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 (screenplay) (as LtCol Michael R. Strobl USMC [Ret.]), Ross Katz (screenplay)

Stars:

Kevin Bacon, Tom Aldredge, Nicholas Art

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 6 wins & 27 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. Michael 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:

chance phelps | escort | wyoming | gratitude | respect | 

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

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

Technical Specs

Runtime:

77 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kevin Bacon, Mike Colter & Felix Solis all appeared on the FOX series The Following (2013), where Bacon was the lead series regular for all three seasons. Colter and Solis were recurring guest stars.

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Goofs

They show the fallen soldier being loaded into and out of a NWA DC-9, but the aircraft shown landing in Billings, MT is an AirBus 319.

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Quotes

LtCol Mike Strobl: [voiceover] Chance Phelps was wearing his St. Christopher medal when he was killed on Good Friday. Eight days later, I handed the medallion to his mother. I watched them carry him the final fifteen yards. I felt that as long as he was still moving, he was somehow still alive. When they put him down in his grave, he'd stopped moving. I didn't know Chance Phelps before he died. But today, I miss him.

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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

Emotional, Moving, Apolitical

I saw this movie at a Sundance in the Schools presentation in Ogden,UT. To give you an idea of the power of this film, 600 + high school students were totally silent during this film and erupted in applause at the end. A vivid demonstration of the impact of this tribute to the sacrifice of a 19 years old Marine PFC killed in Iraq. A true story the based on Chance Phelps who was only 1 - 1/2 years out of high school himself. The director, cinematographer, and producer were there to field questions from the students. In response to a question the Director Katz stated he tried to keep this effort apolitical as a tribute to all who have been killed in Iraq and to focus on the respect and dignity afforded the KIA soldiers on their journey home. This is one of the better movies I've seen dealing with the emotional toll of wars on the families and comrades left behind.