Product Details

• Actors: General Colin Powell
• Directors: George Robert Snead
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: PBS Home Video
• VHS Release Date: January 12, 1999
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: 0780621409
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #325,850 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

As the first black man to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy, Henry Ossian Flipper faced institutional racism on a daily basis, but once he was assigned as an officer to the 10th Cavalry, a regiment of the legendary "Buffalo Soldiers" of the Old West, he thought he could happily live his lifelong dream of being an Army officer. But in this innovative video, which is based on a one-man, one-act play, the viewer meets an elderly Henry Flipper, who recounts the story of how his military career came to a tragic end when he was falsely accused of embezzlement and was court-martialed at a frontier military post. As portrayed by actor George Robert Snead, Flipper is unbowed as he relates his fate and tells the story of how racial prejudice probably doomed his military career. Interwoven with this engaging dramatic presentation is historical narration, provided by actor Ossie Davis, that fills in the details of Flipper's unfortunate career. The video, which begins with an introduction by General Colin Powell and ends with the account of how Flipper's name was eventually cleared 40 years after his death, is both entertaining and enlightening, an evocative look at a little-known yet resonant episode in American history. --Robert J. McNamara

Product Description

Powerful dramatic recreations and archival photography tell this story of Lt. Henry Flipper, the first black graduate from West Point Military Academy. Shortly after his first assignment, Flipper fell victim to racial prejudice; he was dishonorably discharged from the Army after being framed on a trumped-up charge of embezzlement. General Colin Powell introduces this tribute to Lt. Flipper and his triumphant struggle to vindicate his name.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A FEARLESS FIGHTER, December 11, 2000

By 

Bonita L. Davis - See all my reviews

This review is from: Held in Trust: The Story of Lt. Henry O Flipper [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The first Black graduate of West Point Military Academy never got the chance to serve a distinquished career in the United States Army as an officer. Henry O. Flipper(a young man with great promise was born in slavery) felt the isolation and redicule of his plebe classmates and ended up being court martialed in 1881 and dismissed from the service he loved.

Ossie Davis narrates the trials and tribulations of this young man who surprised America in becoming an officer in the military. George Robert Sneed, portrays Flipper in his older years as he reflects upon his short-lived career. Through Davis's historical narration, Sneed's performance and the sharing of historical pictures, we get a portrait of a sensitive young man who never stopped expressing his innocence.

Witness the joys and triumphs of Flipper as he goes through his ordeal. His dismissal is a disgraceful chapter in the United States Army history and serves as a lesson which never should be repeated. Although dismissed, Flipper became successful in other endeavors of his life and ironically the United States Government appointed him to positions of responsibility but would never review his military case.

Long after his death, Flipper's family continued the fight and eventually he was exonerated. His alma mater praised him, Ft. Sill, OK (his first duty station) honored with a plaque, and he was given an honorable discharge. To much, to little and to late.

If you have served in the military you will be uplifted by the story of this man who wouldn't give up. His love for his country superceded the dishonor his country did him during his life-time. Flipper's endurance is a testament to all who would take on the mantle of "soldier". See if you can live up to this man's example of not allowing racist forces to define him.