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Glory poster

Is Glory OK for Kids?

DramaHistoryWar
15+
R⭐ 7.8 / 101989 · 2h 2m
Edward Zwick

Where to Watch

United States

Stream

Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel

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Streaming data by JustWatch

What's In It

Based on the actual screenplay
🗡️Violence
Extreme▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Cartoon / Comedic
2
Action & Peril
2
Injuries & Death Shown
4
Graphic & Disturbing
  • A soldier is shot in the neck at the Battle of Antietam and undergoes an on-screen surgical amputation attempt
  • A deserter is flogged with a whip in front of the entire regiment as a disciplinary example
  • Colonel Montgomery orders an assault on civilians, threatening a woman and burning buildings in a Southern town
  • Trip and Rawlins engage in a physical fight within the camp
  • The Fort Wagner assault is a sustained, graphic frontal charge with heavy casualties, soldiers shot down, and bayonet fighting
  • Thomas Searles is shot during battle, and Colonel Shaw is killed leading the final charge on Fort Wagner
  • Weapons include muskets, bayonets, whips, and cannon/artillery fire
  • The overall tone is somber and unflinching, portraying war's brutality and racist cruelty rather than glorifying it
💬Language
Extreme▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Mild Words
(damn, hell)
9
Moderate
(ass, b**ch)
18
Strong
(sh*t)
47
Extreme
(f**k)
  • The racial slur 'nigger' is used 47 times throughout the film, primarily by white soldiers and officers demeaning the Black regiment
  • Strong language includes 'da**/godda**' (8 times), 'hell' (6 times), 's**t' (3 times), and 'wh**e' (1 time)
  • Moderate language includes 'b**tard' (4 times) and 'a**' (5 times)
  • No f-words or c-words detected, but the sheer frequency and context of the racial slur makes this the film's most severe content
👻Scary Scenes
Extreme▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Mildly Tense
1
Startling Moments
1
Genuinely Scary
4
Deeply Disturbing
  • A Confederate proclamation is read aloud threatening execution for captured Black soldiers and the white officers who command them, establishing a constant existential threat
  • The flogging scene forces the entire regiment (and the viewer) to watch a brutal whipping punishment
  • Colonel Montgomery displays casual, unsettling cruelty and threats toward civilians
  • Verbal racial degradation is intense and sustained throughout the camp scenes, dehumanizing the soldiers
  • The Fort Wagner assault is an overwhelming sequence of sustained cannon fire, massive casualties, and chaotic close combat
  • There is a sudden, startling scene of betrayal and abuse by fellow soldiers within the camp
  • These scenes are not resolved with comfort — the film ends on the soldiers' deaths and sacrifice, not a triumphant rescue
💕Romance
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
1
Crushes & Holding Hands
0
Kissing & Dating
1
Suggestive
0
Sexual Content
  • Robert exchanges letters with his mother, showing familial affection rather than romance
  • There are subtle hints of affection between Robert and his childhood friend Thomas Searles, shown through an emotional reunion and a Christmas greeting
  • There is no kissing, dating, or sexual content depicted in the film
🍺Substances
Mild▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
1
Mentioned in Passing
1
Shown Casually
0
Featured Prominently
0
Glorified or Abused
  • Officers are shown casually drinking punch at a celebration and sharing a bottle during dinner
  • Chloroform is mentioned in passing as part of medical treatment for wounded soldiers
  • Substance use is not glorified and is limited to brief, incidental moments
⚡Stimulation
Extreme▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Gently Engaging
1
Exciting
2
Intense
1
Overwhelming
  • Drill sequences feature a harsh sergeant training the men with sustained physical exertion and tension
  • Psychological torment and verbal abuse recur throughout camp scenes, creating consistent unease
  • The Fort Wagner final assault is an overwhelming sustained combat sequence with artillery, musket fire, and close-quarters fighting
  • More positive, exciting moments occur with Rawlins' promotion and regimental commendations
  • Sensory-sensitive children would likely find the sustained combat and abuse sequences overwhelming
Glory — Heads Up for Parents

Despite being a respected historical war drama, parents should be aware the racial slur 'nigger' is used 47 times throughout the film, and the flogging scene forces the entire regiment (and viewer) to witness a brutal whipping punishment in graphic detail.

About Glory

Glory tells the true story of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, the first all-Black volunteer unit in the Union Army during the Civil War, led by young white Colonel Robert Gould Shaw. The film follows the soldiers as they endure racist treatment, brutal training, and unequal pay before proving their courage in the devastating frontal assault on Fort Wagner. It is a serious, often harrowing war drama dealing directly with slavery, racism, and sacrifice.

⚠️
Watch with your child
The extreme frequency of racial slurs, the graphic flogging scene, and the overwhelming Fort Wagner assault with mass casualties are heavy content that teens 15+ will benefit from discussing with a parent, particularly around themes of systemic racism and sacrifice raised by the pay discrimination and Confederate proclamation scenes.

Family Takeaways from Glory

What it gets right

  • ✓The film portrays education as empowerment through Thomas Searles teaching illiterate soldiers to read
  • ✓It depicts merit-based advancement fairly through Rawlins' promotion to sergeant major
  • ✓It confronts systemic racism honestly through the pay discrimination revelation and the Confederate proclamation scene

Glory Cultural & Values Guide

Cultural & Values Guide

Faith & Religion
●Christian themes

The film depicts Colonel Shaw's religious faith through prayer scenes and his struggle with moral purpose in leading black soldiers. Christian belief provides spiritual grounding for several characters facing the brutality of war.

Cast:Matthew BroderickDenzel WashingtonCary ElwesMorgan FreemanJihmi Kennedy

Is Glory Appropriate for Your Child's Age?

✗Age 5: Not recommended for 5-year-olds
✗Age 8: Not recommended for 8-year-olds
✗Age 10: Not recommended for 10-year-olds
✗Age 12: Not recommended for 12-year-olds
✗Age 13: Not recommended for 13-year-olds
✓Age 15: Generally appropriate for 15-year-olds
✓Age 17: Generally appropriate for 17-year-olds

Individual children may vary — use your judgment.

Parents also ask about Glory

  • Is Glory appropriate for a 15-year-old?
  • Does Glory have violence?
  • Is Glory OK for kids?
  • What is the age rating for Glory?

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