FTA (1972)

A documentary about a political troupe headed by actors Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland which traveled to towns near military bases in the US in the early 1970s. The group put on shows ... See full summary »

Director:

Francine Parker

Writers:

Michael Alaimo (screenplay), Len Chandler (screenplay),

Stars:

Jane Fonda, Donald Sutherland, Pamela Donegan

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jane Fonda	...	Herself
Donald Sutherland	...	Himself
Pamela Donegan	...	Herself
Len Chandler	...	Himself
Michael Alaimo	...	Himself
Holly Near	...	Herself
Paul Mooney	...	Himself
Rita Martinson	...	Herself
Peter Boyle	...	Himself
Steve Jaffe	...	Himself
Yale Zimmerman	...	Himself at the Piano

Storyline

A documentary about a political troupe headed by actors Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland which traveled to towns near military bases in the US in the early 1970s. The group put on shows called "F.T.A.", which stood for "F**k the Army", and was aimed at convincing soldiers to voice their opposition to the Vietnam War, which was raging at the time. Various singers, actors and other entertainers performed antiwar songs and skits during the show.

---

Plot Keywords:

vietnam | soldier | military base | military | singer | 

---

Taglines:

The Show The Pentagon Couldn't Stop!

---

Genres:

Documentary | Comedy | Music

---

Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 November 1972 (France)

Also Known As:

F.T.A.

Filming Locations:

Japan

Company Credits

Production Co:

Duque Films, Free Theater Associates, Indochina Peace Committee (IPC) Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie opened in theaters in 1972 the same week that Jane Fonda made her controversial trip to Hanoi, North Vietnam. Within a week of its release, American-International Pictures withdrew it from circulation. Director Francine Parker speculated that "calls were made from high up in Washington, possibly from the Nixon White House, and the film just disappeared."

---

Connections

References Patton (1970)

User Reviews

Pro Peace and Pro Troops

This is like those old CSO shows during world War II with Bob hope and the Andrews Sisters.

Trade Europe for Viet Nam and bring in Fonda, Sutherland, and Boyle and there's the diff.

While the social commentary between the acts was clearly against the war, no soldiers were catching heat for it. It was made clear that they deserved pity too. Despite Fonda's semi-traitorous politics, she never really was angry at the common men. It's the brass and the suits that catch it here.

And it's amusing seeing Donald Sutherland combine his 'Hawkeye' character from M*A*S*H and "Oddball" from Kelly's Heroes and throw in a dash of Ed Sullivan. He still sounds like he's got a mouth full of grits.

Rumors say that Peter Boyle's scenes were used against his will. But I'm not sure of the facts.

Hearts & Minds with humor. Worth a look...IF you can find it.