Buffalo Soldiers Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bored army clerk in West Germany turns military boredom into a black market bonanza, only to find out that love, stolen weapons, and a psycho sergeant’s daughter don’t mix well with a falling Berlin Wall.

🍿 Buffalo Soldiers: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Ray Elwood’s World

The film introduces Ray Elwood, a U.S. Army Specialist stationed in West Germany in 1989, just before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Bored and opportunistic, Elwood has turned his military service into a profitable black market operation, dealing in everything from stolen cleaning supplies to heroin. He works as a battalion secretary for the oblivious Commander Wallace Berman, using his position to facilitate his illicit activities.

Arrival of Sergeant Lee and Heightened Conflict

Elwood’s comfortable world is disrupted by the arrival of Sergeant Lee, a stern and by-the-book Vietnam veteran determined to clean up the base. Adding to the tension, Elwood becomes involved with Lee’s rebellious daughter, Robyn. Simultaneously, Elwood stumbles upon a massive stash of stolen arms, presenting a lucrative but dangerous opportunity.

Escalating Chaos and Criminal Entanglements

The plot thickens as Elwood navigates the complexities of selling the stolen arms while evading Sergeant Lee’s scrutiny. He also faces challenges from a jealous Mrs. Berman and a volatile Turkish drug dealer. Lust, betrayal, and violence become increasingly prevalent as Elwood’s schemes spiral out of control.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ray Elwood (Joaquin Phoenix): A resourceful and roguish specialist who runs a black market operation within a US Army base in West Germany.
• Colonel Berman (Ed Harris): The inept and oblivious commander of the base who is easily manipulated by Elwood.
• Sergeant Lee (Scott Glenn): The new, hard-nosed top sergeant determined to clean up the base and expose Elwood’s illegal activities.
• Robyn Lee (Anna Paquin): Sergeant Lee’s rebellious daughter who becomes romantically involved with Elwood.
• Garcia (Michael Peña): One of Elwood’s associates who is involved in his black market schemes.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ray Elwood: “In peace, the warlike man attacks himself.” – Elwood says this in a voiceover, reflecting on the self-destructive behavior of soldiers in the absence of war.
• Ray Elwood: “Say, do you ever have falling dreams?” – Elwood says this to Robyn, hinting at a deeper unease beneath his charming exterior.
• Sergeant Lee: “I loved Vietnam. I did everything there that you’re doing here, and a lot worse.” – Sergeant Lee says this revealing a darker side to his character and his past experiences.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $354,421
• Worldwide Gross: $2,300,684

💥 Buffalo Soldiers Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching ‘Buffalo Soldiers’ years ago and being completely blown away. It’s such a darkly funny and twisted take on army life. Joaquin Phoenix is incredible as Elwood; he makes you almost root for a guy who’s clearly up to no good. The scene where the stoned tank crew goes wild is unforgettable. Overall it is still one of my go to films.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in satirical war films”
  • “Those who appreciate Joaquin Phoenix’s performances”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Drug use”
  • “Violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Sexual content”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Though controversial upon release, ‘Buffalo Soldiers’ is a darkly comedic look at the U.S. Army in West Germany, pre-Berlin Wall fall. Phoenix delivers a standout performance as Ray Elwood, a cynical clerk running a black market, testing loyalties. Some found the tone uneven, blending satire and violence jarringly, but others praised its anti-war sentiment and memorable characters.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Reviews were mixed, with praise for Joaquin Phoenix’s performance and the film’s audacity in satirizing the U.S. military, but criticism for its uneven tone and somewhat aimless plot. Some find it a darkly humorous and thought-provoking commentary on the realities of military life during peacetime.

Audience Reactions

The film’s edgy humor and Joaquin Phoenix’s performance as the scheming Ray Elwood are highlights.: Many viewers appreciated the film’s dark humor and its willingness to poke fun at military bureaucracy.

Some who served related to film’s themes, while others who did not serve find the film hilarious in it’s story telling.: Viewers say this film holds more weight now and is much better.

Overall Consensus: ‘Buffalo Soldiers’ is a darkly comedic satire of the U.S. Army in peacetime, praised for its performances and edgy humor, but criticized for its uneven tone. A controversial film.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film premiered at the Toronto Film Festival on September 9, 2001, just two days before the 9/11 attacks, which significantly impacted its distribution and reception in the United States.”
• “The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Robert O’Connor, published in 1993.”
• “Some of the American tanks featured in the film are actually modified German Leopard 1 tanks.”

🖥️ How to Watch Buffalo Soldiers?

As of today, you can rent or purchase ‘Buffalo Soldiers’ on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on other streaming services or cable providers. Physical copies (DVDs and Blu-rays) may also be available for purchase online.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Buffalo Soldiers, you might like these similar films:

• MASH (1970): Similar satirical look at the military, focusing on the absurdity and dark humor of life in a war zone (though MASH is set during wartime while Buffalo Soldiers is set during peacetime).
• Catch-22 (1970): Shares a similar satirical and darkly humorous perspective on the military and the absurdity of war and bureaucracy.
• Three Kings (1999): Like Buffalo Soldiers, it blends dark comedy with a critique of military actions and features soldiers taking advantage of a chaotic situation for personal gain, albeit in a more action-oriented setting.

🛒 Buffalo Soldiers Related Products

• Robert O’Connor’s ‘Buffalo Soldiers’ Novel: Delve deeper into the story with the original novel by Robert O’Connor, providing additional context and details not found in the film. Great for fans of dark military satire.
• Olive Drab Army Men Action Figures: Set of classic toy soldiers. This item is great for setting up scenes from the movie. These army men can reenact the wild times from the film.
• Dog Tags: Get the military look with these tags. Customize it and create your own dog tag that pays tribute to one of the film’s characters.
• US Military Police T-Shirt: Great clothing for those who served or are fans of the movie. These shirts resemble the US Military Police shown in the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

Buffalo Soldiers features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Fight the Power” – performed by Public Enemy

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Buffalo Soldiers-Tank scene (HD Quality)

Remember that crazy tank scene in Buffalo Soldiers? This is it in HD! Seriously, the absurdity of these guys driving a tank while completely out of it is something you have to see again.

Stoned Tank Drivers (Buffalo Soldiers) – High Quality

This short clip shows one of the funniest scenes from Buffalo Soldiers: stoned tank drivers having absolutely no idea what they’re doing in Downtown Berlin. Honestly, the fact they made it back is a miracle, and it’s hilarious to watch.

✨ Rate