Sergeant Rutledge

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Sergeant Rutledge ★★★ 1960

The story of a court-martial, told in flashback, about a black cavalry officer on trial for rape and murder. A detailed look at overt and covert racism handled by master director Ford. It is always apparent Strode (as Rutledge) is a heroic, yet human, figure who refuses to be beaten down by circumstances. The courtroom setting is deliberately oppressive but does make the film somewhat static. Based on the novel “Captain Buffalo” by James Warner Bellah. 112m/C VHS, DVD . Woody Strode, Jeffrey Hunter, Constance Towers, Billie Burke, Juano Hernandez, Carleton Young, Charles Seel, Jan Styne, Mae Marsh; D: John Ford; W: Willis Goldbeck, James Warner Bellah; M: Howard Jackson.