Buffalo Soldiers

Starring:Lincoln Kilpatrick, Rafer Johnson
Studio: Platinum Disc
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Entertaining action film, sufficient plot and charismatic cast
A dark look at US Army life in Germany in the late 1980's
Fighting on Arrival?
Who says soldiers can't be creative, a dark comedy of a soldier pushing the limits.
Muddled black comedy elevated by excellent cast

Buffalo Soldiers
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix , Ed Harris , Scott Glenn , Anna Paquin , and Elizabeth McGovern
Director: Gregor Jordan
Manufacturer: Miramax Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000E32V0
Release Date: 2004-01-13

Amazon.com

Inviting casual comparison to Catch-22 and M*A*S*H, Buffalo Soldiers is an Army-base comedy about soldiers "with nothing to kill except time." It's 1989: The Berlin Wall is falling, completing the cold war's thaw, and Ray Elwood (Joaquin Phoenix)--a clerk with the 317th Supply Battalion, stationed in West Germany--combats boredom with a variety of black-market schemes, from cooking heroin for the base's corrupt MPs to dealing stolen arms to the highest bidder, in addition to having a shallow affair with the two-timing wife (Elizabeth McGovern) of his outgoing commander (Ed Harris). Elwood's new CO (Scott Glenn) clamps down on his illegal activities while protecting his daughter (Anna Paquin) from Elwood's advances. Fine casting and positive buzz couldn't prevent this movie's ironic fate: Acquired by Miramax one day before the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Buffalo Soldiers--based on the celebrated novel by Robert O'Connor--was shelved for nearly two years, by which time this dark and defiantly amusing exercise in political incorrectness had been overshadowed by world events. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Joaquin Phoenix (SIGNS, GLADIATOR) leads an all-star cast in a wickedly funny comedy that entertains in the edgy tradition of PULP FICTION. A U.S. soldier with nothing to fight but boredom as the Cold War winds down, Ray Elwood (Phoenix) enjoys the rush of trading anything he can get his hands on in West Germany's booming black market ... while his inept commander (Ed Harris, THE HOURS) is none the wiser. Everything is perfect ... until he starts dating the new sergeant's daughter (Anna Paquin, X-MEN 1 & 2). But before he can pull off one last big score, Elwood's escalating personal war with Sergeant Lee (Scott Glenn, TRAINING DAY) will send him deeper into a deadly mess ... that may not have a way out!

Customer Reviews:

Entertaining action film, sufficient plot and charismatic cast.......2007-06-14

BUFFALO SOLDIERS (2001), is of interest to fans of Joaquin Phoenix,
Ed Harris and Scott Glenn, who comprise the star cast of this picture
taking placing in West Germany, before the Cold War ended, as the
Berlin Wall fell. It also is especially entertaining to those having
served in the military.

The story captures well the self-contained world of the military, in
terms of bases, discipline, the constant reminder of belonging to a
group, and the expectations imposed that must be met in terms of
uniformity, and standards that met by all in innumerable aspects of
conduct. The picture shows a few of these: the mess, drills, marches,
deployment exercises, etc. It also brings up the physical and
mental stress of being in a chain of command, where there is no
outsider, per se, who can come to a soldier's rescue, if there is
misconduct, abuse of authority, physical violence, even to one's life
in extreme and rare cases of bullying.

An intriguing suggestion made by the movie, is that the volunteer
nature of enrollment (vs. conscription) has resulted in a lack of
recruited manpower, leading the Army to force convicts to serve, such
that many of these bring their prior shady activities to their new
place of employment. We see drug users and drug labs built on an Army
base, narco-trafficking, as well as black market reselling of Army
commodities. The picture shows the numerous tentacles of those
operations, as perhaps 30 or more are on the take, to look the other
way, or participate actively.

The entertainment goal is met, such as from a few moments of juvenile
humor (a tank runs over a car, gas station), or the mini-romance
with Phoenix and a teenage girl, played by Anna Paquin, but mostly
from thrill and action aspects, culminating in a climax of
explosions, and a fire fight and man-to-man combat.

Some interesting lessons are learned by Phoenix, as he tries to pull
out of his deal, being told by the international arms dealer that he
can't do that, under penalty of losing his life, as up until then he
was small-time, dealing only with commodities, not rifles or grenade
launchers.

The story also underlines how some individuals in the chain of
command (in civilian life, supervisors, bosses, but here, officers,
sergeants) due to lack of oversight can create their own rules, and
get away with it, preparing an ordeal for their rivals in the
organization, such that they are themselves the judge, jury and
executioner, later leaving appearances of either a suicide event or
of an accident of their coworkers.

Overall, this work is entertaining because it intentionally doesn't
take itself too seriously, has a charismatic cast, the required
ingredients for an action film, and a sufficient plot to keep people
interested for 90 mins.

A dark look at US Army life in Germany in the late 1980's.......2007-04-19

Buffalo Soldiers is the story of US Army supply clerk Ray Elwood, played by the handsome and mysterious Joaquin Phoenix. Elwood is one of those go-to-guys who can score anything you need in exchange for the right favor. He has his hands all over the supply chain, drives a sweet German sports car, and knows who to cook up a batch of heroin in spare warehouses. He's a stoic who is well-respected by his peers. He helps his goofball desk jockey boss (played by Ed Harris) keep the base in West Germany in line.

Elwood's life is thrown into personal and romantic turmoil with the arrival of Sgt. Lee (played by Scott Glenn) and his beautiful daughter (Anna Paquin). Sgt. Lee has a personal goal of cleaning house and exposing Elwood's dabblings in the black market. Elwood, of course, decides to antagonize Lee by dating his daughter, and then he falls hard for the young lady. The movie is a dark game of cat and mouse between Lee and Elwood, with the base commander bumbling around in the background in truly comedic fashion. With a few healthy plot twists and elements of both satire and horror, Buffalo Soldiers is a movie to catch on DVD for anyone who likes dark drama/comedy in which the viewer ends up rooting for a handsome "bad guy." Fans of this movie should check out Wonderland and Lord of War.

Fighting on Arrival?.......2007-02-26

Joaquin, dear heart, what were you thinking?

This is another film that had a great cast with no synergy whatsoever. I can't imagine what the original script must have been like to get these talents to sign off on this film, or what must have happened in the process of shooting it that rendered such an awful product.

Who says soldiers can't be creative, a dark comedy of a soldier pushing the limits........2007-02-15

This was an interesting film I discovered by chance, overlooking it on the rental shelf, and hearing about it last year through a friend. Finally I rented it, and now own a copy of it. Joaquin Phoenix plays private elwood, a young man that chose the army instead of jail. Most of the movie takes place in 1989 germany, just before the berlin wall fell. Elwood has managed to make it through training and is now stationed in one of the supply divisions. He manages to become in charge of ordering for his company, and ordering he does. Though paperwork and orderforms, he manages to become a big suppler of goods (cleaners, equipment etc) to many germans as well as the rest of europe, making a few pennies as well. Eventually, he decides to put some other skills he has to use becoming a supplyer of refined heroin, attempting to make one last big profit. Along the way, love is thrown into the mix, and amazingly he falls in love with the worst available option, his commanding officer's daughter, played by ed harris. this doesn't make the boss happy. Well, the movie goes from their, and lets just say elwood's life gets complicated, just a bit. The ending is great. Must watch. you'll be suprised.

Muddled black comedy elevated by excellent cast.......2006-12-16

"Buffalo Soldiers" is essentially a version of Bill Murray's "Stripes," but only told by a guy who is really, really angry. It's still funny - even inspired, at times - but it's a humor fueled by rage. And that rage causes the story to make a couple of missteps.

Set in 1989 (note the perfect use of then-President Bush's plastic grin in several portraits) on an Army base in West Germany, "Buffalo Soldiers" informs the viewer that the majority of our fighting soldiers are simply there in order to escape a jail sentence. As a result, thieves and drug dealers rule the roost - the top MP is a villainous heroin dealer. The only virtuous soldier is the commanding officer, Colonel Berman (Ed Harris), who is a nice, incompetent buffoon more suited to running a vineyard than a regiment. (This is a wonderful supporting performance by Harris, by the way.)

Almost every Army movie has a "scrounger," the guy who can get things done in the cracks of the system and usually with a lot of charm. In "Buffalo Soldiers," that is Private Ray Elwood (Joaquin Phoenix), the company clerk. We see early on how smooth Elwood is as he simultaneously covers up a drug dealing enterprise while protecting the honor of a soldier who was killed playing tackle football indoors while stoned on about ten different substances - including the Pill. Elwood is a small-time heroin dealer who sells black market Mop & Glo and drives a Mercedes. He is one of the princes of the criminal Army.

His little realm gets invaded by "Topper," Sergeant Robert Lee (Scott Glenn, easily the most sinister Sergeant ever). Lee sizes up Elwood in an instant and brings him down about fifteen pegs - look for an inspired scene involving Lee's bullying of Elwood via "target practice." Lee is unbribable, connected to the general, but also dangerous in that Scott Glenn way.

Elwood also has his little world come apart due to a stoned tank crew on maneuvers. Intoxication leads to two dead American trucks drivers and two trucks full of unclaimed assault rifles. Elwood stumbles across the guns and instantly sees an angle. But he is forced by his connection to take raw narcotics rather than cash as compensation. Elwood, who makes his money by cooking the drugs into a distributable product, is soon playing a game that he does not control, and the bodies begin to mount up.

This is not one of those movies that gently mocks the Army while honoring it. There is nothing gentle or honorable in "Buffalo Soldiers." It is funny. It is dark. And it pulls no punches. While not a great satire in the class of "Thank You for Smoking," it is a worthy satire sure to appeal to the wicked sense of humor in all of us.

Average customer rating:

The Buffalo Soldiers Danny Glover
Historical but Corny
A Hollywierd production on Buffalo Soldiers
Rating Warning
Ignored chapter of American History...

Buffalo Soldiers
Starring: Danny Glover , Lamont Bentley , Tom Bower , Timothy Busfield , and Gabriel Casseus
Director: Charles Haid
Manufacturer: Turner Home Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Fort Apache

ASIN: B000BNTM9G
Release Date: 2006-01-10

Description

This Turner Network Televison movie tells the true story of the black calvary corps known as the 'Buffalo Soldiers.' These troops patrolled America's wild west after the civil war. In addition to keeping the peace, they fought the racism of their commanders and other white corps soldiers.

Customer Reviews:

The Buffalo Soldiers Danny Glover.......2007-01-03

This is a superb film, giving the viewer a great story of a little known period of American history. The battle/skirmish scenes with the Apache were well done and very realistic. I did not let the automobile approaching in the distance in one of the scenes at Fort Craig put me off either.Glad I bought this DVD.

Historical but Corny.......2006-09-04

I like the movie for it's accuracy in uniforms, equipment, and weaponry. I like the scenery in the movie although it is filmed in Arizona and not New Mexico. FT Craig was in an area geographically different from Arizona. I've been there. Also, Rattlesnake Springs that was mentioned in the movie is actually in Texas.

I thought the movie should have been rated PG-13 because of the harsh racial language. I have read that there was a lot of racism by some of the officers who were not convinced that the black soldiers were capable. Many did think that their careers would be tarnished. I think the movie did offer both sides to that argument, showing that there were good officers who were willing to lead.

The end of the movie was really corny. I can't picture Victorio walking up and shaking hands with a soldier who has been chasing him and his starving band of Apaches for miles.

Overall, an entertaining movie with some inaccuracies. For more information on the Buffalo Soldiers, visit http://www.9thcavalry.com

A Hollywierd production on Buffalo Soldiers.......2006-05-29

This movie is very sad. Seminole Negro Indian Scouts only served in Texas, not New Mexico. There are no officers present but Colonel Grierson, only the sergeant major. Grierson is presented as a wimp when he was in reality a hero of both the Civil War and western frontier. No american soldiers would have been able to sneak up on the Apache. No black soldiers ever had to dismount to pass through a western town, this is purely Hollywood. The song that is sung by the black troopers as they are carrying one of there deceased to the cemetary was written in the 1930s. This is one sad movie.

Rating Warning.......2006-02-19

This is more about the rating perhaps than the move...However, I think that it is important to know that this is not,in my opinion a rated 'G' movie! Within the first few minutes, they used prejudicial language and swore-causing me to quickly turn it off in discomfort and disgust. When I think of a rated G movie, I think of something like Lion King, Parent Trap, or other family-type movies that EVERYONE no matter what their age can watch without offense.This movie is not one of those. I purchased this movie believing that I could share with/educate my kids on the historical significance and heroism of the Buffalo Soldiers and instead had to turn it off after 15 minutes due to its inappropriateness for anyone under 15. They were exposed to too much historic accuracy and prejudiced for my taste. We discussed why the movie creators may have added these words and situations (to be historically accurate and show the adversity the Buffalo Soldiers faced), but still felt the story could be told accurately without the use of such a strong and distructive prejudical term. I believe the rating should be changed. While this may be a worthwhile movie to show the plight of the African American in history, I found it to use too realistically harsh language and situations for its G rating. I relied on the previous reviews and the rating in making my decision to purchase and view this movie with my kids. Believe me, I will not make that mistake again.

Ignored chapter of American History..........2002-05-06

This commendable film addresses a shamefully ignored chapter of U.S. history. Freed slaves were enlisted in the military to patrol Western territories. Many served with distinction, as the narrative here takes pains to point out. Thankfully, the film is not unduly preachy, and it is very well acted. But it remains a bit sketchy and is dramatically a bit on the limp side. Well worth watching, but it could have been better developed and edited.

Average customer rating:

Buffalo Soldiers The Movie Was Buffalo Chips The Let Down

Buffalo Soldiers
Starring: Barbara Brown , Bill Collins , Robert Dix , Robert Do'Qui , and Steve Drexel
Director: John Cardos
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Buffalo Soldiers
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ASIN: B0001OGW16
Release Date: 2004-03-01

Customer Reviews:

Buffalo Soldiers The Movie Was Buffalo Chips The Let Down.......2004-12-17

In a word, the movie stunk. The music stunk. The acting stunk. If it was adapted from the novel, you certainly couldn't tell it. The novel was really a good story. I would suggest buying the book if you're interested in entertainment and buying the DVD if you want to fertilize your garden. P.U.!

The Pathfinder/The Song of Hiawatha/Buffalo Soldiers/Showdown at Eagle Gap

Average customer rating:

The Pathfinder/The Song of Hiawatha/Buffalo Soldiers/Showdown at Eagle Gap
Starring: Timothy West
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000A0GY14
Release Date: 2006-03-13

Battlefield Diaries - Episode 5: Last of the Buffalo Soldiers

Average customer rating:

Battlefield Diaries - Episode 5: Last of the Buffalo Soldiers

Manufacturer: Discovery
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Battlefield Diaries - Episode 2: Raid at Cabanatuan

ASIN: B000KGGNBY
Release Date: 2006-12-01

Average customer rating:

Entertaining action film, sufficient plot and charismatic cast
A dark look at US Army life in Germany in the late 1980's
Fighting on Arrival?
Who says soldiers can't be creative, a dark comedy of a soldier pushing the limits.
Muddled black comedy elevated by excellent cast

Buffalo Soldiers [Region 2]
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix , Ed Harris , Scott Glenn , Anna Paquin , and Elizabeth McGovern
Director: Gregor Jordan
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00018HTJ6

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Entertaining action film, sufficient plot and charismatic cast.......2007-06-14

A dark look at US Army life in Germany in the late 1980's.......2007-04-19

Fighting on Arrival?.......2007-02-26

Who says soldiers can't be creative, a dark comedy of a soldier pushing the limits........2007-02-15

Muddled black comedy elevated by excellent cast.......2006-12-16

Charlie Rose with Rym Brahimi; Walter Pincus; Neil Macfarquhar; Scott Glenn; Celia Sandys (July 22, 2003)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Rym Brahimi; Walter Pincus; Neil Macfarquhar; Scott Glenn; Celia Sandys (July 22, 2003)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose, Inc.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Educational | Genres | DVD | Video

Description

Following the news of the killings of Saddam Hussein's two sons, conversations with Rym Brahimi of CNN, Walter Pincus of The Washington Post, and Neil Macfarquhar of The New York Times. Then, the actor Scott Glenn discusses his new film, Buffalo Soldiers. Finally, Celia Sandys remembers her grandfather, Winston Churchill, in her book, We Shall Not Fail: The Inspiring Leadership of Winston Churchill.

Average customer rating:

Buffalo Soldiers/Showdown At Eagle Gap
Starring: Lincoln Kilpatrick
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc Corporation
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Buffalo Soldiers

ASIN: B0009XRZG0
Release Date: 2005-06-28

DVD:

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