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A Soldier's Story

Play trailer Poster for A Soldier's Story PG Released Sep 14, 1984 1h 41m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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90% Tomatometer 21 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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Peter Travers People Magazine Fuller's writing and Caesar's performance, the power of this Soldier's Story is impressive. Jul 25, 2018 Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Did this movie have to be so lockstep, so trapped by its mechanical plot, so limited by a murder mystery? Rated: 2.5/4 Oct 23, 2004 Full Review Lawrence Van Gelder New York Times Mr. Rollins gives an arresting performance under volatile dramatic circumstances. Sep 18, 2004 Full Review David Parkinson Radio Times 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. Rated: 4/5 Mar 24, 2021 Full Review Lloyd Billingsley Christianity Today 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. Mar 24, 2021 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...a slow-moving drama that admittedly does suffer from a hit-and-miss first half... Rated: 3/4 Mar 20, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alec C 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! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/20/24 Full Review isa e Cast is perfect across the board, brilliantly paced, scripted and acted. Suspenseful and dramatic, one of my all time favourite movies. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/04/24 Full Review Mohamed Y A pleasure to watch Denzel in his debut… Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/26/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member Great movie. Does not get enough recognition. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/19/20 Full Review steve d The mystery never hooked me. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
A Soldier's Story

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Cast & Crew

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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
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