Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18502 in VHS
• Released on: 1994-07-22
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Formats: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 111 minutes

Customer Reviews

Captain Buffalo
I dont remember when I first saw this excellent film, but I would imagine that it was on television,complete with commercials,so as soon as it came out on video I rented it.
It is on my top ten list of films. Woody Strode is magnificent as Rutledge,and Jeffrey Hunter as his court appointed lawyer gives one of the best performances of his (at the time the film was released)young career. I have said before and will say again
that he was one of the most underated actors that ever graced the silver screen.Wont get into the romance in the film because it is really rather irrelevant to the main body of the story,except when Mary( well played by Constance Towers)becomes Cantrell's
conscience when Rutledge tries to run away. You can just feel the tension as Cantrell struggles to come to grips with his own prejudices to defend Rutledge to the best of his ability. The
courtroom scenes are excellent,and I appologize for forgetting the name of the actor who plays the prosecutor. Trivia fans will recognize Billie Burke(Glinda the good from Wizard of Oz) as the
commanders ditzy wife!) Terrific film!

A Vastly Underrated Classic
I have seen this film called a "minor Ford work" many times. That may be; however, it rises above much else that is available. The story of Braxton Rutledge,former slave and U.S. cavalry sergeant is captivating and Ford was ahead of his time in making such a story. The film was released in 1960 and the climate of those years was not as it is today. As a result, the film had a rather limited release.

Woody Strode was wonderful in the title role (note though in the credits he receives minor billing); bringing a quiet strength and dignity to the accused man. The scene in which he responds to the battering of a race-baiting attorney is powerful and makes one think that Strode could have been put to better use during his long career.

Sergeant Rutledge deserves reevaluation.

another John Ford masterpiece
This film is further evidence that John Ford is one of the great film makers of all time. The story is gripping--a black cavalry sergeant, a Buffalo soldier--is accused of killing the white daugther of his commanding officer. Telling the story by flashbacks throughout Rutledge's court martial, Ford keeps the suspense and slowly reveals the soldier's pride in his service and his race. The film is filled with many John Ford regulars, the same faces you see in The Horse Soldiers & other John Wayne westerns. Great movie whether you are a western fan or not.