X
- 1984
- PG
- Columbia Pictures
- 1 h 41 m
- 1984
- PG
- Columbia Pictures
- 1 h 41 m
Summary An African American officer investigates a murder in a racially charged situation in World War II.
Directed By: Norman Jewison
Written By: Charles Fuller
- 1984
- PG
- Columbia Pictures
- 1 h 41 m
- 1984
- PG
- Columbia Pictures
- 1 h 41 m
A Soldier's Story
66
User Score
Available after 4 ratings
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Where to Watch
Summary An African American officer investigates a murder in a racially charged situation in World War II.
Directed By: Norman Jewison
Written By: Charles Fuller
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 10 Critic Reviews
66
90% Positive
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
10% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 10 Critic Reviews
66
90% Positive
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
10% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Jewison has given it an atmosphere that recalls his crack 1967 comedy-mystery In the Heat of the Night, and he has also given it a beautiful sense of pace, and brought out all the humor he can find.
Rollins' charisma works wonders, and Jewison reveals enough solid professionalism in the deft handling of flashbacks to make it gripping entertainment.
A Soldier's Story insists that attention must be paid, and in so doing re-creates a dark and still fascinating picture of the American landscape -- geographical, social, spiritual. [05 Oct 1984, p.C1]
Almost as powerful as the stage version, craftily recreating the small Louisiana town and the nearby military barracks housing companies of black soldiers in 1944 -- and incidentally providing a splendid showcase for a squadron of black performers who should rarely be out of work from now on. [28 Sep 1984, p.C1]
Mr. Jewison, filming mainly at Fort Chaffee, Ark., has opened up the play by using such interiors as the bar where the troops hang out and exteriors on and around the base. But perhaps most commendably, he has let Mr. Fuller's drama speak for itself, applying the skills of a film maker to polish the facets that lent such substance to the drama.
Did this movie have to be so lockstep, so trapped by its mechanical plot, so limited by a murder mystery? What the movie has to say is so pale and limited that, ironically, the most interesting character in the movie is the victim.
Jewison's lack of interest in developing anything other than his rather debatable ideological point relegates the film to the realm of moderately competent TV drama.
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Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 3 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 3 Nominations
Image Awards (NAACP)
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
