movie review the last full measure

The Last Full Measure

“The Last Full Measure” covers the 1999 battle to obtain the Medal of Honor for deceased Air Force Airman William Pitsenbarger. Killed in combat in one of the bloodiest missions of the Vietnam War, Pitsenbarger saved many lives but was awarded what his family and the men he saved and served with considered a lesser commendation. We’re told that of the thousands of vets who have received the “MOH,” as the characters here call it, only 18 of them hailed from the USAF. Pitsenbarger was not even supposed to be on the ground; he was in a chopper with his fellow airmen airlifting the wounded until the company below lost their medic. After assisting the wounded on the ground, Pitsenbarger defies an order to return to his aircraft, opting instead to seal his fate by engaging in combat to cover the remaining company men.

Writer/director Todd Robinson spins this tale of heroism with a lot of purple sentiment but surprisingly little of the jingoism expected from a film like this. Instead, “The Last Full Measure” spends much of its runtime examining postwar post-traumatic stress disorder and the survivor’s guilt that accompanies it. Running underneath this is a subtly rendered current of anger over the way veterans are treated once they come home. These ideas are presented by a cast of well-seasoned actors who help the film survive its occasionally clunky dialogue. In fact, one of the film’s bigger pleasures is listening to these thespians plow through their numerous monologues. Their performances are the film’s saving grace.

Sensing that his film might sink to more maudlin depths, Robinson presents an audience stand-in who represents the level of cynicism needed to balance out his story. Scott Huffman ( Sebastian Stan ) is three months away from losing his current cushy government position due to the resignation of a higher-up. To keep him busy until then, his boss Carlton Stanton ( Bradley Whitford ) assigns him the case brought up by Tulley ( William Hurt ), the airman who sent Pitsenbarger into the jungle on the day he died. Stanton thinks Tulley’s request will die on the vine—upgrades of medals were practically unheard of in the military—and even if it has staying power, the government will prolong any actions well past Huffman’s tenure. Huffman treats the job with some disdain, but Tulley is not only persistent, he’s wily. He earns an ally in Stanton’s boss by presenting his case at a mens’ room urinal. In one of the few scenes of humor, Tulley offers up a handshake while the other guy is quite obviously indisposed.

Hurt is the first of several familiar faces “The Last Full Measure” pulls out like aces from a stacked deck. Christopher Plummer and Diane Ladd show up as Pitsenbarger’s parents Frank and Alice, and the men he saved are well played in their present-day incarnations by Ed Harris , John Savage , Samuel L. Jackson and Peter Fonda in one of his last roles. Each is given a flashback sequence and some of that aforementioned ripe dialogue. I began to tire of the flashbacks—they’re not bad, they’re just repetitive and would have been more effective presented as one major set-piece rather than interspersed throughout for unnecessary suspense—but my interest in those monologues never waned.

In his few scenes, Fonda is especially good. His Jimmy Burr is a still-traumatized man who has slept during the day for 32 years due to his unshakeable fear of the night. His protective wife Donna ( Amy Madigan ) sees right through Huffman’s insincerity when he comes to interview Jimmy, warning him that this vet does not suffer fools gladly. Jimmy Burr is the type of character who can easily be overplayed, but Fonda finds the right note between stoicism and madness that is truly haunting. Burr punctuates every sentence he speaks to Huffman with “sir,” and the way he says it hovers somewhere between an affectation and a threat. He even sells one of the movie’s pulpiest lines with gusto: After Huffman asks if Burr’s gun is loaded, and receiving a demonstration of the affirmative, Burr yells “an unloaded gun is just a stick!”

Jackson is also very good here as Takoda. Like Fonda, he walks a fine line of menace without going over the top. At first antagonistic toward Huffman, Takoda gradually warms to him once he realizes that this may be the last chance for cancer-stricken Frank to see his son earn the MOH before he dies. Takoda and Frank share a scene of quiet power where the former, in a state of guilt-stricken grief over a specific battle incident, calls the latter and can’t bring himself to speak. This is apparently a common occurrence. “Did he say anything?” asks Alice. “He never does,” replies Frank. Takoda and Tulley most strongly represent the film’s examination of survivor’s guilt and both are given scenes that reflect their anguish.

You may have noticed that I’ve said very little about William Pitsenbarger. “The Last Full Measure” misses the opportunity to flesh him out, to give us more insight into who he was. As played by Jeremy Irvine , he is certainly heroic and the actor’s good looks and affable manner serve as a form of cinematic character shorthand for someone for whom we should root. But he’s mostly defined by the tales told by everyone else and as such remains a mystery held at arms length. This may have been Robinson’s intention, to keep him a bit enigmatic as a form of respect, but I wish I could have spent more time hearing from Pitsenbarger directly. Without that, he feels like a ghost haunting his own story.

Odie Henderson

Odie “Odienator” Henderson has spent over 33 years working in Information Technology. He runs the blogs Big Media Vandalism and Tales of Odienary Madness. Read his answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire here .

Samuel L. Jackson as Takoda
Sebastian Stan as Scott Huffman
Jeremy Irvine as William Pitsenbarger
Christopher Plummer as Franky Pitsenbarger
Bradley Whitford as Carlton Stanton
Ed Harris as Ray Mott
Michael Imperioli as Jay Ford
Diane Ladd as Alice Pitsenbarger
Linus Roache as Whit Peters

Cinematographer

Byron Werner
Claudia Castello
Richard Nord
Terel Gibson
Philip Klein
Todd Robinson

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‘The Last Full Measure’ Review: Remembering a Fallen War Hero

This fact-based story directed by Todd Robinson follows the quest to get a Medal of Honor for a pararescue medic who died in Vietnam.

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By Glenn Kenny

When in a movie a harried, cynical, pencil-pushing government bureaucrat is saddled with an assignment he doesn’t want, during a crisis in his employment, you know how it’s going to go. Just as in a Hallmark movie where the overextended urban single woman gets lured out to a distant aunt’s rural bed-and-breakfast, there are going to be some life changes.

In the fact-based film “The Last Full Measure,” Sebastian Stan plays Scott Huffman, a Department of Defense legal cog solicited by a Vietnam veteran (William Hurt) to pursue a Medal of Honor for a fallen colleague, an Air Force pararescue medic named William H. Pitsenbarger . Initially inclined to shrug the case off, Huffman speaks to Pitsenbarger’s parents, played by Christopher Plummer and Diane Ladd, and to the soldiers he saved, a traumatized group that includes one who has been sitting on a secret for over 30 years. (The film’s action is mostly set in 1999, with flashbacks to Vietnam in 1966.) Huffman becomes a believer, then a crusader.

The movie is written and directed, with undeniable sincerity, by Todd Robinson. While its story mechanics are creaky, the valor of Pitsenbarger is evoked cogently, in well-executed battle sequences. And not one soul in the stellar cast, which also includes Samuel L. Jackson, Ed Harris, Amy Madigan and, in one of his last screen roles, Peter Fonda , chooses to phone it in.

Indeed, the raw pain that Hurt dredges up in the movie’s last quarter constitutes some of the most wrenching acting he’s ever done. And Plummer and Ladd are practically magisterial as parents whose lifelong grief has come to define, but not overwhelm, them. These performers cut through the swelling music and sometimes cloying earnestness to put across some valuable emotional truths.

The Last Full Measure

Rated R for grisly scenes of warfare. Running time: 1 hour 50 minutes.

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The Last Full Measure Reviews

Stan’s job is to take a back seat to Bradley Whitford, William Hurt, Christopher Plummer, Diane Ladd, Samuel L. Jackson, Amy Madigan, Peter Fonda, Ed Harris and John Savage.

Full Review | Jun 12, 2024

A do-the-right-thing film that lacks technical savvy but makes up for it with well-earned manipulation.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Aug 23, 2022

Can you see the gears turning during these scenes? Sure. But I can’t deny their effect, and Robinson is clearly sharing something he cares about.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 23, 2022

The emotional manipulation is still there, undoubtedly, but the tactics do find a way of working and are well executed.

Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | Jun 5, 2022

How can a film starring Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Plummer and Ed Harris be this dull?

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Apr 29, 2021

Ultimately, The Last Full Measure doesn't reach the level of an exceptional drama, but its heart is in the right place, and it offers a well-told story - one likely to resonate strongly with those affected one way or another by war.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Feb 28, 2021

As well-intentioned as the film's messages of respect for the sacrifices of the fallen are, The Last Full Measure succumbs to melodrama at almost every turn.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Jan 30, 2021

The writing remains honest to the true events and gives its viewers and protagonists a befitting closure...

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jan 27, 2021

The way the story is told is fresh, the violence is not sensationalized at all, and the acting is top-notch.

Full Review | Original Score: 8/10 | Jan 27, 2021

A talented cast of famous faces aren't quite enough to pull this war-time tale out of the mud of corny cliche.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Aug 28, 2020

It stands out for its top-notch cast of stars (who all deliver convincing performances) and the fact that Vietnam War stories about the U.S. Air Force are rarely told in movies.

Full Review | Jul 13, 2020

A powerhouse cast lends gravitas to this fact-based drama.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 11, 2020

Even with the stellar cast, it diminishes the overall impact of this remarkable tale of heroism.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 7, 2020

Boasting a powerhouse cast, The Last Full Measure has the best of intentions, to celebrate servicemen without condoning war, but winds up with little else.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jun 3, 2020

A solid, well-made and occasionally very moving piece of work.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | May 28, 2020

Here's a true story about a young soldier's exceptional bravery and sacrifice made into a pretty average war movie, insubstantial and TV-ish despite the appearance of some decorated Hollywood veterans.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | May 28, 2020

In his final role, Fonda is given room to be wonderful - and so, of course, he is.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | May 27, 2020

'The Last Full Measure' is a great and yet tragic story of a man who saved sixty lives in Vietnam. As a former military veteran, I can't help but feel a connection to this great film.

Full Review | Original Score: 9.2/10 | Apr 17, 2020

The Last Full Measure takes war films to a whole new level. Filled with heart and a close up look at the horrors on and off the field, it's a must see.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 14, 2020

This movie was made for a specific audience -- vets, current military and their families. Many movies uplifting vets can reach a wide audience, not this one. However, I loved seeing talented actors from the 70's that have been ignored for years.

Full Review | Original Score: 4 | Mar 9, 2020

Cast & crew
User reviews

The Last Full Measure

Thirty-four years after his death, Airman William H. "Pits" Pitsenbarger is awarded the nation's highest military honor for his actions on the battlefield. Thirty-four years after his death, Airman William H. "Pits" Pitsenbarger is awarded the nation's highest military honor for his actions on the battlefield. Thirty-four years after his death, Airman William H. "Pits" Pitsenbarger is awarded the nation's highest military honor for his actions on the battlefield.

Todd Robinson
Sebastian Stan
Alison Sudol
Asher Miles Fallica
261 User reviews
58 Critic reviews
51 Metascore
1 nomination

Top cast 92

Scott Huffman

Tara Huffman

Luke Huffman

Celia O'Neal

Carlton Stanton

Whit Peters

William H. Pitsenbarger

Frank Pitsenbarger

Alice Pitsenbarger

Billy Takoda

Chauncy Kepper

Young Takoda

Lieutenant John Quaid

Young Jimmy Burr
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Did you know

Trivia During the credits, there are interviews with the real airmen and soldiers who knew Pitsenbarger.
Goofs The uniform worn by Pits is NOT incorrect. He is shown with his name in white on blue over one breast and USAF in white on blue over the other as well as blue & silver stripes on his sleeve. There are several photos of the real-life A1C Pitsenbarger taken in Vietnam while wearing jungle fatigues with the white on blue name tags and blue and silver rank insignia. Subdued name tags and rank insignia did not become mandatory in the Air Force until the 1970s.

Tulley : Justice delayed is justice denied. That's my damn agenda.

Crazy credits Interviews with veterans and others involved during end credits.

User reviews 261

Jan 23, 2020
How long is The Last Full Measure? Powered by Alexa
Were Michael Imperioli's scenes cut from the movie? His name was in the opening credits but I don't remember seeing him.
Who was William Pitsenbarger?
When did Pitsenbarger receive his Medal of Honor?
January 24, 2020 (United States)
United States
Official Facebook
Official Instagram
Một Cách Vẹn Toàn
Thailand (Vietnam Sequences)
Foresight Unlimited
SSS Entertainment
See more company credits at IMDbPro
$20,000,000 (estimated)
Jan 26, 2020

Technical specs

Runtime 1 hour 56 minutes

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DVD & Streaming

The Last Full Measure

Drama , War

Content Caution

In Theaters

January 24, 2020
Jeremy Irvine as William Pitsenbarger; Sebastian Stan as Scott Huffman; Alison Sudol as Tara Huffman; Christopher Plummer as Frank Pitsenbarger; Diane Ladd as Alice Pitsenbarger; Samuel L. Jackson as Billy Takoda; Ser'Darius Blain as Young Takoda; William Hurt as Tully; Ethan Russell as Young Tully; Ed Harris as Ray Mott; Zach Roerig as Young Ray Mott; Peter Fonda as Jimmy Burr; James Jagger as Young Jimmy Burr; Amy Madigan as Donna Burr; Dale Dye as Holt; Richard Cawthorne as Young Holt; Hannah Black as Young Jenny; Rachel Harker as Older Jenny; John Savage as Kepper; Cody Walker as Young Kepper

Home Release Date

April 7, 2020
Todd Robinson

Distributor

Roadside Attractions

Movie Review

The Medal of Honor represents the highest decoration a member of the United States Armed Forces can receive. Since the award’s inception in 1861, it has had 3,498 recipients.

Just 18 of Medals of Honor have been awarded to members of the Air Force. And of those, only three were enlisted men.

William Pitsenbarger was one of those men. He was awarded that honor on Dec. 8, 2000—more than 34 years after he gave his life rescuing and protecting his fellow soldiers in a bloody ambush near Cam My in the early days of the Vietnam conflict.

The Last Full Measure recounts two stories: the story of what happened that terrible day, April 11, 1966, on which William Pitsenbarger saved so many at the cost of his own life; and the story of the decades-long battle waged by those who survived to see that Pitsenbarger’s heroic courage and sacrifice on their behalf was formally recognized.

Positive Elements

The Last Full Measure revolves around the courage of William Pitsenbarger. But his story is told largely from the perspective of someone who didn’t fight in Vietnam, an ambitious young lawyer named Scott Huffman. At first, Scott doesn’t care a whit about whether the fallen airman ever receives the award. But one of Pitsenbarger’s fellow airmen, Tully, persistently presses the case. He refuses to let it go. And it falls to Scott to investigate whether or not Pitsenbarger should be officially recommended for the Medal of Honor.

Grudgingly at first, Scott begins to dig into the story of what happened more than three decades before. But doing so requires interviewing survivors. And so he seeks them out, one by one. Every one of them is deeply scarred by the events of that day. Every one of them regrets choices they made. Every one of them must face his own inner demons to tell Scott his story.

There’s Billy Takoda, the squad leader who was badly wounded and whose errors in judgment perhaps led to more deaths. There’s Jimmy Burr, an eager soldier who takes a bullet to the head in the battle but survives, though he’s horribly haunted by PTSD and hasn’t slept at night since the war. Gruff Ray Mott drives a bus now. Like all of these veterans, he speaks reluctantly as a man haunted by others’ deaths and his own survival.

Scott also meets William Pitsenbarger’s parents, Frank and Alice. They’ve not touched his bedroom since 1966. They long for recognition for their son, though they also take comfort in the fact that their boy’s character and courage saved so many.

With each interview, each revelation, Scott becomes more invested in the assignment he’s been given. In fact, investigating Pitsenbarger’s sacrifice slowly begins to transform him and change his motivations, as well as making him take his marriage and fatherhood more seriously. In the end, he becomes more committed to serving the fallen airman’s memory than he is advancing his own career. And his own courage in confronting an influential veteran who’s now a senator proves key to finally seeing William Pitsenbarger posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

The film focuses, obviously, on Pitsenbarger’s story. But it also painfully and poignantly helps us to see how the war affected surviving veterans. Takoda tells him of the wounds inflicted by his fellow Americans after the war. “I was a refugee in my own country,” he says. “And that hurt way more than bullets.”

We see that William was raised by devout, character-filled parents. When Scott asks them if they ever regretted their son’s patriotic determination to serve his country, Alice Pitsenbarger replies, “You can’t teach your children values and then just withdraw them because of what you might lose. … Bill honored all of us by serving, and it’s no small thing.”

His father, Frank, says of his young son going to war, “I was never so frightened, and I was never so proud.” Frank goes on to recount, in his son’s bedroom, all the things he misses, concluding, “But mostly I missed what I didn’t get to see him do: marry, fall in love with a child of his own. Only then would he understand how much his father loved him.”

In his quest for information, Scott eventually travels to Vietnam to meet another veteran who now lives there, a man named Kepper. He’s become something of a hermit philosopher whose mission is to help veterans who come to visit him to make peace with their horrific past.

Ultimately, this film emphasizes not only sacrifice, courage and bravery, but the incredible difference one person can make.

Spiritual Elements

Frank Pitsenbarger says grace before Thanksgiving dinner. More than once, William Pitsenbarger is compared to an angel because of the way he descended from an Air Force helicopter and helped to save so many.

Similarly, it’s not hard to see Pitsenbarger as a kind of Christ figure here. He comes down from above to give his life for men he doesn’t even know. And even though he could have chosen to leave at any time, he doesn’t, heroically saving and rescuing many of the Army soldiers around him. Indeed, these men are incredulous that an Air Force medic would so courageously risk and ultimately give his life to save them.

We see that Kepper has embraced a syncretistic spirituality. He talks of prayer, and we glimpse a statue of the Buddha, lit incense sticks and painting of Mary. We also hear how soldiers prayed to survive during the battle.

Early on, Scott jokes about his meetings that day to his wife, calling them “today’s adventures in post-traumatic exorcism.” Takoda says “I wish to God” things could have been different that day.

Sexual & romantic Content

Scott’s wife, Tara, wears a nightgown and robe that reveal a bit of cleavage. She and Scott kiss.

We hear of the deep love between Pitsenbarger and his girl back in the States, Jenny.

Violent Content

Multiple flashbacks picture the battle at the heart of the story. We repeatedly see combatants on both sides shot and killed. Many others are hurled through the air as victims of grenades and artillery.

Most of the casualties aren’t terribly graphic or gory. But there are exceptions. We briefly see the spilled entrails of one Viet Cong fighter after he’s shot. Takoda is shot multiple times in the back, and we see Pitsenbarger working to staunch the bleeding from one enormous bullet hole. Another soldier’s leg has been ravaged. Still another is shot in the head. Multiple wounded and bloodied soldiers are airlifted up in a litter.

Soldiers scream in terror and pain. Viet Cong walk among the fallen, shooting bodies to make sure that soldiers who appear dead actually are. (In one case, an American pretending to be dead is shot and killed.) A soldier’s first kill is crudely compared to losing one’s virginity. Americans shoot Vietnamese out of sniper nests in trees, and their bodies plunge to the ground.

Back in the present, Jimmy only gets up at night (because he’s too frightened to sleep while it’s dark). He carries a loaded shotgun and fires it into the air when Scott asks if it’s loaded. We also see Jimmy kill what appears to be a rabbit with his bare hands. His wife says of him, “Every day, he finds the courage not to stick a gun in his mouth.” Likewise, Takoda takes a long look at pistol in a drawer, perhaps suggesting his own struggles with the temptation of taking his own life.

Crude or Profane Language

We hear about 10 f-words and a dozen or so s-words. God’s name is misused a dozen times, 10 of which are paired with “d–n.” Jesus name is abused five times. “H—” is used about a dozen times. And we hear one or two uses each of “a–,” “a–hole” and “p-ssed.”

Characters make three crude references to the male or female anatomy. Someone is jokingly called a “pimp.”

Drug and Alcohol Content

One scene pictures people drinking at a meal. Pitsenbarger repeatedly administers battlefield drugs via syringe to help the wounded. Tokada recounts the details of a drunken bar fight. We see him smoking a cigarette, too.

Other noteworthy Elements

Scott gradually uncovers information that implies Pitsenbarger was denied the Medal of Honor because awarding it was linked to revelations of soldiers dying due to friendly fire and tactical incompetence.

One politician in particular is more interested in making self-protective, expedient choices than doing the right thing. He threatens to wreck Scott’s career if he doesn’t do likewise.

After seeing the eviscerated corpse of a man he’s shot and killed, an American soldier vomits. We see two men (from behind) urinating in a bathroom.

Movies about Vietnam often focus on the graphic horror of it. There may be heroes in these stories, but more often than not, these films—such as Platoon, Apocalypse Now, Full Metal Jacket, The Deer Hunter —leave us feeling emotionally depleted and numbed by what we’ve witnessed. They’re often stories of savagery and senselessness and nihilism, with hope and meaning and purpose in short supply.

The Last Full Measure certainly depicts the vicious brutality of close combat. While not as graphically violent as, say, Hacksaw Ridge or Saving Private Ryan, we still get a front-row seat to the war’s carnage. Those images, paired with soldiers’ occasional harsh profanity, make this a tough story to watch at times.

But unlike the stereotypical Vietnam movie, The Last Full Measure brims with hope and meaning amid its story of sacrifice. William Pitsenbarger’s sacrifice is tragic. But we see how giving his life has impacted so many others. And we’re reminded of the cost so many have paid to preserve our freedom.

This R-rated war movie obviously won’t be for everyone. But for those who choose to see it, I can’t imagine walking out of the theater with a dry eye or without a deeper sense of gratitude for those who’ve proudly and bravely served in our Armed Forces.

Adam R. Holz

After serving as an associate editor at NavPress’ Discipleship Journal and consulting editor for Current Thoughts and Trends, Adam now oversees the editing and publishing of Plugged In’s reviews as the site’s director. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children. In their free time, the Holzes enjoy playing games, a variety of musical instruments, swimming and … watching movies.

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The Last Full Measure Review

01 Jun 2020

The Last Full Measure

Titled after a line from Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, The Last Full Measure is sincere and heartfelt but consistently hamstrung by cliché and inertia. In trying to honour the true-life bravery of a young American soldier who sacrificed himself while saving the lives of upwards of 60 men, it serves up a solemn, sober, revisionist Vietnam flick that lacks both the dramatic chops or storytelling nuance to elevate it into something compelling.

Writer-director Todd Robinson, best known for penning Ridley Scott sailing drama White Squall , runs the story along two timelines. It starts in 1999 as Pentagon staffer Scott Huffman ( Sebastian Stan , bemused) is charged with the job of investigating the story of Vietnam hero William H. Pitsenbarger ( Jeremy Irvine ) who, after heroic Forrest Gump-like life-saving efforts, was never awarded a congressional Medal Of Honor. Brought by Pitsenbarger’s parents ( Christopher Plummer , Diane Ladd ) and army colleague Tom Tulley (a strong William Hurt ), the investigation sees Huffman interview jaded veterans played by good actors — crotchety Billy Takoda ( Samuel L. Jackson ), shamed Ray Mott ( Ed Harris ) and PTSD-afflicted Jimmy Burr ( Peter Fonda in his last role) — who should have better taste while being pressured to bury his findings by his boss Carlton Stanton ( Bradley Whitford , lively) to save everyone’s blushes.

This is interspersed with flashbacks to the war zone, built around combat sequences that feel cheap and run-of-the-mill (slow-motion glances between soldiers abound and everything is hyped by Philip Klein’s score) featuring younger actors who look nothing like their older counterparts. Combined with the procedural plot-line that is meandering and on-the-nose, and The Last Full Measure emerges as a well-meaning if dated hymn to fallen soldiers in a senseless conflict.

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‘The Last Full Measure’ Review: A Hero’s Long Road to Glory

By Peter Travers

Peter Travers

As filmmaking, The Last Full Measure stumbles under the bumpy pacing and deck-stacking of writer-director Todd Robinson ( Phantom ). But the film gets up and pushes forward owing to Robinson’s passion to get this true story told. The subject is William Pitsenbarger (Jeremy Irvine), a U.S. Air Force pararescue jumper (also known as a PJ) who personally saved 60 men during a Vietnam rescue mission on April 11, 1966. When offered a chance to save his own ass by taking the last chopper out of the bloody combat known as Operation Abilene, Pitsenbarger chose instead to stay behind to aid the evacuation of wounded soldiers in the U.S. Army’s 1st Infantry Division. For losing his own life to enemy sniper fire, Pits — as the soldiers affectionately called him — was awarded a posthumous Congressional Medal of Honor for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity” beyond the call of duty.

It’s a hell of tale. But instead of telling it full-out, Robinson marshals his forces toward another tale, one of conspicuous injustice. Yes, Pits was awarded the Medal of Honor, but not until December 8th, 2000, decades after his bravery was officially recorded. The hows and whys of that delay, including coverups and institutional corruption, is the core of The Last Full Measure . Robinson’s blood is up, understandably, but in resorting to Hollywood shortcuts and considerable dramatic license, Robinson has reduced the valor of Pits to flashbacks in favor of foregrounding the detective story that finally won this indisputable hero his due.

Enter Scott Huffman (Sebastian Stan), a Pentagon investigator who’s put on the case of deciding whether Pits actually deserves his country’s highest honor, rare indeed for an enlisted airman. Huffman is a careerist who resents his boss, Carlton Stanton (Bradley Whitford), for giving him what he considers the busy work of interviewing the surviving soldiers saved by Pits. With a wife (Alison Sudol) and family to support, Huffman is eager to climb up the next rung of the D.C. ladder. But as he begins to speak with the soldiers, many suffering with PTSD, Huffman finds his life changed in fundamental ways.

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Stan, best known for playing Winter Solider Bucky Barnes in the MCU, is a solid actor hemmed in by portraying a composite character based on Robinson’s research. His slow enlightenment is meant to be ours as Huffman begins to see the extent of Pits’ heroism, the physical and emotional toll inflicted by war on those he rescued, and the government’s self-serving attempt to sweep his accomplishment under the carpet due to a scandalous incident of friendly fire that Huffman’s investigation would expose.

An A-list cast of Oscar winners and nominees has been recruited for these roles. And there’s no questioning the talents of William Hurt as Tully, Pits’ best friend, Samuel L. Jackson as the guilt-ridden Takoda, Ed Harris as the reclusive Mott, The Deer Hunter ’s John Savage as the haunted Kepper, and especially the late Peter Fonda in his final role as a former soldier who has still not adjusted to life after wartime. These damaged men are willing to open painful old wounds not for themselves or even a piece of ribbon for Pits, but for his parents, Frank (Christopher Plummer) and Alice (Diane Ladd) — both superb — who have spent decades trying to win their son the public honor he so richly deserves.

Robinson has a tendency to hit his points hard, robbing the film of subtlety and moral complexity in exchange for fueling righteous indignation in the audience. Irvine plays Pits with unvarying valor, seldom letting human elements of doubt and vulnerability intrude on his purpose. The moral quagmire of Vietnam is sidestepped in favor of shining a light on heroism. The film’s title comes from Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, in which the Civil War president honored the sacrifice of those who — like Pits — gave “the last full measure of devotion.” Robinson’s film only hints at the corruption embedded in a system meant to ensure Lincoln’s ideal of a government “of the people, by the people, for the people.” Robinson means to leave you in tears, no matter how heavy-handed his approach. But the sentimental ending that suggests all loose ends have been tied up does a disservice to the battle ahead and a war still to be won in the name of the people left to pick up the pieces.

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‘The Last Full Measure’ Shines Powerful Light on a True Hero of the Vietnam War

This film honors the story of air force rescue medic william h. pitsenbarger, whose legacy was unknown for 32 years..

It’s rare to see a war film you can truthfully label poignant, but The Last Full Measure combines the heart-pounding excitement of 1917 with the urgent, deeply moving emotional honesty of Saving Private Ryan to tell a heroic but somehow overlooked story of courage under fire that now emerges as one of the most valuable chapters to emerge from the debacle of Vietnam.

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SEE ALSO: ‘The Gentlemen’ Proves Guy Ritchie Is One of the Worst Directors of Our Time

Beautifully chronicled by writer-director Todd Robinson , it’s the true story of William H. Pitsenbarger ( Jeremy Irvine ), an Air Force rescue medic whose heroism and valor saved some 60 regular soldiers in one of the bloodiest battles of what many consider the most stupid, indefensible and unnecessary war in U.S. history. Instead of escaping heavy enemy fire in the last helicopter, he remained behind in the combat zone to help the stranded, outnumbered 1st Infantry Division survive, paying the ultimate price with his own life. For the next 32 years, proposals were repeatedly made by one of his comrades, represented by the fictionalized character Master Sgt. Thomas Tulley ( William Hurt ), to honor him posthumously with the distinguished Medal of Honor, and every time it came up, the subject was wrongfully ignored. Finally, the Pentagon assigned a civilian lawyer, named Scott Huffman ( Sebastian Stan ) in the film (based on real-life historian W. Parker Hayes, Jr. ), to investigate. The movie reveals the shocking, shameful details of what he discovered: an injustice buried for three decades by a handful of corrupt and incompetent congressmen too embarrassed and guilt-ridden to draw public attention to their mistakes in costing the lives of so many innocent men who died following incompetent orders from a chain of command that should have been banished from the military forever. Parallels to the toxic ignorance that rules so much of what passes for redemption and justice today on Pennsylvania Avenue are inescapable.

)
Todd Robinson
Todd Robinson
Sebastian Stan, Christopher Plummer, William Hurt, Ed Harris, Samuel L. Jackson and Jeremy Irvine
115 mins.

The deadly title The Last Full Measure will surely deter many filmgoers from seeing this important film and discovering its value for themselves, and sometimes the well-researched dialogue is so steeped in authentic military shorthand that the film tends to sag, but both the meticulous script and sensitive direction signal in Todd Robinson the virtues of a major filmmaker at work. And everything is invaluably enriched and informed by a fantastic cast that includes Christopher Plummer , Diane Ladd, Ed Harris , Samuel L. Jackson , Amy Madigan, Linus Roache, John Savage, LisaGay Hamilton and Peter Fonda in his profoundly and deeply felt final film performance.

On Dec. 8, 2000, the Medal of Honor was at last presented to William Pitsenbarger’s parents (Ladd and Plummer) in a ceremony at the U.S. Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio. He became one of only three airmen in history to receive the nation’s highest military recognition. The powerful impact of that day is recreated in one of the film’s most overwhelming scenes. Veterans young and old wept openly then, and history repeated itself at the screening I attended. That’s one indication that a fine film lives on and off the screen, which The Last Full Measure does in spades.

‘The Last Full Measure’ Shines Powerful Light on a True Hero of the Vietnam War

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Jason's Movie Blog

A movie blog for movie reviews, trailers, and more.

The Last Full Measure (2020) Review

VALOR DEFINED IN MANY WAYS

War is waged by nations, but it is human beings that pay the price. While many wartime tales of battles being fought and over the victories that have been won, the aftermath of war has affected millions of individuals and, while the hardships of civilian lives are numerous, the “war coming home” for the soldiers is another war entirely. The battles might be over, but it is the so-called “battlefield of the mind” that plagues many soldiers after the war; haunted by nightmares that they faced previously and burdens of the past that they will carry with them for years to come. Additionally, tales of unsung heroes have fallen through the cracks of history, with displays of courage and vTooalor being dismissed and lost within the perilous times of war. Now, Roadside Attractions and director Todd Robinson present the feature film on such measure of war, valor, and uncovering the truth in the film The Last Full Measure . Does this military drama find its calling within its true untold story or does it fail to bring the light the tale of real-life vet William H. Pitsenbarger?

The year is 1999 and Scott Huffman (Sebastian Stan) is a dutiful employee at the Department of Defense who’s learned his position will likely be eliminated during a shake-up of leadership. Putting on more stress to his situation, Scott is dealing with his family life, with his wife, Tara (Allison Sudol), is pregnant. In the flurry of daily business of the comings and goings, Scott is introduced to the case of William Pitsenbarger (Jeremy Irvine), a Vietnam War soldier who spotted danger during an ill-fated missioned called “Operation Abilene”, sacrificing himself to save the lives of his fellow soldiers. Awarded the Air Force Cross decades ago, William’s actions were denied the prestigious Medal of Honor, inspiring soldiers who survived the day, including Tully (William Hurt), to make a push of such a distinction. Tasked with reviving the investigation, Scott reluctantly takes the medal reviews case, only to discover much more to what really happened during Operation Abilene; seeking out other fellow soldiers, including Ray (Ed Harris), Takoda (Samuel L. Jackson), Kepper (John Savage), and Jimmy (Peter Fonda) who served with Pitsenbarger and to understand the true meaning of loss and valor in the face of overwhelming odds.

THE GOOD / THE BAD

Through times of war, people have paid the price for the decisions and actions made on both on and off the battlefield…. that much is true. The conflict between ideals of nations and countries is something of a “history lessons” of the cautious tales of humanity and power throughout the ages. That being said, the countless soldiers that serve in during these wars have definitely (in my opinion) paid the price for the service, with many (those fortunate to survive) returning home with some form of PTSD and struggling to simulate back into normal “everyday” society. As one can imagine this is a horrible state of “cost” to veteran soldiers as well as the idea of history eschewing some of the stories of valor and courage of some individuals during this time. Of course, various media platforms (i.e TV shows, movies, and books) have begun to shed light on these events.

This brings me back to talking about The Last Full Measure , a new wartime drama that seeks to examine the life of a deceased Vietnam soldier and the importance he had had. To be honest, I really didn’t hear much about this movie (prior to its release) as it didn’t create a whole lot of “buzz” on the movie website that I occasionally browse through. To be even more honest, I really can’t remember seeing the film’s movie trailer went I used to go out for my weekly “movie nights” at the nearby theater (i.e the 20 minute “coming soon” previews). I do, however, remember seeing a listing for the movie back during the end of January on the Regal Movie site, but the film wasn’t being shown in my area. Thus, I kind of forgot about. I know…sad but true. Anyways, with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic still going on, the movie theater chains are still somewhat closed with the various Hollywood studios still continuing to reshuffle their theatrical releases, which means that I had the time to revisit some lesser known movies that either I might have missed at the beginning of 2020 or some features that didn’t make it to theaters. Thus, The Last Full Measure was one of the movies as I decided to rent it via Vudu to see if the movie was to my liking. And was it? Well, to be honest, it was. Despite having a very predictable / formulaic path, The Last Full Measure is touching and moving drama piece that touches some deeper meaning themes, which is accompanied by some solid direction and performances throughout. Its not the most originals story to be told, but its definitely a compelling one that’s filled with care and attention to cinematic storytelling.

The Last Full Measure is directed by Todd Robinson, whose previous directorial works such as Lonely Hearts , Amargosa , and Phantom . While Robinson hasn’t directed much in the last few years (his last directorial work was back in 2013), he returns to the director’s chair filled with vim and vigor and makes The Last Full Measure his most ambitious feature project to date. To his success, Robinson approaches the tale of William Pitsenbarger’s narrative (for a cinematic undertaking) with a great sense of sincerity and respect for not just Pitsenbarger’ story, but also to the people surrounding him. Thus, the movie feels more like a collective work of everyone’s memories and those involved that have a connection to Pitsenbarger, which makes the film feel multi-layered and connected all the same. Additionally, Robinson makes the film have a grounded feeling of what he wants to project on the feature as well as to us (the viewers out there); revealing Pitsenbarger’s plight in a way that feels both thematically charged and dramatically entertaining for a theatrical feature film endeavor. Thus, Robinson’s shapes the film in a caring way that makes respectable to its source material as well as keeping the movie entertaining and pleasurable to watch. Also, Robinson finds a right balance between the wartime action / suspense scenes (a mixture of valiant bravery and horrors) and drama pieces of Scott Huffman’s journey to uncover the truth.

What also makes the movie feel grounded in realism and human emotion is within its thematic story of war and valor during such nightmarish times of war as well as the effect it has long after the tides of battle are over. What do I mean by that? Well, the movie’s story showcases many veteran soldiers (those who knew Pitsenbarger) and how they interacted with him during the time together in the army during Vietnam war and returning home a bit broken and fractured from their ser the vice. It’s a very poignant and moving commentary message to display as it certainly takes a mirrored image of veteran soldiers returning from war in the real world. Everyone is affected by war and sometimes the aftermath of war and the psychological effect it has can vary from individual to individual who was involved. Thus, The Last Full Measure is very sincere in this matter and helps create a gesture of projecting such horrors and causes in a proper and respectable light that neither shys away from it, but never makes it out of proportions for theatrical effect. Plus, the heart of the feature remains intact and certainly the tale of Scott’s journey to uncover the truth behind Pitsenbarger’s tale and the road of getting the Medal of Honor is one of meaningful prose to like about the feature.

The Last Full Measure is a pretty good within its presentation. Of course, the movie doesn’t reach the same level of dramatic war features, but it is still enough to showcase well-made feature film that doesn’t look “skimpy” on setting textures, filmmaking techniques, and believability in its story. Thus, the various “behind the scenes” team members throughout the feature certainly do give a good job in the movie, which does meet the “industry standard” for such drama films. This also includes some of the various scenes that are showcased in the past, which are gritty and feel grounded and definitely bring the grimness of the Vietnam war to the proceedings. This is when the cinematography work by Byron Werner comes into light and definitely shines in these sequences. Lastly, the film’s score, which was composed by Philip Klein, does a pretty good job in evoking plenty of emotional weight to the feature’s narrative.

There are a few problems that I had with the movie that, while still compelling and engaging to watch, makes The Last Full Measure have a few blemishes within its undertaking. Perhaps the one that is the most noticeable in the movie is how the feature actually unfolds and the narrative path that Robinson takes. Even without doing any real-life research into Pitsenbarger’s story, it’s quite easy to see where the movie is going to ahead, especially right from the get-go of the film’s opening. That’s not to say that the movie is boring and / or mundane is presentation (by no means), but the narrative’s progression of events (i.e. setbacks and milestones) are very predictable and formulaic to the touch. Thus, while the ending will have a resounding conclusion, it’s a conclusion that can be easily seeing miles away and one that seems a bit conventional for a “feel good” feature such as this. In truth, the film’s whole story (from opening to end credits) reminded me of 2015’s Woman in Gold , which I did like, but drew criticisms for being the same narrative premise and familiar plot beats. If one takes a look at both films, the parallels are quite similar to each other and it becomes apparent that both suffer from the general predictability of their respective narrative outcomes. Again, its not bad, but nothing groundbreaking or original and Robinson keeps everything on a predictable level.

Additionally, the movie has abundance of side characters and, while many of them make the larger portion of the feature’s narrative, most of them are pretty scant on character development beyond a few plot points here and there. This is most apparent in the film’s third act, which (into itself) is rather rushed. With the movie having a runtime of 116 minutes long, the movie takes a lot of the first two acts with heavy emphasis, while the third act gets shortchanged and feels hurried in the political “red tape” aspects of Huffman’s journey of getting Pitsenbarger’s honor. As a final criticism, while I liked the movie, it kind of felt a little bit like a TV movie (at times) than a theatrical feature film.

The cast in The Last Full Measure is pretty good and, while there not some of the most “crème la crème” of today’s A-list acting talents, they still are better than most and certainly lend their seasoned acting talents throughout the feature’s story. Leading the charge for the movie is actor Sebastian Stan, who plays the central protagonist character of Scott Huffman. Known for his roles in the MCU as Bucky Barnes (i.e. Captain America: The First Avenger , Captain America: The Winter Soldier , and Captain America: Civil War ) as well as his roles in I, Tonya and The Martian , Stan has been notoriously utilized in most of his roles as a supporting character role; acting as a secondary character throughout many projects and bolstering the main leads. In this movie, however, Stan gets the chance to flex his leading acting muscle with the role of Scott Huffman and he certainly does a pretty good job. The characterization of Scott Huffman is rather straight-forward and rather predictable, but Stan certainly makes the character his own and endearing from start to finish; making its easy to root for Scott’s journey from onset to conclusion. Connected to the character of Scott Huffman, actress Alison Sudol ( Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them and Transparent ) plays the part of Scott’s wife, Tara Huffman. Though Sudol is a talented actress, the character of Tara is rather conventional and ends up being the stereotypical “concerned” wife to the main protagonist. Probably one of the weaker characters on the project.

In more of supporting roles in the film are the various soldiers that make up Pitsenbarger’s veteran soldiers (both young and old) as each one has their own personal story to tell and how they connect to Pitsenbarger’s story and how they interact with Scott Huffman’s characters. This includes character actors such as actor William Hurt ( A History of Violence and Lost in Space ) as Tom Tulley, actor Ethan Russell ( White Dwarf and A Stand Up Guy ) as the younger version of Tom Tulley, actor Samuel L. Jackson ( Pulp Fiction and The Hateful Eight ) as Billy Takoda, actor Ser’Darius Blain ( Charmed and Jumanji: The Next Level ) as the younger version of Billy Takoda, actor Peter Fonda ( Easy Rider and 3:10 to Yuma ) in his late role before passing in 2019 as Jimmy Burr, actor James Jagger (Vinyl and Gangster Kittens) as the younger version of Jimmy Burr, actor Ed Harris ( The Rock and Apollo 13 ) as Ray Mott, actor Zach Roerig ( The Vampire Diaries and Rings ) as the younger version of Ray Mott, actor John Savage ( The Thin Red Line and Torque ) as Chauncy Kepper, actor Cody Walker ( Shadow Wolves and In the Rough ) as the younger version of Chauncy Kepper, actor Dale Dye ( Platoon and Under Siege ) as Holt, and actor Richard Cawthorne ( Noise and Upgrade ) as the younger version of Holt. All of these individuals certainly do their respective parts in a well-manner way that makes their film characters real, despite most being relatively commonplace personas for military drama features. As a side-note, actor Jeremy Irvine ( War Horse and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again ) does a good job in the role of William H. Pitsenbarger. Though we (as the viewers) get only glimpse of him in various flashbacks sequences, Irvine has enough screen presence to make the character memorable in the movie.

Rounding out the rest of the cast includes actor Bradley Whitford ( The West Wing and Get Out ) as Scott Huffman’s co-worker Carlton Stanford, actor Linus Roache ( Vikings and Batman Begins ) as Whit Peters, actress Amy Madigan ( Field of Dreams and Gone Baby Gone ) as Jimmy Burr’s wife, Donna Burr, and actor Christopher Plummer ( The Sound of Music and All the Money in the World ) and actress Diane Ladd ( Wild at Heart and Joy ) as Pitsenbarger’s elderly parents, Frank and Alice Pitsenbarger. All of these individuals, though minor in their capacity, lend their acting talents beautifully in their respective roles.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The ultimate sacrifice deserves the highest honor as Scott Huffman uncovers and fights for a fallen soldier’s memory / honor in the movie The Last Full Measure . Director Todd Robinson latest film dissects the lives of one particular fallen soldier’s life and how his action impacted the lives of several individuals, which can be easily reflected upon any soldier (alive or dead) during one of the many wars throughout history. While the feature treads into familiar territory of being predictable (as well as a rushed third act), the movie still shines due to the palpable narrative being told, the thematical message of veteran soldiers of life after war, and a solid / respectable cast. Personally, I liked this movie. Yes, it’s a bit predictable and easy to figure where the movie ultimate is going to end up, but the journey (though formulaic) is still quite moving and enjoyable with a cinematic treatment that reaches a resounding ending that will please many fans out there. A definitely “crowd pleaser” if you know what I mean. Thus, my recommendation for this movie is a solid “highly recommended” as it’s a film that will definitely please many out there and deserves a compelling praise. Overall, The Last Full Measure , though predictable in nature, is still a wholesome endeavor; one that salutes unsung heroes such as William H. Pitsenbarger, but to all who gave up something / did acts of valor during their time in military service. And to that…I salute you all.

4.2 Out of 5 (Highly Recommended)

Released on: january 24th, 2020, reviewed on: june 5th, 2020.

The Last Full Measure is 116 minutes and is rated R for war violence and language

‘The Last Full Measure’: What is Real and What is Not

Review by Marc Leepson, VVA Veteran Arts Editor and Senior Writer

The Last Full Measure , the fact-based Vietnam War-heavy movie that opened nationwide on January 24, 2020, features a five-pack of big-time Baby Boomer male actors playing Vietnam War veterans.

William Hurt, 70, offers up Tulley, an intense, troubled USAF vet, using many of the mannerisms he displayed in his portrayal of the troubled, impotent Nam vet Nick in the classic 1983 movie, The Big Chill .
Samuel L. Jackson, 71, as Takoda, is his usual intense self, as a troubled, one-time Army infantry LT still haunted by flashbacks from the catastrophic engagement that’s at the center of the film.
Ed Harris, 69, is a cranky codger who drives a school bus and stumbles along life’s path primarily because of something he didn’t do during the battle in question.
Peter Fonda, who died at 79 last August, gives us Jimmy Burr, a mentally disturbed former infantryman scarred so deeply that he has retreated to a cabin deep in the woods where he sleeps during the day and hunts his demons toting a rifle when he’s awake at night.
John Savage, 70, is Kepper, who also lives in the woods, but back in Vietnam, where he has found inner peace battling his combat-induced trauma with the help of deep breathing—and butterflies.

The other Vietnam War veteran character in the film is played by a real Nam vet, the great Dale Dye, 75, who also served as one of the movie’s three military technical advisers. Dye and former USAF Vietnam War Para-rescue MSG James Pighini and retired Marine SMAJ James Dever were responsible for the movie’s brutally realistic Vietnam War battle scenes. Dye plays a U.S. Senator who made a mistake during his tour of duty, but whose honor and honesty redeems him four decades later.

Not coincidentally, each of these AARP-member actors has played at least one Vietnam War veteran on the silver screen.

‘INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY’

Todd Robinson, who wrote and directed The Last Full Measure, has created a movie that, in Hollywood parlance, is “inspired by a true story.” What we get in this partly true and partly fictitious movie is both inspiring and deflating and both heartwarming and cloying.

The true story is the inspiring part. Here are the facts:

William H. “Pits” Pitsenbarger joined the Air Force when he was nineteen in 1963. He volunteered for USAF Special Warfare as a Pararescue specialist, one of the most dangerous jobs in any war. He went to Vietnam in 1965 and served in the 38 th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron based at Bien Hoa Air Base, and took part in more than 250 missions.

During a horrific firefight on April 11, 1966, Airman 1 st Class Pitsenbarger and his crew came to the rescue of an encircled and outnumbered 2 nd Battalion/16th Infantry Regiment/1st Infantry Division company at the Battle of Xa Cam My in the jungles 35 miles east of Saigon. The company took 80 percent casualties, including 36 men killed in action in a VC ambush. When he learned that the company’s medic had been killed, Pits decided to try to help, rode the hoist a hundred feet into the heat of the battles, and descended into the fray.

On the ground, his Medal of Honor citation notes, “he organized and coordinated rescue efforts, cared for the wounded,” and “prepared casualties for evacuation.” Amid intense enemy fire, Pits personally rescued nine wounded men and refused to evacuate himself to try to get other wounded guys out of the fight. When sniper and mortar fire increased, Pits “took up arms with the besieged infantrymen.” He “repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to care for the wounded, pull them out of the line of fire, and return fire whenever he could, during which time he was wounded three times,” and then mortally wounded.

The movie flashes back and forth to the battle and to its psychological aftermath among the five men recounting the story in the late 1990s during the effort to upgrade Pits’ Air Force Cross (the second-highest USAF medal for courage under fire) to a Medal of Honor. The battle scenes, shot in Thailand, are hyper-realistic. That includes shots of war carnage, enough that any war veteran who’s experienced it may be discomfited by the up-close shots of spouting blood, dismemberment, violent death, and the deafeningly loud, insistent ordnance zinging and casings flying.

Those scenes ably show the MOH-worthy actions and valor of Pits (played more than capably by the recruiting-poster handsome English actor Jeremy Irvine) and the deadly onslaught the Big Red One infantrymen found themselves in.

That’s the good news about Last Full Measure .

NOT SO GOOD NEWS

The movie falls down, though, in most of the 1990s scenes, primarily the ones that Todd Robinson made up “inspired by” the true story of how Pits came to get the MOH. The biggest letdown is a completely fictional character, a power-hungry young man working his way up the DOD civilian ladder called Scott Huffman (Sebastian Stan).

Sebastian Stan at The Wall

This guy begrudgingly takes up the job of investigating the MOH upgrade. Very begrudgingly. He all but sabotages the nomination to concentrate on getting himself a big promotion. But as the film grinds on, after interviewing Pits’ still-grieving parents (Christopher Plummer and Diane Ladd) and talking to Hurt, Jackson, Harris, Fonda, and Savage, Huffman does a 180—choosing the right thing over careerism. It doesn’t hurt that he also gets a boot in the rear end to man up from his lovely wife.

After his unlikely change of heart Huffman runs into a Pentagon conspiracy dealing with friendly fire that’s never fully explained. Then there’s political drama on Capitol Hill, which ends only after Huffman convinces the senator Dye plays to join him in his quest. The bow gets neatly tied when (this gives nothing away) Huffman triumphs in the end. Said end: a sentimental, feel-good, tear-jerking scene that should be cited in the dictionary under “Hollywood ending.”

Huffman is (very) loosely based on a real-life hero, a young man named Parker Hayes who ran across Pits’ combat heroics working at the Airmen Memorial Museum in Suitland, Maryland, in 1997. After Hayes wrote up a synopsis of what Pits did, he heard from other Pararescue men and former Big Red One veterans of the battle who convinced him to help them work on an MOH upgrade.

Parker Hayes interviewed a dozen Army veterans of the battle—but not the individuals portrayed in the movie. They’re made-up composites. Hayes, who died at age 36 in 2009, submitted his research in 1999 to then Secretary of the Air Force Whit Peters, whose office finished the job. Pits’ parents received the posthumous Medal of Honor at a ceremony at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in December 2000.

Also on the negative side: an often-sappy score and more than a few one-dimensional characters: Amy Madigan, Fonda’s perpetually pissed-off wife; Harris’ grumpy, angry school bus driver; and a snarky, unprincipled Pentagon bad-guy civilian bureaucrat, for example. Plus there’s way too much speechifying masquerading as conversation.

Harris, locked and loaded

Then there’s the always-dicey question of the portrayal of the Vietnam War veterans. It’s an undisputed face that a disproportionate number of Nam vets in the combat arms have had difficult psychological problems since coming home. You wouldn’t be normal if you simply melted back into civilian life without post-traumatic issues. The truth also is that the overwhelming majority of Vietnam War veterans have successfully dealt with their emotional problems.

Four of the five Big Red One vets Robinson created have what could be described as PTSD, replete with nightmares, tears, and antisocial behavior. It’s no coincidence the one guy who doesn’t, John Savage, is the most fully flushed out character.

So, if you don’t care that a movie has unrealistic, made-up characters mixed in with very real battlefield action (albeit deftly presented) in a sentimental, feel-good weeper, head to your local multiplex and take in The Last Full Measure . Don’t forget to bring tissues.

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The Last Full Measure Parent Guide

A film with inspiring stories of courage, heroism, and resilience that compensate for a flawed narrative framework..

William Pitsenbarger was a pararescueman during the Vietnam War, and although he died during the conflict, he is being considered for the Medal of Honor. Now it's down to Scott Huffman at the Pentagon to find out the truth of what happened over thirty years ago on the other side of the world...

Release date January 24, 2020

Run Time: 110 minutes

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The guide to our grades, parent movie review by kirsten hawkes.

William H Pitsenbarger (Jeremy Irvine) was a pararescueman with the US Air Force in the Vietnam War, tasked with rescuing downed pilots and providing medical treatment to troops on the front lines. On April 11, 1966, two helicopters were sent to retrieve US casualties trapped at Xa Cam My , where they had been ambushed and were under heavy fire. Noting that the unit’s medic was wounded, Pitsenbarger insisted that he be lowered to the ground to provide immediate first aid and ensure that those who needed to be evacuated were properly secured. Before the area grew too dangerous for the choppers, the young airman sent nine men to safety, only to die under enemy fire. His valor was recognized with an Air Force Cross in 1966, but the men who witnessed his courage insisted that his sacrifice deserved a Medal of Honor. It was to be a thirty year fight.

Pitsenbarger’s real life actions are the inspiring heart of The Last Full Measure and provide enough uplift to compensate for a narrative framework that is far less satisfying. This story is centered around Scott Huffman (Sebastian Stan), a rising civilian star at the Pentagon, known for his ability to get things done, ruthlessly, if necessary. When he’s assigned to review a posthumous Medal of Honor application, he grudgingly decides to do the minimum: review the file, conduct a few interviews, tick the boxes and get back to the work that really matters. But once he dives into the lives of the men who fought in Xa Cam My, his perspective shifts.

The film also has a few other flaws. The dialogue often feels canned and sometimes trite. There is a particularly painful scene where Hoffman indulges in some clumsy amateur psychology that will make some viewers wince. Parents will also be unhappy with the three dozen profanities, although they aren’t unexpected given the context. Also not surprising in context is the battlefield violence, some of which can be disturbing. However, violence is not inappropriate in a war movie and it is neither gratuitous nor glamorized.

Despite the production’s flaws, the true story of Pitsenbarger’s selfless heroism is enough to inspire those who see the film. In a world grown increasingly cynical, where trust in institutions is slipping, and people are increasingly isolated within their own social media bubbles, few things are more heartening than knowing a young man was willing to sacrifice himself to save the lives of strangers. Perhaps watching Pitsenbarger give the “last full measure of devotion” for his countrymen might inspire the rest of us to at least give our fellow citizens the basic measure of civility, respect, and empathy.

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Kirsten hawkes, watch the trailer for the last full measure.

The Last Full Measure Rating & Content Info

Why is The Last Full Measure rated R? The Last Full Measure is rated R by the MPAA for war violence, and language

Violence: There are frequent scenes of battlefield violence including explosions that throw people in the air, people being shot and falling out of trees, and men being shot. Wounded men are shown screaming. There are frequent scenes of men with bloody wounds and there are medical scenes involving treatments of these injuries. One scene briefly shows a dead man’s bloody entrails. Wounded men are dragged through the jungle. A man is shot in the head on camera. A man is shown washing his friend’s dead body, and putting a bandage over the bullet hole in his forehead. A man shows bullet scars on his back. A man talks about “destroying” a club and leaving blood and teeth on the floor. There is mention of possible suicide by putting a gun in one’s mouth. A man fires a gun into the air. A man breaks the neck of a rabbit he’s shot. A man vomits after killing an enemy in combat. Men fire guns at a shooting range. A man says that another man kills things to relieve stress. Wounded men are shot. Sexual Content: A married couple kisses and embraces on a few occasions. Profanity: There are over three dozen swear words in the movie, including eight sexual expletives, a handful of abbreviations including a sexual expletive, 14 scatological terms, and 16 terms of deity. There is also a smattering of anatomical terms and some crude language. Alcohol / Drug Use: A secondary character is shown smoking cigarettes. There is some minor social drinking. A medic injects wounded men with painkillers.

Page last updated April 24, 2020

The Last Full Measure Parents' Guide

How historically accurate is the movie?

History vs Hollywood: The Last Full Measure

Airman William Pitsenbarger wasn’t the only casualty of Operation Abilene to receive a Medal of Honor. Sgt James W “Jim” Robinson was also posthumously recognized for his heroics in preserving the lives of his men. For more information about the Congressional Medal of Honor, check out The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation .

A moment by moment description of the battle of Xa Cam My can be found here:

The Washington Post: On the Perimeter of Hell

Although not all Vietnam vets suffered lifelong trauma, many did. Are you aware of the after-effects of the war on the many men (and women) who served there?

History.com: Why Were Vietnam War Vets Treated Poorly When They Returned?

American Foreign Relations: The Vietnam War and Its Impact – American Veterans

Smithsonian.com: Over a Quarter-Million Vietnam War Veterans Still Have PTSD

The New York Times: Combat Stress Among Veterans Is Found to Persist Since Vietnam

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Charlie Company’s doomed participation in Operation Abilene is described in detail in George C Wilson’s carefully researched book, Mud Soldiers.

Journalist Philip Caputo recorded his first person experience as a marine in Vietnam in A Rumor of War. Michael Herr, a journalist on the front lines in Vietnam, published his account in Dispatches.

For a doctor’s perspective on the war, you can turn to Ronald J Glasser’s 365 Days. Stationed in Japan, Glasser treated injured men who were evacuated to the military hospital where he treated their wounds and heard their stories. Situated somewhat closer to the front was Army nurse Lynda Van Devanter. Working with Christopher Morgan, DeVanter shares her experiences with wounded troops in Home Before Morning: The Story of an Army Nurse in Vietnam.

If you’re looking for a concise history of the entire confusing conflict, check out George Herring’s America’s Longest War: The United States and Vietnam 1950-1975. In They Marched Into Sunlight, author David Maraniss combines experiences of soldiers, anti-war activists, and politicians to give a broad perspective on the conflict. Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and Geoffrey C Ward have published interviews with subjects from their miniseries in The Vietnam War.

Have you ever wondered how the North Vietnamese troops saw their experiences in the war? Try reading Bao Ninh’s The Sorrow of War. Duong Thu Huong, a disillusioned North Vietnamese soldier, shared his experiences and loss of faith in his national Communist ideology in Novel Without a Name.

The most recent home video release of The Last Full Measure movie is April 21, 2020. Here are some details…

‘The Last Full Measure’ Review: Sebastian Stan and Ed Harris Lead a Bad War Movie With Good Intentions

David ehrlich.

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Editor’s note: This review was originally published during the film’s theatrical release, it hits VOD on Tuesday, April 21.

A stultifying reminder that bad movies are often made with the best intentions, Todd Robinson’s “ The Last Full Measure ” certainly can’t be faulted for the integrity of its mission. As unambiguous with its agenda as it is incoherent with its storytelling, this clumsy but star-studded passion project recounts the ultimate sacrifice of Vietnam War hero William Pitsenbarger, a 21-year-old U.S. Air Force Pararescue medic who forfeited his own life in order to save at least nine of his fellow soldiers. Although Pitsenbarger’s bravery was posthumously rewarded with Air Force Cross, several of the men he saved were left wondering why his actions didn’t merit a Medal of Honor. It would turn out to be a more complicated and nefarious mystery than any of them might have guessed — one that would take more than 30 years to untangle.

A USC professor and journeyman creative best known behind the camera for the 2013 submarine thriller “Phantom,” Robinson has long-identified Pitsenbarger’s saga as a lucid example of how this country so often fails its veterans — whether they come back home or not. Apolitical to a fault and determined to avoid even a whiff of jingoism, Robinson’s film strains to show how surviving a war can make you even more invisible than dying in one, but “The Last Full Measure” is such a mess from the moment it starts that it’s difficult to see any of its intentions clearly. This cut-rate military drama makes an admirable attempt to bridge the gap between the Vietnam War and the veterans it cut loose, but there’s no hope of reconciling the two in a film where each scene feels hopelessly disconnected from the ones that came before it, and every character feels cobbled together from the stiffest clichés that other war movies left for dead on the battlefield.

Borrowing its approach from “Spotlight” and its title from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, “The Last Full Measure” unfolds like a stiff procedural wrapped around some of the hokiest war re-creations in recent memory. The story begins in September 1999, when a fictional Pentagon staffer named Scott Huffman (a very bored Sebastian Stan ) is given the grunt work of investigating a Medal of Honor request on behalf of Pitsenbarger’s best friend and fellow pararescueman Sgt. Thomas Tulley (William Hurt, the only member of a stacked cast who’s consistently able to find something real in the fissures of this leaden screenplay). While Robinson’s script eventually becomes far too erratic to mine any genuine conflict from its clerical scenes, the film is still at its best when exploring the bureaucracy of valor; only in this mode does “The Last Full Measure” feel as though it’s encouraging us to look closer instead of making us cringe.

Things take a hard turn for the histrionic as soon as Scott hits the road on his wild goose chase, as the government middleman systemically visits an endless parade of two-dimensional archetypes who are willing to speak to Pitsenbarger’s heroism. Ed Harris , summoning every ounce of Brigadier General Francis X. Hummel energy he has left, pops up as one of the first interview subjects. A grizzled, misanthropic veteran who drives a school bus by day and chews on his survivor’s guilt by night, Ray Mott is the first of many different characters to surface and bark subtext right into the camera. There’s Samuel L. Jackson as Army vet Billy Takoda, who shows Scott the scars on his back and says things like “You never appreciate what American artillery can do until you see it kill your own people.”

And then there’s the late Peter Fonda , devoting his last screen performance to the role of a PTSD-afflicted vet who self-identifies as a vampire and uses a loaded shotgun as a walking stick. A certain stripe of ex-soldier might well identify with these haunted men, and Robinson deploys them all in the service of a movie about how supporting troops doesn’t require supporting the wars they fight, but seen in succession these caricatures are too hackneyed to feel like anything more than empty ciphers for their cause.

Few of these scenes contain information that meaningfully advances Scott’s goal, and all of them feel as though they were filmed during the actors’ lunch breaks on better jobs. It all builds to a bungled moment in which Scott visits a soldier named Kepper (John Savage) in contemporary Vietnam, and his steely bureaucratic veneer is shattered by a walk through a butterfly garden; imagine if the plastic bag scene from “American Beauty” were set atop a mass grave and you’ll be on the right track. Of course, by that point we’ve long since lost any sense of Scott’s emotional state, as the film’s patchwork editing swallows entire years in the span of a single cut (Scott’s wife is pregnant in one shot, only to be the mother of a toddler in the next).

The narrative flow is further disrupted by the numerous battle flashbacks, in which “War Horse” star Jeremy Irvine plays the young Pitsenbarger with a holy patina. Robinson clearly marshaled all the resources he could for this labor of love, but the money just wasn’t enough to support the full scope of his vision. The extensive (but fragmented) depictions of Pitsenbarger’s heroics are hokey in the extreme. Without the budget to recreate the full chaos of that fateful day, the battle footage doesn’t resemble a deadly ambush so much as it does a poorly directed Court TV dramatization of some kind. The actors chosen to play younger versions of Jackson, Hurt, Harris and the rest bear almost no resemblance to their adult counterparts, and the movie’s awkward structure actively conspires to muddle that connection.

Alas, there’s nothing the older cast can do about that. “You can’t change your past,” one of the elder statesman concludes, “but you can change your perspective on it.” He’s not wrong, and you want to support Robinson’s efforts to help along that cause, but “The Last Full Measure” is lost in the fog of war from the moment it starts.

Roadshow Attractions will release “The Last Full Measure” in theaters on January 24.

Pedro Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door Finds Joy Even as It Stares Down Death

F or those who have been following his career from the start , the idea of Pedro Almodóvar’s growing older—and increasingly using his films to reflect on illness and death, or at least just the inevitable slowdown that comes for most of us—is a bitter pill. None of us relishes thinking about our own mortality. But sometimes it feels worse to think about losing an artist we love, especially one as vital and ageless as Almodóvar. One of his finest, most moving works , 2019’s Pain and Glory , reckoned with the nuisances of aging, as well as the trauma of being an artist in crisis. But the director’s first English-language movie, The Room Next Door —playing in competition here at the Venice Film Festival —delves even further into the murky waters of our feelings about death. Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton star as Ingrid and Martha, old friends who bonded in New York in the 1980s but who have been out of touch for a long time. They reconnect when Ingrid learns that Martha is being treated for cancer, and their rekindled friendship veers into complicated territory.

The Room Next Door is an adaptation, written by Almodóvar himself, of Sigrid Nunez’s 2020 novel What Are You Going Through, and at first the movie’s tone feels a little strange, untethered to any easily identifiable genre. It’s a story about friendship, clearly, but also about a woman facing a solitary and difficult choice. The dialogue sometimes feels flat and wooden. At one point Martha reminds Ingrid of the lover they’d once shared, though technically, he’d drifted toward Ingrid after he and Martha had broken up. “He was a passionate and enthusiastic lover, and I hope he was for you too,” Martha says, and though she means it, the line hits with a thud. And even if Almodóvar goes for a laugh here or there, overall the tone of The Room Next Door is a bit somber—almost like a black comedy, but not quite.

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And yet, by the end, something almost mystical has happened: the movie’s final moments usher in a kind of twilight, a state of grace that you don't see coming. Ingrid, a successful writer, first hears of Martha’s illness at a signing event for her most recent book. Though she hasn’t seen Martha in years, she dutifully visits her at the hospital where she’s being treated. They catch up quickly: Martha, who worked for years as a war correspondent, has a daughter, Michelle, born when she was still a teenager. Michelle has accused Martha of being a bad mother, and is particularly resentful that she has withheld information about Michelle’s father. Martha denies none of it. Still, she wishes she and Michelle were closer, and her grave illness—she has stage three cervical cancer—puts a new spin on things. She’s hoping the experimental treatment she’s been receiving will work; she’s devastated when she learns that it isn’t.

And so she procures for herself— on the Dark Web , she tells Ingrid, almost in a whisper—an illegal pill that will put an end to all of it. She has worked out all the details: she’ll leave a note for the police, explaining that she alone is responsible for her fate. And she doesn’t want a stranger discovering her body. When she decides the time is right, what she wants, she says, is to know that a friend is in “the room next door.” She has decided Ingrid will be that friend, though Ingrid, who has a quivering, electric, nervous quality beneath her veneer of self-confidence, at first wants no part of it.

Ingrid has re-entered Martha’s life in a whirlwind of good intentions. But does she really want to help Martha die ? She’s not so sure. (She has also, unbeknownst to Martha, reconnected platonically with that old shared boyfriend; his name is Damian, and he’s played, with a kind of droll swagger, by John Turturro .) Ingrid and Martha’s rekindled friendship seems shaky at first. Martha has decided that she doesn’t want to die in her own smartly appointed Fifth Avenue apartment. So she books a tony modern country house somewhere near Woodstock—it has amazing views of nature that only money can buy—and she and Ingrid pack their bags and drive up. Almost as soon as they arrive, Martha panics. She’s forgotten the precious euthanasia pill; she insists that she and Ingrid drive back to Manhattan immediately to get it. Ingrid barely hides her annoyance; how did she get into this situation, anyway? Briefly, the movie tap-dances into screwball-comedy territory. It would all be very funny, if Martha weren’t suffering so much.

But The Room Next Door is on its way to place of tenderness and accord—we just can’t see it yet. At one point, Martha rages against her illness, but also against the cheap bromides people use when they talk about cancer, often referring to treating it as a “battle,” a test of strength that’s also somehow a measure of virtue. “If you lose, well, maybe you just didn’t fight hard enough,” she says bitterly. No wonder she wants to write the ending to her own story: “I think I deserve a good death."

Swinton’s Martha is frail but still, somehow, has the vitality of a pale blond moon; Moore , with her burgundy-red hair and intense, searching eyes, brings a rush of color into her life. They talk about books, art, movies: Martha has been thinking about the closing lines of James Joyce’s The Dead, so they spend an evening watching John Huston’s gorgeous 1987 version on the rental's DVD player. They make conversation about little things: a recent book that interests them both, Roger Lewis’ Erotic Vagrancy, about the partnership of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton ; the reproduction of Edward Hopper’s People in the Sun that hangs in the rented house’s hallway. Their idle conversations are a kind of casual nourishment.

It's a pleasure to watch these two actors together. Martha and Ingrid riff against and annoy each another until suddenly, they find their groove, and the movie does too. Shot by Eduard Grau, the film has a rich, handsome look, and the production and costume design are characteristically Almodóvarian in their jubilance. The sets include stunningly orchestrated combinations of pickle green and tomato red; there are artfully shabby velvet couches and walls casually sponged with cobalt-blue paint. (The production designer is Inbal Weinberg; the costumes are by Bina Daigeler.) It’s all marvelous to look at, but this kind of visual splendor might evoke some guilt, too. Is it wrong to be ogling Martha’s fabulous, mega-chunky color-blocked knit pullover when you know, as she does, that death is just one little pill away?

But as the story wheels forward, it becomes clear that the joy Almodóvar takes in colors and patterns isn’t beside the point; it is the point. He’s created a kind of cocoon world for these two women, as they embark together on a bumpy adventure. And that’s how he beckons us into their story. Lime and lilac, scarlet and saffron: he knows what colors work together, which combinations will surprise us or offer a jolt of delight. The colors of The Room Next Door are its secret message, a language of pleasure and beauty that reminds us how great it is to be alive. If it’s possible to make a joyful movie about death, Almodóvar has just done it.

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‘The End’ Review: Tilda Swinton and Michael Shannon Took Shelter, but 20 Years Underground Starts to Get Tedious

For his narrative debut, Joshua Oppenheimer hatches a sui generis musical morality play in which survivors deep underground (and even deeper in denial) consider their future.

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With “The Act of Killing,” director Joshua Oppenheimer approached the documentary form in a radical, seemingly unthinkable way, inviting his subjects — Indonesian gangsters who had once served on the country’s death squads — to reenact their crimes on camera. Why should his narrative debut be any more conventional?

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The resulting fable surely would have benefited from some kind of suspense — say, a thriller element that threatens its tight group of survivors — but Oppenheimer stubbornly resists such concessions. In the end, “The End” is less a musical as we might imagine than a handsome highbrow drama interspersed with melancholy original songs (fewer than you might think), penned by Oppenheimer, then set to music by Joshua Schmidt (a theater composer making his big-screen debut).

Identified simply as “Son,” the young man was born in this doomsday shelter and knows no other reality, though his parents have spent the past two decades repeating their self-serving version of events. Mother ( Tilda Swinton ) reminisces about her time with the Bolshoi, though it’s doubtful she ever performed. “We’ll never know if our industry contributed to rising temperatures,” says his energy-baron father (Michael Shannon), who’s clearly in denial about the world they left behind — a world they helped to destroy.

Down here, safe from whatever horrors befell humanity, the boy’s parents have maintained whatever sense of culture they can, with the help of a personal doctor (Lennie James), a butler (Tim McInnerny), a maid (Danielle Ryan) and an old friend (Bronagh Gallagher) from those earlier times. Mother spends her days rearranging the priceless artwork on the walls — including Renoir’s “The Dancer,” Monet’s “Woman With a Parasol” and awesome, enormous landscapes — and fussing over details like cracks in the plaster.

It’s been 20 years since they retreated to this self-sufficient bunker, and any notions of “normalcy” have long since been rendered irrelevant. They still observe all the holidays, putting on small, absurd pageants. Otherwise, “each day feels exactly like the last,” Swinton sings nearly two hours in, as part of her shattering (if shrill) “Dear Mom” solo. Their routines include swimming lessons and emergency drills, as survival is their priority — but to what purpose?

That seems to be the driving question of “The End,” which implies that people like these would have done better to prevent the apocalypse than to plan for it. For a time, the film plays like the extended womp-womp of a sad trombone at the end of a disaster movie, in which seven characters make it while the rest of the world perishes. Then what? Mother and Father raised the boy in their own image, making him the historian for their distorted truth while warning him of the danger of “strangers.”

And then one arrives, identified only as “Girl” (Moses Ingram). She expresses guilt for abandoning her family, which in turn dredges up long-suppressed emotions among the others, who made impossible sacrifices during the early days of the end. “Mom, in the beginning, did you see the people trying to get in?” her now-skeptical son asks. Such questions are not just inconvenient for the family, but also reflect the generational schism unfolding now in America, as young people judge find their parents’ actions tough to forgive.

Together with “Melancholia” production designer Jette Lehmann, Oppenheimer presents an elegantly drab bunker, buried deep in a salt mine but built for comfort — not unlike the Elon Musk-inspired base seen in last year’s “A Murder at the End of the World,” a project that delivers its big-brain ideas through effective genre devices. Oppenheimer would have done well to take a similar approach, though his resistance to such choices earns “The End” the imprimatur of capital-A art (at the expense of capital-ist entertainment).

Who will see “The End”? Premiering at the Telluride Film Festival , it feels destined to flop, while also being championed by those critics and audiences who rightly feel that such risks are to be encouraged. Oppenheimer’s audacity (and that of his backers) is to be commended, though his portrait of a certain highly idiosyncratic form of foolishness can’t help feeling foolish itself. Before any musical finds its way to Broadway, it is workshopped and tested to within an inch of its life. This one seems to have breezed past such steps, trusting the vision of its maker over the needs of its audience.

There may never be another film like “The End,” and that alone makes it special, though surely all involved would prefer for it to be seen. As it is, the film feels like an obtuse missive, hidden in plain sight, just waiting for intrepid seekers to unearth it.

Reviewed at Rodeo Screening Room, Aug. 27, 2024. In Telluride Film Festival. Running time: 148 MIN.

Production: (Ireland-Germany-Italy-Sweden-Demmark-U.K.) A Neon release of a Neon, the Match Factory presentation of a Final Cut for Real production, In co-production with The End MFP, Wild Atlantic Pictures, Moonspun Films, Anagram, Dorje Film, in association with Shoni Productions, Iambic Dream Films, Making Movies Oy, Bray's Run Productions, Finite Films and TV, with the support of Danish Film Institute - Film Consultant Mikkel Munch-Fals, the West Danish Film Fund, FilmFyn, Film i Skåne, The Swedish Film Institute, Nordisk Film & TV Fond, DR, YLE, Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, DFFF, Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, MIC,DOHA Film Institute, Field of Vision, Bertha Doc Society, Sicilia Film Commission and Regione Sicilia - Assessorato Turismo Sport e Spettacolo e Piano Sviluppo e Coesione Sicilia, Regione Siciliana, Sicilia Film Commission, PSC, Eurimages. Producers: Jeff Deutchman, Tom Quinn, Emily Thomas, Elissa Federoff Efe Çakarel, Michael Weber, Jason Ropell, John Keville, Macdara Kelleher, Andrea Romeo, Alberto Fanni, Joakim Rang Strand, Marcus Clausen, Waël Kabbani, Greg Moga, David Unger Sandra Whipham, Charlotte Cook, Jens von Bahr, Sam Mendes, Ramin Bahrani, Werner Herzog, Raffaele Fabrizio, Caterina Fabrizio Alessandro Del Vigna, Dana Høegh, Christian Bruun Melinda Quintin, Michael Quintin, Spencer Myers, Amy Gardner, Jean Doumanian, Ilya Katsnelson, Kaarle Aho, Celine Haddad, Greg Martin. Co-producers: Viola Fügen, Conor Barry, Flaminio Zadra, Tracy O’Riordan, Ann Lundberg.
Crew: Director: Joshua Oppenheimer. Screenplay: Joshua Oppenheimer, Rasmus Heisterberg. Camera: Music: Joshua Schmidt. Lyrics: Joshua Oppenheimer. Score: Joshua Schmidt, Marius de Vries. Music supervisor: Fiora Cutler.Choreography: Sam Pinkleton, Ani Taj.
With: Tilda Swinton, George MacKay, Michael Shannon, Moses Ingram, Bronagh Gallagher, Tim McInnerny, Lennie James, Danielle Ryan.

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‘the end’ review: tilda swinton and michael shannon in joshua oppenheimer’s ambitious, uneven post-apocalyptic musical.

The last family on Earth finds their careful facade disrupted by a stranger in this narrative debut from the documentarian, also starring George MacKay and Moses Ingram.

By Lovia Gyarkye

Lovia Gyarkye

Arts & Culture Critic

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In December 2023, a report came out that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg was building a sprawling underground bunker on a secluded stretch of ranch land on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. The project is shrouded in layers of NDAs, but it’s supposedly 5,000 square feet and will have its own energy and food supplies. When the end of civilization comes, Zuckerberg, like many billionaires, will be sheltered from impact.

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Key lines from CNN’s interview with VP Kamala Harris, her first as the Democratic nominee

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Vice President Kamala Harris sat down with CNN’s Dana Bash for her first major TV interview since becoming Democrats’ presidential nominee.

The interview was conducted in Savannah on the sidelines of a bus tour through the key Sun Belt state of Georgia and alongside her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Harris took in-depth questions on her policy evolution on key issues like fracking and defended her record on immigration and the Biden administration’s handling of the economy.

Here are key lines from the interview:

What would she do on Day One in the White House?

After a broad claim about focusing on the middle class , Harris made a larger point about moving on from Donald Trump.

Pushed by Bash about her specific plans, Harris said she would focus on her “opportunity economy” plan to bring down the cost of everyday goods and give parents of newborns a $6,000 tax credit “to help them buy a car seat, to help them buy baby clothes, a crib.”

She also mentioned housing affordability and her plan to give first-time homebuyers a $25,000 tax credit to help with a down payment.

But what about people who feel groceries were less expensive and housing more affordable when Trump was president?

So she maintains ‘bidenomics’ is a success.

There’s a lot in that answer, but one thing worth noting is that the expanded child tax credit she mentioned has since lapsed. Given that Harris as well as Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance, both have said they support a more generous child tax credit , it’s fair to think an expansion is possible no matter who wins the election.

Does she still want to ban fracking?

When she ran unsuccessfully in a crowded Democratic primary in 2020, Harris at one point said she favored banning fracking. Harris later changed that position, and during the vice presidential debate said the administration would not ban fracking. Many climate activists oppose fracking, but it is a key issue in battleground states like Pennsylvania.

What made her change that position four years ago?

Is there something specific that changed her mind, why did the biden administration wait so long to implement asylum restrictions at the border.

Republicans have argued the administration should have acted much sooner to cut down on border crossings. While Harris did not answer the question specifically, she argued that earlier this year, before President Joe Biden used executive action to cut down on border crossings, Democrats worked with a few conservative Republicans on a border bill that Republicans ultimately turned against .

She said those agents could have worked to stop fentanyl from coming into the US. If elected, Harris said she would try to revive the border bill.

Does Harris still think illegal border crossings should be decriminalized?

This is another throwback to a controversial position Harris took during the 2020 Democratic primary.

Why has she evolved on these policies?

Bash asked Harris how voters should view her policy evolutions, to which Harris repeated, like a mantra: “My values have not changed.”

Would she put a Republican in her administration?

Anyone in particular, on trump’s insulting claim that she ‘turned black’, would she do anything differently than biden on israel.

Harris did not express any policy differences from Biden, and she reiterated the balance she struck at the Democratic National Convention: acknowledging both Israel’s right to defend itself and the suffering of Palestinians, repeating that a ceasefire deal must get done.

Walz was asked about multiple times when he misspoke

Vance, an Iraq War veteran, has accused Walz of misrepresenting his military service because one time Walz referred to carrying weapons of war “in war” even though he never deployed. The campaign has said Walz misspoke.

Walz has also previously mischaracterized the infertility treatment his wife underwent in becoming pregnant with their children. It was not in vitro fertilization, which some Democrats have argued would be in danger if Trump wins the election. Trump denies that claim, and on Thursday even proposed making the government or insurance companies pay for IVF treatments . The Walz family used intrauterine insemination, IUI, as opposed to IVF.

Separately, Walz’s congressional campaign in 2006 mischaracterized a 1995 drunk driving arrest for which charges were later dropped. Can voters trust what Walz says? He did not address the drunk driving arrest during the interview with Bash, but said, “I certainly own my mistakes when I make ‘em.” He went further on the IVF question.

Cutting hairs? Perhaps he meant “splitting hairs.”

Does Harris regret insisting that Biden is fit to serve another four years?

She contrasted that with Trump, whose rise in politics has been part of a decade that “has been contrary to where the spirit of our country really lies.”

The past decade also included the Biden administration

How harris found out biden was dropping out.

She was spending time with her family and her young nieces.

Walz feels pride for his son

Bash asked about the video of Walz’s son , tearfully saying, “That’s my dad,” during the DNC.

Harris reacts to an incredible photo of her niece looking up to her

See the photo here .

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Pic’s ensemble also features Clémence Poésy ( The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon ), John Amos ( Me Time ), Ian McElhinney ( The Boys in the Boat ) and Desmond Eastwood ( Normal People ). Katy Jackson and John Leslie produced for Wee Buns ( Zoo ), with Jacqueline Kerrin and Dominic Wright from Ripple World Pictures ( Never Grow Old ) co-producing. Oscar nominee Mark Huffam ( The Martian ), Kevin Jackson ( Zoo ), Nick Leese, Eloise Singer ( Rare Beasts ) and Tommy Curran served as executive producers.

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The Last Full Measure (2020)
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The Last Full Measure movie review (2020)
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The Last Full Measure movie review (2020)
5 min read. "The Last Full Measure" covers the 1999 battle to obtain the Medal of Honor for deceased Air Force Airman William Pitsenbarger. Killed in combat in one of the bloodiest missions of the Vietnam War, Pitsenbarger saved many lives but was awarded what his family and the men he saved and served with considered a lesser commendation.
The Last Full Measure
Rated: 3/5 • May 27, 2020. Stan's job is to take a back seat to Bradley Whitford, William Hurt, Christopher Plummer, Diane Ladd, Samuel L. Jackson, Amy Madigan, Peter Fonda, Ed Harris and John ...
'The Last Full Measure' Review: Remembering a Fallen War Hero
Jan. 23, 2020. The Last Full Measure. Directed by Todd Robinson. Drama, War. R. 1h 50m. Find Tickets. When you purchase a ticket for an independently reviewed film through our site, we earn an ...
The Last Full Measure
The way the story is told is fresh, the violence is not sensationalized at all, and the acting is top-notch. Full Review | Original Score: 8/10 | Jan 27, 2021. Andrew Gaudion VultureHound. A ...
'The Last Full Measure': Film Review
"The Last Full Measure" concerns ambitious Dept. of Defense staffer Scott Huffman (Sebastian Stan), who bristles at what he believes is a thankless assignment: reviewing a petition to get ...
'The Last Full Measure': Film Review
January 22, 2020 9:00am. It's a good thing The Last Full Measure isn't going to be winning the Oscar for best picture next year, because there are so many producers and executive producers ...
The Last Full Measure (2019)
The Last Full Measure: Directed by Todd Robinson. With Sebastian Stan, Alison Sudol, Asher Miles Fallica, LisaGay Hamilton. Thirty-four years after his death, Airman William H. "Pits" Pitsenbarger is awarded the nation's highest military honor for his actions on the battlefield.
The Last Full Measure
The Last Full Measure recounts two stories: the story of what happened that terrible day, April 11, 1966, on which William Pitsenbarger saved so many at the cost of his own life; and the story of the decades-long battle waged by those who survived to see that Pitsenbarger's heroic courage and sacrifice on their behalf was formally recognized.
'The Last Full Measure' review: Star-studded cast elevates tale of
★★½ "The Last Full Measure," with Sebastian Stan, Christopher Plummer, Samuel L. Jackson, William Hurt, Peter Fonda, John Savage, Jeremy Irvine, Diane Ladd. Written and directed by Todd ...
The Last Full Measure
The Last Full Measure tells the true story of Vietnam War hero William H. Pitsenbarger (Jeremy Irvine), a U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen (also known as a PJ) medic who personally saved over sixty men. During a rescue mission on April 11, 1966, he was offered the chance to escape on the last helicopter out of a combat zone heavily under fire, but he stayed behind to save and defend the lives of ...
The Last Full Measure Review
31 May 2020. Original Title: The Last Full Measure. Titled after a line from Lincoln's Gettysburg address, The Last Full Measure is sincere and heartfelt but consistently hamstrung by cliché ...
The Last Full Measure (2019 film)
The Last Full Measure is a 2019 American war drama film written and directed by Todd Robinson.It follows the efforts of fictional Pentagon staffer Scott Huffman and many veterans to see the Medal of Honor awarded to William H. Pitsenbarger, a United States Air Force Pararescueman who flew in helicopter rescue missions during the Vietnam War to aid downed soldiers and pilots.
'The Last Full Measure' Review: A Hero's Long Road to Glory
Robinson has a tendency to hit his points hard, robbing the film of subtlety and moral complexity in exchange for fueling righteous indignation in the audience. Irvine plays Pits with unvarying ...
The Last Full Measure Review: A Heroic True Story of the ...
'The Last Full Measure' Shines Powerful Light on a True Hero of the Vietnam War This film honors the story of Air Force rescue medic William H. Pitsenbarger, whose legacy was unknown for 32 years.
The Last Full Measure critic reviews
TheWrap. Jan 22, 2020. At its core, The Last Full Measure is a poignant reevaluation of gallantry and of how survivor's guilt impacts those veterans whose lives were spared. It's not without its flaws, and Robinson's wobbly narrative bears much of the blame, but its emotional resonance will stay with you long afterward.
The Last Full Measure Movie Review
Our review: Parents say: ( 4 ): Kids say: Not yet rated Rate movie. This well-intentioned, well-acted biographical drama tells a worthy story but suffers from formulaic dialogue and a surprisingly preachy script. Writer-director Todd Robinson's version of the events also includes inaccuracies about the reasons it took more than three decades ...
The Last Full Measure (2020) Review
The Last Full Measure is a pretty good within its presentation. Of course, the movie doesn't reach the same level of dramatic war features, but it is still enough to showcase well-made feature film that doesn't look "skimpy" on setting textures, filmmaking techniques, and believability in its story. Thus, the various "behind the ...
'The Last Full Measure': What is Real and What is Not
The Last Full Measure, the fact-based Vietnam War-heavy movie that opened nationwide on January 24, 2020, features a five-pack of big-time Baby Boomer male actors playing Vietnam War veterans. William Hurt, 70, offers up Tulley, an intense, troubled USAF vet, using many of the mannerisms he displayed in his portrayal of the troubled, impotent ...
The Last Full Measure Movie Review for Parents
Perhaps watching Pitsenbarger give the "last full measure of devotion" for his countrymen might inspire the rest of us to at least give our fellow citizens the basic measure of civility, respect, and empathy. Directed by Todd Robinson. Starring Sebastian Stan, Christopher Plummer, and Samuel L. Jackson. Running time: 110 minutes.
The Last Full Measure Review: Sebastian Stan Leads Lifeless ...
A stultifying reminder that bad movies are often made with the best intentions, Todd Robinson's " The Last Full Measure " certainly can't be faulted for the integrity of its mission. As ...
The Room Next Door Review: A Nearly Joyful Movie About Death
At one point, Martha rages against her illness, but also against the cheap bromides people use when they talk about cancer, often referring to treating it as a "battle," a test of strength ...
'The End' Review: Tilda Swinton and Michael Shannon Took Shelter
For his narrative debut, Joshua Oppenheimer hatches a sui generis musical morality play in which survivors deep underground (and even deeper in denial) consider their future. With "The Act of ...
'The End' Review: Tilda Swinton, George MacKay in End-of-World Musical
The last family on Earth finds their careful facade disrupted by a stranger in this narrative debut from the documentarian, also starring George MacKay and Moses Ingram. By Lovia Gyarkye Arts ...
Key lines from CNN's interview with VP Kamala Harris, her first as the
Vice President Kamala Harris sat down with CNN's Dana Bash for her first major TV interview since becoming Democrats' presidential nominee.
Pierce Brosnan Movie The Last Rifleman Sets Release Date
EXCLUSIVE: Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired North American rights to The Last Rifleman, a WWII veteran drama starring Pierce Brosnan (The Great Lillian Hall).. Written by Kevin Fitzpatrick and ...
Money blog: Iconic Trio chocolate bar could return, hints McVitie's
The Money blog is your place for consumer and personal finance news and tips. Today's posts include NatWest launching the cheapest mortgage on the market, an old Liam Gallagher tweet about ticket ...

The Last Full Measure

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The Last Full Measure (2020) Review

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