To Heal A Nation
Added 8/5/2009
This is one of the best movies that I have ever watched. Like others, I opposed not as much the war, as the way our politicians fought the war on paper. I never opposed the men who actually went over seas, and fought and died in this war. Eric Roberts should have won an oscar for this movie. The movie should have won an oscar, but it was about an unpopular war, and no one said much.
If you haven't seen the movie, I want to recount two scenes.
The wall is finally under construction, and workers are adding the names; cutting into the stone. A woman who is working suddenly starts to cry. Other workers come to her thinking she's been hurt by the stone cutting equipment, but that isn't why she is sobbing. She has just found her baby brother's name, and her tears are tribute to the power of the names on the black granite.
During a hearing before construction begins, someone is complaining about the black stone in a black place in the ground, and all sort of negative black comments. A highly decorated African American officer stands up, reminding the others of all the 'black' men who died in the war, and makes it very clear that the speaker better think before he makes any more negative black references.
I really wish this would go to DVD. It's something that belongs in every school and in every library.
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A Truly Awesome Movie
Added 8/2/2009
This was a made for T.V. movie, I had seen when it first came out, 1992, I believe. I am a Vietnam veteran. This movie touched my heart, in ways I can not explain. Its a must see movie for all ages. When this war ended and young men came home, It was a very different time. I hope and pray that those who see this movie will come to understand how hard it was for those of us who served. We all loved our country. A great deal of young men at that time joined the Armed Forces. I did! The Air Force was my choice. I was proud to serve my country. But the home coming was in some ways worse than death. I am happy to say, I have had some people in the past few years, thank me for my service. In three cases I recall it was from young Americans. Thank god, thank all who served, and all who gave there lives. See this movie. I think you will agree. And watch it again and again. One last important note, I was one of the lucky ones, I never went overseas, or to Vietnam, I know many who did! And some who never came home. This movie is a fine tribute to all who served. Eric Roberts was awesome as Jan Scruggs.To Heal a Nation [VHS]
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A stunning portrayal of Jan Scruggs by underrated actor, Eric Roberts
Added 2/28/2009
Eric Roberts has a certain understated intensity that works amazingly well in his portrayal of Jan Scruggs, the VietNam vet who wrote the book 'To Heal a Nation,' upon which this film is based.
Scruggs is the power behind the existence today of the VietNam Memorial in Washington D.C. which shows all the names of those who died in the war. This was no mean trick being that the VietNam war is considered to be the most unpopular war American soldiers have ever fought in, so resistance to memorializing the fallen in that war was strong. So, it took great tenacity and tireless dedication to achieve the final funding and building of the VietNam Memorial.
How this was achieved is the story that is told here, and what engages and holds our attention -- beginning with Scruggs' original idea, through one obstacle after another, all the way to the inspiring opening of the memorial in Washington -- is Eric Roberts' magnetic performance as Jan Scruggs.
This film deserves to be made available on DVD. Whatever the unpopularity of the politics behind this country's involvement in the VietNam war, the valiant men and women who fought and died in that war deserve to be honored for their service. In memory of all those who died in VietNam, for the children and other family members of all VietNam vets -- both fallen and those living among us today -- this film (and Scruggs' book) deserve wide distribution. It's difficult to obtain a copy of this film (even on VHS), and it's difficult to find even in local libraries. So, it's wonderful to be able to find it here on Amazon. Highly recommended.
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To Heal A Nation
Added 10/28/2008
Great Great Movie!!!!!!! Have only seen this movie once on TV. With some advertisement, and on CD format, you could sell a million of them. There are a lot of us vets still around. Great movie to pass onto our grandchildren.
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To Heal A Nation
Added 10/5/2008
I Had seen this movie awhile back and thought it should be a required movie for anyone interested in just what it took to get a memorial for the
Vietnam Vets as myself. A great movie and hope it gets to DVD soon.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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