Death of a Soldier (1986): Cast & Plot
Death of a Soldier is a 1986 historical drama directed by Philippe Mora, starring James Coburn as Maj. Patrick Dannenberg, Ian Shrives and John Murphy. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 33m (93 min)
- Director
- Philippe Mora
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Suatu Film Management LTD.
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Death of a Soldier About?
The premise of Death of a Soldier without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
War's obscenity, murder's brutality, justice's travesty. James Coburn plays a U.S. military lawyer defending a psychotic soldier who confesses to murdering three women to steal their voices. Set amid the WWII U.S.-Australian alliance, the lawyer argues the man is unfit for trial, but the military pushes the case to execution to cement the alliance.
Death of a Soldier Themes & Keywords
· 27 tags- woman strangled to death
- female full frontal nudity
- female rear nudity
- psychotic
- death
- melbourne australia
- soldier
- singer
- sergeant
- prosecutor
- major
- general
+15 more Show fewer
- colonel
- army general
- female nudity
- military law
- female frontal nudity
- nudity
- murder
- legal drama
- world war two
- capital punishment
- hanging
- australia
- court martial
- strangulation
- independent film
Death of a Soldier Cast & Characters
James Coburn leads the cast as Maj. Patrick Dannenberg, with Ian Shrives as Australian Digger and John Murphy as Army Psychiatrist. Directed by Philippe Mora; 63 actors are credited in all.
- Director Philippe Mora
-
James Coburn as Maj. Patrick Dannenberg - Ian Shrives as Australian Digger
- John Murphy as Army Psychiatrist
- Arthur Sherman as US Army Prosecutor
Also Starring in Death of a Soldier
· 59 more- Reb Brown Pvt. Edward J. Leonski
- Malcolm Lomax GI with Knife
- John Higgins US Staff Major
- Michael Pate Major General Sutherland
- Max Fairchild Major William Fricks
- Jon Sidney General Douglas MacArthur
- Ken Wayne Law Officer
- Bill Hunter Det. Sgt. Adams
- Paul Russell GI Kissing Girl in Doorway
- Chris Connelly Jim Smith
- Terence Donovan John Curtin
- Frank Thring Religious Speaker
- Brian Adams Court-Martial President
- Patrick Frost Signal Captain
- Peter Hosking Billy
- Gennie Nevinson Gladys Hosking
Show all 63 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Jasper Bagg GI on Train (uncredited)
- John Benton Signals Sergeant
- Randall Berger Pvt. Anthony Berger
- Maurie Fields Det. Sgt. Martin
- Geoff Parry GI at Hanging
- Don White GI on Train
- Antoinette Byron Post Office Clerk #2
- Burt Cooper Australian Officer
- Rebecca Dines Jane Evans (uncredited)
- Len Kaserman Maj. Gen. Eichelberger
- Tim Hughes Dave - Detective in Bar
- Kath Gordon Girl Kissing GI in Doorway
- John McTernan Col. Williams
- Simon Hughes Const. Wilson
- Belinda Davey Margot Saunders
- Kim Rushworth Band in Bar
- Nicci Lane Stripper in Bar
- Jeannette Leigh Wilma Smith
- Ron Pinnell Mr. Harmon
- Lisa Aldenhoven Girl #1 in Bar
- Robin Harrison Philip Raymond
- David Arnett GI Sergeant
- Nell Johnson Maisie
- Pippa Wilson Singer in Boomerang Bar
- Earl Francis Police Doctor
- John Cottone Maj. Gen. R.G. Marshall
- Nigel Bradshaw Sgt. Rothberger
- Anthea Roordink Girl on Bar
- Mary Charleston Pauline Thompson
- Dave Gray Piano Player in Brothel
- Paul Michael Young GI on Train
- Bill Fozzard Officer on Train
- Jon Craig US Officer
- Rowena Mohr Mary Henry
- John F. Howard Latrine GI
- David Frezza Provost Sergeant
- Duke Bannister Col. Spencer Eddy
- Anna Peacock Post Office Clerk #1
- Paul Karo Opposition MP
- Elizabeth Crockett MacArthur's Secretary
- Perry Atfield US Provost
- Mark Clarke Army Soldier (uncredited)
- Carol Hitchcock Woman with Wig (uncredited)
More from Philippe Mora
More films directed by Philippe Mora, best-rated first: The Beast Within, Snide and Prejudice, Mercenary II: Thick & Thin and Joseph’s Gift.
Death of a Soldier Plot Summary
What happens in Death of a Soldier from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In early 1942, U.S. Army Private Eddie Leonski is deployed to Camp Pell in Melbourne, Australia. The presence of American troops stirs tension with locals who are frustrated by the rambunctious nightlife that accompanies the occupying force. The city’s mood shifts as the situation grows more volatile, setting the stage for a dark turn beneath the surface of wartime life.
Leonski begins murdering women, driven by a disturbing impulse to take their voices. These killings unfold under the cover of nightly brownouts, earning him the grim nickname The Brownout Killer as fear spreads through the community. The spree shocks residents and heightens vigilance, turning quiet neighborhoods into scenes of quiet dread and suspicion.
Full summary
The whole story of Death of a Soldier, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Death of a Soldier?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In which Australian city is Private Eddie Leonski stationed at Camp Pell?
Death of a Soldier Also Known As
Also known as “Processo e morte di un soldato”.
- Also known as
-
- Processo e morte di un soldato
Seen Death of a Soldier?
Movies Like Death of a Soldier
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including A Soldier’s Tale, Blood Oath and Soldier’s Girl.
Death of a Soldier FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Death of a Soldier, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Death of a Soldier?
Death of a Soldier runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).
When was Death of a Soldier released?
Death of a Soldier was released on May 16, 1986.
Who directed Death of a Soldier?
Death of a Soldier was directed by Philippe Mora.
More films by Philippe Mora Who is in the cast of Death of a Soldier?
Death of a Soldier stars James Coburn as Maj. Patrick Dannenberg, Ian Shrives as Australian Digger and John Murphy as Army Psychiatrist, among 63 credited actors.
Does Death of a Soldier have a post-credit scene?
No. Death of a Soldier has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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