Friendly Fire

1980 "In war, the only thing worse than death is not knowing the truth."
7.2| 2h27m| NR| en| More Info
Released: 09 November 1980 Released
Producted By: Marble Arch Productions
Country:
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

In March 1970, a U.S. Army officer arrived at the Iowa farm of Peg and Gene Mullen and informed them that their son Michael had been killed in Vietnam by "friendly fire." Their determined attempts to learn more about the circumstances of their son's death are the subject of this true account film.

Genre

Drama, War, TV Movie

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Friendly Fire (1980) is now streaming with subscription on Prime Video

Director

David Greene

Production Companies

Marble Arch Productions

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Friendly Fire Audience Reviews

Actuakers One of my all time favorites.
Acensbart Excellent but underrated film
CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.
Fleur Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.
thinker1691 The Unites States Army has a history dating back to 1776. In it's archives are stories of great courage and heroism. Citizens, ranging from school Children to civic patriots who erect statues and monuments to those great men have come to believe in their heroes. It is difficult then to discover that the very people who are entrusted with telling the truth of the fallen have decided to lie to Americans. This movie is called " Friendly Fire " a difficult misnomer if ever there was one. The most famous casualty of friendly fire (accidently killing our own soldiers) was Pat Tillman a courageous man who gave up a lucrative football career to serve his country. However, the U.S Army dishonored his sacrifice and fabricated his death. In this story, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Mullen (Ned Beatty and Carol Burnett, Great acting.) play an Iowa couple who proudly see their son Michael march off to war. Unfortunately, the military replays their trust by first pretending to not knowing the details of their son's death and then later trying to destroy their credibility by not answering their inquisitive questions, spying on them, tapping their phones and finally trying to discredit them as Americans and their tireless efforts to learn the real story behind their son's death. Director David Greene and writer Courtlandt Bryan provide's amply foundation for the Mullen's desperate plea for understanding and final resolution. Sam Waterston plays C.D. Bryan a very sympathetic writer who finally helps them to find a simple peace. One which America still waits on the fifth Tillman investigation. ****
sierratc Friendly Fire hit the nail on the head for that time period. I was in Viet Nam (69/70) when our own artillery hit on top our our position. I was just relieved from my post and I laid my steelpot (helmet) on top of my 50 caliber machine gun. I went inside the Armored Personnel Carrier through the 50 hatch and no longer got inside when arty landed a round in front of the track. A piece of shrapnel bounced off my steelpot and went through the guy who just came on to relieve me. When I saw Friendly Fire it brought me back a few years. Thank you Ms. Burnett for speaking out and standing up for a lot of Viet Nam Vets. We stepped up for Honor, God, and Country and was never appreciated for our efforts. A few gave some and some gave all for our Country. We as Viet Nam Veterans fought a thankless war. I saw Friendly Fire only once and have yet to see it again on any reruns. I would like to know how I can acquire a DVD copy of this film??With Do Respect and Admiration for you work:Formerly,Sgt. John Damian Co. A, 1/5 Mechcanized Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, Cu Chi, Viet Nam
graysroot3 This movie was made solely to discredit the Military. Friendly fire is a fact of life and has happened in every war. It is unavoidable.That said, the movie went out of its way to discredit the Military as a bumbling bunch of nitwits trying to hide the real truth from the American people, and the poor Mullens were lied to and given the old run around to prevent them from finding out the truth.To say it doesn't happen would be untrue, it does but not to the extent that was portrayed in the movie.When the Military plays fast and loose with the truth Hollywood is the quick to point it out, but when Hollywood plays with the truth and stretches to the point of being absurd no one says a word.The movie, except for the acting was trash.
stillwatervideo I only rated the movie a 7 of 10 because the real story was lost here. It became more about the author, C.D.B. Bryan than the Mullens and their quest for the truth about what happened to their son in Viet Nam. Carol Burnett gave a moving performance that demonstrated her depth as an actress and Ned Beatty's portrayal of Gene Mullen was stellar. The film had a few sappy moments in it, but overall, it was a powerful movie that is very timely, considering the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and the number of friendly fire deaths under-reported in the casualty listings. I would strongly recommend that everyone take the time to read Peg Mullen's book, "Unfriendly Fire - A Mother's Memoir". It reads like Paul Harvey's 'The Rest of the Story', in which Peg Mullen receives a phone call from the man who fired the gun that killed her son and the aftermath of that call. This is a fine film and worth taking a look at.