A Soldier's Story
1984 · Movie · PG · 101 min · ★ 6.8 · 79% critics
In a rural Louisiana town, a Black master sergeant is found shot near a local Army base. A military lawyer sent from Washington investigates, but he faces an uncooperative chain of command and fearful troops while digging through deceit and prejudice to understand who is responsible.
Based on A Soldier's Play
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Details
- Years
- 1984
- Release date
- 1984-09-14
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG
- Runtime
- 101 min
- Critic score
- 79/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.8/10 (204 votes)
About
You’ll likely like this intense WWII-era murder mystery if you enjoy justice-focused dramas with strong performances and racial tension; Not for you if you only want a straightforward whodunit without social commentary, or if you prefer more action over investigation.
Pros: gripping mystery; powerful racism themes; standout performances | Cons: suspects feel uneven; puzzle can drag; period may feel dated
Themes
- world war ii
- louisiana
- dead soldier
- based on play or musical
- racist
- flashback
- revenge
- boot camp
- blunt
- taunting
- 1940s
- military law
- +2 more
Awards & recognition
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actor · 1985 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay · 1985 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Picture · 1985 · nominated
Cast & crew
Howard Rollins
as Captain Davenport
Adolph Caesar
as Sergeant Waters
Art Evans
as Private Wilkie
Robert Townsend
as Corporal Ellis
Denzel Washington
as Private First Class Peterson
David Alan Grier
as Corporal Cobb
David Harris
as Private Smalls
Dennis Lipscomb
as Captain Taylor
Patti LaBelle
as Big Mary
Wings Hauser
as Lieutenant Byrd
Directed by Norman Jewison