Customer Reviews

War Letters

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is 60 minutes that will leave a lump in your throat. It will make you sick to your stomach, feel patriotic, and humbled all at the same time.

In a nutshell, various actors read real letters written during war time. These letters span many years, from many different conflicts... from the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, up to the Gulf War... these are letters written from GI's to parents, brothers, wives, and girlfriends back home. More often than not, there is a grim footnote attached to some of the readings about how this or that particular GI died a day or two after writing the letter just read. Shocking. Touching.

The only drawback is that some of the actors (such as Bill Paxton, Eric Stoltz, and Kevin Spacey) are used repeatedly for multiple readings. It would have been nice if each letter received individual treatment. Other than that, this is a class act production.

Actors read real letters against a backdrop of authentic images. That's all, and yet it moved me to tears. At this writing, George Bush II just swept the mid-term elections and American rheoric is moving to a second war against Iraq. I just watched this on public television. I wished I had taped it to send my young teen nephews, as an effective essay against war - all wars. Then I read here a 5-Star opinion from one who comes from another perspective on war, and I realize that for or against the Bush wars, this dvd is very moving. Authentic letters and moving images, nothing more. Minimalism at its most effective. See so for yourself. WARNING: Beware some graphic pictures of the dead. Also, one scene details a soldier smoking opium after a battle where he expected to die. It confirms the anguish.

As a current NAVY sailor, this movie really hit me. No matter how big or how brave you are, this movie will affect you, leave you pondering, and leave you in aww. Its amazing to hear from letters what the people during battle were thinking and feeling. I reccomend this movie to any person in the military, or just anybody you think would enjoy this..

OOOoooh Rah Navy!!

The price is very good considering the topic of this video. It represents the families and soldiers that have either fought or are fighting in our wars. It gives us a look at what they must be going through during thier most fearful hours they spend under fire.