Once in a long time a movie comes along that elevates you in a way that causes you to see the world a bit differently. This movie is one such movie. Ann and I watched the HD version of Glory last night ... it was a deeply moving experience. First I give you a synopsis of the story:
The movie is based on the letters of Colonel Robert G. Shaw. Shaw (played by Matthew Broderick) was an officer in the Federal Army during the American Civil War who volunteered to lead the first company of black soldiers. Shaw was forced to deal with the prejudices of both the enemy (who had orders to kill commanding officers of blacks), and of his own fellow officers. I found the personal development of Shaw to be an interesting one. He begins the movie appearing weak and afraid but finishes with an inspirational humble courage. Characters played by Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington and others were simply moving - they moved me at a deep emotional level. The movie helped me identify with the injustice of this period of our nation's evolution.Secondly I want to share some memorable quotes from the movie:
Jupiter Sharts: [praying aloud from the clip above] Tommorrow we goes into battle, so Lordy, let me fight with the rifle in one hand, and the Good Book in the other. So that if I may die at the muzzle of the rifle... die on water, or on land, I may know that you blessed Jesus almighty are with me... and I have no fear.I close giving you the final scene ... a scene of "glory" where men risk all and give all for freedom. It is a tough viewing but needful to those wanting to know what freedom is all about. It is the American version of Braveheart.
Trip: I ain't fightin' this war for you, sir.
Colonel Shaw: I see.
Trip: I mean, what's the point? Ain't nobody gonna win. It's just gonna go on and on.
Colonel Shaw: Can't go on forever.
Trip: Yeah, but ain't nobody gonna win, sir.
Colonel Shaw: Somebody's gonna win.
Trip: Who? I mean, you get to go on back to Boston, big house and all that. What about us? What do we get?
Colonel Shaw: Well, you won't get anything if we lose.
Rawlins: And who are you? So full of hate that you have to fight everybody, because you've been whipped and chased by hounds. Well that might not be living, but it sure as hell ain't dying. And dying's been what these white boys have been doing for going on three years now, dying by the thousands, dying for you, fool. And all this time I keep askin' myself, when, O Lord, when gonna be our time? Gonna come a time when we all gonna hafta ante up and kick in like men, LIKE MEN! You watch who you callin' nigger! If there's any niggers around here, it's YOU, just a stupid-ass, swamp-runnin' nigger! And if you not careful, that's all you ever gonna be!
John Rawlins: That's right, Hines. Ain't no dream. We runaway slaves but we come back fightin' men. Go tell your folks how kingdom come in the year of jubilee!
KB, one of my all time favorites. It inspired me as a young Christian. The juxtaposition between Shaw and his friend disturbed me (Shaw was intent on preparing his men for battle, his friend never thought they would see action, so he took short cuts in the training). It made me realize that I needed to be serious in my spiritual training and not be lulled into a complacency thinking that I was playing some kind of game.
ReplyDeleteExcellent movie. And excellent selection of quotes!