Ford's Rashomon

DVDs:


	• Sergeant Rutledge - Authentic Region 1 DVD from Warner Brothers starring Jeffrey Hunter, Constance Towers, ... Warner Brothers average customer review:based on 3 reviews view larger image
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Ford's Rashomon

"Sergeant Rutledge" speaks alot about the character of director John Ford in the twilight of his storied career. His track record allowed him the luxury of tackling hotbutton issues without consideration of controversy or commercial concerns. By tackling racism so bluntly in a day where others kind of sugarcoated the topic is a tribute alone to Ford. That he does so superbly makes "Sergeant Rutledge" indispensible. The film works on so many levels aside from an exploration of racism. It is a moving tribute to the 9th Calvary division that consisted of African-American troops. It's also a riveting courtroom drama where you don't feel cheated by the denouement. Excellent performances with Jeffrey Hunter compelling as the lieutenant assigned the duty of a defending a "buffalo soldier" of the unthinkable and Woody Strode solid in the title role. You can separate this film from Ford's other work but it is a piece of a complex puzzle that is a master director's outstanding output.

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sgt rutledge

one of the first movies I have watched that treated black americans as real people.

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A View in Time

Ford has a collection of work that is both gritty and exciting. Not only is this a story of the Cavalry in the southwest, not only a story of Calvalry versus Indians, not only of romance, and not only of solid characters, this is a gutsy story of inherent racism in the country, of murder and of courtroom drama.

Woody Strode plays an excellent Sergeant Rutledge, the black 9th Cavalry top sergeant accused of the rape and murder of a white woman. Jeffrey Hunter plays a strong Cavalry lieutenant, assigned to the black "Buffalo Soldiers" that patroled the 19th century southwest. He leads them in combat and he stands tall to defend Sergeant Rutledge.

The storyline moves along with each element working in tandem. It's a Ford work and it lives up to his standards and to his love and respect for the western Cavalry.

Well worth seeing as a social and historical review. Certainly worth watching for anyone interested in the time of the Cavalry generally, the Buffalo Soldiers in particular.

Hope the DVD is released soon.

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Release Date: June 6th, 2006.