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IMDbPro

Friendly Fire

  • TV Movie
  • 19791979
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 2h 27m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
421
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
21,684
7,074
Friendly Fire (1979)
DramaWar
When they try to learn how how their son died in Vietnam, the Mullens meet lies and evasion on all sides.When they try to learn how how their son died in Vietnam, the Mullens meet lies and evasion on all sides.When they try to learn how how their son died in Vietnam, the Mullens meet lies and evasion on all sides.
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
421
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
21,684
7,074
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • David Greene
    • Writers
      • C.D.B. Bryan(based on the book by)
      • Fay Kanin(written for television by)
    • Stars
      • Carol Burnett
      • Ned Beatty
      • Dennis Erdman
    Top credits
    • Director
      • David Greene
    • Writers
      • C.D.B. Bryan(based on the book by)
      • Fay Kanin(written for television by)
    • Stars
      • Carol Burnett
      • Ned Beatty
      • Dennis Erdman
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 17User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Won 4 Primetime Emmys
      • 6 wins & 6 nominations total

    Photos

    Friendly Fire (1979)
    Friendly Fire (1979)
    Ned Beatty and Carol Burnett in Friendly Fire (1979)
    Ned Beatty and Carol Burnett in Friendly Fire (1979)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Carol Burnett
    Carol Burnett
    • Peg Mullen
    Ned Beatty
    Ned Beatty
    • Gene Mullen
    Dennis Erdman
    • Michael E. Mullen
    Sherry Hursey
    Sherry Hursey
    • Patricia Mullen
    Timothy Hutton
    Timothy Hutton
    • John Mullen
    Fanny Spiess
    • Mary Mullen
    Steve Bonino
    • Cactus
    Henry Brown
    Henry Brown
    Cosie Costa
    Hilly Hicks
    Hilly Hicks
    • Willis Huddleston
    John Hillner
    John Hillner
    Kevin Hooks
    Kevin Hooks
    • Polk
    David Keith
    David Keith
    • Leroy Hamilton
    Mark Montgomery
    Dan Shor
    Dan Shor
    • Prince
    Mark L. Taylor
    Mark L. Taylor
    • Capt. Bannock
    Bernard Behrens
    Bernard Behrens
    • Dietrich
    Jorge Cervera Jr.
    • Director
      • David Greene
    • Writers
      • C.D.B. Bryan(based on the book by)
      • Fay Kanin(written for television by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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.
    • Connections
      Featured in The 31st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1979)

    User reviews17

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    A surprising Carol Burnett takes on government red tape in superior Vietnam-era story.
    A stunning, sobering look at the crumbling lives of a heartland farm couple who are forced to deal with governmental apathy and red tape to learn the truth behind their eldest son's death in Vietnam. Superbly written and directed with careful detail as to period and attitude, this already rich and poignant production is all the more enhanced by powerhouse performances.

    Comedy icon Carol Burnett is handed THE dramatic role of her career and passes with flying colors. As flag-waving mother-turned-war activist Peg Mullen, Burnett buries her legendary elastic face and broad gestures with startling, subtle conviction and lends bitter truth to the quietly distraught but unstoppable Mullen, a woman on a mission who learns to fight back with every untruth she is being fed. The scene where she visits her son's casket at the funeral home will haunt any viewer for a long time to come. Who would have thought Burnett would be up to this arduous task? Kudos to the producers for such a daring, valiant choice. Mullen, who grew up red-white-and-blue proud, went on, by the way, to serve as a significant symbol of protest against the Vietnam war, prompting the government to give unbiased, accurate accounts of military casualties.

    Ned Beatty provides able support as the dutiful, grief-stricken husband who finds it just as difficult coping with the fact that his son died mysteriously by "friendly fire" (American artillery fire)during maneuvers than by heroism. Less committed to tackling government indifference and lies, he shows the inner turmoil of a man forced to stand in the shadows of his wife's newly-found obsession and celebrity, a move which threatens home and hearth. Timothy Hutton effectively portrays the neglected younger son who handles his grief in silence as well. Dennis Erdman as the older, ill-fated son, is superior appearing in war-time flashbacks to reveal the sad truth behind his unnecessary death. Sam Waterston as a well-meaning journalist shows appropriate strength and exasperation as a man caught between helping Mullen and fighting department politics himself.

    But first and foremost, this is Burnett's show. For anyone who thinks of her as a limited, one-note slapstick queen will think again after witnessing this performance. Surprisingly, she lost the Emmy award for this once-in-a-lifetime role to Bette Davis, better known for her larger-than-life acting histrionics as well.

    A must see TV mini-movie.
    helpful•13
    0
    • gbrumburgh
    • Feb 19, 2001

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 22, 1979 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Fürs Vaterland zu sterben
    • Filming locations
      • Stockton, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Marble Arch Productions
      • Martin Starger Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 27 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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