Director Norman Jewison has never been shy when dealing with issues of race on the big screen as he did in IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT and THE HURRICANE. The only thing that lessens the importance of A SOLDIER’S STORY, a little, is that IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT come before. When it comes to cinematic stories about race relations this is one of the important films.
Set on a Southern military base during WWII, the film chronicles the investigation surrounding the death of a black sergeant named Waters (Adolph Caesar, THE COLOR PURPLE). Capt. Davenport (Howard E. Rollins Jr., TV’s IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT) is assigned by Washington D.C. to handle the case. However, the situation is tense because of the area’s racial climate and the fact that Davenport is the first black officer that many people there have ever seen. Capt. Taylor (Dennis Lipscomb, UNDER SIEGE), white, who oversees the black troops, is very reluctant to allow Davenport much freedom for fears of starting a race riot.
Through Davenport’s investigation he stumbles over rumors of the clan and white officers being involved. The black soldiers include Waters’ right hand man Pvt. Wilkie (Art Evans, DIE HARD 2), Davenport’s escort Cpl. Ellis (Robert Townsend, HOLLYWOOD SHUFFLE), jokesters Cpl. Cobb (David Alan Grier, TV’s IN LIVING COLOR) and Pvt. Smalls (David Harris, THE WARRIORS), slow guitar-playing ball player C.J. Memphis (Larry Riley, TV’s KNOTS LANDING), cynical Pvt. Henson (William Allen Young, JAGGED EDGE) and defiant and hotheaded Pfc. Peterson (Denzel Washington, MALCOLM X).
Adapted by Charles Fuller from his own play, the story deals with racism from a black point of view. It really delves into how racism works on the psyche of the oppressed and how it shapes their self-image. The main theme of the film is: who has the right to determine who should and should not be part of the black community? What does "being black" really mean? If a black man is "acting white," does that really make him any less a valuable member of the black community?
Caesar received a highly deserved supporting actor Oscar nomination for his amazing performance. Rollins seems to be channeling the skills of Sidney Poitier and Washington is stellar as usual. Electrified by these wonderful performances, the crime story sucks you into this powerful and thought-provoking film. When Jewison tackles the issue of race, he seems to be flawless.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
