Glória (2021) User Reviews

Solid '60s set Portuguese Cold War drama

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 17 November 2021]

In 1968 the Cold War is at its height with East and West vying for victory. As part of the propaganda war the Americans operate RARET, a broadcasting facility at Glória do Ribatejo in a remote corner of Portugal. At the time Portugal isn't democratic but has a fascist government. This government is staunchly anti-communist; largely due to their support those fighting for independence in Portugal's African colonies.

Centre of the story is João Vidal, a Portuguese engineer at RARET. He is the son of a government minister but we soon learn he was recruited by the Soviets while serving in Angola. When a translator is found dead shortly after an important tape that had been prepared for broadcast disappears James Wilson, the facility's American boss becomes concerned that the Communists have infiltrated the base. João's life is further complicated when he gets involved with a woman whose fiancé is serving in Portuguese Guinea (now Guinea-Bissau).

I really enjoyed this Netflix series. It beautifully captures the '60s aesthetic and the feeling of Cold War paranoia. The story isn't rushed but doesn't feel too slow. Many characters are fairly ambiguous. Protagonists, including João, are shown to do things that most people would judge unacceptable. Events are shown in a fairly matter of fact way leaving viewers to decide the rights and wrongs of the various politics. There isn't a huge amount of action but what there is is well staged and exciting. The cast does a solid job bringing their characters to life; this includes both Portuguese and American actors. The finale leaves many questions unanswered so hopefully theer will be further seasons Overall a solid Cold War drama that is well worth watching if you are interested in the era and are looking for something a little different.

Portuguese audiences are the harshest

[thePopcornExplorer · 9/10 · 21 November 2021]

I've seen my fair share of movies and TV shows and as a Portuguese, I've grown up to have a very biased opinion towards Portuguese content - culturally speaking we are known to produce an insane amount of soap operas but not so much movies or TV shows - and as I grew up I had this completely wrong idea that we simply lacked the quality to do so.

As I started to consume more Portuguese content, it became clear that our main problem is actually budget; we don't lack at all in creativity or fantastic actors, we do lack in funding from the Government in our culture and that of course reflects on the content no matter how good the original idea is.

With that being said, we are seeing a change in trend, and thanks to partnerships and opportunities like this (Netflix actually producing a Portuguese TV show) we can clearly see the proof how much the budget can make a difference.

The story is a fictional one, yet is set on a very real context in history - there are a lot of things I can point as very positive: the cinematography is amazing, the direction and camera work are on point for the spy genre, most actors do an amazing job (the main character I had some troubles at first as it seemed to have some lack of charisma, but he does get better as the story unfolds) and the plot itself is engaging, some predictable twists but other unexpected events as well.

It might not be a brilliant or ground breaking series, but it is original on some aspects, believable, and most of all a truly great achievement for Portugal - I can't stress this enough, I've already seen some not so commercial series and even Portuguese movies fantastically made, but Glória is probably the best national content I've seen that has the most probable global recognition.

In our country we tend to be very critical, but I leave you with some final thoughts that hopefully convince you to watch: no it has absolutely nothing to do with how soap operas are made; yes you are not used to listen to Portuguese on a movie so give it some time it and you'll get through that and finally GIVE IT A SHOT, don't see just 1 or 2 episodes and give it a low rating based on that - kudos to the people involved, we need more content like this coming from Portugal.

A genuine effort that could have been so much better...

[natario-rui · 8/10 · 7 November 2021]

This first Portuguese Netflix series is a very clever production effort, with a decent casting and a good cinematography.

However, there are several things that could have contributed for a better final product:

• The script is not as bad as some users have written here, but there is a lot of room form improvement it that department..

• The lack of accuracy or basic common sense in ever scene featuring uniforms and ranks;

• João Vidal was an army officer in the war in Angola but he is always depicted as a foot soldiers.

• The scenes with the GNR (wrongly subtitled as military police) are pathetic to the point where you have a foot soldier issuing orders to a 1st Sargent in the prison escape scene.

• Even the way how the army solders and GNR troopers carry their G3 rifles is wrong!

• Not to mention the GNR's uniforms.. oh man!

-A simple technical advisor could have done magic for the accuracy of all those visual and historical details.

Anyway, having said that, I liked the show. I am Portuguese and I am proud and happy to see my country honestly trying to step up and create a decent TV series. The aforementioned details are just that; details that could have been handled properly.

Finally, it's really sad to see how some of my Portuguese brothers and sisters come just to mock and demean when if fact we should all be at least a bit proud.

Amazing

[hquerido97 · 10/10 · 8 November 2021]

Intense and captivating story. Good period portraits, good footage. I saw season 1, and I really liked it.

I was not aware of RARET. Series like this also teach us about world history.

Opening the door with a big "bang"

[cccsara · 10/10 · 6 November 2021]

Glória is the first show I ever "binged watched". The characters are so beautifully constructed and explored, each one revealing a necessary layer and direction to the story.

The entire plot is a succession of events that make you want to go back just to have that "ahhh" moment again. In the end it leaves you feeling that you could, no, should watch it again.

An amazing first to Portugal, can't wait for more.

Ignore the bad reviews- impressive

[debbiebroadfield · 10/10 · 5 November 2021]

Really enjoyed this. Beautiful cinematography and staging really immerses you in the era. I don't watch Portuguese soap operas so do not know the actors and disagree with the comments that 'they should stay In soaps'. To be fair I didn't like the dubbing (in English), much mor enjoyed the original Portuguese. Also disagreed with the comments about comparing it to squid games etc., I personally didn't rate squid games- probably the only one! But I enjoyed the feel of this. I did laugh (because I am British living in Portugal) because they probably didn't have to stage sets- portugal and it's homes actually look like this in the rural areas. Loved it's authenticity.

Come onnnn!

[anninhax-73811 · 10/10 · 7 November 2021]

Great serie, great plot and script, great Netflix production! Top team, leading to a premium product: Gloria.

All these "free bad criticism" is (unfortunately) a very typical Portuguese habit....

In Portugal we just say "cambada de ressabiados" to all of those frustrated "film rewiers to be" that are too important to complement those who did a GREAT JOB!

Congrats to Gloria!

This review section likes the extremes...

[diogoaleixodecarvalho · 7/10 · 7 November 2021]

The show is good. Quite a surprise for me actually.

No, it's not perfect, the American actors seem to not know what they are saying when speaking Portuguese, some actors have a very stiff face and don't give off any facial expression and some lines are delivered in a strange/rushed way, the English parts of the script seem to have been directly translated from Portuguese at times, creating odd expressions, the soundtrack is incredibly repetitive and all over the place (definitely the weakest spot of the whole thing) and the first episode was confusing, which, to be fair, the exposition for such a branched plot was never going to be easy.

The story, though, that is what ultimately matters and it is a good one. It has good character developments, interesting side plots that let the viewer feel what it was like to live at that time in Portugal and interesting/unpredictable plot twists. The cinematography, costume/production design and grading were also on point.

Ultimately it was an enjoyable time. The flaws, while there, did not distract completely from the main story which has still room to grow on a second season.

P. S. Please ignore any comparison of this show with Portuguese Soap Operas, the actors are the same, yes, and they did bring some of that background but, apart from that, the show is nothing like soap operas.

Spy movies are back !!

[matthieupannier · 10/10 · 7 November 2021]

Great spy movie in a complete different universe than the usual Moscow Washington game. Great casting, costumes and mix of different side stories to make a whole, well assembled story.

Loved to see this kind of story in Portugal.

Waiting for season 2, sounds very promising.

I Have Questions

[jeffaresrobert · 7/10 · 29 November 2021]

This is a well set, well cast show with a semi believable plot. The characters are all well played. Someone has gone to great effort to get the clothing and the cars right. It's not quite so accurate on the technical details. Sabotaging the transmitter by opening a door and defeating an interlock is not possible. The interlock can be defeated but the transmitter will have gone off the moment the door opens. Then be restarted. Such offs generally trigger alarms. Frequency hopping is a little more complicated and was generally achieved by running several frequencies simultaneously. As long as you have more transmissions than the Russians have Jammers the signal will get through. I am keen to know which site was used for the exterior shots. The Gloria site has been dismantled. Technical details aside it's a good story and shows people as they are especially in a somewhat remote site.

Seriously engaging !

[gabriella-71231 · 10/10 · 7 November 2021]

In the first 3 to 7 seconds in the opening scene I knew this is going to be a good one. There's a feeling, a sense that you're in for a captivating story. Everything from the brilliant casting, acting, costumes and suspense of the story have been really well executed. I recommend 100%.

A Portuguese new comer pearl

[portal1790 · 7/10 · 7 November 2021]

I admit that before seeing "Glória" I didn't have great expectations. The relationship with Portuguese cinema has not been easy and it is difficult to point out a title that made me change that relationship. But I've already made a post about these causes and it's not worth repeating now. Hence, when I learned that the first Portuguese series launched by Netflix in co-production with SPI and RTP was going to be produced, I didn't even give it much importance. However, the series debuted and what a satisfaction to have to "handle the paddle" because "Glória" of 2021 is nothing behind so many others that I've seen on Netflix. Including North Americans. Which doesn't imply that it's one of the best either, but it's precisely in the middle. The production and interpretation is at the level of the best that is done nowadays. The recreation of the time is very well done. And despite the recurrent trauma of the Colonial War being present again, the narrative and argument are very well structured. Seriously, I was surprised and finally, of the Portuguese series that I had the opportunity to see, this one created by Pedro Lopes is probably the most successful. A little in the same line of quality as the 2019 movie "A Herdade" he was also directed by Tiago Guedes, as well as this surprising "Glória".

Could have been so good...

[gerardmartin77 · 5/10 · 23 August 2023]

Here we go again...Netflix and their 10 episode dramas which just drag on and on when 6 could tell the story more succinctly and interestingly.

On top of that this story started so well but around episode 5 it just got so unbelievable. We have a handsome Russian agent swanning around like james Bond who a blind man could soon figure out was up to no good coupled with the American 'agents' who are so comically incompetent that the stereotypical Russian agents rung rings around them without missing a beat.

So although tho the production does look very good and realistic , its just a shame that the writing wasn't better.

I only don't understand these ratings...

[ricardormsoares · 10/10 · 5 November 2021]

10/10 to make up for the crazy negative ratings there are from some Portuguese people! We can see there's a big production going on in these series something greater than any other project for the portuguese tv, the selection of actors is not the best but it's not the worse neither, these crazy associations that people make with "Soap Operas" it's only for a reason... Hearing and seeing portuguese actors acting in anything besides "soap operas" is weird and people are not used to it! The production is amazing and there are so many shots and techniques that I've never seen in any portuguese drama so it's a positive thing over there... In terms of the story itself...Well... It's interesting and that's pretty much it! Still worth it though! Ignore the negative reviews... Most of the users didn't have time to see the full series... The series is worth it... So go watch it!

This is more than a thriller

[trashya · 10/10 · 6 November 2021]

Glória is an amazingly directed, written and acted spy thriller, but it's more than that. It's a time capsule of a rural Portugal during the 60's that failed to industrialize, is under an autocratic regime and is still clinging to its colonies in Africa that are more and more pushed towards communism under the USSR sphere of influence. Glória also tells the story of RARET to the world while also painting a sombre portrait of the Portuguese patriarchy. Glória is relevant in many points, addicting and every shot is gorgeous. I couldn't be happier w/ the autocome.

Very well done Cold War drama

[keenast · 9/10 · 15 December 2021]

Excellent writing, directing, acting, cinematography and production design AND sound which is rather rare nowadays.

As others mentioned it before, the atmosphere and aesthetic of the time are masterfully captured and portrayed. Very solid acting - great to watch and follow all characters. Even the smallest roles deliver and add greatly to the overall picture.

Highly recommended. Also, if one searches a bit one can find lots of information on the net about the history of this facility, obviously run by the CIA with the usual obscure objectives.

Waiting for the 2nd Season

[azevedo-081996 · 10/10 · 7 November 2021]

Waiting for the second season! I was very curious to see this series, not only because I am Portuguese, but because I am proud of my country and I know that we have a lot of talent and potential! I started watching the series, I wasn't at all familiar with the theme of RARET, but I was super curious about all the suspense involved. At the beginning the series is a bit stopped you have to give the benefit of the doubt, however the quality of the image, of realisation was never concerned! From maybe the 3rd episode I never stopped, I saw the series at once! It captivated me in such a way that only good series do! Anyone who says it has to do with soap operas I don't think they've ever seen one in their lives. We clearly saw the quality evolution of our typical series for these, we Portuguese already do a lot with the little we have, but here we have noticed a dreadful evolution in quality! You can see what could be done if we had more state support! That's why I say, Gloria is amazing and the ending is surprising! Go see Gloria asap!

unique angle

[ellipseanostalrius · 7/10 · 13 November 2021]

Gloria is unique in that it's central character is ostensibly the antagonist. We do not follow him in morbid fascination, but in a study in how one might be warped into a very cruel ideology. I appreciate this angle.

That of course comes with the difficulty of an inability to identify with the central character, but this series does an outstanding job of developing secondary characters whom you might become invested in. The cast members playing American, English speaking characters are somewhat flat. I don't know if that is due to casting or direction, but they do well enough.

I highly recommend this series for anyone else who is tired of the same old same old where you could predict everything that was going to happen. You can try with this series, but you will be incorrect 50% of the time. Never fear, the series twists and turns have their logic, you just have to deal with the disappointment generated from antagonist as the central character.

Great story with great production

[jflizard · 8/10 · 18 November 2021]

Gloria is a slow burning espionage tv show which takes place in Portugal during the 1960's. By then it was still ruled by a fascist dictatorship and was mainly a county with a very outdated culture, a society where amongst the poorer people women had no liberty and even on higher society stratuses we could witness something similar . The story shows much of that culture and time, but it's also a very good espionage story , with crime, suspense, intrigue and some action.

Acting is appropriate, I wouldn't say it's superb , but it doesn't fall below par ... and the story is very engaging, I found myself very curious on knowing what would happen next . Yes, it's a bit on the slower pace but that's perfectly fine for me, a person who loved the slow paced True Detective show.

Gloria deserves some praise because it comes from a country of a very old movie culture which unfortunately was dominated by tedious and ethereal films during some decades . I hope this is the first of many Portuguese tv shows in Netflix because it doesn't fall short in any department when compared with similar shows from other countries .

A bit confusing who's who in beginning

[Blumanowar · 7/10 · 23 November 2021]

It's ashame Netflix doesn't list character photos and names and a synopsis of their role like Amazon Prime does. I've found that to be so helpful in getting an early understanding in new shows. Come on Netflix, keep up!!

Great series

[mario-maniaco · 10/10 · 6 November 2021]

Great photography, acting and passing... I like series that do know that sometimes slower is better. Gloria starts this way but always in the end of the episode find a way to get you pumped for next episode... Great series to binge.

Exceeds expectations, but disappoints towards the end

[Visual-me · 7/10 · 29 May 2022]

I was curious about watching a Portuguese cold war drama. My expectations weren't so low, since other European series turned out to be succesful (Dark, especially). And they were exceeded anyways.

The show started on a good note, with great cinematography, actually good editing, well-written script and an interesting plot. Needless to say that the late 60s aesthetic is really eye-catching. However, with every episode, towards the season's half, it starts going south. It brims with far-fetched plot twists or unnecessary passion crimes, affairs and drama.

Some of the characters' motives are not compelling enough. The writing does a somewhat good job about the main character's development and motives. But it fails when he's successful in his constant plotting because that's just not likely. I also don't see the point of the drama around Fernando going to war.

Equally disappointing as the storyline is the acting. Not only are the main characters unconvincing, but sometimes they are frustratingly awkward and bleak or forced.

I'd still recommend whatching it because it does a decent job in terms of storytelling.

I really, really wanted to like...

[liciagustava · 4/10 · 5 November 2021]

I had my expectations very high, but unfortunately, the series was not even close to what I expected. Some actors were born just to make soap operas, and when we try to put them in projects like these - there's a huge gap on the part of the production.

The script is extremely poor, with very cringe quotes and the cinematography follows the telenovela record very much.

Adriano Luz and Victória Guerra's talent are lost in a ridiculous budget that could have gone to more interesting projects.

Very good series

[joedyyy · 9/10 · 7 November 2021]

Binged this one in just one weekend. A little bit slow in the first two episodes, but after that it's very fun to watch! An exciting story that immediately draws you in.

Spy drama that will make glued to the screen

[passivosubm · 10/10 · 10 November 2021]

For those who love thrillers or spy dramas mainly in the Cold War era this is a must to watch (to mention that it takes place on a "neutral" country with a fascist regime makes it even more mysterious). The plot is engaging, most characters will make you love them or hate them all the way, the sceneries are beautiful and the fact that it is inspired by historical events just makes it even more appealing. Netflix catalog was in need of a spy drama like Glória! Congratulations to all the production and team.