The Last Full Measure

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.

Whilst it takes an annoyingly generic and familiar approach to it's incredible true story, The Last Full Measure is still a really good fact based drama that's emotional and engaging. Sebastian Stan gives a great lead performance and Christopher Plummer, Samuel L. Jackson, Ed Harris and William Hurt all give amazing supporting performances. Todd Robinson's direction is really good and the war scenes are effectively intense and harrowing. The music by Philip Klein is good.

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.

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.