Taking Chance (TV 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

LTCol Mike Strobl, a Desert Storm veteran, says he decided against another combat tour largely because of his young family. But he was conflicted, and joined the many military personnel who volunteered for escort duty as Iraqi war deaths escalated. Strobl's week-long trip accompanying Phelps' body from a Delaware military mortuary to burial in Wyoming provides Taking Chance's poignant emotional context. Strobl shared his 20-page journal of the trip with friends and co-workers, and it eventually spread virally to military blogs and the media. It was quickly green-lit for filming after surfacing at HBO, which has become a major outlet for war-related programming both documentary and dramatized, with miniseries and films such as Generation Kill; Alive Day Memories: Home From Iraq; Section 60: Arlington National Cemetery; and Last Letters Home: Voices of American Troops From the Battlefields of Iraq.

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Goofs

The hearse from Billings to Dubois shows county plate 7 which is Goshen county on the east side of the state. Dubois is in Fremont county 10.

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Quotes

Korean War Vet: You are his witness now. Without a witness, they just disappear.

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Connections

Remake of Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience (2007)

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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

Very poignant movie

This movie is basically a documentary with actors.........and very well thought out........it is not for the feint of heart or for people that demand "happy-endings". It is thought-provoking and will not leave a dry-eye in the house. The casting is first-rate, as is the attention to detail..... so many of these type of movies lose a lot due to poor continuity. Kevin Bacon does a superb job, as does the supporting cast.....My family recently had a son of a friend killed in Iraq while serving in the Marines, and the images seen in this movie parallel the emotions we observed our friends family endure. It is a fine rendition to honor all those from our country all who gave the ultimate sacrifice.