Lieutenant Tom Cantrell is sent to defend Sergeant Braxton Rutledge, a Black cavalry soldier, on a charge of rape and murder. The story begins in a courtroom and it is told through flashbacks. This is a story of how a Black soldier in the face of danger from the Indians can be so easily mistaken for a criminal.
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Sergeant Rutledge Ratings & Reviews
- Mister ArnAugust 1, 2025“Sergeant Rutledge”, directed by John Ford, is an intriguing and quietly radical film. Blending courtroom drama and social commentary, it continues to spark thought and conversation decades later. The central question: did Rutledge commit the crimes he's accused of, or is he a scapegoat in a racist system? It drives the narrative as Ford skillfully plays with audience expectations, revealing the truth in layers. It’s a film ahead of its time, wrestling with race and justice long before Hollywood was ready to confront either, even as it remains firmly a product of its era.
Sergeant Rutledge Trivia
Sergeant Rutledge was released on May 25, 1960.
Sergeant Rutledge was directed by John Ford.
Sergeant Rutledge has a runtime of 1h 51m.
Sergeant Rutledge was produced by Willis Goldbeck, Patrick Ford.
Lieutenant Tom Cantrell is sent to defend Sergeant Braxton Rutledge, a Black cavalry soldier, on a charge of rape and murder. The story begins in a courtroom and it is told through flashbacks. This is a story of how a Black soldier in the face of danger from the Indians can be so easily mistaken for a criminal.
The key characters in Sergeant Rutledge are Lt. Tom Cantrell (Jeffrey Hunter), 1st Sgt. Braxton Rutledge (Woody Strode), Mary Beecher (Constance Towers).
Sergeant Rutledge is rated Not Rated.
Sergeant Rutledge is a Western, Crime, Drama film.
Sergeant Rutledge has an audience rating of 8.9 out of 10.