BUFFALO SOLDIERS

US, 1997, 90 minutes, Colour.
Danny Glover, Bob Gunton.
Directed by Charles Haid.

Buffalo Soldiers is a story of the confrontation between the military and the Apaches, especially under the leadership of Vittorio, (Vittorio can be seen, for example, in John Farrow's Hondo, where is played by Michael Pate and where he befriends Hondo Lane, played by John Wayne.

The film shows how the military and the government had broken the treaties with the Indians and how the racist attitudes of the military leadership determined how destructive the pursuit and annihilation of the Apaches would be. The film focuses on a group of black African soldiers who are part of the army, despised by many of their fellow soldiers, yet contributing to the opening up of the west. The film focuses on a final pursuit by the group led by Wyatt (Danny Glover) who, when they catch up to Vittorio, let him escape to Mexico.

The film was directed by actor Charles Haid and executive-produced by Danny Glover.

1. Audience familiarity with the stories of the west? The military and the cavalry and the Indians? The dominance of the American government and the military? The Indians on the reservations, their beginning to die out, their angers and resentment, the attacks on white settlements? The pursuit of the Apaches?

2. The western locations, the forts, the desert and the mountains? Musical score?

3. The title and its focus on the group of black men in the military? Their working together, the attitudes of the white officers, of white soldiers? Racism in the American west? The contrast with the sympathetic colonel and his support?

4. The Apache, their attack on homesteads, the massacres of the soldiers? Vittorio and his leadership? The background of the treaties, the breaking of the treaties? The injustice towards the Indians? The soldiers finally reaching the group with Vittorio, the confrontation, the shootings, the agreement, their being let go to Mexico?

5. Wyatt, his leadership, his being looked down on by the men, by the white men, ridiculed? His being criticised by the general? The support of the colonel? His character, leadership, relationship with Scout, the men and their battles, his final decision about Vittorio?

6. The white leadership, the general, his prejudice, his military rigidity, his attitude towards the colonel? The Indian keening and his violence towards him? His attitude towards the black soldiers? The contrast with the colonel, his understanding of the Indians, his being wounded, supporting Wyatt?

7. Scout, mixed breed, his place with the group, neither with black nor white? His role in the patrols, the battles? The range of other soldiers, their characters, relationship with Wyatt, in battle, deaths?

8. The finale and Wyatt leading his group in, their not dismounting, their riding on parade in front of the general? Self-assertion?

9. A portrait of 20th century issues transported back into the dramas of the 19th century?