A Soldier's Story is a 1984 American mystery drama film directed and produced by Norman Jewison, adapted by Charles Fuller from his Pulitzer Prize-winning play A Soldier's Play. The film features an outstanding cast, including Howard E. Rollins Jr., Adolph Caesar, and a young Denzel Washington.
The story takes place during World War II on a black army base, where tensions flare after a murder that may have been racially motivated. Captain Davenport, played by Howard E. Rollins Jr., investigates the murder.
The film was well-received by critics and audiences alike, and it won several awards, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. It has been praised for its strong and emotional story, outstanding cast, and excellent direction.
A Soldier's Story has a runtime of 101 minutes and was produced by Columbia Pictures with a budget of $6 million. It grossed $21,821,347 at the box office.
Cast
- Howard E. Rollins Jr. as Captain Davenport
- Adolph Caesar as Sergeant Waters
- Art Evans as Wilkie
- David Alan Grier as Corporal Cobb
- David Harris as Private Smalls
- Dennis Lipscomb as Captain Wilcox
- Larry Riley as Private Henson
- Patti LaBelle as Big Mary
- Robert Townsend as Corporal Ellis
- William Allen Young as Private Peterson
- Denzel Washington as Private First Class Melvin Peterson
Other cast members include Michael Williams, David Ashley, and Thomas Howard, among others.
Director: Norman Jewison
Writer: Charles Fuller
Box Office Gross: $21,821,347
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 14, 1984
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012