A Rumor of War 

The memories of a US Marine lieutenant in Vietnam who slowly gets disillusioned as the war progresses.

Stars:

Brad Davis, Keith Carradine, Michael O'Keefe

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Brad Davis	...	Lt. Philip 'Phil' Caputo 2 episodes, 1980
Keith Carradine	...	Lt. Murph McCoy 2 episodes, 1980
Michael O'Keefe	...	Lt. Walter Cohen 2 episodes, 1980
Richard Bradford	...	Gen. Merle Rupert 2 episodes, 1980
Brian Dennehy	...	Sgt. Ned Coleman 2 episodes, 1980
John Friedrich	...	Cpl. Pascarella 2 episodes, 1980
Perry Lang	...	Woodward 2 episodes, 1980
Christopher Mitchum	...	Capt. Peterson 2 episodes, 1980
Dan Shor	...	Manhole 2 episodes, 1980
Lane Smith	...	Sgt. Willliam Holgren 2 episodes, 1980
Nicholas Woodeson	...	Cpl. Kazmarak 2 episodes, 1980
Gail Youngs	...	Carol 2 episodes, 1980
Steve Forrest	...	Col. Atherton 2 episodes, 1980
Stacy Keach	...	Maj. Ball 2 episodes, 1980
Phillip R. Allen	...	Col. Perry 2 episodes, 1980
Michael Cavanaugh	...	Capt. Lake 2 episodes, 1980
Bobby Ellerbee	...	Cpl. Mackey 2 episodes, 1980
David Elliott	...	Sullivan 2 episodes, 1980
Laurence Fishburne	...	Lightbulb 2 episodes, 1980
Redmond Gleeson	...	Sgt. Furth 2 episodes, 1980
Edward Grover	...	Coker 2 episodes, 1980
Gavan O'Herlihy	...	Stanton 2 episodes, 1980
Christopher Allport	...	Van Cott 2 episodes, 1980
Jeff Daniels	...	Chaplain 2 episodes, 1980
John Herzfeld	...	The Drill Instructor 2 episodes, 1980
Stephen Keep Mills	...	The Angry Major 2 episodes, 1980
Helaine Lembeck	...	Lisa Modesta 2 episodes, 1980
Sandy McPeak	...	Joe Caputo 2 episodes, 1980
Chris Mulkey	...	Radio Man 2 episodes, 1980
Enrique Novi	...	Jose Ramirez 2 episodes, 1980
Sean Roche	...	Hodgkins 2 episodes, 1980
Steven Rotblatt	...	Zirpoli 2 episodes, 1980
Al Ruscio	...	Uncle Al 2 episodes, 1980
Koko Tani	...	Simone 2 episodes, 1980
Shere Thu Thuy	...	Le Dung's Wife 2 episodes, 1980
Marion Yue	...	Hoa 2 episodes, 1980
David Chow	...	The Mayor of Da Nang 2 episodes, 1980
Eunice Christopher	...	Mrs. Caputo 2 episodes, 1980
Oliver Chung	...	Le Dung 2 episodes, 1980
Alex Daniels	...	Stasek 2 episodes, 1980
John Diehl	...	D.T. 2 episodes, 1980
John Ferrand	...	Sgt. Whitaker 2 episodes, 1980
Ken Foree	...	The M.P. 2 episodes, 1980
Karen Kondazian	...	Mrs. Modesta 2 episodes, 1980
Lynn Kuratomi	...	Yip Yap 2 episodes, 1980
Joe Lowry	...	Winslow 2 episodes, 1980
David Manson	...	Second Reporter 2 episodes, 1980
Dani Minnick	...	Miss Cunningham 2 episodes, 1980
Scott Mulhern	...	The Priest 2 episodes, 1980
Qui Van Ngo	...	ARVN Interrogator 2 episodes, 1980
Rodney Saulsberry	...	Sgt. Wehr 2 episodes, 1980
Scott Sebastian	...	First Reporter 2 episodes, 1980
Stewart Wolinski	...	The Doctor 2 episodes, 1980
Robert B. Grass	...	Cpl. Beckett 2 episodes, 1980

Storyline

The memories of a US Marine lieutenant in Vietnam who slowly gets disillusioned as the war progresses.

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Plot Keywords:

vietnam | tv mini series | vietnam war | u.s. marine corps | idealism | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | War

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Actual Marine aircraft were used in this film. KC 130 R and F models from Marine Aerial Refueling Squadron VMGR 352 were filmed taxiing on runways and having coffins removed from them. Active duty Marines from the base were also used to depict Marines marching in columns that were returning from Vietnam. The F model aircraft used in the film actually flew many missions during the Vietnam conflict.

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Goofs

The captain can be seen breathing after he is supposedly killed at the end of the film.

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Crazy Credits

Marine Aerial Refueling Squadron VMGR 352

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Connections

Featured in Madam Secretary: South China Sea (2016)

User Reviews

One of the finest made for network TV movies ever made

Gripping war drama with a fine performance by Brad Davis. Ranks with many of the best of the Vietnam movie genre (Platoon, Go Tell The Spartans, Gardens of Stone, etc.). Could have easily been a theatrical release.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 September 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Rumor of War

Filming Locations:

Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Charles Fries Productions, Dick Berg-Stonehenge Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

191 min (video) 195 min (video)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1