Posted on 02/22/2009 4:55:59 AM PST by LS
In a film completely devoid of action and sparse with its dialogue, this is a stunningly moving story and a great achievement for HBO films and director Ross Katz.
Marine Lt. Colonel Mike Strobl (played by Kevin Bacon) volunteers to escort the body of a fallen Lance Corporal, Chance Phelps, back to his final resting place in Wyoming. Strobl, a Gulf War vet, nevertheless carries guilt for not volunteering for Afghanistan or Iraq when his fellow officers did. Based on the journal Strobl kept as he escorted the body, the story carefully traces the exceptional care and concern for the dignity and honor of the fallen every step of the journey.
Bacon, who seldom is over the top anyway, plays an understated Marine officer who---with only one exception at the airline security check---is met with understanding, appreciation, and respect both for the fallen Marine and for the military escort and his difficult task. He finds that dead Marines are cleaned and prepared for burial with the utmost care and attention; that seamstresses work on burial dress blues with attention to every detail; that brass is polished, even for a closed casket ceremony. Strobl carried the flag(s) for the family (divorced parents) as well as Phelps' personal belongings at all times. The body was never unattended, and military honors (the salute) were extended at every single transfer point.
Each step of the way, both Phelps and Strobl encounter respectful and grateful Americans: the hearse driver---a kid, whose classmates went to Iraq; the ticket counter agent who automatically upgrades Strobl to first class; the airport crews who stop their work and take off their hats at every transfer; the pilot who learns the name of every serviceman or woman he carries; the flight attendant who gives Strobl a small crucifix for his duty (and later, Stroble realizes it's for Phelps). At the Minneapolis airport, where there is an overnight layover, Strobl ensures the body is kept separate from baggage, and he sleeps that night next to the casket in the cargo hangar, brought a sleeping bag by the crew. Only at the security check-in, where the TSA screeners insist he remove his coat and send the personal effects through the X-ray, does Strobl encounter any difficulties. After standing his ground, Strobl is finally wanded in a private area while retaining the personal effects.
One of the most touching scenes is when Phelps and Strobl arrive in Billings, Montana, for a five-hour drive to Dubois, Wyoming, the burial site. The funeral home director drives the hearse with the flag-draped coffin in the back; Strobl is in a rental following. An eighteen wheeler passes, then, seeing who is in the back of the hearse, flips on his lights and leads. From that point, no car passes---each falls into the funeral procession through the Wyoming hills with its lights on.
When the body is finally delivered to the funeral home, Strobl is invited by local Marines and Phelps's recruiter to the VFW for a celebration in honor of the fallen. Here, the second message of the movie emerges. Strobl, guilty from failing to volunteer for combat, sits with Phelps's sergeant in Iraq, who blames himself for Phelps's death, noting he had "trained him. He was my responsibility." From the hearse driver who didn't volunteer to the colonel who didn't go to the sergeant who didn't die, each claimed a responsibility for the Phelp's death.
Yet it was precisely that they could see that, in part, Phelps had died that they might live and enjoy their families that separated the hearse driver, the colonel, and the sergeant from the minority who want to "pull the troops out now." There was not a single anti-military sentiment in the film (perhaps the closest was that the family requested donations go to buy flak jackets for troops in Iraq---yet that was straight from Strobl's diary.)
The funeral itself was an anti-climax, as Strobl's assignment was finished. Phelps, the other Marines said, would have been honored that so high-ranking an officer had accompanied him. In fact, it is the nation that is honored by having men like both Phelps and Strobl.
Not having HBO, is this available on DVD or tape?
I’d like to see this movie.
Too bad HBO airs so much other junk, or I'd subscribe.
It was a very touching and honest movie. I stayed choked up most of the time.
We are lucky to have such fine men and women to protect us.
HBO pits out so much trash and they are to be commended for putting this on.
Micheal Medved gave his high praise to Bacon for his portrayal.
G
LS, thanks for the excellent review. I was going to watch it last night, but it was on late, and I knew that I would not be able to process my emotions before sleep. I plan to watch it tonight.
Just watching the promos for this film make my eyes blurry.Then again, I can’t get through the star Spangled Banner or God Bless America without a catch in my voice or a tear of gratitude for being able to live in the greatest country on earth.
The sacrifice that some make for all of us is truly a debt we cannot fully repay.
But we can ensure that respect to each veteran, living or dead, is passed down to each succeeding generation.
Long ago, I resolved to do my part, and I have kept that promise.
Fortunately, funeral scene is subdued.
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GUARD OF HONOR (”Taking Chance”) HBO tonight
The Wall Street Journal ^ | February 20, 2009 | Dorothy Rabinowitz
Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2009 11:25:23 AM by KeyLargo
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2190817/posts
Those young men of the 38th are coming home on Tues of this week, 2 men shy of when they went. In some ways, coming home has been harder than going.
What a moving review.
Wow. That’s all I can say.
No words...As long as we have these portrayals of true heroes, there is a chance. God Bless America.
I wrote to the paper to say how proud the community should be of it's people and the respect they showed.
Thanks LS
If it is, get it....It was an awesome movie.
Absolutely accurate review—100% correct.
The real news story of Chance Phelps and Strobl posted by a member of Phelps’ unit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4Rl6qqPOnc&feature=related
Just reading that made my keyboard short out. That is going to tough to watch.
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