Taking Chance (2009)

Based on real-life events, Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, a volunteer military escort officer, accompanies the body of 19-year-old Marine Chance Phelps back to his hometown of Dubois, Wyoming.

Director:

Ross Katz

Writers:

Michael Strobl (journal), Michael Strobl (screenplay),

Stars:

Kevin Bacon, Tom Aldredge, Nicholas Art

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 6 wins & 19 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kevin Bacon	...	LtCol Mike Strobl
Tom Aldredge	...	Charlie Fitts
Nicholas Art	...	Nate Strobl (as Nicholas Reese Art)
Blanche Baker	...	Chris Phelps
Tom Bloom	...	Navy Chaplain
Guy Boyd	...	Gary Hargrove
James Castanien	...	Robert Orndoff
Gordon Clapp	...	Tom Garrett
Mike Colter	...	MGySgt Demetry
Henry Coy	...	Marine Driver (as GySgt Henry Coy)
Joel de la Fuente	...	Ticketing Agent
Liza Colón-Zayas	...	Ticketing Agent
Ann Dowd	...	Gretchen
Tate Ellington	...	A.V. Scott
Noah Fleiss	...	Army Sergeant

Storyline

In April, 2004, casualties mount in Iraq. At Quantico, choices focus on increasing troop strength or only replacing casualties. Lt. Col. Mike Strobl crunches numbers. Stung by his superior's rejection of his recommendation because he lacks recent combat experience, Strobl volunteers for escort duty, accompanying the remains Pfc. Chance Phelps, killed at 19. From Dover to Philadelphia by hearse, from there to Minneapolis and on to Billings by plane, and then by car to Phelps' Wyoming home - person after person pays respects. Kind words, small gifts, and gratitude are given Strobl to deliver to the family on this soul-searching journey. What are his own discoveries?

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Plot Keywords:

wyoming | chance phelps | escort | dubois wyoming | respect | 

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 February 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

A lélek útja

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, Civil Dawn Pictures, Motion Picture Corporation of America (MPCA)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

77 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film, like "Bernard and Doris" and Kenneth Branagh's version of "As You Like It", bypassed movie theatres in the U.S. and went straight to HBO, even though it was not actually made for television.

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Goofs

When Lt Col Strobl arrives at his motel room in Wyoming before the funeral, the information sheet on the table concerning the services uses the wrong word (Internment) regarding the burial. Internment means imprisonment. The correct word would be interment.

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Quotes

[First Line]
LtCol Mike Strobl: Once per quarter we'll give you a run down on battalion and squadron level readiness and today's briefing will focus on First Marine Division.

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Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #19.158 (2011)

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Soundtracks

"In My Own Way"
Written by Toy Caldwell
Performed by The Marshall Tucker Band
By Arrangement with Natural Energy Lab

User Reviews

A must see

We live in a time of fear, supreme doubt, and hyper-criticism.

All of us in this country need to dial in to an occasional (at least) reality check. This was a lovely, poignant film that should remind us all about loss, country, community, family, patriotism--all that we hold dear. I will watch this film again with my 13, soon to be 14 year old son, who needs (like me ) to be reminded of the stark reality of where we are as a people today - right or wrong, it is what it is...

This is a well acted, realistic depiction of our reality today, though not just about the Iraq situation. It tells us, and reminds us of so much more.