Posted on 02/21/2009 9:25:23 AM PST by KeyLargo
* TELEVISION * FEBRUARY 19, 2009, 8:46 P.M. ET
GUARD OF HONOR By DOROTHY RABINOWITZ
It was impossible to imagine, beforehand, all the ways a film like "Taking Chance" (Saturday, 8-9:30 p.m. EST, on HBO) could work its power. There are no conflicts, no warring sides, no mysteries of character -- the usual stuff of drama. The story's outcome is clear from the beginning. Yet it's no less clear that "Taking Chance" is not only high drama, but a kind that is, in the most literal way, breathtaking -- watching parts of it can make breathing an effort, and those parts come at every turn. It's no less obvious that this film, about a Marine killed in combat, could have gone wrong in all sorts of ways and did so in none of them. There is in this work, at once so crushing and exhilarating, not a false note.
The credit for that belongs to Lt. Col. Michael Stroble, U.S. Marine Corps, on whose journal the film is based; to producer, writer and director Ross Katz; and, not least, to Kevin Bacon, whose portrayal of the devoted Col. Stroble is a masterwork -- flawless in its fierce economy, eloquent in its testimony, most of it wordless, to everything that is going on.
Kevin Bacon in HBO's Taking Chance.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
http://www.hbo.com/films/takingchance/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iphqTnVkOA
Taking Chance Home
Posted By Blackfive
The following is Marine Lieutenant Colonel Strobl’s account of escorting the remains of Lance Corporal Chance Phelps. It’s a long and beautifully written and it deserves to be read in it’s entirety. It’s about Valor, Honor and Respect. Thanks to Jarhead Dad for sending it to me.
http://www.blackfive.net/main/2004/04/taking_chance.html
I clearly recall this story when it was published, I reread it many times. If the movie is half as good as the article it will be time well spent. It will bring tears to your eyes, where do we get such men?
God bless our military!
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It's on tonight, and though about modern events, deserves a ping IMHO. |
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Thanks! DVR-ing it...will watch it later. And big guy that I am, I might have to still fight a tear or two in the eye...
I’ll have to get it from the store or the library when it’s released. Meanwhile, I hope you or someone else can save the DVR’d copy.
Watching now...already has me choked up.
Well, here it is and if you have HBO then make sure to watch it. And if you do, please post a review so that all the attached pings can rethink their comments......Thanks
Scene with the young Army sargeant...escorting his brother home is too much.
We are lucky to have such honorable men defending us.
I don't have HBO but the trailers themselves were too much......just thinking about what I watched on them is bringing tears.
Does every KIA have an escort home like this? Is it just the Marines or all branches of the Services?
Just finished watching it. Extremely well done.
All services.
Very well done, I agree. Not really any snarky comments in the dialogue either. They could have been editorializing all the way through but they didn’t.
I like the way they showed the USAToday with the story about how Ashcroft said 9-11 could have been prevented if the CIA/FBI could have shared information...
The movie is scheduled to air on HBO on Feb. 21 at 11:45 p.m., Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m., and Feb. 24 at 11:30 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Quantico Sentry
Story Submitted: Feb 12, 2009
Base hosts premiere to honor fallen Marine, escort
Sgt. Danielle M. Bacon
MCB QUANTICO, Va. (Feb. 10) — A proud sense of silent attention, hushed breath and quiet tears filled Little Hall Theater Tuesday night as Marines, friends, family, coworkers and guests watched one Marine’s final journey home during the HBO movie premiere of “Taking Chance.”
The debut honored the life of Lance Cpl. Chance Phelps, who was killed by hostile fire in Iraq on April 9, 2004, and recounted now retired Lt. Col. Michael Strobl’s true-life experience escorting the 19-year-old’s remains across America from Dover Air Force Base, Del., to his hometown in Dubois, Wyoming.
The movie is scheduled to air on HBO on Feb. 21 at 11:45 p.m., Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m., and Feb. 24 at 11:30 a.m. and 8 p.m.
“It was a wonderful film,” said tearful Lisa Hough, wife of a Marine who recently returned from Iraq. “From the very beginning to the very end, it was very touching.”
Prior to the showing, Chance’s parents, Strobl, Kevin Bacon, Director Ross Katz and HBO executives met at the National Museum of the Marine Corps for a reception.
“I am very proud of the movie. I think it is something all American’s should see. My experience compelled me to write this story. I saw the decency and goodness of ordinary Americans all the way on my trip with Chance,” said Strobl, who wrote the screenplay. “I would especially like for Marines to see the movie and understand how much America cares for her Marine Corps.”
Strobl, played by Kevin Bacon, volunteered to serve as a military escort and ensured Chance’s remains were safely transported with proper respect all the way to his final resting place.
After his experience as an escort officer for Lance Cpl. Phelps’ remains, Strobl wrote a journal and shared it with six or seven coworkers.
“When I first wrote this story I didn’t intend to have it distributed. When it did become widely distributed and I kind of panicked. I didn’t know if I had invaded the family’s privacy. So, I wrote them and explained what happened,” said Strobl. “They were very supportive and began what I am sure is going to be a life-long friendship.” Chance’s father John Phelps said that the movie demonstrates all that is good in America and does the Marine Corps well.
“It shows the patriotism the country has behind the scenes that maybe everybody watching doesn’t get to see,” said Phelps.
“This is a good way to honor not only our son, but every single man and woman serving in the armed services. It also honors families who have lost a family member, a father, son or daughter,” said Gretchen Mack, Chance’s mother.
In the movie Lance Cpl. Chance is described as fierce in battle and gentle in friendship. His fellow Marines agree.
“We were the best of friends,” said Cpl. Jorge Segura who served with Lance Cpl. Chance in 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division. “The day he was killed, we were wrestling. Before we went on the convoy and he had me pinned down. He punched me a little bit and got up and told me I was like his little brother.
“That was the last thing he told me,” Segura said. Another Marine from Lance Cpl. Chance’s unit said that he was a fun loving Marine, who knew how and when to get to business.
“He had a good sense of humor and wasn’t scared of anything. Even though he liked to goof off, he was still a Marine. You couldn’t ask for a better gunner. He was just an awesome kid,” said Shane Smith, a former lance corporal who was in Chance’s vehicle during the attack.
Director Katz said that what he found out about the military was amazing.
“I found there was a level of dignity and honor and respect that I could have never even imagined,” said Katz. “Two years ago, I am ashamed to say that I didn’t know a single Marine. That was very much why I wanted to do this. I thought how could I live in this country and not know what these extraordinary individuals do for me. It was an honor.” Playing the role of Marine is not new to Bacon, but he said this time it was difficult.
“I think Mike (Strobl) was struggling with a lot of stuff internally – so you have to make sure that when you come to work everyday that you stay true to that and that you make that come out. You have to keep that in your gut so it comes out in your eyes,” said the actor who starred as a Marine officer in the 1992 film, “A Few Good Men.”
There is something that is a little different about Marines. I don’t know if I could actually put my finger on it. Obviously there is all the external stuff, but then there is also something internally that you have to tap into. There was a responsibility and it was an honor to bring Chance’s story to the public and to do it with decency, honesty and integrity.”
Bacon explained that it is important to recognize not only Lance Cpl. Chance but all the men and women who have sacrificed there lives, not just in this current war but in all wars.
http://www.quantico.usmc.mil/Sentry/StoryView.aspx?SID=2501
TRANSPORTATION OF REMAINS OF CASUALTIES DYING IN A THEATER OF COMBAT OPERATIONS
Date Signed: 12/28/2006
MARADMIN Number: 628/06
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