It felt hollow for Lincoln to declare we were free. But that’s not true! It isn’t yet! Perhaps someday, but not now! John Ford's Sergeant Rutledge recounts the story of a black man, 1st Sgt. Braxton Rutledge, a Buffalo Soldier in the 9th U.S. Cavalry, who faced court-martial for the rape and murder of a white woman, Major Dabney’s daughter, Lucy. The narrative unfolds primarily within a courtroom setting through flashbacks as Rutledge's troop officer and defense attorney, Lt. Tom Cantrell (Jeffrey Hunter), tries to assemble the facts. From the beginning, Ford is in excellent form, depicting a prejudiced and easily swayed court; we viewers are immediately aware that Rutledge could be vulnerable to unpleasant white racists. This is among the elements contributing to the film's courageous and occasionally furious nature. It came out two years before the well-regarded To Kill A Mockingbird, positioning it as an early example of addressing race relations in America. As the clear story progresses, enhanced by striking visuals with Bert Glennon serving as Ford’s cinematographer, the movie consistently keeps us guessing about what will happen. We can't really know for sure, because the pervasive odor of racism is so strong; this is balanced by Woody Strode's remarkable and compelling portrayal of the man on trial. Also looking very fit at 46, Strode demonstrates his value as an actor concerning Black Americans in Hollywood. Hunter delivers a handsome and forceful performance as the lawyer navigating a difficult case, and Constance Towers, playing Mary Beecher, holds everything—the people and the story—together. It’s a top-quality film from Ford, one that is frequently (and unfairly) overlooked when his work is discussed. Still without a DVD release in the UK, it's clear that many potential viewers haven’t seen it yet. This needs to change because it’s bold, beautiful, and significant cinema from a masterful director who, as always, had much to express. 9/10

Source on TMDB