Friendly Fire (1979)

When they try to learn how how their son died in Vietnam, the Mullens meet lies and evasion on all sides.

Director:

David Greene

Writers:

C.D.B. Bryan (book), Fay Kanin

Stars:

Carol Burnett, Ned Beatty, Sam Waterston

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 6 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Carol Burnett	...	Peg Mullen
Ned Beatty	...	Gene Mullen
Sam Waterston	...	C.D.B. Bryan
Dennis Erdman	...	Michael E. Mullen
Timothy Hutton	...	John Mullen
Fanny Spiess	...	Mary Mullen
Sherry Hursey	...	Patricia Mullen
Michael Flanagan	...	Father Shimon
Hilly Hicks	...	Willis Huddleston
William Jordan	...	Col. Byron Schindler
Vernon Weddle	...	Col. Georgi
Jack Rader	...	Sgt. Fitzgerald
Robert Wahler	...	Alan Hulting
David Keith	...	Leroy Hamilton
Bernard Behrens	...	Dietrich

Storyline

In March 1970, a U.S. Army officer arrived at the Iowa farm of Peg and Gene Mullen and informed them that their son Michael had been killed in Vietnam by "friendly fire." Their determined attempts to learn more about the circumstances of their son's death are the subject of this true account film.

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Plot Keywords:

vietnam | 1970s | friendly fire | iowa | dead son | 

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Taglines:

The true story of the anguish and courage of one American family.

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 April 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Bala Traiçoeira

Filming Locations:

Stockton, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Marble Arch Productions, Martin Starger Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

147 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

On a second tour of duty in Vietnam in 1970, Lieutenant-Colonel Norman Schwarzkopf, 37, was heading the Americal Division's 1st. Battalion, 6th Infantry, 198th Brigade, when a section of its company became trapped in a mine field. Schwarzkopf was the first to arrive at the scene in a helicopter and oversaw the immediate evacuation of the wounded. The factual events that unfold in this telefeature are based on the book by C.D.B. Bryan. Schwarzkopf's pseudonymous character, Col. Byron Schindler, is portrayed here by William Jordan.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Carol Burnett/Tim Conway/Robert Easton/Tracee Talavera (1979)

User Reviews

Give 'em Hell, Carol!

Based on a true story, this memorable ABC-TV movie begins in 1969 Iowa, during the Richard M. Nixon Administration. Wide-eyed young Dennis Erdman (as Michael E. Mullen) goes off to fight the Communists in Vietnam. He leaves behind loving parents Carol Burnett and Ned Beatty (as Peg and Gene). From the opening, you know this kid is going to die - it's conveyed not only in the painfully obvious title, but also through the foreshadowing performance from Ms. Burnett, under David Greene's deliberate direction.

The farming family is told son Erdman died from "Friendly Fire" (herein defined as "any artillery from forces not the enemy"). But, the official explanation does not seem to match up with facts. Burnett and Mr. Beatty learn about how the military manipulates casualty figures. She becomes an anti-war activist. Later, investigative journalist Sam Waterston (as C.D.B. Bryan) enters the picture - and, to be fair, he (plus a flashback) offers a reasonable explanation for altering the facts regarding the tragic Vietnam incident.

Still, that the military seeks to alter circumstances, regarding death during military service is a dishonor. Like the movie points out, those who die by "Friendly Fire" (or from wounds inflicted during battle) are just as dead as those who die in battle. Incredibly, this fact-altering practice surfaced again, during the George W. Bush Administration, with the death of Patrick "Pat" Tillman. And, ironically, one of President Bush's opponents, Vietnam veteran John Kerry appears in TV footage, speaking out against the war.

"Friendly Fire" is long and obvious (most of the time), but retains a haze of mystery and loss throughout. Done so close to the actual war, the period detail can't be beat. Four Emmys were shared among executive producer Martin Starger, producer Philip Barry, co-producer/adapter Fay Kanin, director Greene, musician Leonard Rosenman, and sound editor Bill Wistrom. Burnett and Beatty were nominated for leading roles, and there are more than a dozen small, effective parts. Brother Timothy Hutton (as John) leads the pack.

****** Friendly Fire (4/22/79) David Greene ~ Carol Burnett, Ned Beatty, Sam Waterston, Timothy Hutton