Glory is a 1989 Academy Award-winning drama based on the history of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment during the American Civil War. The 54th was one of the first formal units of the U.S. Army to be made up entirely of African American men (apart from the officers). The first was the 1st South Carolina Volunteers.

The Kentucky Derby footage was the actual 1955 race, won by Swaps (Willie Shoemaker up) over over Nashua (Eddie Arcaro up.)

Based on the letters of Colonel Robert G. Shaw. Shaw was an officer in the Federal Army during the American Civil War who volunteered to lead the first company of black soldiers. Shaw was forced to deal with the prejudices of both the enemy (who had orders to kill commanding officers of blacks), and of his own fellow officers. Written by Murray Chapman

As the US Civil War protracts and drains even the vast resources of the north, an experiment is made with black troops, serving in a special regiment under an all-white officer corps. Since the traditional military establishment considers this a bad joke, the young abolitionist idealist Robert Gould Shaw from a very privileged family gets the rank of Colonel with the dubious honor to command the black volunteers, mainly illiterate former slaves. Even his personal friend and second in command, Major Cabot Forbes, lacks confidence in the project; yet they must overcome countless difficulties in training, procurement etcetera before the unit can even enter the War, but end up covering themselves and the Union army with glory -and a sea of blood- against the Confederates. Written by KGF Vissers