Purple Heart - Die Stunde des Helden

This movie tells two very moving stories with care and sensitivity. Everyone in the cast plays their roles the way they were meant to be played. No one steals the show; instead they work together to create a movie to be remembered.

One of those quiet movies that leave a deep impression. Garner is good, as always, and the supporting cast seem just perfect for their roles. It has a similar atmosphere to FIRST MONDAY IN OCTOBER with Walter Mathau. A feel good movie, and well worth seeing more than once.

Although James Garner Is one of my favorites,Bill Cobbs, as In the movie, Is not given the glory he deserves ! This passionate actor deserves accolades ! I don't know how many awards he has received, but he deserves many more ! I've seen him In many second-fiddle roles, Where he could have actually been the leader ! I'm going to follow-up, I need to see more of this great actor's accomplishments. I reiterate, this passionate and compassionate Individual needs to have a script written around him , I bet the right one would raise him over the brim ! I know that he Is an Exceptional Individual, How? Sometimes everyone can tell !

Clever plot about misunderstandings might teach you something beyond the fact that prejudice is as apt to harm the practitioner as its target. Excellent performances by James Garner and Bill Cobbs as old friends estranged by the history of race in their community and nation.

Late in his life when Robert Mitchum was finally receiving accolades for his career work, a reporter asked him why it took so long for such recognition. Mitchum replied, "Because there's nobody else left."

The same might be said for James Garner, as people increasingly acknowledge his skill. Like Henry Fonda, Garner makes it look so easy and effortless that one tends to take his work for granted.

In "Decoration Day" his character is similar to his laid-back hero in "Murphy's Romance." Garner can play wide emotional ranges as the script may call for, yet smoothly blend nuances to achieve a finely tuned product.

Here the entire cast works in fine ensemble fashion, with Bill Cobbs being particularly strong as Gee.

Perhaps real-life Purple Heart-winner Garner felt a special connection to this touching story about the aftermath of war.

This was another worthy Hallmark production made especially for television.