Overview
A gripping investigation unfolds in the deep South, where racial tensions simmer beneath the surface.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- tense
- austere
- politically urgent
- historical drama night
- social justice film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praise the meticulously crafted murder mystery, politically incisive screenplay, and excellent ensemble while recognizing its urgent examination of race in America.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Captain Davenport investigates a Black soldier's killing in the segregated Deep South while confronting racial assumptions within and beyond the army.
Sergeant Waters is revealed through flashbacks and accounts from fellow soldiers after his death.
The Black officers and enlisted men navigate boot-camp discipline and racism within the World War II army.
The murder plot is explicitly used to examine race in America, matching the film's critical consensus.
Films like A Soldier's Story, and why
In the Heat of the Night
racially charged murder investigation, ensemble drama, and institutional prejudice
The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson
World War II-era racial conflict, moral seriousness, and courtroom or investigative tension
A Few Good Men
military institution, racism depicted, and psychologically layered ensemble drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Norman Jewison
- Release Date
- 1984-09-14
- Runtime
- 101 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (210)
Cast
- Howard Rollins
- Adolph Caesar
- Art Evans
- Robert Townsend
- Denzel Washington
- David Alan Grier
- David Harris
- Dennis Lipscomb
- Patti LaBelle
- Wings Hauser
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is A Soldier's Story about?
- A Black army attorney investigates the murder of an unpopular soldier, uncovering buried resentments within a segregated World War II military unit.
- What is A Soldier's Story like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of A Soldier's Story as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is A Soldier's Story violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in A Soldier's Story as mild.
- What did critics think of A Soldier's Story?
- Critics broadly praise the meticulously crafted murder mystery, politically incisive screenplay, and excellent ensemble while recognizing its urgent examination of race in America.
- Which films are like A Soldier's Story?
- Films with a similar feel include In the Heat of the Night, The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson, and A Few Good Men.
- How long is A Soldier's Story?
- A Soldier's Story runs 101 minutes.
- Where can I watch A Soldier's Story?
- In United States, A Soldier's Story streams on Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel.
