A Soldier's Story (13-Sep-1984)
Director: Norman Jewison Writer: Charles Fuller From a play: A Soldier's Play by Charles Fuller Music by: Herbie Hancock Producers: Norman Jewison; Ronald L. Schwary; Patrick Palmer Keywords: Mystery
CAST Howard E. Rollins, Jr. | ... Capt. Davenport | Adolph Caesar | ... Sgt. Waters | | Art Evans | ... Pvt. Wilkie | David Alan Grier | ... Cpl. Cobb | David Harris | ... Pvt. Smalls | Dennis Lipscomb | ... Capt. Taylor | Larry Riley | ... C. J. Memphis | Robert Townsend | ... Cpl. Ellis | Denzel Washington | ... Pfc. Peterson | William Allen Young | ... Pvt. Henson | | Co-Starring | John Hancock | ... Sgt. Washington | Scott Paulin | ... Capt. Wilcox | Trey Wilson | ... Col. Nivens | | and | Patti LaBelle | ... Big Mary | | Wings Hauser | ... Lt. Byrd | Patricia Brandkamp | ... Ida Nivens | Carl Dreher | ... Bus Driver | Vaughn Reeves | ... Capt. Estes | Robert Tyler | ... Pvt. Seymour | Pat Grabe | ... White Lieutenant #1 | Terry Dodd | ... White Lieutenant #2 | Warren Clements | ... Sgt. Hooks | James W. Bryant | ... Chaplain | John Valentine | ... Umpire | Ronald E. Greenfield | ... MP Sergeant | Anthony C. Sanders | ... MP at Gate | Traftin E. Thompson | ... MP in Barracks | Roy Wells | ... Training Field Sergeant | Tommy G. Liggins | ... Soldier Painting | | Barracks Soldiers | Calvin Franklin | ... Barracks Soldier | Kevin T. Mosley | ... Barracks Soldier | Michael Williams | ... Barracks Soldier | David Ashley | ... Barracks Soldier | Thomas Howard | ... Barracks Soldier | Bobby McGaughey | ... Barracks Soldier | Rick Ramey | ... Barracks Soldier | Lacarnist Hiriams | ... Barracks Soldier |
REVIEWS Review by anonymous (posted on 24-Jun-2006) An ensemble cast of black
actors--all of them before they were famous. This film is more than 20
years old and it holds up very well because of the superb acting talent
and the great direction by Norman Jewison. It is available on DVD, and
if you want a treat go rent it now. The subject matter is relevant
today, the murder of a black NCO on a military base in the South. A
black lawyer is sent to investigate and hopefully uncover the mystery
of why,how, and who killed this soldier. The flashbacks are superb and
help to unravel and uncover who it was that murdered the unpopular NCO.
This was one of Denzel Washington's first movies. Adolph Caesar's role
as the murdered NCO earned him an Academy Award nomination. And
rightfully so, since it was an intense yet gifted performance that is
recognized as one of the best of all time for a supporting actor
category. How he did not win is sill on the lips of noted actors and
directors. Wings Hauser plays a white lieutenant and Howard Rollins is
the lawyer sent to the deep south to unravel the many mysteries
inherent in this film. Robert Townsend,the talented actor,
director,producer,writer, plays Corporal Ellis and David Alan Grier is
Cpl.Cobb. This movie made history because it was one of the first in
the modern era that dared to tell a story about the prejudice in the
South-- almost exclusively using black actors. It was courageous
casting that only Norman Jewison could bring to the silver screen.
Originally a play on Broadway, written by Charles Fuller, who penned
the marvelous screenplay as well. Take the time to see this movie and
you will come away so enriched and rewarded you will emplore others to
see it too.
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