Thomas was a very important character in that movie. Just imagine Glory without him. Had the film been released in 1979, he might not have even been included. And 1969 might have not given much of the 54th's soldiers anything to say at all, and likely would have been entirley focused on Shaw and all he did for Black men by dying for them.
I spoke to someone once who dismissed the character of Thomas Searles as an "Uncle Tom." I still shake my head at that one. I know the film has been discussed to death but something I wish the movie had shown Thomas, after being told he was the worst soldier in the whole company, being promoted to Corporal because he was literate. That's all.
Thomas was a very important character in that movie. Just imagine Glory without him. Had the film been released in 1979, he might not have even been included. And 1969 might have not given much of the 54th's soldiers anything to say at all, and likely would have been entirley focused on Shaw and all he did for Black men by dying for them.
I spoke to someone once who dismissed the character of Thomas Searles as an "Uncle Tom." I still shake my head at that one. I know the film has been discussed to death but something I wish the movie had shown Thomas, after being told he was the worst soldier in the whole company, being promoted to Corporal because he was literate. That's all.
Glad to now know about that Reuters project.