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Storyline
In April, 2004, casualties mount in Iraq. At Quantico, choices focus on increasing troop strength or only replacing casualties. Lt. Col. Mike 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? Written by
<jhailey@hotmail.com>
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Did You Know?
Trivia
The Defense Department had banned virtually all media coverage of deceased vets returning home since the 1991 Gulf War until April 2009. But the military offered advice and assistance, providing Taking Chance's film crew with a rarely viewed but painstakingly accurate account of the care and protocol bestowed upon the nation's fallen warriors.
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Goofs
While riding in the transport vehicle from the mortuary center to the Philly airport Lt. Col Strobl's seat belt shoulder strap moves in between shots while speaking with the driver. You see his silver oak leaf, then it is covered, and then you see it again.
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Quotes
Rich Brewer:
Nobody in my family's in the military and none of my friends. But I thought about joining up. Yeah, but I was too chickenshit.
[
chuckles, then silence]
Rich Brewer:
Sorry, I mean too chicken.
LtCol Mike Strobl:
You can say shit.
Rich Brewer:
Oh, cool. And plus the whole haircut thing. I'm in a band and, you know, you gotta keep it long to keep the ladies happy.
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Soundtracks
Take The Highway
Written by Toy Caldwell
Performed by
The Marshall Tucker Band
By Arrangement with Natural Energy Lab
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I hardly give out tens but I couldn't even think of a reason to keep it a nine (I originally gave it a 9 because I thought some scenes were kind of cheesy but I realized I was wrong). I'm not sure what else to say about this except that it really gets to the heart. Kevin Bacon did a great job portraying the emotions of LtCol Strobl. It may be because I'm a Marine that I felt a little emotional at the end of the film but I couldn't help it. As another poster mentioned, it may not reach a broad audience (possibly why it was released on HBO and not in theaters) but I think that's what is so great about it. It felt special to me since I am a Marine and I'm sure anyone else who has lost a family member or friend to a war effort would feel the same. There's nothing else to say except it was a very emotionally strong film and was very affective at reaching it's goal of touching the hearts of the target audience.