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Sergeant Rutledge

Play trailer Poster for Sergeant Rutledge Released May 18, 1960 1h 58m Western Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 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.
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Sergeant Rutledge

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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jim s Saw this movie in the 60's it was always a movie i wanted to view again. John Ford as always uses Monument Valley as a back drop and important part of the movie. Bought a copy of the movie to view again because of Woody Strode"s performance which I viewed as subtle and dignified and the biggest reason for my many views of the film Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/12/25 Full Review 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 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 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 s r A cinematic story of a cavalry court case that is a little simplistic, but still compelling. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Sergeant Rutledge

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Cast & Crew

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John Ford

Director

Jeffrey Hunter

Lt. Tom Cantrell

Woody Strode

1st Sgt. Braxton Rutledge

Constance Towers

Mary Beecher

Billie Burke

Mrs. Cordelia Fosgate

Juano Hernandez

Sgt. Matthew Luke Skimore

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Sergeant Rutledge

Sergeant Rutledge (1960) Sergeant Rutledge (1960) View more photos

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
Producer
Patrick Ford, Willis Goldbeck
Screenwriter
James Warner Bellah, Willis Goldbeck
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Warner Bros., John Ford Productions, 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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