A Soldier's Story (1984)

An African-American officer investigates a murder in a racially charged situation in World War II.

Director:

Norman Jewison

Writers:

Charles Fuller (screenplay), Charles Fuller (play)

Stars:

Howard E. Rollins Jr., Adolph Caesar, Art Evans

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Howard E. Rollins Jr.	...	Captain Davenport
Adolph Caesar	...	Sergeant Waters
Art Evans	...	Private Wilkie
David Alan Grier	...	Corporal Cobb
David Harris	...	Private Smalls
Dennis Lipscomb	...	Captain Taylor
Larry Riley	...	C.J. Memphis
Robert Townsend	...	Corporal Ellis
Denzel Washington	...	Private First Class Peterson
William Allen Young	...	Private Henson
Patti LaBelle	...	Big Mary
Wings Hauser	...	Lieutenant Byrd
Scott Paulin	...	Captain Wilcox
John Hancock	...	Sergeant Washington
Trey Wilson	...	Colonel Nivens

Storyline

A black soldier is killed while returning to his base in the deep south. The white people of the area are suspected at first. A tough black army attorney is brought in to find out the truth. We find out a bit more about the dead soldier in flashbacks - and that he was unpopular. Will the attorney find the killer ?

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Plot Keywords:

based on play | soldier | flashback | military lawyer | captain | 

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Taglines:

Alone, far from home, and far from justice, he has three days to learn the truth about a murder...and the truth is a story you won't forget.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | War

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Debut acting performance in a theatrical feature film for Patti LaBelle, Warren Clements, Robert Tyler, Patricia Brandkamp, and William Allen Young.

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Goofs

During the final scene when the Soldiers are marching in parade formation, they are actually moving towards the rear of the Fort Chaffee Garrison area (the actual filming location), literally just a few hundred yards before entering the tactical training area. An actual military parade would begin its march near a remote point such as this, move along the prescribed parade route, and finally pass in review at the Post Commander's Headquarters building, which is approximately 1 mile in the opposite direction.

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Quotes

Master Sergeant Vernon Waters: They still... hate you! THEY STILL HATE YOU!

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Alternate Versions

CBS edited 5 minutes from this film for its 1987 network television premiere.

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Connections

Featured in They've Gotta Have Us: Black Film Is Not a Genre (2018)

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Soundtracks

Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me)
Written by Lew Brown, Charles Tobias (as Charlie Tobias) and Sam H. Stept
Performed by The Andrews Sisters
Courtesy of MCA Records, Inc.

User Reviews

A Enthralling film about racism in the military

Commerating the 20th Anniversary of a brilliant classic!

This was one of the most powerful films that came out in 1984. Director Norman Jewison(In The Heat Of The Night)adaptation of the Puliitzer Prize-winning play(by Charles Fuller) and numerous NAACP awards for best achievement in African-American literature,tells about the ramificiations of racism and loyalty through the prism of blacks in the military,revealed through a mystery set in the 1940's deep South. Howard E. Rollins(Ragtime,and from the TV series In The Heat Of The Night)plays a military investigator,Captain Davenport,who is assigned to the murder of a drill instructor,Sergeant Waters,played by Adolph Caesar(The Color Purple),who was in charge of a black platoon during World War II. Under pressure from his superiors to wrap his investigation up quickly,Rollins instead delves deeply into the relationships between the despised drill instructor and his men,uncovering lies and animousity,and confronting the question of what it means to be black in a white man's world. Rollins delivers a riveting,stoic,emotional lead into the role of Captain Davenport while Caesar gives an electrifying performance as the Sergeant. A lot of fresh faces gives brilliant performances throughout the film including one from a youthful Denzel Washington,who makes an early appearance as a soldier with a deep grudge against the drill instructor and a deep mistrust of Rollins' investigator. Look for appearances by Larry Riley, David Alan Grier,Robert Townsend,and Patti LaBelle. A powerfully written story that makes the most of its large and impressive ensemble cast which still is enthralling--some 20th after its release.

MPAA Rating: PG-For Language,Racial Overtones and Comment,Violence.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 November 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Soldier's Story

Filming Locations:

Arkansas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$156,383, 16 September 1984

Gross USA:

$21,821,347

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$21,821,347

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Caldix

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1