[Liesel Zimmerman]

The film Glory highlights the heroic acts of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw in leading the nation’s first all-black regiment. However, the film does not just praise the valor of Shaw, but of the entire 54th Massachusetts Regiment. This joint focus departs from the purely biographical take of Peter Burchard’s One Gallant Rush. The theme of sacrifice is used throughout the film to emphasize the heroic qualities of both Shaw and his men.

Being a soldier inherently entails sacrifice. One must be willing to give up his family, his comfort, and possibly his life to defend a cause. In addition to these difficulties, Shaw and the 54th are required to make different kinds of sacrifices. The first occurs shortly after the troops are taken to Readville for training. The officers receive notice that “Any Negro taken in arms against the Confederacy will immediately be returned to a state of slavery. Any Negro taken in Federal uniform will be summarily put to death.” As part of the same decree, the southern forces will kill any white officer in charge of a black regiment. Shaw firmly believes in the importance of leading these men, so he is willing to risk his life to train them. However, he does not expect them to be willing to stay once they find out what their futures may hold. The filmmakers emphasize the extent of the soldiers’ determination by showing the entire company congregated the next morning. This demonstration of courage and resolution on the part of the Colonel and the soldiers contributes to their depiction as heroes.

The next instance when sacrifice is required is when the soldiers are informed that they will only be receiving 10 of the 13 dollars they were promised for wages. The black men are outraged and are willing to give up their paychecks to make the point that they will not settle for this mistreatment. When Shaw hushes the commotion, the men believe that he is going to punish them for their upheaval. Instead, Shaw joins in their protest by ripping up his own paycheck. He believes that these black men are just as capable as white men are, and that they deserve fair wages. His sacrifice brings him closer to his troops, and proves to them that he is on their side. Shaw and the black men are willing to take a stand for what is right, even if it means going without pay.

When Shaw volunteers his regiment to lead the charge on Fort Wagner, he knows that the number of casualties will be devastating. He also knows that he himself will be the one at the front to lead his troops into battle. However, he is willing to sacrifice his own life and the lives of his men to give them the chance they have been longing for. By having the opportunity to fight, they will finally be able to prove themselves.

In one of the final scenes, Shaw calmly looks out on the water and sends his horse off down the beach. This shows that he has made peace with the fact that he is going to die in this battle. It also signifies that he is “getting off his high horse,” as the saying goes, to be on the same level as his men. This act of humility ultimately exalts the Colonel in the eyes of his troops, and it is when Shaw dies that his soldiers start on the offensive. His complete sacrifice inspires them to follow his example and give everything they have to win this fight.

Nearly half of the troops are wounded, captured or killed in the attack on Fort Wagner, and the North is unable to capture the stronghold. However, the selfless actions of Colonel Shaw and his men are not in vain. The sacrifices made by the members of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment prove that African Americans have the ability to perform well as soldiers. Because of their bravery, the Union permits black soldiers to join the armed forces. More and more African Americans have the chance to fight. I believe that Burchard’s book misses the mark, in that while Shaw did make a sacrifice in that one gallant rush towards Fort Wagner, he was not alone. The heroic acts of Robert Shaw are mirrored in the actions of his soldiers, and their sacrifices warrant our attention as well. Where One Gallant Rush falls short, Glory does them justice.

<i>Glory. </i>Dir. Edward Zwick. Tristar Pictures, 1989. DVD.

• This topic was modified 12 years, 6 months ago by Liesel Zimmerman.

[Jo-Ann Wong]

In accordance with Joseph Campbell, Shaw follows the arc of the hero according to some of the examples you have given. For instance, the call to adventure is represented by Shaw’s  startled expression when being told of his election to head the 54th regiment and eventual acceptance of the position. Later on, there are multiple tests along the way, such as the example you have given concerning the paychecks and the possibility of being executed if caught by the South. Shaw passes both of these tests by not backing away from his position and joining his men in refusing his pay. Thus, he spiritually grows as he avoids material wealth in order to join his men and do the moral thing. At the end, while he does not live, like Campbell’s hero, he is able to pass on a “message” and teach society as Shaw’s involvement and training of the 54th regiment led to the positive feedback concerning African American troops and their ability to fight as well as white soldiers.

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