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The Pentagon Wars (DVD, 2005)
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- Buy It NowThe Pentagon Wars (DVD, 2005)
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A movie filmed by HBO Films and directed by Richard Benjamin. It's about an Air Force officer (Cary Elwes) who's appointed by Congress to oversee live fire testing of the Army's new Bradley Fight Vehicle. Kelsey Grammer plays the General who's in charge of the acquisition program for this vehicle. Based on a true story (book called The Pentagon Wars by James Burton), and done as a comedy, the movie portray's the experiences of Air Force Lt Col James Burton during his tour at the Pentagon in the early to mid '80s. The movie is the equivalent of Office Space for DoD weapons acquisition back in the 1980's. I happen to work in a job similar to the part that Cary Elwes plays in the film and found this movie to be absolutely hilarious. The first time I saw this I just had to get it. I searched high and low in video stores and could not find it or get it. Ebay was my only option to get it since the video is out-of-print. I also love that some familar faces from Office Space appear in this movie. John C. McGinley and Richard Riehle. Other familar faces for me are: Richard Benjamin plays Casper Weinberger (Sec. of Defense). Olympia Dukakis plays Madam Chairwoman, House Armed Services Committee. Viola Davis as Platoon Sgt. Flanning. Richard Schiff (The West Wing) plays the Army officer who has the unfortunate job of trying to build the vehicle with Army General's who think they know everything about building weapon systems (why don't you put a turret on it?). And Dann Florek (Law and Order: SVU). Dislike, I wish the DVD had more behind the scenes of the movie. Maybe some interviews with James Burton. How about the 60 minutes reports on failed DoD Acquisition Programs from the past (like the Navy's AN/SLQ-32 ship based fire control system). But that probably won't happen. Still, I enjoyed the movie very much and it sits right next to Office Space in my DVD collection.Read full review
The first ten minutes were very symptomatic of big Army procurement, in fact, of the entire Department of Defense acquisition enterprise. However, this movie, and the book on which it was based were entirely skewed and biased. Sure, there were and still are plenty of bureaucratic stupidity in a system rife with inefficiencies and short-sighted technocrats - this was the basis from which the humor was drawn. That said, this movie had completely overblown one very minor technical aspect of the Bradley vehicle procurement process and made it central to the plot of the movie - the truth was that the "armor" testing in the movie was but one of hundreds of factors considered during the acquisition. It was a bit dishonest to completely overemphasize that one aspect while not even mentioning the others. Alas, it is a movie, an old one, an attempt to be funny. The movie makers missed an opportunity to satirize the whole federal acquisition process, and, instead, focus on one lame aspect of a much larger event.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This movie is very entertaining and probably gives the viewer an insight into the workings of our bloated government.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Arrived in perfect condition. Have seen before. It's a keeper. Wanted it for my motorhome.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I only saw this move a few years ago. I was surprised that I missed it. Both of the actors turned in great performances.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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