Warner Bros. Pictures
Not part of a collection.
Sergeant Rutledge
Forget all the suspense you have ever seen! Forget all the excitement you have ever known!
Respected black cavalry Sergeant Brax Rutledge stands court-martial for raping and killing a white woman and murdering her father, his superior officer.
- Original title
- Sergeant Rutledge
- Language
- EN
- Country
- US
- Budget
- —
- Revenue
- —
John Chard
Apr 29, 2014 · via TMDB
Buffalo Soldier. It was alright for Mr. Lincoln to say we was free. But that ain't so! Not yet! Maybe some day, but not yet! John Ford's Sergeant Rutledge tells the story of a black man, 1st Sgt. Braxton Rutledge, a Buffalo Soldier of the 9th U.S. Cavalry who was up before a court-martial for the rape and murder of a white girl, Major Dabney's daughter, Lucy. Taking place in the court room the story is told in flashback as Rutledge's (Woody Strode) troop officer, and defence council, Lt. Tom Cantrell (Jeffrey Hunter) attempts to piece together the evidence. From the outset Ford is on biting form as the case is being tried in a biased and corruptible court, we as the viewers are left in no doubt that Rutledge could be at the mercy of obnoxious white racists. It's one of the many things that makes the film a bold and at times angry picture. This was after all two years before the critically acclaimed To Kill A Mockingbird, thus making it one of the flag bearers for early acknowledgement of race relations in America. As the sharp narrative moves forward, cloaked in visual excellence with Bert Glennon this time being Ford's cinematographer of choice, the film always keeps us guessing as to the outcome. We really can never be sure, such is the stench of racism that hangs heavy, a stench that is counter pointed by Woody Strode's wonderful and powerful performance as the on trial man. Also in fine physical shape at 46, Strode serves notice to just what a fine and important actor he was in relation to Black Americans in Hollywood. Hunter is handsome and strong in vocal delivery as the council in the middle of a real tricky trial, and Constance Towers as Mary Beecher is the glue binding them, and the story, all together. It's a first rate picture from Ford, one that is largely (and wrongly) forgotten when talk of his oeuvre comes around. Still awaiting a DVD release in the UK, it's evident that it still remains hidden from many a prospective new viewer. This needs correcting because it's bold, beautiful and important cinema from a master director, who, as always, had much to say. 9/10
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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Jeffrey Hunter
Lt. Tom Cantrell
Woody Strode
1st Sgt. Braxton Rutledge
Constance Towers
Mary Beecher
Billie Burke
Mrs. Cordelia Fosgate
Juano Hernández
Sgt. Matthew Luke Skidmore
Willis Bouchey
Col. Otis Fosgate - president of the court-martial
Carleton Young
Capt. Shattuck - prosecutor
Judson Pratt
Lt. Mulqueen (court-martial board member)
Chuck Roberson
Court-Martial Board Member (uncredited)
Chuck Hayward
Capt. Dickinson (uncredited)
Gertrude Astor
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Ruth Clifford
Officer's Wife (uncredited)
Shug Fisher
Mr. Owens (uncredited)
William Henry
Capt. Dwyer (uncredited)
Rafer Johnson
Cpl. Krump (uncredited)
Jack Kenny
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Mike Lally
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Fred Libby
Chandler Hubble (uncredited)
Cliff Lyons
Sam Beecher (uncredited)
Wilbur Mack
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Mae Marsh
Mrs. Nellie Hackett (uncredited)
Toby Michaels
Lucy Dabney (uncredited)
Jack Mower
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Eva Novak
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Jack Pennick
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Jack Perrin
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Walter Reed
Capt. McAfee (uncredited)
Charles Seel
Dr. Walter Eckner (uncredited)
William Wellman Jr.
Court Guard (uncredited)
Sheb Wooley
Screaming Trooper (archive sound) (uncredited)
Hank Worden
Laredo (uncredited)
Bert Glennon
Director of Photography
Chuck Hayward
Stunts
Chuck Roberson
Stunts
Cliff Lyons
Stunts
John Ford
Director
Willis Goldbeck
Producer
Willis Goldbeck
Writer
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