Buffalo Soldiers

Watch Buffalo Soldiers

  • 1970
  • 1 hr 16 min

Buffalo Soldiers is a 1997 black comedy film directed by Gregor Jordan and it stars Joaquin Phoenix, Ed Harris, Anna Paquin, and Scott Glenn alongside Robert DoQui, Isaac Fields, and Barbara Hale. The movie is set in 1989, right before the fall of the Berlin Wall. The story takes place in a US Army base in West Germany that houses a bunch of misfits and troublemakers known as the 317th Supply Battalion. The soldiers, who mainly consist of African Americans, spend their time smoking weed, stealing equipment, and finding ways to swindle the system. They are led by Sergeant Ray Elwood (Joaquin Phoenix), a cunning and smooth-talking soldier who runs a black market operation on base using the battalion's supplies.

Things start to unravel when an uptight new commander, Colonel Berman (Ed Harris) arrives on the scene, determined to clean up the base and restore some discipline. Berman quickly realizes that Elwood is a problem and attempts to expose him, but Elwood is always one step ahead. Meanwhile, Elwood starts to develop a relationship with Berman's daughter, Robyn (Anna Paquin), who is rebelling against her strict father.

As the tension between Elwood and Berman escalates, the soldiers find themselves caught in the middle of a dangerous game of cat and mouse. The situation worsens when Elwood's rival, Private Stoney (Brian Delate), discovers his illegal activities and blackmails him. Elwood must figure out a way to get rid of Stoney and keep his operation intact while also avoiding getting caught by Berman.

Buffalo Soldiers is a dark satire that explores themes of corruption, racism, and the military-industrial complex. The film portrays the soldiers as flawed and often immoral individuals who are willing to do anything to get what they want. At the same time, it highlights the absurdity of the US military presence in West Germany during the Cold War and how it affected the lives of soldiers stationed there.

The acting in the movie is top-notch. Joaquin Phoenix delivers a standout performance as the manipulative and smooth-talking Elwood. Ed Harris is also excellent as the strict and by-the-books Berman, who is trying to do the right thing, but is constantly thwarted by Elwood. Anna Paquin brings a youthful energy to the film as the rebellious Robyn, who is trying to find her place in the world.

Overall, Buffalo Soldiers is a well-crafted and entertaining film that manages to balance dark humor with serious themes. The movie offers a unique look at a little-known period in military history and raises important questions about the role of the military in society.

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Description
  • Release Date
    1970
  • Runtime
    1 hr 16 min
  • Language
    English
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