Gripping, thanks to spotless direction and Rollins's inspired work, but nothing new to relay. Charles Fuller's powerful play (a Pulitzer Prize-winner, based on Melville's
Billy Budd) was adapted by Fuller himself for the screen, and the power of the stage presentation is not diminished
(which means it's not particularly cinematic, either).
The action takes place at Fort Neal, Louisiana, a base for black soldiers during WWII. Sgt. Waters (Adolph Caesar), a tough African-American topkick and manager of the baseball team, is coming back to the base drunk one night when he is shot to death by a .45-caliber weapon. That's the only clue
to his death. Capt. Dav...
Released:
1984
Rated:
PG
Length:
101 mins