Academy awards |
| 1989 year 62th |
| Best Supporting Actor | Denzel Washington | Winner |
| Best Cinematography | Freddie Francis | Winner |
| Best Sound | Russell Williams II | Winner |
| Best Sound | Donald O. Mitchell /Donald Mitchell | Winner |
| Best Sound | Elliot Tyson | Winner |
| Best Sound | Gregg Rudloff /Greg C. Rudloff | Winner |
| Best Production Design | Garrett Lewis | Nomination |
| Best Production Design | Norman Garwood | Nomination |
| Film Editing | Steven Rosenblum | Nomination |
Golden Globe Awards |
| 1989 year 47th |
| Best Motion Picture – Drama | | Nomination |
| Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture | Denzel Washington | Winner |
| Best Director - Motion Picture | Edward Zwick | Nomination |
| Best Screenplay - Motion Picture | Kevin Jarre | Nomination |
| Best Original Score - Motion Picture | James Horner | Nomination |