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Buffalo Soldiers

Play trailer Poster for Buffalo Soldiers R 2003 1h 38m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
72% Tomatometer 109 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Set on an American Army base in 1989, as the Berlin Wall is about to fall, Buffalo Soldiers takes a satiric look as these men steal, drink, fight, and make, take, and sell drugs. Elwood (Joaquin Phoenix) is the brains behind the operation, easily duping his superior (Ed Harris) and sleeping with his wife. But with the arrival of the new sergeant (Scott Glenn), everything changes. The sergeant cracks down; Elwood retaliates by dating his daughter and attempting a big weapons-for-drugs deal.
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Buffalo Soldiers

Buffalo Soldiers

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Overall, this caustic comedy hits more of its targets than it misses.

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Critics Reviews

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Ed Gonzalez Slant Magazine Jan 11, 2004
You won't see too much red, white and blue on this DVD transfer of Buffalo Soldiers, but what little there is sure looks great. Go to Full Review
Jay Boyar Orlando Sentinel Nov 13, 2003
Eventually, the movie's rampant nihilism catches up with it. Go to Full Review
Tim Robey Daily Telegraph (UK) Oct 19, 2003
Joltingly funny. Go to Full Review
Eddie Harrison film-authority.com Mar 5, 2024
4/5
…identifies something both attractive and dangerous in rampant American entrepreneurism…the black comedy featured here is sharp, vicious and timeless… Go to Full Review
Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed Apr 29, 2009
In the chaotic tradition of "Dr. Strangelove"... Go to Full Review
Mark Halverson Sacramento News & Review Aug 7, 2008
3/5
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Audience Reviews

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Anon Y @Anonymous911 Jun 30, 2026 The book is good, too (better). However, the film is very faithful to the source material. The film is an absolute classic Cold War story unlike any other story of the era ever told. They don't make movies like this anymore. And we will never have a generation like them ever again. If you know you know. See more
Ben W @Username618 Mar 21, 2026 Seem to remember quite enjoying, but if it's got something in it I should be ashamed of, then I wouldn't be totally surprised, sorry. See more
Fernando D @Maqroll Nov 4, 2025 For this cast could be a better movie See more
John C @JohnCoch Jun 6, 2025 a dark, entertaining and thought-provoking film that could be recommended to pacifists and militarists alike. See more
Bahad j @RT27093708 Aug 11, 2024 The idea behind this movie moved me a lot, but it was a movie with really satisfying expectations See more
Gareth v @geewah Jun 15, 2023 For the most part, this is a smart satire on the cold war, and the boredom of men of war in times of peace. See more
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Buffalo Soldiers

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Gregor Jordan

Director

Joaquin Phoenix

Ray Elwood

Ed Harris

Col. Wallace Berman

Scott Glenn

Sgt. Robert Lee

Anna Paquin

Robyn Lee

Gabriel Mann

Knoll

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Buffalo Soldiers

Dean Stockwell as General Lancaster in Gregor Jordan's BUFFALO SOLDIERS. Joaquin Phoenix as Ray Elwood and Gabriel Mann as Knoll in Gregor Jordan's BUFFALO SOLDIERS. Joaquin Phoenix as Ray Elwood with members of his division in Gregor Jordan's BUFFALO SOLDIERS. Joaquin Phoenix as Ray Elwood and Sheik Mahumd-Bey as Sergent Saad in Gregor Jordan's BUFFALO SOLDIERS. Joaquin Phoenix as Ray Elwood in Gregor Jordan's BUFFALO SOLDIERS. Sheik Mahumd-Bey as Sergeant Saad with members of his team in Gregor Jordan's BUFFALO SOLDIERS. Left to right: Leon Robinson, Joaquin Phoenix and Michael Peña in Gregor Jordan's BUFFALO SOLDIERS. Joaquin Phoenix as Ray Elwood in Gregor Jordan's BUFFALO SOLDIERS. Right to left: Joaquin Phoenix and Ed Harris in Gregor Jordan's BUFFALO SOLDIERS. Left to right: Leon Robinson, Joaquin Phoenix and Michael Peña in Gregor Jordan's BUFFALO SOLDIERS. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Set on an American Army base in 1989, as the Berlin Wall is about to fall, Buffalo Soldiers takes a satiric look as these men steal, drink, fight, and make, take, and sell drugs. Elwood (Joaquin Phoenix) is the brains behind the operation, easily duping his superior (Ed Harris) and sleeping with his wife. But with the arrival of the new sergeant (Scott Glenn), everything changes. The sergeant cracks down; Elwood retaliates by dating his daughter and attempting a big weapons-for-drugs deal.
Director
Gregor Jordan
Producer
Rainer Grupe, Ariane Moody
Screenwriter
Gregor Jordan, Nora Maccoby, Eric Weiss
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
Miramax Films, FilmFour, Good Machine, Odeon Films, Grosvenor Park Productions
Rating
R (Some Sexuality|Drug Content|Strong Language|Violence)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 25, 2003, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
May 23, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$353.7K
Runtime
1h 38m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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