The Sergeant (1968)

THE SERGEANT is the story of the dark inner struggle of Master Sergeant Albert Callan to overcome the overwhelming attraction he feels for one of his charges. In the staid and stifling ... See full summary »

Director:

John Flynn

Writers:

Dennis Murphy (screenplay), Dennis Murphy (novel)

Stars:

Rod Steiger, John Phillip Law, Ludmila Mikaël

1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Rod Steiger	...	MSgt. Albert Callan
John Phillip Law	...	Pfc. Tom Swanson
Ludmila Mikaël	...	Solange
Frank Latimore	...	Capt. Loring
Elliott Sullivan	...	Pop Henneken
Ronald Rubin	...	Cpl. Cowley
Philip Roye	...	Aldous Brown
Jerry Brouer	...	Sgt. Komski
Memphis Slim	...	Night Club Singer

Storyline

THE SERGEANT is the story of the dark inner struggle of Master Sergeant Albert Callan to overcome the overwhelming attraction he feels for one of his charges. In the staid and stifling environment of a post-World War II army post in France, Callan's deeply repressed attraction to other men surfaces when he encounters handsome Private Swanson. Maintaining the rugged "man's man" image of a war hero, Callan barks orders to his underlings. Later, lonely in his solitude, he recalls the frightening experiences of war and the events that led to this crossroads. Filled with self-loathing and unable to act on the natural attraction he feels for Swanson, Callan's affection festers into antagonism. He pushes Swanson constantly with verbal assaults and undeserved punishments. Oblivious to Callan's attraction to him, Swanson comes finally to feel enmity for his Master Sergeant.

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Plot Keywords:

sergeant | france | private | army | black and white scene | 

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Taglines:

Just one weakness.... Just one.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Sergeant

Filming Locations:

France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Brothers/Seven Arts

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Vito (2011)

User Reviews

A simmering study of repressed homosexuality.

A real tour de force for Steiger, whose riveting portrayal of an Army sergeant wrestling with his own repressed desires is both realistic and compelling. Another top-notch Steiger character study.