The Sergeant

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The Sergeant

R

1968

1h 47m

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Popcornmeter

20%

Tomatometer

5 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Master Sgt. Albert Callan (Rod Steiger) is a war hero and a no-nonsense leader who reforms his previously mismanaged military base. Although Callan seems collected, he struggles as a closeted homosexual. When the sergeant becomes obsessed with his handsome clerk, Tom Swanson (John Phillip Law), he even disrupts the young man's relationship with his French girlfriend, Solange (Ludmila Mikaël). Since Swanson isn't receptive to Callan's advances, it creates major tension between the two men.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Dennis Murphy's novel reaches the screen as a moving production, filmed with sensitivity by debuting director John Flynn, and with robust, appropriately grim physical values.

Jun 30, 2020

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Paul Schrader

Los Angeles Free Press

The failure of the Sergeant rests on Steiger.

Jun 30, 2020

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Larry Zolf

Maclean's Magazine

Rod Steiger's performance is more stunned than stunning.

Jul 10, 2019

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Penelope Houston

The Spectator

But it's an actor's uphill fight; and the last scenes, with the sergeant by now quite beside himself, prove too much even for Steiger.

Jul 12, 2018

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TV Guide Staff

TV Guide

The Sergeant comes off as nothing more than a misfired attempt that is supposed to be appreciated for its subject matter, regardless of its ineptitude.

Feb 23, 2012

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Steve D

Before its time but not especially good.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/27/23

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Audience Member

A Truly Pure Work of Art Masterpiece

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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Audience Member

Steiger is a brave actor, and his character in this movie has Swanee problems.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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John Flynn

Director

Rod Steiger

MSgt. Albert Callan

John Phillip Law

Pfc. Tom Swanson

Ludmila Mikaël

Solange

Frank Latimore

Capt. Loring

Elliott Sullivan

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Synopsis

Master Sgt. Albert Callan (Rod Steiger) is a war hero and a no-nonsense leader who reforms his previously mismanaged military base. Although Callan seems collected, he struggles as a closeted homosexual. When the sergeant becomes obsessed with his handsome clerk, Tom Swanson (John Phillip Law), he even disrupts the young man's relationship with his French girlfriend, Solange (Ludmila Mikaël). Since Swanson isn't receptive to Callan's advances, it creates major tension between the two men.

Director: John Flynn
Producer: Richard Goldstone
Screenwriter: Dennis Murphy
Production Co: Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 22, 2009
Runtime: 1h 47m

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