Captain Davenport is a military lawyer who is sent to investigate the murder of Master Sergeant Waters, a highly regarded member of the all-black unit stationed at the Louisiana Army Base during World War II. Many members of the unit, which includes both enlisted men and officers, are reluctant to cooperate with Davenport, and some are even openly hostile. The white officers in charge of the base are similarly reluctant to assist in the investigation, and their racism and lack of respect for the black soldiers is palpable.
As Davenport delves deeper into the circumstances surrounding Waters' death, he begins to uncover a web of deceit, betrayal, and prejudice. It becomes clear that many of the soldiers in Waters' unit had a motive for killing him, and Davenport's investigation leads him to confront some uncomfortable truths about race relations in the army and in American society as a whole.
In addition to its themes of racial tension and prejudice, A Soldier's Story is also a gripping murder mystery. The film is notable for its strong ensemble cast, which includes Denzel Washington in one of his earliest roles, as well as Howard Rollins, Jr. and Adolph Caesar. The movie was critically acclaimed upon its release and received several Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.