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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

NameOccupationBirthDeathKnown for
Adolph Caesar
Actor
5-Dec-1933 6-Mar-1986 A Soldier's Story
Art Evans
Actor
27-Mar-1942   A Soldier's Story
David Alan Grier
Comic
30-Jun-1955   In Living Color
Wings Hauser
Actor
12-Dec-1947   Life Among the Cannibals
Patti LaBelle
Singer
24-May-1944   Lady Marmalade
Howard E. Rollins, Jr.
Actor
17-Oct-1950 8-Dec-1996 A Soldier's Story
Robert Townsend
Actor
6-Feb-1957   A Soldier's Story
Denzel Washington
Actor
28-Dec-1954   Training Day
William Allen Young
Actor
1953   Frank Mitchell on Moesha

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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