Courage Under Fire [DTS] DVD

Courage Under Fire
A soldier discovers how elusive the truth can be in this first major film about America's role in the Gulf War. Lt. Col. Nathaniel Serling (Denzel Washington) was the commander of a unit during Operation Desert Storm who mistakenly ordered the destruction of what he believed to be an enemy tank, only to discover that it actually held U.S. soldiers, including a close friend. Since then, Serling has been an emotional wreck, drinking heavily and allowing his marriage to teeter on the brink of collapse. As a means of redeeming himself, Serling is given a new assignment by his superior, Gen. Hershberg (Michael Moriarty). Capt. Karen Walden (Meg Ryan) was a helicopter pilot who died in battle during the Iraqi conflict, and the White House has proposed that Walden be posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Serling is asked to investigate Walden's actions on the field of battle, but he quickly discovers that no two stories about her are quite the same; Ilario (Matt Damon) says Walden acted heroically and sacrificed herself to save the others in her company, while Monfriez (Lou Diamond Phillps) claims she was a coward who was attempting to surrender to enemy troops. Meanwhile, reporter Tony Gartner (Scott Glenn) is hounding Serling, trying to get the inside story on Walden and on Serling's own difficulties. Matt Damon lost 40 pounds to prepare for his role in Courage Under Fire, which resulted in a potentially life-threatening illness for the young actor. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Cast Denzel Washington as Lt. Col. Nathaniel Serling Meg Ryan as Captain Karen Walden Lou Diamond Phillips as Monfriez Michael Moriarty as Gen. Hershberg Matt Damon as Ilario Bronson Pinchot as Bruno

Crew Steve Cooper - Art Director Mary Colquhoun - Casting Paul Neesan - Co-producer Francine Jamison-Tanchuck - Costume Designer Skip Cosper - First Assistant Director Edward Zwick - Director Dan Lerner - Second Unit Director Steven Rosenblum - Editor Debra Martin Chase - Executive Producer James Horner - Composer (Music Score) James Horner - Musical Arrangement James Horner - Songwriter John Graysmark - Production Designer Roger Deakins - Cinematographer John Davis - Producer Joseph M. Singer - Producer David T. Friendly - Producer Andrew Neskoromny - Set Designer Barbara Mesney - Set Designer Randall D. Wilkins - Set Designer Rick T. Gentz - Set Designer Lon E. Bender - Sound/Sound Designer Willie D. Burton - Sound/Sound Designer John Cenatiempo - Stunts Danny Rogers - Stunts David Zellitti - Stunts Alan Oliney - Stunts Steve Kelso - Stunts Steve Picerni - Stunts Jim Halty - Stunts Pete Antico - Stunts Patrick Sheane Duncan - Screenwriter

Courage Under Fire
Meg Ryan pulls off a very difficult role in this Gulf War-set inquiry into the nature of truth. As a nominee for the first posthumous medal of honor to be granted to a woman, Ryan's character is seen in various flashbacks, Rashomon-style, as entirely different people. Denzel Washington is the troubled veteran handling the investigation into whether Ryan's actions deserved the medal, and he talks to several people, each of whom tells a different story about her final actions. Both Ryan and Washington are terrific, ably supported by Michael Moriarty, Scott Glenn, and Matt Damon, among others, and the result is an engrossing and challenging film. The best part is Edward Zwick's deft direction, which keeps all of the differing perspectives open as viable options. Too many times in this sort of film, certain versions of events are presented which couldn't possibly be true. Here, one person could be telling the truth, or everyone could. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
 

(no awards)

General Specifications: Language Options: English, French Subtitle Options: English, Spanish Sound Processing: DD5.1: Dolby Digital w/ sub-woofer channel DDS: Dolby Digital Surround DTS: Digital Theater Systems (akin to 5.1) THX: THX-Certified Mastering Additional Features: cc Director's commentary Featurette Original theatrical trailer & TV spots Anamorphic widescreen (aspect ratio 1.85:1) Audio: DTS English; English 5.1 Surround; English Dolby Surround; French Dolby Surround Subtitles: English; Spanish DVD Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1: Theatre Wide-Screen MPAA Rating: R DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 1 DVD DVD Region Code: 1 Content Length: 117 min   DVD Chapters: Side #1 -- 1. Main Titles 2. War in the Gulf 3. An Enemy Tank? 4. Serling's Assignment 5. Time to Go 6. Rady's Story 7. Meeting Gartner 8. A Talk With Ilario 9. Fire in the Night 10. The Dark Sunrise 11. Karen's Parents 12. In Transit 13. Discrepancies 14. Drill Sergeant Monfriez 15. A Question of Cowardice 16. Far From Home 17. Off the Record 18. An Incomplete Report 19. Gartner's Favor 20. Altameyer's Pain 21. "Karen Walden Sent Me" 22. Monfriez's Escape 23. The Truth About Al Kufan 24. Tale of the Tape 25. The Medal of Honor 26. The Letter 27. Home to Stay 28. End Titles