BUFFALO SOLDIERS (1997)
Buffalo Soldiers was a made for television movie that tackles head on issues of genocide, slavery and racism, with an unflinching, intrinsic, methodical approach. Set in the aftermath of the American Civil War, late 1800's and during the American Indian Wars, Buffalo ... Read review
An Army-base comedy about soldiers "with nothing to kill except time",Buffalo ... more
Soldiersinvites casual comparison toCatch-22andM*A*S*H. It's 1989: the Berlin Wall is falling, completing the Cold War's thaw and Ray Elwood (Joaquin Phoenix)--a clerk with the 317th Supply Battalion, stationed in west Germany--combats boredom with a variety of black-market schemes, from cooking heroin for the base's corrupt MPs to dealing stolen arms to the highest bidder, in addition to having a shallow affair with the two-timing wife (Elizabeth McGovern) of his outgoing commander (Ed Harris). Elwood's new CO (Scott Glenn) clamps down on his illegal activities while protecting his daughter (Anna Paquin) from Elwood's advances.Fine casting and positive buzz couldn't prevent this movie's ironic fate: acquired by Miramax one day before the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001,Buffalo Soldierswas shelved for nearly two years, by which time this dark and defiantly amusing exercise in political incorrectness--based on the novel by Robert O'Connor--had been overshadowed by world events. --Jeff Shannon
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Production Year: 1971 - Westerns - Director: Richard Benedict, Douglas Heyes, Leslie Martinson - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Ben Murphy, Pete Duel
Advantages: Thought provoking, entertaining Disadvantages: good but never quite great
...SOLDIERS (1997)==
Buffalo Soldiers was a made for television movie that tackles head on issues of genocide, slavery and racism, with an unflinching, intrinsic, methodical approach. Set in the aftermath of the American Civil War, late 1800's and during the American Indian Wars, Buffalo Soldiers uses an entertaining slant to emphasise the cold harsh reality, as well as danger of ignorance and prejudice. Buffalo Soldiers won two awards ... .../>
===Synopsis===
Buffalo soldiers sees Danny Glover _(Lethal Weapon, Silverado)_ Playing sergeant Washington Wyatt in the U.S Cavalry leading a troop of Buffalo Soldiers. There is some ambiguity surrounding the origins of the name but Buffalo Soldiers became the generic title awarded all black serving soldiers. As aforementioned, the film is set during the American Indian Wars with Sgt. Wyatt and hid troop stationed at a fort in ... more
BUFFALO SOLDIERS (1997)
Buffalo Soldiers was a made for television movie that tackles head on issues of genocide, slavery and racism, with an unflinching, intrinsic, methodical approach. Set in the aftermath of the American Civil War, late 1800's and during the American Indian Wars, Buffalo Soldiers uses an entertaining slant to emphasise the cold harsh reality, as well as danger of ignorance and prejudice. Buffalo Soldiers won two awards and was nominated for a further six.
Film Specifications
Director: Charles Haid, Nip/Tuck, The 'L' Word, NYPD Blue Running Time:100 Min Certificate: 15 Release Date: 07th December 1997
Synopsis
Buffalo soldiers sees Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon, Silverado) Playing sergeant Washington Wyatt in the U.S Cavalry leading a troop of Buffalo Soldiers. There is some ambiguity surrounding the origins of the name but Buffalo Soldiers became the generic title awarded all black serving soldiers. As aforementioned, the film is set during the American Indian Wars with Sgt. Wyatt and hid troop stationed at a fort in the heart of Indian Territory. Many of the Indians are by this point subjugated and assimilated onto numerous reservations. However, Victorio is an Apache chief is leading a band of renegade Apache warriors on a rampage against the might of the aggressors, whilst attempting to lead his tribe to some kind of sanctuary. Naturally this is not acceptable to the embarrassed white high ranking officers who are already pissed off at being garrisoned at this god forsaken hole. Not wanting to dirty their hands or lose white troopers, Wyatt and his men are charged with the task of stopping Victorio and his men. The trouble is that has time goes on and issues arise, Wyatt starts to question the ethos of what he is doing out of a sense of duty for those undeserving.
My thoughts
What Buffalo Soldiers brings to the front is the stark reality of the foundations of the United States of America. The film shows in a thought provoking manner that even after securing "freedom" as a result of the Civil War, the black man is still repressed. The soldiers are treated very differently to white troopers especially by officers, and are extensively used and manipulated for the dog jobs. It brings to light issues such as troops not being allowed to ride through town to a parade, have to ride so many feet behind white troops, and that Negro's can never be made officers even though Sgt. Wyatt's record is exemplary. The film also conveys in a brutal fashion the horrific treatment and genocide of the Native American people. The film does gets its message across in many ways and in some senses could shock and anger, it is that adept at delivering the point. For example the wanton execution of a Native American man who is a prisoner in the fort, just to silence him from singing. The man is not even asked to be quiet but just blatantly shot in the head. There are also scenes of lawmen hanging children from a tree to encourage them to divulge the location of Victorio, even though it is a different tribe that wouldn't have any knowledge of his whereabouts. The film does stimulate thought but there are also scenes that are funny, and witty and the film is a good film in its own right. It is also enjoyable to see the psychology of Sgt. Wyatt as he starts to question the morality of what he's doing and his messed up sense of duty. Like the chief Victorio says, "Why do you murder my people for those who made you less than cattle?" The acting in the film is very good and Danny Glovers experience shines through. Costumes etc are top notch and the action is convincing and gritty. I do also like the touch that one of Wyatt's white officers is nice and respectful to the black soldiers as well as the Native Americans which is the films way of balancing it out and saying that at least some white people are decent and do not conduct themselves in such a manner. The film is 100 min and there are far worse ways to spend those min. Never destined for greatness the film is still a very enjoyable western.
Cast
Lamont Bentley ... Cpl. Sea Tom Bower ... Gen. Pike Timothy Busfield ... Maj. Robert Carr Danny Glover ... Sgt. Washington Wyatt Bob Gunton ... Col. Grierson Robert Knott ... Capt. Draper Carl Lumbly ... Horse Glynn Turman ... Sgt. Joshua 'Joyu' Judges Ruth Michael Warren ... Cpl. Eddie Tockes Mykelti Williamson ... Cpl. William Christy David Jean Thomas ... Cpl. Roseman LloydThank Ye kindly for reading............Adam
Advantages: Good acting Disadvantages: Not funny as stated, showed the Army in a very bad light
On a recent trip to Tesco and a quick search through the bargain DVD?s I came across this one which I thought I would treat hubby to and also for me it stars Joaquin Phoenix who I do really like. I have to say from reading the cover of the DVD I was expecting good things and for the film to be very funny, Sadly I was very let down.
The film is set in 1989 with the US military based in West Germany. They w ere stationed there to train and prepare for what people believed would be the start of another war. We meet Ray Elwood, played by Phoenix who a clerk for his regiment. We meet him and his men when they are all playing a game of American football in their room and when an unliked soldier asks to join he dies after he is pushed and hits his head on a table. The body of this soldier is thrown out of the window so the men can make it ...
Advantages: Distinctly Different, Solid Acting, Entertaining Disadvantages: Not a traditional army movie
a war film. But more of a hidden camera behind the Iron Curtain movie. A well-acted, well-scripted, well-cast piece of cinema, BuffaloSoldiers will appeal to more than just people who like a good old war film. The film is drizzled with plenty of darkly comic moments to break from the seriousness of the general story.
When I first watched this movie, I personally really enjoyed it and found it to be quite original. There are very few criticisms I can find without being pedantic and would recommend this film to most people reading this review.
I no longer own this DVD so cannot comment on the special features really, however, if I remember rightly, they were few and far between. I find this to be quite inconsequential as the film alone merits the price you pay. I would advise this as a purchase to anybody looking for something new to ...
Advantages: Inventive and unusual story Disadvantages: It's not really a war story, so disappointing for some
"Buffalosoldiers" was one of a few movies whose cinema release was postponed due to the events of 9/11. I recently re-read an old copy of Empire magazine from 2002, which included a piece about the film as being about to be released.
Viewing it now, it's a little bit difficult to understand exactly why. The movie is about mavericks, the military, and there are some explosions, but it's not about any of the subjects you might have expected to cause horror around that time (or any other time, come to that) It's not about terrorism, or ethnicism or religion, it's not even about New York. But then Hollywood got so jittery around that time, about so many subjects.
The backdrop for "Buffalosoldiers" is in fact Germany.
It centres on the US army, based there in the 1980s, at the time of the Berlin Wall coming down. These are men who ...
Production Year: 1995 - Westerns - Director: Joseph Sargent - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: James Garner, Sissy Spacek, Sam Shepherd, Randy Quaid, Ned Beatty
Production Year: 1943 - Westerns - Director: William McGann, Albert S. Rogell - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: John Wayne, Martha Scott, Albert Dekker, George 'Gabby' Hayes, Dale Evans, Sidney Blackmer, Binnie Barnes, Helen Parrish, Patsy Kelly, Edgar Kennedy
Production Year: 1995 - Westerns - Director: Rod Holcomb - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Jon Voight, Kyle Chandler, Ben Gazzara, Marcia Gay Harden
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