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A Soldier's Story

Play trailer Poster for A Soldier's Story PG 1984 1h 41m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 23 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
A black Army investigator (Howard E. Rollins Jr.) travels to a remote military base in the heart of the Louisiana backwoods to look into the mysterious murder of a black sergeant toward the tail end of World War II. Once he arrives, the investigator discovers an Army regiment and an entire community that, despite the beginnings of integration, is still torn apart by race and segregation. He soon learns that on this base, trust is sparse and secrets are a currency all their own.
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A Soldier's Story

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Critics Consensus

A meticulously-crafted murder mystery with incisive observations about race in America, A Soldier's Story benefits from a roundly excellent ensemble and Charles Fuller's politically urgent screenplay.

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Critics Reviews

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Judy Stone San Francisco Chronicle Dec 8
4/4
Under Norman Jewison's direction, it is opened up to provide more of a feeling about the south in wartime, but Fuller's script retains his complex explorations of the men and their motivations. Go to Full Review Catharine Rambeau Detroit Free Press Dec 8
9/10
Powerful, upbeat entertainment despite a serious message. Howard Rollins is splendid. Go to Full Review Peter Travers People Magazine 07/25/2018
Fuller's writing and Caesar's performance, the power of this Soldier's Story is impressive. Go to Full Review David Parkinson Radio Times 03/24/2021
4/5
Everyone has motive and opportunity and, under Norman Jewison's tight direction, the supporting cast, led by Denzel Washington and the Oscar-nominated Adolph Caesar, give next to nothing away. Go to Full Review Lloyd Billingsley Christianity Today 03/24/2021
A Soldier's Story is a moving piece of human drama that not only draws the viewer into the interior life of the characters -- the task of the dramatist -- but makes him work as well. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 03/20/2021
3/4
...a slow-moving drama that admittedly does suffer from a hit-and-miss first half... Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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thiago s @Thiagostone Dec 1 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Andy B @AndyB21 Nov 20 A not particularly intriguing murder mystery procedural in which the guy you think did it early on, did it. Some elements are great, in particular the sergeant's chilling speech where he explains why he's doing what he does, but the whole thing's a little too rambling to recommend. See more Alec C @RT70643905 03/20/2024 How can you expect to fight for your country if you're at a war with yourself! With the hated Colonel Waters is murdered by an unknown killer, an investigator is asked to look into it, discovering the racial discrimination between the captain and his squad members, leaving the question of who did it up in the air. Boiling under the surface before going pop, this murder mystery manages to make us wonder which war is worth fighting for! See more isa e @RT65594135 01/04/2024 Cast is perfect across the board, brilliantly paced, scripted and acted. Suspenseful and dramatic, one of my all time favourite movies. See more Leaburn O @RT35452347 11/29/2020 Felt long, preachy, rambling and boring. Multiple soldier's stories meld together in a not very intriguing murder mystery that felt half obvious from pretty early on. I can't think of much to merit here. See more 07/19/2020 Great movie. Does not get enough recognition. See more Read all reviews
A Soldier's Story

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Cast & Crew

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Norman Jewison

Director

Howard E. Rollins Jr.

Captain Davenport

Adolph Caesar

Sergeant Waters

Denzel Washington

Private First Class Peterson

Dennis Lipscomb

Captain Taylor

Art Evans

Private Wilkie

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A Soldier's Story

A Soldier's Story (1984) A Soldier's Story (1984) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A black Army investigator (Howard E. Rollins Jr.) travels to a remote military base in the heart of the Louisiana backwoods to look into the mysterious murder of a black sergeant toward the tail end of World War II. Once he arrives, the investigator discovers an Army regiment and an entire community that, despite the beginnings of integration, is still torn apart by race and segregation. He soon learns that on this base, trust is sparse and secrets are a currency all their own.
Director
Norman Jewison
Producer
Norman Jewison, Ronald L. Schwary, Patrick J. Palmer
Screenwriter
Charles Fuller
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating
PG
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 14, 1984, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012
Runtime
1h 41m
Sound Mix
Surround