A Soldier's Story

1984

A Soldier's Story (1984)

TOMATOMETER

90%

——

Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

AUDIENCE SCORE

82%

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Movie Info

Inspired by the Herman Melville novel Billy Budd, writer Charles Fuller created the Pulitzer Prize-winning A Soldier's Play, which he then adapted into this film drama in 1984, for socially conscious, liberal director Norman Jewison. In the racially-divided 1940s, Fort Neal, Louisiana, is a military base where black soldiers are sent not to fight in WWII but to play baseball against other armed forces teams. The murder of a black sergeant, Waters (Adolph Caesar) brings an investigator, Captain Davenport (Howard E. Rollins, Jr.) to the base. Davenport, the first black officer that most of the men have ever met, suspects that a pair of white men were responsible for Waters' death, but his probe reveals that nearly everyone, regardless of skin color, had ample reason to kill the loathsome but pitiable Waters. The cast of A Soldier's Story features early supporting performances from several African-American actors who would go on to greater prominence, including Denzel Washington, David Alan Grier, and Robert Townsend. The film was nominated for three Oscars: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Caesar) and Best Adapted Screenplay.
  • Rating:
    PG (adult situations/language, nudity, violence)
  • Genre:
    Drama, Mystery & Suspense
  • Directed By:
    Norman Jewison
  • Written By:
    Charles Fuller
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

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Cast

Howard E. Rollins Jr.
as Capt. Davenport
Adolph Caesar
as Sgt. Waters
Dennis Lipscomb
as Capt. Taylor
Art Evans
as Pvt. Wilkie
David Alan Grier
as Cpl. Cobb
Larry Riley
as C.J. Memphis
Tom Howard
Robert Townsend
as Cpl. Ellis
Denzel Washington
as Pfc. Peterson
Bobby McGee
William Allen Young
as Pvt. Henson
Patti LaBelle
as Big Mary
Wings Hauser
as Lt. Byrd
Scott Paulin
as Capt. Wilcox
John Hancock
as Sgt. Washington
Trey Wilson
as Col. Nivens
Patricia Brandkamp
as Ida Evans
Carl Dreher
as Bus Driver
Vaughn Reeves
as Capt. Estes
Robert Tyler
as Pvt. Seymour
Warren Clements
as Sgt. Hooks
James W. Bryant
as Chaplain
John Valentine
as Umpire
Ronald E. Greenfield
as MP Sergeant
Anthony C. Sanders
as MP at Gate
Traftin E. Thompson
as MP in Barracks
Roy Wells
as Training Field Sergeant
Tommy G. Liggins
as Soldier Painting
Pat Grabe
as Lieutenant #1
Terry Dodd
as Lieutenant #2
Calvin Franklin
as Barracks Soldier
Kevin T. Mosley
as Barracks Soldier
Michael Anthony Williams
as Barracks Soldier
David Ashley
as Barracks Soldier
Charles Howard Thomas
as Barracks Soldier
Bobby McGaughey
as Barracks Soldier
Rick Ramey
as Barracks Soldier
Lacarnist Hiriams
as Barracks Soldier
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News & Interviews for A Soldier's Story

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Critic Reviews for A Soldier's Story

All Critics (20) | Top Critics (3)

Mr. Rollins gives an arresting performance under volatile dramatic circumstances.

Sep 18, 2004 | Full Review…
New York Times
Top Critic

Jewison's lack of interest in developing anything other than his rather debatable ideological point relegates the film to the realm of moderately competent TV drama.

Jan 1, 2000 | Full Review…
Chicago Reader
Top Critic

Fuller's writing and Caesar's performance, the power of this Soldier's Story is impressive.

Jul 25, 2018 | Full Review…
People Magazine

The film really belongs to Adolph Caesar who excels as a tyrannical, vicious and masochistic army sergeant.

Aug 22, 2013 | Rating: 70/100 | Full Review…
Cinemania

Charles Fuller adapated to the big screen his powerful Pulitzer prize winning play about the murder of a black captain. Directed by Norman Jewison, the movie is well acted but it's too verbose.

Mar 30, 2011 | Rating: B | Full Review…
EmanuelLevy.Com

A powerful and arresting drama.

Aug 2, 2005 | Rating: 5/5
Nitrate Online
View All Critic Reviews (20)

Audience Reviews for A Soldier's Story

This earlier Jewison confirms that solid film making is a constant theme throughout the year. It is mildly ideological but nonetheless powerful.

John Ballantine
John Ballantine

Super Reviewer

½

A great soundtrack by Herbie Hancock featuring Patti LaBelle. An outstanding cast including a young Denzel Washington, and a strong and emotional story. You put all those together and you have one of the best films I had never heard of until about a week ago when I spotted a poster for the film at my local Cinema. A fantastic piece of filmmaking from Norman Jewison who has brought us some timeless classics including The Cincinnati Kid and In The Heat of the Night and he would go on to direct Denzel Washington again in The Hurricane.

Jason Reneau
Jason Reneau

Super Reviewer

Courtroom drama, written by Charles Fuller from his Pulitzer Prize-winning, "A Soldier's Play", was nominated for Best Picture. Great ensemble cast features early supporting performances from Denzel Washington, David Alan Grier, and Robert Townsend.

Mark Hobin
Mark Hobin

Super Reviewer

Forgotten Oscar Nominated classic.

Michael S
Michael S

Super Reviewer

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