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	...	Pfc. Brian 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 | germany | berlin wall | specialist | 

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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:

$353,743

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

The scene in the parking lot where Elwood is tasking Knoll with getting the food for the big cookout, was filmed in the parking lot of the U.S. Army Karlsruhe Shopping Center, part of Smiley Barracks and Paul Revere Village housing complex, which had been recently turned back over to the Germans at the time of filming. Directly behind them can be seen the base theater "Minute Man Theater", and while the shot pans around to reveal them entering a building marked "Commissary", this had actually been the base Post Exchange at the time, with the Commissary located in a more confined area.

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Goofs

When Sgt. Lee and his daughter in the car after the Civil War party, she asks him if he wants to kill Elwood, to which he asks her what she's talking about. She says, "Do you?" However, her lips do not move when saying that line.

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Quotes

Robyn Lee: You're seriously out with me just to piss off my dad?
Ray Elwood: Yeah. Yeah, that's right.
Robyn Lee: Are you crazy? He's the First Sergeant of your company, he's not somebody you want to piss off. You realise he's gonna cut your balls off.
Ray Elwood: Yeah, probably.
Robyn Lee: So, what if stay? There's a chance you're going to lose your balls, do you think I'm worth it?
Ray Elwood: Yeah, sure, why not?

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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 Movie Tank Scenes (2016)

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Soundtracks

Holy Calamity (Bear Witness II)
Written by Josh Davis, Daniel Nakamura (as Daniel M. Nakamura) and Prince Paul
Published by Universal/MCA Music Limited/Mo Wax Music Limited, Prinsa Pawl Music (BMI) and Sharkman Songs (ASCAP)
Performed by Handsome Boy Modeling School
(p) 1999 Tommy Boy Music Limited
Licensed courtesy of Tommy Boy Music (UK) Limited
Taken from the Handsome Boy Modeling School album "So... How's Your Girl"

User Reviews

I was there and its is very close to true!

I was in the Army stationed in Germany from 1986 through 1989 and there was a day that we called "Black Sunday" when several people on our post were discovered to have a drug ring going on. The people implicated and taken away by MPs that day included several officers. My post was known for being able to get everything from hooker to heroin ON POST! Our Sgt,. Major walked around with an ax handle tethered to his wrist because he had been jumped at night so many times! So this movie is not a joke and is very close to the truth. There was even a second lieutenant that was murdered by putting him in a wall locker and pushing it out of a third story window. There was also times when you could not walk past some buildings or windows if you were white or black depending on which window and what color you were because of racial tensions, sometimes you might be hit by a beer bottle by someone of the opposite color. This movie very closely depicts what it was like vbeing a soldier in the US Army staioned in West Germany at the end of the cold war. Hooah!