Buffalo Soldiers

"Buffalo Soldiers" is a very frustrating film. It's about a seldom talked about group of black cavalry soldiers who helped tame and protect the west during the late 19th century and it's nice to see them get their due. Unfortunately, late in the film, the writers are very fast and loose with history and give us an ending that is just wrong and never happened.

The story shows the men and how they often were mistreated and mischaracterized by the white officers who sometimes hated them for their skin color. Not all the white officers in the film seemed to feel this way...but the General does and this makes it tough for these brave men. And, as they try to find and locate a renegade group of the Mescalero Apache tribe, he often gives them lousy assingments and seemed to look for reasons to blame their failure on their skin. And the ending....well, this simply never happened which is a problem since the story is set during the so-called 'Victorio's Wars'...and the Victorio in the film and his real life and fate are at complete odds with each other. Worth seeing but seriously flawed.

From the title, I expected a good overview of the Buffalo Soldiers. Instead, we get a drawn out, soap-opera-ish tale of hunting down a single Indian villain. Since I missed the first minute or two of opening credits, this script may have been pure fiction for all I know. As one complaint, there is no mention of John Pershing's (of World War I fame) association with these troops.

As could be expected, the wrongs and conflicts from racism are well set forth. Nonetheless, the Buffalo Soldiers, many ex-slaves, proudly risk their lives and stay in the cavalry by choice.

The acting is commendable, particularly that of Danny Glover as the central character. Some '90s idioms (the 1990s, that is) find their way into the dialog.

Given the title and the general ignorance (myself included) about the Buffalo Soldiers, this tv movie was very disappointing. Surely, these men did a lot more on the frontier than they are credited with here.

I'm always up for watching a Civil War movie, especially when it seeks to educate audiences on lesser known facts that might not be found in all the classic textbooks. Buffalo Soldiers focuses solely on an all-black Cavalry unit, which I thought would be fascinating.

Rather than show any of the blue vs. Gray battles, the fighting in this movie is exclusively set in the Wild West. So technically, I got exactly what I asked for: you won't find any of this in your textbooks. The setting and plot were interesting, and I appreciated all the characters' frustrations that they weren't allowed to participate in the "real fighting", but there was too much graphic violence for my taste. Yes, I realized I was watching a war movie; but I didn't find it entertaining to see an Indian child hanging from a tree.

With that disclaimer out in the open, if you think you'll enjoy this tv-movie, give it a shot. You'll see Danny Glover, Carl Lumbly, and Clifton Powell in the cast, and you'll see a much different take on cowboys vs. Indians than you usually see in the movies.

DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. In the battle scenes, there is quite a bit of handheld camera movement, and it will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"

Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to violence, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.

In the post-Civil War world, Texas Rangers track Apache war chief Victorio across the border to the federal New Mexico Territories. Sgt. Washington Wyatt (Danny Glover) leads the all negro US Cavalry H Troop. He arrests the Rangers for trespassing and murder. Commander Gen. Pike looks down on the colored troops and their command abilities. He puts southerner Maj. Robert Carr (Timothy Busfield) in charge despite his unwillingness to lead them. Col. Benjamin Grierson is a more supportive officer. John Horse (Carl Lumbly) is the native guide. Victorio is on the loose and on the attack.

This is an interesting and little told American history. There are compelling stories to be told. It would have been more interesting to have more diverse personalities in the colored troops. They are almost all stoic which leaves the group rather flat. I would also love to see the other side of the story from Victorio's point of view. Of course, that may make it too complicated. This is still a very compelling TV movie.

Can't understand why so many dislike and are genuinely appalled at this incredible movie. It's not meant to be 100%factual. Its meant to show the spirit of these incredible men back then,their relentless courage, bravery and some of the moral dilemmas they no doubt faced. Great cast,well directed,,a must see,in my humble opinion.