The Good Soldier

honest critique about effects of war
The Good Soldier is honest reporting of the experience five US military veterans from World War II to Iraq. these testamonies are seldom heard in our corporate media world. Long after citizens have moved on, war veterans continue to suffer the effects of war. The uniforms, the education benefits, the high tech weapons are well publicized in military ads. The life long impact of being trained to kill other people and witness and be part of that killing very seldom sees the light of day. The Good Soldier is a very important contribution to a young person desiring to make an honest, reflective career choice. there are plenty of slick productions that promote participation in the military without being honest about the personal consequences of being part of killing that comes with war. This production is well produced and tells the real stories that need to be considered when choosing a military career. Find a way to contribute this to a school, library, church or Boy or Girl...

A new kind of courage
Hard hitting and heartfelt at once, the production, music and editing are all very effective. The power of THE GOOD SOLDIER centers in these soldiers' perseverance taking back their lives from the ruins of their wartime experiences, even when forced to recognize that their youth and service was used/abused for ulterior motives.
My jolly hometown barber never spoke of his WWII experiences, just shot himself in the mouth one day. All the soldiers I've known swallowed their pain.
The soldiers in this film recover their humanity by bravely facing down what happened to them - and share their findings publicly! Groundbreaking!

Beyond "Good" These Sodiers Be
The Good Soldier is truly a remarkable educational piece, one that should be shown in every high school and middle school in the land. -- It should be shown wherever our kids, barraged by the glitzy ads and the promises of adventure and opportunity put across through slick promotion and skilled recruiters, might succumb to the Siren Song of "the service" in support of empire. I had limited expectations when I went to see the film. I came away impressed by not only the moving stories of these "vets for piece" but also by the quality of the entire production -- the imagery, the camera work, the soundtrack, the editing-- all of it. Not only should the film makers be commended, but so should those who sacrificed in war and continue to bravely serve for peace. This film should be seen by all!

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