals with a subject that Hollywood abandoned a long time ago. In a place where Civil war is considered distant past, such a movie was seen as breath of fresh air. It took us all back to the 18th century when slavery was still a burning issue...

It gives rise to issues that had been forcefully buried a long time back to avoid debate and confrontation. From this viewpoint, this movie is extremely important because instead of dealing with easier commercial subjects, it deliberately focuses on a painful topic, which is like stepping on explosive landmines. All the problems, accusation and questions that had long been relegated to the far corner of our consciousness, were suddenly out in the open again. And we are forced to view and discuss the healing of racism and race relations in the country.
Lay this Laurel on the One

Too intrinsic for Renown

Laurel! veil your deathless tree

Him you chasten, that is He!

Emily Dickinson

The movie is heavily based on the two books mentioned above. Lay this laurel provides deeper and closer details of the events that shaped the civil war from the eyes of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw who was courageous enough to rise above classism and train a group of disadvantaged people willing to fight for the country and for their freedom. Kirstein's book explains how the group received its training and how it attacked Fort Wagner. Since all details couldn't be captured on the screen, it is important to read the two books to get deeper insight into the issue of black enlistment. Kirstein believes that it was the moral courage of Shaw and the bravery of his soldiers that paved way for more recruitment opportunities for blacks. In fact Lincoln believed that it was their courage that shaped the Civil war and turned it in favor of blacks and the North.

Edward Zwick, director of this masterpiece, appears more interested in closer and deeper analysis of various issues than in capturing one gory page…