Johnny Got His Gun (1971)

Joe, a young American soldier, is hit by a mortar shell on the last day of World War I. He lies in a hospital bed in a fate worse than death --- a quadruple amputee who has lost his arms, ... See full summary »

Director:

Dalton Trumbo

Writers:

Dalton Trumbo (novel), Dalton Trumbo (screenplay),

Stars:

Timothy Bottoms, Kathy Fields, Marsha Hunt

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Timothy Bottoms	...	Joe Bonham
Kathy Fields	...	Kareen
Marsha Hunt	...	Joe's Mother
Jason Robards	...	Joe's Father
Donald Sutherland	...	Christ
Charles McGraw	...	Mike Burkeman
Sandy Brown Wyeth	...	Lucky
Don 'Red' Barry	...	Jody Simmons (as Donald Barry)
Peter Brocco	...	Ancient Prelate
Kendell Clarke	...	Hospital Offical
Eric Christmas	...	Corporal Timlon
Eduard Franz	...	Col. / Gen. Tillery
Craig Bovia	...	Little Guy
Judy Howard Chaikin	...	Bakery Girl
Dalton Trumbo	...	Orator (as Robert Cole)

Storyline

Joe, a young American soldier, is hit by a mortar shell on the last day of World War I. He lies in a hospital bed in a fate worse than death --- a quadruple amputee who has lost his arms, legs, eyes, ears, mouth and nose. He remains conscious and able to think, thereby reliving his life through strange dreams and memories, unable to distinguish whether he is awake or dreaming. He remains frustrated by his situation, until one day when Joe discovers a unique way to communicate with his caregivers.

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Plot Keywords:

eyes | dream | hospital | memory | soldier | 

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Taglines:

The most shattering experience you'll ever live.

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 March 1972 (France)

Also Known As:

Dalton Trumbo's Johnny Got His Gun

Company Credits

Production Co:

World Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori" at the end of the film means: "It is sweet and proper to die for one's country."

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Quotes

Father: Put your arms around me. I need to feel their warmth, to keep the chill of death away.

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Crazy Credits

War Dead Since 1914: Over 80,000,000 Missing or Mutilated: Over 150,000,000 "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"

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Connections

Referenced in Boxing Helena (1993)

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Soundtracks

"Keep the Home Fires Burning"
(uncredited)
Music by Ivor Novello with words by Lena Guilbert Ford

User Reviews

when the script takes the movie up there.

I saw this movie on public Greek TV (original version with subtitles), and was glued to the screen until the very end. I would say that it develops in three modes. One is the horrible black and white present, one is the colorful past (memory) and one is the surreal world of Johnny's dreams where he is conscious of his injury! I haven't understood how the scenes with his father in the past add up to the movie very well. The acting isn't superb and some lines could have been different. The black and white cinematography is very convincing and the scenes with the last nurse are tremendous! Aside from the downsides of war which are evident, the movie also deals with how the system is willing to suppress its own fabricated heroes when they fall short of its ideology. One of the best Hollywood movies ever made, chiefly due to its powerful script. 8/10