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A Soldier's Story (1984)

PG  |   |  Crime, Drama, Mystery  |  2 November 1984 (USA)
7.2
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Ratings: 7.2/10 from 6,235 users  
Reviews: 45 user | 23 critic

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

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Title: A Soldier's Story (1984)

A Soldier's Story (1984) on IMDb 7.2/10

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Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 6 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Captain Davenport
...
Sergeant Waters
...
Private Wilkie
...
Corporal Cobb
...
Private Smalls
...
Captain Taylor
Larry Riley ...
C.J. Memphis
...
Corporal Ellis
...
...
Private Henson
...
Big Mary
...
Lieutenant Byrd
...
Captain Wilcox
John Hancock ...
Sergeant Washington
...
Colonel Nivens
Edit

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 ? Written by Colin Tinto <cst@imdb.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

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.

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | War

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

2 November 1984 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

La historia de un soldado  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$22,100,000 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The picture was originally given a rating of R by the MPAA. This meant by definition that the picture was classified as being potentially "detrimental to children". The rating was eventually changed to a PG rating upon appeal. Director Norman Jewison has said of this: "Strange looking back on it now, that anyone could find the film detrimental to young people. I made it for young people. I wanted them to know how heroic their forefathers were. How their fathers and grandfathers had fought for a country that wouldn't acknowledge them as equals with the white men who fought alongside them. How you could give your life in defense of your country but couldn't be led into battle by a black officer . . . I wanted my children and their white friends to see it and understand more about racism and its insidious spread over the centuries and into our lives". See more »

Goofs

Cpl Cobb mixes military and civilian time when he is being deposed by Cpt Davenport. He states a time frame between "between 2120 and 930"; he should have said "between 2120 and 2130". See more »

Quotes

Corporal Ellis: I've been driving this jeep for six months, sir. Only turned over twice.
Captain Davenport: Twice?
Corporal Ellis: Yes sir.
Captain Davenport: Good.
See more »

Connections

Featured in Precious Images (1986) See more »

Soundtracks

Low Down Dirty Shame
Written by Larry Riley
Performed by Patti LaBelle and Larry Riley
See more »

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User Reviews

A gripping military drama
12 July 2003 | by (Bernardsville, NJ) – See all my reviews

A Soldier's Story, (1984) is the story of an Army sergeant who is

found murdered in cold blood. Whodunnit? The choices are many

in this engrossing, complex morality play which is set in the

backdrop of the segregated Army of WWII. (Only 60 years ago!)

This is truly a black eye on the military if there ever was one.

Several future stars are featured here including Oscar winner

Denzel Washington, David Alan Grier, and the excellent Howard

Rollins Jr. who stars as an Army Capt. and lawyer sent from

Washington to unravel this mysterious killing. The movie really

belongs to Adolph Ceasar as the murdered sergeant , however. A

WWI veteran and medal winner he constantly affirms the the ability

of the black soldier in a segregated Army as professional, efficient

and courageous, but who fails to stand for any "weaknesses" he

sees in his men, many of whom are naieve country boys, whose

ways he believes are keeping black men subjugated in Uncle

Sam's Army. One chiling scene not to be missed is Ceasar's

solliliquy in the bar with his staff sergeant, in which he describes

an incident in France in WWI. An excellent movie which should be

viewed as part of recent US history. Highly recommended.


13 of 16 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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