The Last Full Measure

Sebastian Stan is a lawyer for the Pentagon. He's smart, driven, ambitious, politically savvy and looking for his next job. His last assignment at his current position is to look into the file of William H. Pitsenbarger, Jr., an airman killed in Vietnam twenty-two earlier. Members of his unit, soldiers whose lives he saved under the fire that killed him, his dying parents (Christopher Plummer in his final screen appearance, Diane Ladd) have petitioned to have his Air Force Cross upgraded to the Medal of Honor he was originally recommended for. As he travels to interview the people, we hear the things they are not saying more clearly, and Stan does too, gradually becoming convinced that Pitsenbarger must have his medal of honor, even though he is not sure why, and the fight may make him enemies he can ill afford.

It's a heartfelt and meaningful response to the question posed in the movie -- and almost a century ago, in BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN -- as to what a piece of ribbon is worth. It's a distinguished cast, including Peter Fonda (also in his last screen role), Samuel L. Jackson, William Hurt, and Ed Harris. Highly recommended.

A story that deserved to be told. As I watched I couldn't help but think of 'Courage Under Fire'. An investigation with plenty of interviews, all trying to determine if a person who died in battle was worthy of the Medal of Honor.

Based on all accounts, William Pitsenbarger was definitely worthy. It's unfortunate it took so long to determine this. Thankfully his parents were a central point of the story, as they should be.

It's a drama with all the well intentions in the world. All the veteran actors did a good job portraying veterans. The sentiment message was delivered; mission accomplished.

Second review I 24 hours being off work sick has its advantages!! I saw the low review point on this but watched it anyway because of the cast, it nearly has a better cast than the Irishman !!!! I'm not American ... I did not serve in Vietnam nor do I know anyone that served in that war as some keyboard warrior reviews seem hung up on. I enjoyed a well written well acted movie and I'm not ashamed to say I sat here and cried for the last 10 mins, not something I do for movies I think ET in the cinema was the last time. This movie slowly wrapped its storyline around my heart, gripped me till the end and and didn't disappoint. Disregard the low ratings and rants from wannabe movie critics this is a movie to enjoy and cherish every moment of they don't make them like this too often and when they do movies like this have a habit of falling between the same cracks spoken in the movie. Enjoy it for what it is, a journey for more than one person including the viewer.

This was a great movie. People who nit-pick it miss the point. Movies are supposed to entertain us, they are not history lessons. Sure there are a few mistakes, but nothing that detracts from the story or the man's heroism.

And for you guys talking about his "sergeant strips" that change did not take effect until Oct. 1967 and this action happened in April 1966. At the time of the action his 3-stripes indicated Senior Airman, which is still an Airman.

Sit back and enjoy the film. I'm sure you won't regret it. God bless you William Pitsenbarger.

The Last Full Measure

This movie tackled some very difficult subjects with a clever script and brilliant acting. It is very much an American story and certainly not for everyone.

The narrative vehicle was a naive and ambitious administrator, played by Sebastian Stan, as he learned so we gradually understood, the meaning of posthumous honours, human valour, closure, selflessness and the enduring pain of those who survive.

I can't say I enjoyed the movie by I certainly experienced it in a visceral way. Whoever developed this dry script into this movie deserves a Hollywood medal as it was a tour-de-force without descending into mush or sentimentality.