This episode of "The American Experience" has an incredibly low overall score at this time. Don't believe its current score (below 5.0)--it's exceptional.
It seems fitting that Morgan Freeman narrated this episode of the series, as he was the male black lead in the film "Glory"--a movie about this same Massachusetts 54th Colored Infantry. It's the story about how the black men worked to get the right to fight for the Union during the Civil War as well as a discussion of their impact on the war itself once they received this right. Overall, a great episode--and a wonderful companion to the film "Glory"--especially since "Glory" ends with the unsuccessful attack on Ft. Wagner (1863--two years before the war ended) and yet the rest of the unit continued fighting to the war's end. Exceptionally well made and compelling throughout--making it a stellar addition to the series.
It seems fitting that Morgan Freeman narrated this episode of the series, as he was the male black lead in the film "Glory"--a movie about this same Massachusetts 54th Colored Infantry. It's the story about how the black men worked to get the right to fight for the Union during the Civil War as well as a discussion of their impact on the war itself once they received this right. Overall, a great episode--and a wonderful companion to the film "Glory"--especially since "Glory" ends with the unsuccessful attack on Ft. Wagner (1863--two years before the war ended) and yet the rest of the unit continued fighting to the war's end. Exceptionally well made and compelling throughout--making it a stellar addition to the series.