A Soldier’s Story (1984): This Oscar-nominated adaptation of a hit play was the Red Tails of its day — boasting a cast of up-and-coming black stars like Denzel Washington, David Alan Grier and Robert Townsend.
Antwone Fisher (2002): While not a war film in the classic sense, this is still a powerful drama. A troubled navy youth (played by Derek Luke) clashes with his fellow seamen until he explores the dark side of his own psyche.
Glory (1989): This impressive production told the story of the legendary 54th regiment from Massachusetts during the Civil War — the first black soldiers to fight in combat in that war. The all-star cast includes Morgan Freeman, Matthew Broderick and Denzel Washington.
Crimson Tide (1995): In this tense thriller a submarine’s executive officer (Denzel Washington) clashes with his hawkish superior (Gene Hackman) in a battle of wills — that could lead to nuclear war.
Major Payne (1995): This goofy cult comedy classic features Damon Wayans as a slightly-demented drill sergeant who can’t shoot straight.
Buffalo Soldiers (1997): Danny Glover headlined this TV movie about the all-black U.S. Cavalry Troop H which protected the Western territories in the post-Civil War era.
Miracle at St. Anna (2008): A major flop for director Spike Lee, this attractive-looking WWII film (based on a bestseller) about black soldiers liberating an Italian village was at least well-intentioned.
Courage Under Fire (1996): In one of his most underrated roles, Denzel Washington plays a military investigator seeking the truth about a female soldier’s death under mysterious circumstances during the first Gulf war.
Men of Honor (2000): Cuba Gooding, Jr. squares off against the one-and-only Robert DeNiro in this drama based on the true story of of Carl Brashear, the first African-American Master Diver in the United States Navy.
The Tuskegee Airmen (1995): Before Red Tails there was this acclaimed HBO TV movie, which boasted a cast that included Malcolm Jamal-Warner, Laurence Fishburne and Andre Braugher as the heroic WWII fighter pilots.
This Friday, the long-awaited WWII adventure film Red Tails opens in theaters across the country. The big-budget, George Lucas-produced film has earned a lot of publicity for its predominately African-American cast and historical storyline. Still, it’s far from the first film to pay tribute to black military might. Check out these notable movies that mixed racial politics with war story excitement.
