Buffalo Soldiers (2001)

A criminal subculture operates among U.S. soldiers stationed in West Germany just before the fall of the Berlin wall.

Director:

Gregor Jordan

Writers:

Robert O'Connor (book), Gregor Jordan (screenplay)

Stars:

Joaquin Phoenix, Anna Paquin, Ed Harris

1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joaquin Phoenix	...	Ray Elwood
Ed Harris	...	Colonel Berman
Scott Glenn	...	Sergeant Lee
Anna Paquin	...	Robyn Lee
Elizabeth McGovern	...	Mrs. Berman
Michael Peña	...	Garcia
Leon	...	Stoney (as Leon Robinson)
Gabriel Mann	...	Knoll
Dean Stockwell	...	General Lancaster
Brian Delate	...	Colonel Marshall
Shiek Mahmud-Bey	...	Sergeant Saad (as Sheik Mahmud-Bey)
Amani Gethers	...	Kirschfield
Noah Lee Margetts	...	Rothfuss (as Noah)
Tom Ellis	...	Squash
Kick Gurry	...	Video

Storyline

1989. The Berlin Wall is about to fall, and the world is about to be made safe for the new world order. But outside of Stuttgart, West Germany, at Theodore Roosevelt Army Base, Specialist Ray Elwood of the 317th Supply Battalion is about to find his own cold war turn white hot. Elwood's a lovable rogue, a conscript who's managed to turn his military servitude into a blossoming network of black market deals, more out of boredom than ambition. Officially, there's his day job as battalion secretary to the inept but caring Commander Wallace Berman. On the side, there's everything from selling the locals stolen Mop'N'Glo to cooking heroin for the base's ruthless head of Military Police, Sgt. Saad. When a new top sergeant arrives, with the avowed intention of cleaning the base up, Elwood thinks the new blood is nothing he can't handle, especially after he lays eyes on the top's daughter, rebellious Robyn. But that was before he figured in the $5 million in stolen arms that just landed on ...

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Plot Keywords:

sex in bed | woman on top | year 1989 | scene during opening credits | american flag | 

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Taglines:

This is my story, its very true! but many will deny it

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Thriller | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, drug content, strong language and some sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Odeon Film AG (german)

Country:

UK Germany

Language:

English Turkish

Release Date:

31 October 2002 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Acemi askerler

Filming Locations:

Baden-Baden, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$30,977, 27 July 2003

Gross USA:

$354,421

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,300,684

Company Credits

Production Co:

FilmFour, Good Machine, Gorilla Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the scene in which a tank plows through a German town, a stuntwoman was given directions to move out of the way of the tank as it was coming towards her. She failed to do so, and had to be pulled out of the road at the last minute (the footage of the incident was included in the final cut). Co-Writer and Director Gregor Jordan described the moment as terrifying, as he was convinced that she had actually been run over and killed.

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Goofs

When Elwood is seen lying by the side of the pool having been beaten up, he is surrounded by splotches of his own blood. These vanish shortly afterwards.

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Quotes

Ray Elwood: I'm a natural enemy of guys like your dad, mostly because I don't give a shit about the army.
Robyn Lee: If you don't give a shit, why'd you join?
Ray Elwood: I didn't exactly have much of a say in the matter. I got caught stealing a car and the judge gave me a choice - either 6 months in prison or 3 years in the army. So I made the mistake of choosing the army.

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Crazy Credits

The end credits include the citation: 'The red cross emblem is an international symbol of neutral protection during armed conflicts, and its use is restricted by law. The purposes for which the red cross emblem is used by the characters in this film are clearly improper. The filmmakers wish to stress their support for proper use of the emblem, which has saved millions of lives throughout the world'.

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Joaquin Phoenix Performances (2015)

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Soundtracks

Held Down
Written by Trugoy The Dove (as David Jolicoeur), Vincent Mason, Kelvin Mercer, Serge Gainsbourg and Jean-Claude Vannier
Published by Daisy Age Music/T-Girl Music L.L.C. (BMI) and Warner/Chappell Music Limited
Contains interpolations from the composition "Ah! Melody"
Written by Serge Gainsbourg and Jean-Claude Vannier
Published by Warner/Chappell Music Limited on behalf of Warner/Chappell Music France S.A. and Melody Nelson Publishing
Performed by De La Soul featuring CeeLo Green
Produced by Pos
(p) 2001 Tommy Boy Music Limited
Licensed courtesy of Tommy Boy Music (UK) Limited
Taken from the De La Soul album "Art Official Intelligence: Bionix"

User Reviews

A great film at the right time

It might not be politically correct right now, but this very good indie pic with a stellar cast about a US Army soldier stationed in the West Germany of 1989 comes at the right time. Having served on an Army base for years I know this is very close to what it is actually like being there. Phoenix makes you care about his "evil" character Ray Elwood much the way he did the same in "Gladiator", and Ed Harris as well as Scott Glenn deliver top notch performances. Very well edited, cynical-yet-funny, with a good story and believable characters. Recommended, two thumbs up!