A Soldier's Story
Seen it?1984 | 101 min | Mystery, Crime, Drama
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (90% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved In the Heat of the Night or The Night of the Hunter, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense, dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 41 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG: peril. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
In a rural town in Louisiana, a black Master Sergeant is found shot to death just outside the local Army Base. Military lawyer, Captain Davenport—also a black man—is sent from Washington to conduct an investigation. Facing an uncooperative chain of command and fearful black troops, Davenport must battle with deceit and prejudice in order to find out exactly who really did kill the Master Sergeant.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
90% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.8 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Nominated for 3 Oscars.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$22 million worldwide on a $6 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 111K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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In the Heat of the Night
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The Night of the Hunter Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed crime drama that fewer people know today.
Murder on the Orient Express
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Cast & crew
Directed by Norman Jewison
- Howard RollinsCaptain Davenport
- Adolph CaesarSergeant Waters
- Art EvansPrivate Wilkie
- Robert TownsendCorporal Ellis
- Denzel WashingtonPrivate First Class Peterson
- David Alan GrierCorporal Cobb
- David HarrisPrivate Smalls
- Dennis LipscombCaptain Taylor
- Patti LaBelleBig Mary
- Wings HauserLieutenant Byrd