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A Soldier's Story

1984·Movie
1h 41min·PG
75
GreatGoodWatch score

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A Soldier's Story fingerprint

Strong craft, striking style, light on feelings.

Energy

Tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension7
  • Violence6
  • Adrenaline5

Heart

Melancholic and moving

  • Melancholy8
  • Pathos7
  • Catharsis7

Humor

Some dark humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor5
  • Satire & Parody4
  • Wit & Wordplay3

World

History, society, and mystery

  • Dialogue Centrality9
  • World Immersion7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout characters, performances, and storytelling

  • Character Depth9
  • Acting8
  • Narrative Structure8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Alone, far from home, and far from justice, he has three days to learn the truth about a murder... and the truth is a story you won't forget.

In a rural town in Louisiana, a black Master Sergeant is found shot to death just outside the local Army Base. Military lawyer, Captain Davenport—also a black man—is sent from Washington to conduct an investigation. Facing an uncooperative chain of command and fearful black troops, Davenport must battle with deceit and prejudice in order to find out exactly who really did kill the Master Sergeant.
Racial PrejudiceMilitary MysteryCourtroom DramaSouthern GothicEnsemble CastCharacter StudySocial CommentaryHistorical SettingPsychological Tension

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about A Soldier's Story

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream A Soldier's Story legally?

You can rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is A Soldier's Story worth watching?

75
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 75/100 (IMDb 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes 91%, and Metacritic 66). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is A Soldier's Story rated?

PGViolenceStrong language

It's rated PG in the United States. Content advisories: violence and strong language.

How long is A Soldier's Story?

1 h 41 min

A Soldier's Story runs 1 h 41 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on A Soldier's Story?

Critics79
Audiences74

Yes. Critics average 79 and audiences 74 out of 100, so both groups see A Soldier's Story much the same way.

Was A Soldier's Story a box office hit?

Budget$6 million
Box office$22 million

Yes. It cost about $6 million to make and earned $22 million worldwide, 3.6 times its budget.

What language is A Soldier's Story in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch A Soldier's Story?

67ARATAUBEBGBOBRBYBZCACHCLCOCR+53

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for A Soldier's Story in 67 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does A Soldier's Story use?

Drowning My Sorrows"Eureka!" MomentEveryone Has StandardsDumbass Has a PointWorthy OpponentBring ItButt-MonkeyShut Up, Hannibal!Even Evil Has StandardsWham LineArmor-Piercing QuestionJerkassand 19 more

TV Tropes lists 31 storytelling tropes for A Soldier's Story, including Drowning My Sorrows, "Eureka!" Moment, Everyone Has Standards.