Wiki History: Blacks in the Military 3 (The Movies)

Wiki History!

The African American experience has become a popular topic in the movies. From examining slavery to civil rights and beyond, African American history is being shown on the big screen in authentic, sensitive, and compelling manner. One aspect of the African American experience takes place in the military.

African Americans have fought or served in the military during every American war. This experience has differed from war to war and person to person. Yet there is a connection between the experiences and stories. Some have been positive and courageous. Others have shown discrimination and discouragement. Yet they are all facets of the African American experience and have been shown in movies. Here are some of the best movies showing different aspects of the African American experience in the armed forces.

Glory (1989)

This is the true story of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, which was the first all African American army platoon. The setting of the story is the Civil War. President Lincoln is on the verge of signing the Emancipation Proclamation when the troop is formed. Initially, the troop is given only menial jobs, which causes much frustration. The film’s major highlight is the troop’s deployment to South Carolina and attack on Fort Wagner. The movie shows the determination of the Black soldiers to fight for their country and freedom, the discrimination that they endured, and the varied backgrounds of the Black union soldiers. One of the most interesting and powerful soldiers was Private Trip (played by Denzel Washington who received an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role). Excellent early U.S. history film about the Civil War, slavery, and the country as it approached abolition.

The Walking Dead (1995)

This movie is a fictionalized account of the experience of four black marines in the Vietnam War. The marines had been sent on a mission to rescue prisoners of war in an enemy camp. Most of the platoon had been decimated upon landing behind enemy lines. However, these four men survived. The movie follows their lives after they return home. Each man is a distinct and strong personality. Each had a personal reason for joining the military. Well-written and illuminating, everyone will relate to (at least one) of the men and circumstances. This movie also takes the viewer through a wide range of emotions. The flashbacks are neatly cut into the story. Sometimes heavy, occasionally humorous, but primarily absorbing, The Walking Dead is a lesser-known movie about an important time in U.S. history.

Tuskegee Airmen (1995)

This fictionalized HBO television movie is about the work and exploits of the real-life Tuskegee Airmen who were the first African American combat pilots. The airmen (known as Red Tails because of the red stripe on their planes) acted as escort planes for the White pilots in World War II. The movie shows the difficulties and triumphs, racism and ignorance, and growth and heroism of both black and white airmen. An interesting (and rarely seen) event in the movie shows the Congressional hearings about whether to continue to Tuskegee airmen “experiment” in light of the bigoted research, which concluded “Negroes are incapable of handling complex machinery.” This excellent movie is worth the effort to see because of the excellent performances, particularly by Laurence Fishburne, and its glimpse into an important part event in African American and military history.

Buffalo Soldiers (1997)

This television movie brings to life the story of the Buffalo soldiers. Although the movie is a fictionalized story, the buffalo soldiers were a completely real (and often forgotten) part of American history. Formed by Congressional Act in 1866, the Buffalo Soldiers were six African American military (4 infantry and 2 cavalry) units. They were charged with protecting the settlers as they moved westward. They also built infrastructure in the west. But the Buffalo Soldiers also fought many battles in the post-Civil War period. This movie shows the hunt for the Apache leader, Victorio. With a talented cast led by Danny Glover, Buffalo Soldiers is an excellent movie that brings the reconstruction period to life and reveals the lives of one group of newly freed slaves. The Buffalo Soldier regiment was deactivated in 1944.

Men of Honor (2000)

This is the true story about Carl Brashear, who became the first African American master diver in the U.S. Navy. Brashear (played by Cuba Gooding, Jr.) left Kentucky and life as a sharecropper in 1948 to join the Navy where he was first assigned to menial jobs. Later, he showed an affinity for diving and worked hard to pass the written and physical tests to train as a master diver. Along the way, he faces racism from many different fronts. He also encounters people who join his struggle, particularly his senior officer played by Robert DeNiro. This was one of the stand up and cheer movies of 2000 and remains an inspiration to all persons pursuing a dream.

Two Documentaries:

Men of Bronze (1977) focuses on the Harlem Hellfighters who fought in World War I.

For the Love of Liberty: The Story of America's Black Patriots is a comprehensive documentary that discusses Blacks in the military from the 1700s to today. It features stories about African American women in the military.

Movies are an important way to present history. The African American military experience is a unique genre in filmmaking. Yet it is familiar to many of the two million African Americans who served their country. Each of these movies shows a different perspective of African Americans in the military—and each made an important contribution that should be remembered and honored.