The 54th: Movie Analysis

The story was based upon black men from the North, fighting for slavery that was going on in the South. The group of men fighting was called the 54th. Even though the chance of losing the freedom, that each and every black man held, each fought for something that should be changed. With the strength and courage that each man had, they had the heart to go on.

When looking at the North, they were portrayed as a group of people that were very wealthy. That the North was going to win the war with every effort possible. But when Robert had to go and ask for shoes and supplies, it was almost as though the generals in the North were treating the blacks as the South. Second to the white man and being last on the list to get supplies (like shoes and
socks). The South appeared to be a place that was very hot and unpleasant. When the slaves of plantations saw these black soldiers, they came out and rejoiced because this might be their only way to be free. Slaves that lived down south were beaten and not respected at all. They were just property, and their lives were worthless to the owners. Life for slaves in the South was very terrible and to survive was just a struggle.

The most significant part of the movie would have to be the last battle taken place.
The men of the 54th were able to give enough courage over all of the other troops and be the first ones to go into the battle. This showed that even though the color of their skin is different than white peoples, the courage and bravery are still strong. When the 54th were walking towards the battle scene, the white men, from the other troop, who were making fun of the 54th were congratulating them and basically saying good luck to them. Times from the beginning of the battle until now have changed from who was fighting to who
wasn’t.

My favorite character would have to be Colonel Robert Gould Shaw because he had something that most other Colonel’s didn’t poses. He was able to stick up for the black men and treated them as though they were like every other citizen. He had a best friend, Thomas, that was a black man and he had respect for him. When the men needed supplies, he got them, knowing that they should be treated like every other troop. Also when the men didn’t take the pay, Robert went along with the men and didn’t take his pay either. The men respected him and both were friendly, this wasn’t common during this period of time. He had something that no one else had in that time, the love for a black man. This is why Colonel Robert Gould Shaw is my favorite character because it isn’t racist and isn’t quick to judge.

The 54th was a significant part of the Civil War because it meant that the black man was willing to give up everything in order to fight for something that he strongly believes.
That even though the color of someone’s skin is different than others, that the courage and willing ness to fight will be there; especially if its something that a man could have already witnessed during his life to know the feeling of slavery. The color of someone’s skin shouldn’t be the result of treating them as though they are nothing. If you want something to change, then you should go out there and fight for something that you strongly believe in, the point would get across faster. The 54th was a step for black people to become accepted in the world and be known more than property; that they were human beings, just like the rest of
us.