A Soldiers Story
Drama, Mystery, War
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment  (1984) 101 mins PG

7.2 (2,565 votes)
"Totally Compelling.." - Variey

Tensions flare in this gripping film about a murder on a black army base near the end of World War II. Captain Davenport (Howard E. Rollins, Jr.), a proud black army attorney, is sent to Fort Neal, Louisiana, to investigate the ruthless shooting death of Sergeant Waters (Adolph Caesar). Through interviews with Sarge's men, Davenport learns that he was a vicious man who served the white officer? Of could he have been a black soldier embittered by Waters' constant race baiting? Directed by Norman Jewison from Charles Fullers Pulitzer Prize-winning play, A Soldier's Story is both a spellbinding mystery and a superb drama that transcends race....

Play
Cast and Crew
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
Director  .....  Norman Jewison
Producer  .....  Norman Jewison; Patrick J. Palmer; Patrick Palmer
Writer  .....  Charles Fuller
Notes
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: After Sgt. Waters is shot, we hear the sound of the Army 45 being cocked for the next shot. A semi-automatic pistol cocks itself when the slide comes back after shooting the round in the chamber. (more)

Trivia:
Samuel L. Jackson originated the role of Pvt. Henson in "A Soldier's Play", which was played by William Allen Young in the film version. (more)

Filming Locations:
Clarendon, Arkansas, USA (more)

Quotes:
C.J. Memphis: Any man ain't sure where he belong, gotta' be in a whole lotta pain. (more)

Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 6 nominations (more)