Battle lines drawn for ‘Soldiers’

Daily Variety reported Monday that Miramax and its parent company, Disney, have been the recipients of complaints from military representatives and right-wing consumers over its long-delayed military satire “Buffalo Soldiers,” which is set to finally open July 25, nearly two years after it was acquired by Miramax. Especially grating to those voicing their concerns about the film -- about an ambitious Army clerk (Joaquin Phoenix) who runs a successful black market enterprise in heroin and arms while stationed in Germany in 1989 -- is the poster that features the Oscar-nominated actor in uniform and flashing a peace sign. The tagline states: “Steal All That You Can Steal.”

The film was acquired by Miramax one day before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.