Lieutenant Tom Cantrell is sent to defend Sergeant Braxton Rutledge, a black cavalry soldier, on a charge of rape and murder. The story begins in a courtroom and it is told through flashbacks. This is a story of how a black soldier in the face of danger from the Indians can be so easily mistaken as a criminal.... (Full plot summary below)
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Lieutenant Tom Cantrell is sent to defend Sergeant Braxton Rutledge, a black cavalry soldier, on a charge of rape and murder. The story begins in a courtroom and it is told through flashbacks. This is a story of how a black soldier in the face of danger from the Indians can be so easily mistaken as a criminal.
Leave your thoughts about Sergeant Rutledge.
| Classic Film and TelevisionMichael E. GrostExtraordinary Western works at all levels, as rousing story telling, visual beauty and Civil Rights drama. |
| Combustible CelluloidJeffrey M. AndersonAn astonishing film not only for its sheer visual and narrative excellence but also for its early acknowledgement of race relations in America. |
| User ReviewFrédéric IVoila du tres grand John Ford. A la fois un western, un proces, un policier et avec un fond politique excellent. Un heros noir en 1960 c'est du Obama avant Luther king. A voir absolument! |
| User Reviewrocknblues 8Tal vez sea muy difÃcil decidir cual sea la mejor pelÃcula de John Ford si tomamos en cuenta su gran legado de obras maestras. En lo personal pondrÃa dentro de mis favoritas a 'El delator', 'La legión Invencible' y el 'Sargento negro'. En esta última tenemos una grandiosa actuación de Woody Strode, quien es acusado de un crimen que no cometió. La fotografÃa es estupenda; el guión es muy bueno y hay que considerla también como una de las grandes pelÃculas de juicios. |
| User Reviewgary twow umn just seen this movie 4 the 1st time n think that this is a good movie 2 watch.....its got a good cast of actors/actressess throughout this movie....i think that willis bouchey, woody strode, jeffrey hunter, juano hernandez, judson pratt, billie burke, carleton young, constance towers play good roles/parts throughout this movie....i think that the director of this drama movie had done a good job of directing this movie because you never know what 2 expect throughout this movie...i think that this is a really powerful drama movie 2 watch as its a bit of a sad movie but this is such a powerful drama movie 2 watch n its a good movie |
| User ReviewValerie CI beieve that it is one of Ford's great movie because it shows history as to why the black soldiers where called Buffalo Soldiers. Every young person should see integrity of a soldier who was put in a situation. |
| User ReviewZoran SIt holds up better than most of the anti-racist message movies of the 50s and 60s. Of course, as with all late Ford, it's nearly perfect in its visual rhythms. |
| User ReviewJabriel SWoody strode has almost no billing even though he plays the title character. His acting is amazing and inspiring. One of my favorites! |
| User ReviewTim CJohn Ford was famous for his westerns as well as his dramas, and here he blends them both together and even has social commentary relevant to an ever changing political atmosphere of the sixties. The main character is Woody Strode, playing a sergeant in a rank of Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th Calvary who is accused of rape and murder. Jeffrey Hunter is his fellow soldier and his defending lawyer. Billie Burke, in her last movie, plays the socialite wife of the judge. It is a story about prejudice and Woody Strode leads the way and shows his dramatic chops. John Ford holds nothing back, and it is worth it. |
| User ReviewWayne HIt is truly unique to see a western from 50 years ago that dealt with social issues such as rape and racism. This movie has a very strong plot and I enjoyed it very much. I've seen Woody Strode in a number of movies ... but, this was the first time that he had the title role. A bit of movie trivia -- Olympic gold medalist Rafer Johnson has an uncredited role in this movie as one of the Buffalo Soldiers. I highly recommend this movie to my FB-friends! |
