HBO Special "Taking Chance"

[Big Jim]

I just finished watching this HBO special about a Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Mike Strobl, played by actor Kevin Bacon, and his true journal of escorting Marine Corps Private First Class Chance Phelps, who was KIA in Iraq, back home to his family in Wyoming.

It was very, very moving and actually somewhat renewed my faith in the public in general who have showed respect and reverence for this young Marine at every airport and stop they made on the way home. I know these procedures for taking the deceased and fallen military home to their familes are set in place for that very reason of respect but to see how it affects the public and watch complete strangers come and give respects to someone they have never met makes me feel proud to be a part of my beloved Corps.

I, like so many others on this site, have seen combat and its atrocities and this factual and true rendition of what the Lt.Col. went through and what the public had done and how they acted was really eye opening as I have felt priviledged to have observed the last short journey of an honorable person's life who has sacrificed all for our freedoms.

This movie was done right and accurate by the people at HBO for its interaction between our beloved Marine Corps and the civilian world. Its good to know we are not and will not be forgotten.....even when we fall and give our all. Its a good and factual show. My hats off to Lieutenant Colonel Mike Strobl and his journals and to the powers that be which decided so they should be made into a movie. SEMPER FI.....

[jetdawgg]

The Warrior Culture showed it's best when Kevin Bacon slept in the hanger area with Pvt Chance who was in the coffin. The other part that moved me much was whne Kevin Bacon gave the cross that he received on the flight to the family.

A very well produced production by HBO and should be up for an emmy award at the very least.

Semper Fi to all my Marine brothers and sisters:usmc::usmc::usmc:

[BR34]

Damn I didn't know it was showing already. This wasn't just some special viewing was it? If not I'm gonna catch it on Demand tomorrow.

[davblay]

Damn I didn't know it was showing already. This wasn't just some special viewing was it? If not I'm gonna catch it on Demand tomorrow.
It started again at 2330 EST, will be on tomorrow twice as well, check oyur HBO schedule.

I burned a copy on DVD so I can watch it whenever I want to.

I tell you this much, my eyes leaked a time or two during the movie! Well Made for HBO movie, Kevin Bacon played his usual fine Marine officer.

This is a movie that every American shold see, even in high school. The people have to know what's going on with the war, and how we treat our fallen dead servicemen and women!

IMHO,Bacon looked the part,to bad he ain't really one of us, but he should be an honorary Marine in my opinion! What say ye? He sure wears that Officers uniform well, don't he?

Dave

[thedrifter]

Through the eyeball sweat, I felt it was a emotional and moving movie...

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Taking Chance also airs on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m. and on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 11:30 a.m.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

http://www.hbo.com/films/takingchance/

Ellie

[sgt tony]

This is what the Marine Corps is all about. Taking care of there own

This was a good movie for all to see. I also burnt a copy to have a showing in my town.
Hats off to HBO and all the actors.

Semper Fi

[commdog7]

Outstanding movie.

I couldn't help but look for descrepancies in the movie, minor Marine no-no's regarding the uniform/traditions/customs and courtesies/etc. I was surprised to not find a single violation. It was definately a well done performance by Kevin Bacon and the rest of them, a real tear-jerker.

Semper Fidelis

[davblay]

I'd have to agree. It was well made and I think everyone should see it. I'd say Col Strobl was on set to make sure of the uniforms. Outstanding story.

Dave

[Jeran]

I too saw the movie on LCPL Chance Phelps (stated in the end).

I can honestly say this, I have never cried to a movie. Because a movie is a movie to me, no matter how real it is depicted, but this was truly something else.

The moment I saw the processing point for the fallen Marine, my heart dropped to my stomach like it was real. I felt such emotions which I've probably have not felt since my Grandfather passed away at the age of 13 (Im 23).

Its hard to type the feelings/emotions I felt throughout the movie, it was too surreal. I could not any longer control my emotions when in the scene of the Airport where Lt.Col Strobl character wouldn't leave him to be alone in cargo area. Sleeping side by side next to him. Watching this with a friend who was in shock to see me tear and sob so hard I had to excuse myself to regain enough strength to continue.

I am happy to see for once a establishment like Hollywood do the right thing.

I only wish the rest of my generation would truly understand the such ultimate scarifies made and stop their ignorance about Military service.

It is very hard for me to even comprehend how the 4,247 (Iraq War Casualties as of 03/23/2009) and 656 (Afghanistan War Casualties as of 03/23/2009) Servicemen and women will ever get the 'chance' to be remember properly and rightfully.

[sgtrock1970]

This was excellent-it not only shows the Marines rendering honor but the other services also- SF

[0231Marine]

IMHO,Bacon looked the part,to bad he ain't really one of us, but he should be an honorary Marine in my opinion! What say ye? He sure wears that Officers uniform well, don't he?

Not the first time he's played a Marine officer either. He was a Captain and prosecuting attorney in A Few Good Men opposite Tom Cruise.

[NoRemorse]

Missed it on Saturday. I don't remember Saturday at all. I remember that I had been planning on seeing it for weeks. Caught it last night at 2230. Watched it alone in the dark so the allergies wouldn't hit me so bad.

Didn't work. Finally got to sleep at about 0200 or so. Woke up at 0515 and now I'm waiting until later on tonight when I watch it with the wife.

I hope this movie becomes one of those they show in grade school.

[jetdawgg]

http://www.frooglespending.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/taking-chance.jpg

[thedrifter]

Here is the link to the HBO STORE which has the video already listed for sale with a Mid-May ship date.

http://store.hbo.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3473175&cp=1885679.1890179&view=all&parentPage=family

Ellie

[Rocky C]

Here is the link to the HBO STORE which has the video already listed for sale with a Mid-May ship date.

http://store.hbo.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3473175&cp=1885679.1890179&view=all&parentPage=family

Ellie

Good Stuff, Thank you for the info Ellie.
Rocky

[Mytcbra96]

Thanks for the link to the HBO store. I have placed an order. Semper Fi.

[CRASH CORPORAL]

I just got done wathching it (I recorded it) OUT %^&*ING STANDING!!!!!

[DocGreek]

I recorded the movie on Saturday, and watched it tonight. There are 7 different stages of grief, and I'm going through them all over again. Overwhelmed by viewing the Honor, Dignity, Respect and Reverence, given willingly, by those who helped along the voyage, tells me that our country is worth the gift, given by Chance Phelps. There was no real time, in Combat, to grieve for fallen Marines, and Corpsmen, who gave the ultimate sacrifice, for their Brothers, and Country. I see them all, in my dreams, and nightmares. I pray that families of those men, in Viet Nam, and Iraq, who gave all, know that our prayers, for their loved ones, will continue till we take our last breath.....SEMPER FIDELIS.....Doc Greek

[Sir Charles]

Can't wait for this to come out on DVD so I can get a copy since I don't have HBO.

[KawiGunny]

I recorded the movie on Saturday, and watched it tonight. There are 7 different stages of grief, and I'm going through them all over again. Overwhelmed by viewing the Honor, Dignity, Respect and Reverence, given willingly, by those who helped along the voyage, tells me that our country is worth the gift, given by Chance Phelps. There was no real time, in Combat, to grieve for fallen Marines, and Corpsmen, who gave the ultimate sacrifice, for their Brothers, and Country. I see them all, in my dreams, and nightmares. I pray that families of those men, in Viet Nam, and Iraq, who gave all, know that our prayers, for their loved ones, will continue till we take our last breath.....SEMPER FIDELIS.....Doc Greek

I too had to record it and watch it later. Great view of what steps our services go through for our fallen. And you are absolutely right Doc.... there was no time. Welcome home Doc!!!!!!:beer:

[jetdawgg]

It's on HBO as we read this now (12:27)!!!!!!:usmc:

This is also, I feel, one of the many jobs that Marine Veterans can do in support of the American war efforts:usmc:

http://northcoastonline.typepad.com/north_coast_online/images/2007/05/28/chance_2.jpg

[sscjoe]

I showed movie this to my father, a WWll, Korea and Nam vet last night. It was just as emotional for me watching his reaction as the movie itself. He was very proud of the way all services were depicted and feels every American should see this movie.

[Jarhed87]

HBO Films: Taking Chance: Conversation With Bacon and Strobl

http://www.hbo.com/scripts/video/vidplayer.html?movie=/av/films/takingchance/taking_chance_intv_hboc+section=films+title=HBO%20 Films+num=1233795233314+tunein=

[hack4398]

It is very ironic that Kevin Bacon had the lead in this movie. He is VERY anti-war, but I hav to give him credit...he put that aside and did a phenomenal job.

SEMPER Fi

[GSEMarine94]

Watched it last night, very moving, very well portrayed. God bless Chance Phelps and all of those who gave given their all.

[Marine84]

I don't have HBO - can one of you guys that recorded it send me a copy? PLEASE!?!?!?! And I will love you long time.

[outlaw3179]

Great movie. Im not going to lie, from beggining to end, I was pretty much crying and emotional. The movie really moved me. I didnt know the movie was going affect me in that manner. At the end I had to get up and leave the room from my wife for a bit. but I think she understood. A very good movie.
I think Kevin Baccon did an amazing job, also the writers and the producers. They didnt try to put their own little agenda or try to make it a pro-war or anti war movie. I can't recommend this movie enough .

[TJR1070]

Great movie, really moving at the end with the pictures of Chance growing up.

[sscjoe]

Hey Kim, Five Dolla!!! I recorded on video, DVD broke. I have someone burning me a copy so if you haven't recieved one I'll get 2

[mamiehughes]

Well done! Outstanding movie.

[Eric Hood]

Where can I buy it? I really want to see it.
Semper Fi,
Eric:usmc:

[thedrifter]

Thursday, February 26, 2009
Mortuary affairs Soldiers say HBO film realistic

About 150 mortuary affairs specialists from the Army Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operation Center attended the premier of Taking Chance, a Home Box Office movie starring Kevin Bacon.

The movie, which made its television debut Saturday evening, chronicles one of the silent, virtually unseen journeys that take place when military escorts bring the fallen from the war zone to home.

This is a unique opportunity for the American public to see the dignity, honor and respect that we treat our fallen with… to see that we do that whether we are in the public eye or not, said Col. Carl Johnson, director of CMAOC. This was a great portrayal. It was really pretty accurate portrayal of what goes on behind the scenes.
Based on the real-life experiences of retired Marine Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, the movie pays tribute to the men and women who make the ultimate sacrifice, as well as to the uniformed servicemembers who literally and figuratively carry the fallen home.

Although the film is about a Marines journey home, officials said it is a testimony to the daily work of the CMAOC and everyone who has helped a fallen Soldier find his or her way home.

I actually worked overseas. I did the dignified transfers in Germany and at Dover and it captured exactly what we did over there and it was a very moving film, said
Sgt.Crystal Seymores really an honor to actually do this; and, now everyone can see what we do on a daily basis.

(Information compiled from an Army News Service release.)

Posted on 02/26 at 02:08 PM

Ellie

[DocGreek]

Watched it for third time. "Honor, Respect, and Dignity", always received by Marines in uniform, from the public. ALL KIA, and WIA Marines, and Corpsmen, deserve this nations thanks, for their service, and personal sacrifice. "Marines die, The Marine Corps will go on forever, so YOU will go on forever!" GSGT Lee Ermey Hartman, in "Full Metal Jacket"......SEMPER FIDELIS.....DOC

[thedrifter]

Bacon has solemn duty in 'Taking Chance'
By David Germain, The Associated Press

PARK CITY, Utah - First comes the bearer of the bad news, that a loved one has died in combat. Then comes the bearer of the loved one -- the military escort who brings the fallen warrior home.

Kevin Bacon's HBO drama "Taking Chance" chronicles a home front saga unknown to most Americans: the procedures and protocols followed in tending to our battle casualties and the honors paid them on their last journey.

Based on a true story, the film stars Bacon as Marine Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, a career officer who volunteered to escort the body of 19-year-old Lance Cpl. Chance Phelps back to his family in Wyoming after Phelps was killed in Iraq in April 2004.

Then based in Quantico, Va., Strobl traveled to the military mortuary at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where Phelps' body was prepared.

The film depicts the agonizing attention devoted to slain troops. Blood and grime are scrubbed from dog tags, watches and other personal effects. Hands are carefully cleaned, though they will be concealed by white gloves. Uniforms and medals are meticulously arranged, even in cases of closed-casket funerals.

And that's just the beginning.

Salutes and honors

Along the way, escorts and other military personnel must solemnly salute the dead each time their bodies are taken off a hearse or loaded onto a plane.

"It never occurred to me, the painstaking detail," Bacon said in an interview alongside Strobl at January's Sundance Film Festival, where "Taking Chance" premiered.

"The fact that the honors are rendered when the remains are moved from one place to another. I was really stunned, and then I think that's in a way what the essence of the movie is. You tell this very, very simple, specific story about this guy and this kid and this one journey, then hopefully, people start to think about the bigger picture of the families and the loss of life and the sacrifice."

Along the way, Bacon's Strobl encounters little moments of compassion and communal grief with strangers who never catch a glimpse of Phelps.

A civilian hearse driver explains he took the job partly in honor of friends wounded or killed in Iraq. An airline clerk upgrades Strobl to first class with a somber thank you for his escort duty. A flight attendant gives him a gold crucifix. An airline pilot who, like Strobl, served in Desert Storm joins in saluting Phelps.

"People you can presume represented the whole spectrum of views on our policies, they all, without exception, were grateful for Chance and saddened by the loss," said Strobl, who retired from the Marines in 2007 and now works a civilian job at the Pentagon.

Record became personal

Strobl shared it with colleagues, and the story eventually made its way to executive producer Brad Krevoy, who brought the project to HBO.

Ross Katz, a producer on such films as "Lost in Translation" and "In the Bedroom," collaborated with Strobl to write the screenplay and also made his directing debut on "Taking Chance."

Like Bacon, Katz initially hesitated, uncertain that he wanted to take on an Iraq film.

Then Katz caught a TV news item one night about the latest casualties from a roadside bomb in Iraq.

Normally very engaged with international news, Katz said he felt nothing.

"I remember going outside, walking down the street … and everybody was running off to dinner, living their lives in busy Manhattan," Katz said. "I thought, a parent right now is getting a knock on the door, and some Marine or airman or soldier is informing that parent their child has died. Why is everything normal outside? Shouldn't the world stop for a second?"

'All pretend, and yet …'

While filming, Bacon found even his movie world stopped for a moment as the filmmakers re-created Strobl's journey with the box containing Phelps' coffin.

"There was this odd thing where the process of making the film, it's all pretend, and yet I sort of felt a similar kind of thing to what Mike has expressed going through," Bacon said. "Because we'd shoot these scenes, even though there was nothing in our box, just people watching it were really profoundly affected by it."

Strobl said he wants the film to affect audiences the same way.

"Understandably but also regrettably, we all kind of get desensitized to the numbers," Strobl said. "If nothing else, I hope people walk away from this movie and kind of pause to remember the 4,000 names that they may have glanced at in the paper or seen on the news or even worse, may have just ignored because they've seen so many of them.

"If they just take a minute and think about those service members and their families, that would be gratifying."




Tune In

Today 2:30 p.m., midnight Wednesday noon, 8 p.m.

Saturday 8 a.m., 4:30 p.m.

Ellie

[Katzman]

What's with their slow saluting?

[davblay]

What's with their slow saluting?


Isn't that protocol and respect, from the manual?

Dave

[Katzman]

I will have to look, but I've never heard of that before.

[Jyates383]

Finally caught this movie on HBO and it was great, very sad. I just want to thank all you Marines for your service and all branches for that matter and all who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. I hope to earn the title of Marine and join your ranks soon enough.

[thedrifter]

TAKING A CHANCE

By KYLE SMITH


March 1, 2009 --

For two and a half minutes near the end of "Taking Chance," the new HBO movie about the body of a young Marine returned home for burial, there is no sound except for the salute of the riflemen and the Wyoming wind battering the flags that stand at half mast as the shattered remains of PFC Chance Phelps are placed at rest. The silence amounts to perhaps the most eloquent statement Hollywood has yet made about the Iraq War.

Its main competition is an earlier scene in the same movie. Driving along a country road behind an SUV carrying the casket, Lt. Col. Michael Strobl finds other motorists forming an impromptu funeral cortege out of respect for the departed.

"Taking Chance," which is the only Iraq movie to show the troops in a wholly positive way, is also the only one people are watching. The film industry has reduced our troops to dupes, dopes, deserters and losers in an insane clown posse of laughably bad films like "Stop-Loss," "In the Valley of Elah," "Lions for Lambs," "Home of the Brave" and "The Lucky Ones." To say that these relentlessly skewed movies, made by people innocent of any knowledge of the military, are flops would be an understatement: "The Lucky Ones," for instance, which starred Tim Robbins and Rachel McAdams as desperate and moronic vets on leave, last fall grossed $267,000, a figure that wouldn't even cover the cost of advertising. It was yanked from screens after a single week.

"Taking Chance," though, a work of transcendent sorrow and infinite dignity, was watched by two million viewers on its first HBO showing last Saturday, the best figure for an HBO original movie in five years. Though the violent death of a serviceman informs every frame, it is also a powerful statement about duty and honor as embodied in the stark face of USMC Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, nobly portrayed by Kevin Bacon with a chesty military bearing and a hidden well of resolve. The film is based on Strobl's experience escorting the remains of Phelps, who was killed in action in 2004 and who inspired Strobl to keep a journal published on blogs such as Blackfive.net.

To show the fallen as heroes is too much for some to bear. "There is surely an edge of propaganda to the unfailing grace and dignity of the process showcased in 'Taking Chance,' " snarked Ray Richmond in The Hollywood Reporter. " 'Taking Chance' is saved from patriotic sentimentality by its attention to detail and Bacon's performance," said Mary McNamara in the Los Angeles Times. Saved! Whew. That was a close call.

In the New York Times, Ginia Bellafante ruled that "Taking Chance" contained "a flatness that made me feel unpatriotic for being bored." She needn't worry. Finding this stately but cathartic film boring isn't unpatriotic. It's merely cloddish.

Taking the Silver Star for snark was Jeffrey Wells of the popular movie blog Hollywood Elsewhere. If you have ever served in the military, I advise you to skip the next paragraph. Especially if you are armed.

Wells says that "Taking Chance" "sells the honor and glory of combat death in a 'sensitive' way that is not only cloying but borders on the hucksterish. Which I feel is a kind of obscenity . . . It may be one of the most inspired con jobs of all time in the way it walks, talks and acts apolitical . . . and yet deep down, it's a film that will warm the cockles of Dick Cheney's heart. 'Taking Chance' is about simple sadness and dignity in the same way that Scientologists offering free stress tests are just trying to make your day go a little smoother."

Since Wells apparently scorns all "combat death," not just those in Iraq, I wonder whether he is a local pacifist as well. Maybe if there were no ceremonies to honor fallen police officers, the force would be unable to recruit new talent and disband. Then criminals, unprovoked by the presence of law enforcement, would simply disappear?

"Taking Chance" makes no case for the Iraq War. It asks merely for understanding and respect of those who sacrifice. The pain etched in Bacon's face is so profound that by the end of the film, you feel why he says, "I should have been over there. I was trained to fight. If I'm not over there, what am I?" Then he delivers his highest praise: "Those guys - guys like Chance - they're Marines."

Kyle.Smith@nypost.com

Ellie

[KawiGunny]

What's with their slow saluting?


Not sure where or even if that is written anywhere. However, thats the way I have seen it done many times. It's like paying respects to our fallen.

[sgt03gunr]

I missed it, caught it towards the end but didn't want to see just the ending...Will have to snatch it up. Semper Fi.

Sgt "A"

[sgt03gunr]

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z242/E-5_Graffix/Fallen-Brothers_ALL.gif

[thedrifter]

Found by a poolee...;)

Here is a link for the movie for all to view.....

click on the "I am human let me watch" button and it will redirect and load movie.

http://www.supernovatube.com/play.php?viewkey=1211433010


Ellie

[sscjoe]

Thanks Poolie

[jetdawgg]

http://www.armchairgeneral.com/wordpress/wp-content/image/2009/specialfeatures/takingchance/kevin-bacon-and-michael-strobl.jpg


http://www.pbs.org/weta/crossroads/images/content/3-Strobl.jpg

[390 Mach I]

Excellent movie!
Both mine and my wifes eyeballs sweated a bit... a few times while watching it.
:flag:

[jetdawgg]

The carriage stopped about fifteen yards from the grave. Once the entire crowd was in place, the pallbearers came to attention and began to remove the casket from the caisson. As I had done all week, I came to attention and executed a slow ceremonial salute as Chance was being transferred from one mode of transport to another.

From Dover to Philadelphia, Philadelphia to Minneapolis, Minneapolis to Billings, Billings to Riverton, and Riverton to Dubois, we had been together. Now, as I watched them carry him the final fifteen yards, I was choking up. I felt that, as long as he was still moving, he was somehow still alive. Then they positioned him over his grave. He had stopped moving.

Now, he was home to stay and I suddenly felt at once sad, relieved, and useless. It had been my honor to take Chance Phelps to his final post. Now he is on the high ground overlooking his town.

I miss him.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.pbs.org/weta/crossroads/images/content/3-Strobl.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.pbs.org/weta/crossroads/about/show_operation_homecoming_film.html&usg=__khC26mmMiCVtRGzJSYnpFz-36RA=&h=130&w=100&sz=3&hl=en&start=7&tbnid=Uy5OIZiH_Kl4IM:&tbnh=91&tbnw=70&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmichael%2Bstrobl%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den% 26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DG