Glory
Denzel Washington explains the real story behind one of his primal scenes inGlory . Gloryis a 1989 warfare epic about Robert Gould Shaw , who led the first all - blackened volunteer company in the United States Civil War . Col . Shaw is played byFerris Bueller ’s Day Offstar Matthew Broderick , with a supporting cast that includesDenzel Washington , Morgan Freeman , Cary Elwes , Andre Braugher , and John Finn . Glorywas directed by Edward Zwick and won three Oscars , including for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Washington .
verbalise withVariety , Washington speaks about a present moment inGlorybeing call his " signature move . " The interviewer asks Washington to speak on what hearing call his " signature move " : the single snag cry , which he does inGlory . Washington clarify that this is " not a theme song flick " but alternatively wasa " real snag " that he throw away inGlory . He fit on to reveal the real fib , that the whip in the scenery was " wet " and " it was hit [ him ] in the back , and it hurt . " go over out the full quotation mark from Washington below :
That ’s not a “ signature move . ” Signature move sounds like a go - to . In fact , I tear because the whip was soused and it actually hurt . It was a real teardrop . That ’s a true news report . It was felt , and if you go back and bet , they celebrate wetting everything down , and the felt was wet . And it was hit me in the back , and it bruise … I do n’t even know [ how many takes we did ] , or how he cut it to be good with you . He cut back and away so many time , there ’s no telling what takes it is . All I lie with It wound — I was n’t cry but it was a real tear .
What The Single Tear Scene Was Interpreted As In Glory
The Single Tear Scene Is Highly Cinematic
As Washington make character to , theGloryscenein doubtfulness go on when the character Private Trip gets whipped . Leading up to this moment , Col . Shaw is tell to strap misstep after the soldier is accused of desertion . Shaw espouse these orders and calls for Trip to be whipped in front of his total company . As he is whipped , Washington mostly stands stoic , until some emotion is reveal as the character throw a single tear .
The very cinematic nature of the single rent ’s introduction led many to believe that this was an intentional play choice on the part of Washington .
As Trip gradually reveals more emotion , the television camera slowly zooms in on his face . Once his tear epithelial duct well up , the camera stays in a close - up stance as the iconic single tear is shake off down his look . The very cinematic nature of the single teardrop ’s introduction led many to believe that this was an knowing acting choice on the part of Washington , leading to the averment of the single bout as his " signature move . " As it turns out , per this audience , Washington ’s tear come instead from a more genuine spot .
Why Glory Is One Of Washington’s Most Iconic Roles
Washington Was Not As Well-Known When He Acted In Glory
watch back the whipping scene , I am mint by how good Washington ’s unmarried teardrop moment is . While he is a human dynamo actor today , Washington was a comparative unknown when he acted inGlory . This made his stellar performance even more surprising and powerful , as the single tear moment ( and unnumberable other powerful scenes ) came from an worker with whom few people were conversant . Gloryearned the role player his 2d Oscar nominating speech and first - ever win , kickstarting what would become a prolificcareer for Washington .
informant : Variety
