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      Sergeant Rutledge

      Released May 18, 1960 1h 58m Western List
      91% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 90% Audience Score 250+ Ratings At a U.S. Army fort in the Arizona Territory in 1881, an officer is murdered and his beautiful young daughter is beaten, raped and strangled. Army lawyer Tom Cantrell (Jeffrey Hunter) defends the accused, African-American sergeant Braxton Rutledge (Woody Strode), a soldier who had once been under his command. Under questioning by Cantrell and the prosecutor (Carleton Young), multiple witnesses piece together the truth of what happened at the fort that day. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Apr 30 Buy Now

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      Critics Reviews

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      Maxine Dowling New York Daily News All in all, Ford has once more turned in a gripping, adult Western with a fine modern twist. Rated: 3.5/4 Sep 22, 2021 Full Review Jet Staff Jet Magazine Woody Strode gets his biggest break in his 10-year movie career and makes good use of it by effectively portraying the simple-but-strong Sergeant Rutledge. It is his picture all the way, even though he does not receive star billing. Jan 16, 2024 Full Review George E. Pitts Pittsburgh Courier The story is exciting, entertaining, suspenseful and, most important of all, it is believable. Dec 2, 2020 Full Review Barbara Mounts California Eagle Woody Strode should be nominated for an award for his sensitive portrayal of Sgt. Rutledge. Dec 6, 2019 Full Review Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine The once-great director John Ford resumes his love affair with the bygone U. S. Cavalry in this long and corny court-martial drama. Oct 15, 2019 Full Review Michael E. Grost Classic Film and Television Extraordinary Western works at all levels, as rousing story telling, visual beauty and Civil Rights drama. Apr 1, 2013 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Dallas H John Ford does an episode of J.A.G. in the style of Rashoman and set in the West during the post-Civil War era. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/24/24 Full Review james g There are three reasons to watch this. 1) A Black man - Woody Strode - in a lead role in a Western. 2) Jeffrey Hunter - first cast as Captain Kirk, and Hunter also performed in the Star Trek pilot, unaired for years. 3) This is a John Ford Western. If you love Westerns, this is a must. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Really a brilliant movie, which introduced me to the history of the Buffalo Soldiers. I like that, along with the serious drama there are also some moments of hilarity, mostly provided by actress Billie Burke. I like that many of the characters in the movie are not as prejudiced as one might expect--though how far they would have been willing to go to see true justice done is anyone's guess. Brilliant performance by Woody Strode--some of the best acting I have ever seen done. I enjoyed this movie in my childhood and continue to love it as an adult. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member An astonishing film not only for its sheer visual and narrative excellence but also for its early acknowledgement of race relations in America. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review dave j Jeffrey Hunter's second film with director John Ford after critically acclaim "The Searchers" stars as Lt. Tom Cantrell appointed to defend his friend, Sergeant Rugledge (Woody Strode) who was accused of heinous acts. Second movie John Ford centers on racism which coincidentally was also about racism as well. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member decades ahead of its time, recognizing skin color sometimes makes people come to the wrong conclusions Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Sergeant Rutledge

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis At a U.S. Army fort in the Arizona Territory in 1881, an officer is murdered and his beautiful young daughter is beaten, raped and strangled. Army lawyer Tom Cantrell (Jeffrey Hunter) defends the accused, African-American sergeant Braxton Rutledge (Woody Strode), a soldier who had once been under his command. Under questioning by Cantrell and the prosecutor (Carleton Young), multiple witnesses piece together the truth of what happened at the fort that day.
      Director
      John Ford
      Screenwriter
      James Warner Bellah, Willis Goldbeck
      Distributor
      Warner Bros. Pictures
      Production Co
      Ford Productions
      Genre
      Western
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      May 18, 1960, Wide
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Sep 1, 2009
      Runtime
      1h 58m
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