Sergeant Ryker (1968)
A Korean War soldier faces a death sentence for alleged defection in this taut military courtroom drama starring Lee Marvin.
Sergeant Ryker - Movie Information
- Original Title: Sergeant Ryker
- Release Year: 1968
- Directed by: Buzz Kulik
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, War
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 25m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 1, 1968 (United States - NR)
- Alternative Titles: Torn Between Two Values (UK), Sargento Ryker (ES)
- Production Companies: Universal Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
Sergeant Ryker - Plot
During the Korean War Sergeant Paul Ryker is accused of defecting to Communist China and then returning to his unit as a spy. He's court-martialed and sentenced to death but his attorney believes Ryker's innocent and asks for a new trial.
Sergeant Ryker - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the courtroom drama unfold:
Traitor... Or Hero?
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Sergeant Ryker - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Buzz Kulik
Main Cast
- Lee Marvin
- Bradford Dillman
- Peter Graves
- Vera Miles
- Lloyd Nolan
- Murray Hamilton
- Norman Fell
- Walter Brooke
- Francis De Sales
- Don Marshall
Writers
- Seeleg Lester
- William D. Gordon
Producers
- Frank Telford
Sergeant Ryker - FAQs
What is Sergeant Ryker about?
Sergeant Ryker follows a U.S. Army soldier accused of defecting to Communist China during the Korean War and returning as a spy. Court-martialed and sentenced to death, his defense attorney fights to uncover the truth — raising the central question of whether Ryker is a traitor or a misunderstood hero.
Is Sergeant Ryker based on a true story?
Sergeant Ryker is not based on a specific true story, but it draws on real anxieties of the Korean War era, particularly fears around defection and collaboration with Communist forces. The film originated as a two-part television production before being expanded and released theatrically in 1968.
Who are the main actors in Sergeant Ryker?
Lee Marvin leads the cast as Sgt. Paul Ryker, with Bradford Dillman as his defense attorney Capt. David Young, Peter Graves as Maj. Whitaker, Vera Miles as Ryker's wife Ann, and Lloyd Nolan as Gen. Amos Bailey. Murray Hamilton and Norman Fell round out the strong supporting ensemble.
Did Sergeant Ryker originally air on television?
Yes — Sergeant Ryker began as a two-part episode of the NBC anthology series "Kraft Suspense Theatre" in 1963, starring Lee Marvin. Universal Pictures later expanded the footage into a feature film, which received a theatrical release in February 1968, giving the story a wider audience.
Who directed Sergeant Ryker?
Sergeant Ryker was directed by Buzz Kulik, a prolific American director known for his work in both television and film. Kulik had a strong command of tense, character-driven drama, which suits the courtroom-and-conscience atmosphere of this Korean War story perfectly.
Who composed the music for Sergeant Ryker?
The score for Sergeant Ryker was composed by John Williams, early in his career before he became one of Hollywood's most celebrated composers. His work here contributes to the film's taut, dramatic tension, showcasing the musical instincts that would later define iconic scores across decades of cinema.
What are similar movies to Sergeant Ryker?
If you enjoy Sergeant Ryker, you might also like The Manchurian Candidate (1962), M*A*S*H (1970), Full Metal Jacket (1987), Cross of Iron (1977), and War Hunt (1962). These films share themes of military loyalty, moral ambiguity, and the psychological toll of war on soldiers and institutions.
When was Sergeant Ryker released?
Sergeant Ryker was released theatrically in the United States on February 1, 1968. The film carries a Not Rated (NR) classification and runs approximately 85 minutes. It was produced by Universal Pictures and is also known by the alternative title Torn Between Two Values in the United Kingdom.
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