Sergeant Rutledge is the only cavalry film being discussed that does not
star John Wayne. The story is about an African American Sergeant, Braxton
Rutledge, played by Woody Strode, in one of the famed buffalo soldier regiments
of black soldiers in the old, segregated army. Rutledge is accused, based on
circumstantial by damning evidence, of the rape and murder of a white girl and
the murder of his commanding officer. Rutledge then compounds the appearance of
guilt by running.
The story, told in flash backs during Rutledge’s court martial, shows Lt.
Tom Cantrell, played by Jeffery Hunter, who is sent with a detachment of
buffalo soldiers to fetch Rutledge back. Rutledge encounters Mary Beecher at an
empty train station, played by Constance
Towers, and saves her from some marauding
Apaches. Cantrell catches up with Rutledge, but is also obliged to escort Mary
Beecher back to her father’s ranch. There are several battles with the Apache,
who are depicting in the usual politically incorrect manner as savages. At one
point, Rutledge makes a break for it, gets away, but then is obliged by duty
and honor to come back and save Cantrell, Beecher,
and the detachment of buffalo soldiers.
As the trial proceeds, the viewer slowly, but surely discovers what really
happened on the night of the rape and the murder. Cantrell, who exerted so much
effort bringing Rutledge end, now exerts even more effort as his defense
counsel. The racism that Rutledge has to deal with is subtle rather than overt.
The prosecutor is an obvious southerner who seems to regard his job with a
little too much relish. The presiding officer, Colonel Otis Fosgate, played by
Willis Bouchey, has a more condescending attitude toward the defendant. At one
point he congratulates the court for not “calling attention to the color of the
defendant’s skin”, thus calling attention to it.
Still, in the face of all that, Rutledge shows a dignified courage and honor
that would d any soldier of any era credit. That makes the ending all the more
satisfying.