Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience (2007)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Richard Robbins

Writers:

Colby Buzzell (story)
Edward Parker Gyokeres (story)

Release Date:

9 February 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot:

A unique documentary about troops' experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan, based on writings by soldiers...

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Sharon D. Allen	...	Herself
Beau Bridges	...	Voice 'Aftermath'
Colby Buzzell	...	Himself / Writer
Richard Currey	...	Himself
Robert Duvall	...	Taking Chance (voice)
Aaron Eckhart	...	Road Work (voice)
Paul Fussell	...	Himself
Christopher Gorham	...	'Distant Thunder' (voice)
Edward Parker Gyokeres	...	Himself
Joe Haldeman	...	Himself
Sangjoon Han	...	Himself
Ed Hrivnak	...	Himself / Writer
Justin Kirk	...	Voice 'Men in Black, ' 'Aftermath' (voice)
Yusef Komunyakaa	...	Himself
John Krasinski	...	Camp Muckamungus (voice)
Jack Lewis	...	Himself
Josh Lucas	...	Medevac Missions (voice)
John McCary	...	Himself / Writer
Tim O'Brien	...	Himself
Tim O'Brien	...	Himself
Peter O'Meara	...	Jack lewis
Sam Sako	...	Qasim
James Salter	...	Himself
Michael Strobl	...	Himself
Anthony Swofford	...	Himself
Michael Thomas	...	Himself
Brian Turner	...	(voice)
Brian Turner	...	Himself (voice)
Blair Underwood	...	Voice 'To the Fallen' (voice)
Tobias Wolff	...	Himself

Runtime:

USA:81 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color | Color (HDCAM)

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Iraq

Company:

Documentary Group, The

Movie Connections:

Remade as Taking Chance (2009)

Incredible Documentary

I think I've been socially hardened by documentaries that don't show all sides of a story, or instill the documentary-makers' opinions or images (see SICKO) in place of what should be being told.

So it is with a heavy sigh of relief that I wholeheartedly recommend this Academy Award nominated documentary, OPERATION HOMECOMING: WRITING THE WARTIME EXPERIENCE.

First let's look at why this film is so successful. It's fresh. Most war writings are done by established or well-groomed writers, giving them decent syntax, etc., but lacking that up-close and personal process that goes along with firing weapons and being fired at during war. And this is where Operation Homecoming succeeds. The writings are all firsthand accountings from soldiers who've walked the walk and talked the talk.

Secondly is the unique filming. Each segment contains a different milieu and a different style of filming. From animation to quick-flash photography of those that've given their lives, the stories are told in a highly interesting fashion that keeps the viewer very interested.

Thirdly is the internal conflict that so easily comes across. From the beginning of the film when soldiers discuss their upbringing from childhood and being told killing is wrong, to being thrown into a situation where you're trained to kill for "God and Country," the film watcher understands the conundrum these men and women are put into.

The final successful element is the men and women themselves and how they deal with tough situations. There's never the "Why am I here" question asked. They know why they're there. They don't care about policy or partisan politics or money or oil. They care about the guy to their left and right who's protecting their backside during a fire-fight.

Each 'chapter' (if you will) contains a title and the story of a soldier. From the grunts on the ground, to the medic flying the injured to Germany, to the honor guard who sees the dead to their final resting place, Operation Homecoming is truly a unique gem in the documentary genre.