A Soldier's Story (1984)
A Soldier’s Story (1984) is an American mystery drama film directed and produced by Norman Jewison. The screenplay was written by Charles Fuller, based on his Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name. Set during World War II in 1944, the film follows the events surrounding the death of Master Sergeant Vernon Waters, a Black soldier at Fort Neal in Louisiana. While many believe he was killed by members of the Ku Klux Klan due to his race, others are skeptical. Captain Richard Davenport, a Black officer from the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, is tasked with investigating the case, despite objections from Colonel Nivens. With only three days to conduct his inquiry, Davenport faces challenges from even those who support prosecuting Waters’ killers.
While some Black soldiers take pride in seeing a fellow soldier rise to the rank of captain, others remain suspicious and evasive. However, Davenport discovers that contrary to the brutal practices of the Klan, Sgt. Waters’ body was found fully clothed in his uniform. Investigating further, he learns that Waters’ company was part of the 221st Chemical Smoke Generator Battalion and were eager to serve their country in combat. Unfortunately, they were confined to menial tasks on the Home Front instead. Interestingly, most of the soldiers were former players from the Negro baseball league who had been grouped together under Waters’ management. Despite facing discrimination, they gained popularity thanks to their success against white soldiers and even sparked talks about a possible exhibition game against major league team New York Yankees.
Date of download: 2015-11-11T17:22:34+00:00
Cast:  Howard E. Rollins Jr.Captain Davenport  Adolph CaesarSergeant Waters  Art EvansPrivate Wilkie  David Alan GrierCorporal Cobb  Denzel WashingtonPrivate First Class Peterson |
A Soldier’s Story (1984) is an American mystery drama film directed and produced by Norman Jewison. The screenplay was written by Charles Fuller, based on his Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name. Set during World War II in 1944, the film follows the events surrounding the death of Master Sergeant Vernon Waters, a Black soldier at Fort Neal in Louisiana. While many believe he was killed by members of the Ku Klux Klan due to his race, others are skeptical. Captain Richard Davenport, a Black officer from the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, is tasked with investigating the case, despite objections from Colonel Nivens. With only three days to conduct his inquiry, Davenport faces challenges from even those who support prosecuting Waters’ killers.
While some Black soldiers take pride in seeing a fellow soldier rise to the rank of captain, others remain suspicious and evasive. However, Davenport discovers that contrary to the brutal practices of the Klan, Sgt. Waters’ body was found fully clothed in his uniform. Investigating further, he learns that Waters’ company was part of the 221st Chemical Smoke Generator Battalion and were eager to serve their country in combat. Unfortunately, they were confined to menial tasks on the Home Front instead. Interestingly, most of the soldiers were former players from the Negro baseball league who had been grouped together under Waters’ management. Despite facing discrimination, they gained popularity thanks to their success against white soldiers and even sparked talks about a possible exhibition game against major league team New York Yankees.
