Taking Chance (DVD, 2009)

************* FIVE STARS*********

WOW ! KEVIN BACON AT HIS VERY BEST ! KEVIN NAILED THIS ONE !!!
BACON PLAYS A MARINE LT. COL. THAT VOLUNTEERS TO TAKE THE BODY OF RECENTLY KILLED YOUNG MARINE BACK HOME TO WYOMING. CPL. CHANCE PHELPS U.S.M.C.
BASED ON A TRUE STORY BY LT. COL. STROBL U.S.M.C.(RET.) (PLAYED BY BACON).
SAD,GRIPPING,WONDERFULLY DONE FILM SHOWED THE HONOR PAID BY LOCAL CITIZENS TO A FALLEN HERO KILLED IN IRAQ. THE FILMS HAS CLIPS OF THE(REAL) YOUNG MAN "CHANCE PHELPS" AS BOY AND OFFERS SOME BACKGROUND,HOME MOVIES,PHOTOS IN THE "SPECIAL FEATURES" SECTION.
AS A NAVY VET I WAS VERY PLEASED TO SEE THIS TYPE & QUALITY MOVIE ABOUT THIS VERY SPECIAL YOUNG MAN !
HAND SALUTE TO CPL. PHELPS.....
RICH U.S.N. GUNNERS MATE 3/C 69/72

We hear the numbers, we read the statistics, but we don't really understand what the loss of a soldier in battle means in human grief. This touching movie documents the bringing home of a fallen soldier and seeing that his body is returned to his family in a dignified and honorable way. Based on a true incident, it begins with an officer deciding he would like to escort the body of a soldier to his family. Step by step we accompany him through the process and are touched by the respect and caring shown to him and his cargo by people along the way.
There are no war scenes, no blood, no gore and no scenes inserted for shock value. Rather it gives us glimpses of these things through the words and actions of those who are directly or indirectly involved in the return of a young soldier's remains to his family. It removes the political opinions, the anti-war protests, and the questions of why we are involved in this war, and replaces them with an inside view of a soldier's death and return that we rarely get to see.
I particularly appreciated how the movie drove home, in the kindest way possible, the point that every soldier who falls in battle is someone's son, father, brother, spouse or friend and his absence will be felt deeply by those who loved him. It is one of the most touching films I've seen in a very long time and would recommend it to anyone who would like to have a better understanding of what a war really costs in terms of human life.
Kevin Bacon did an outstanding job as the officer accompanying the body home. He powerfully conveyed the emotions of the film without hype or slobbering emotion. The dignity and genuine caring he portrayed was reserved and tasteful. In fact, the whole film is well done.

Whether you are from a military family or not, you have to understand the importance of bringing the bodies of the dead men and women home. Lt. Col. Mike Strobl was a number cruncher for the Marine Corps. He had served his time in Desert Storm and now helps out by serving here at home. With a number of his friends returning to Iraq this time around, Strobl keeps a nightly watch on the list of casualities coming home from Iraq. He notices a Marine, PFC Chance Phelps, who had enlisted in Colorado, was returning. Strobl sees this as a chance to go back home to his hometown. Strobl volunteers to escort the body home. As events would dictate, PFC Chance Phelps was actually from Montana. Strobl could have backed out of this assignment, but he stayed the course. Rarely will an officer escort an enlisted man home, but Chance Phelps was NOT an ordinary man. First he was a Marine, a special breed of person. Secondly, he was only a PFC, Private First Class, but had six service medals. Last but not least, PFC Chance Phelps is the catalyst for a rebirth in Lt. Col. Mike Strobl. Strobl's escort turns into a life changing event for him as well as all that came in contact with PFC Chance Phelps. This story is one that touches the heart and soul of ALL AMERICANS. GOD bless America and GOD bless all the Chance Phelps of this world.

This movie is a must for every American to watch. It is a very touching true story journey of one of our honored soldiers who gave his all, his life for others. It takes you on his journey from the battlefield all the way home to his funeral. It shows the love and respect given to the care of this fallen warrior as he is brought back home to his family and his burial. Also the emotions and respect and honor given to him who come in contact with the fallen soldier as well as to Kevin Bacon, the soldier honored to escort the fallen hero home. No one thinks about this part of the fallen heroes lives. I truly respect the makers of this powerful movie and the sensitivity they have shown. You will never forget this production. Please take the time to see this movie.

Kevin Bacon is superb in his portrayal of a Marine Colonel taking the body of a Marine PFC home for burial. The film accurately portrays the process by which the military sends fallen heroes home. Kleenex is a MUST when you watch this movie! The scene where they are on the last leg of the trip in the wilds of Montana is especially well done. God bless our military! All military families should watch this film so they can be prepared for what will happen should their hero fall in the line of duty.