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Blanche Baker, Dominic Colon, Guy Boyd

Based on real-life events, Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, a volunteer military escort officer, accompanies the body of 19-year-old Marine Chance Phelps back to his hometown of Dubois, Wyoming.

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1,009 ratings

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Directed by: Ross Katz

Release Date: February 21, 2009

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DVD Release Date: May 12, 2009

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Flixster Reviews (410)

  • clooneyfan
    August 7, 2009
    clooneyfan
    The final journey of fallen Marine Chance Phelps. The loving care shown brought tears to my eyes several times.
  • armybratgeo
    June 19, 2009
    armybratgeo
    Good lord I cried like a little girl almost the entire movie! What a great story told about a Military escort that gives the last journey to a KIA soldier going home to his final resting place. The emotions were raw and I loved how they showed that people still give a damn about ...( read more)our soldiers. My husband spent 21 years in the Military and it still gets me everytime when people take the time just to say a simple thank you. Kevin bacon nailed it and I'm so glad this story was told.
  • briandeguelle
    May 29, 2009
    briandeguelle
    Kevin Bacon again proves again he is a talent that is second to none and is very watchable in this emotional and fashionation dama.Short film but staingh to the point .Very recommended movie.
  • EnigmaticHallucination
    August 10, 2009
    EnigmaticHallucination
    First and for most I just have to say wow. Ross Katz is an amazing director that I will need to follow from this point on. Powerful, inspirational, moving, motivational, emotional, powerful. The first and last are the same because honestly that is what that movie is. I think ever...( read more)y American needs to watch this movie, I would say everyone everywhere but there are people out there that just will never understand what this movie is saying. Sadly there are just as many Americans out there that won?t understand just how deep and meaningful this film is.
    Now this isn?t an action film. This is a story of a Marine, a PFC that was killed in the line of duty during ?Operation Freedom?. I feel with all I am that this movie needed to be made and come out when it did. There are people out there that don?t understand the war, don?t agree with it, whatever the case. This movie doesn?t make excuses or try to explain. It?s simply the story of the 2 men?s lives, and how just because one of them is no longer with us, it doesn?t cease to inspire. You have Kevin Bacon playing a Marine officer that works at Quantico doing reports on what he feels are adequate numbers to send to replace those KIA. The start of the movie is a little different from the pace of the movie but it stands to show Kevin?s character and gives him a baseline to start. When the superior Officer hears Bacon?s report he asks how many of the officers in the room have served a tour in the sandbox and he was the only one not to raise his hand. It is then that the Commander says that he means no disrespect, but he doesn?t want the opinion of someone who hasn?t been over there. Just the way that line is delivered and the look in Kevin?s face you can see the regret, the shame and just so much underneath.
    It is after this that he sees the order come down that there is a PFC needing to be shipped home. Now normally such high ranking officers don?t follow the solider home but he wants to make an exception this time. The Marine that was KIA is so young and only a PFC but he is impressively decorated for his short time in battle. You see the care and the just meticulous work that goes into preparing the Solider for his last journey. Due to an overwhelming amount of soldiers needing processed the PFC gets pushed back to being released the next day. It is here that they start their trip. Two men bound by something greater than blood, they are bound by honor and duty.
    ?The remains of the traveled feet first when being transported from one point to the other. At each transfer point, regardless of the mode of transport you will render honors.? This is the speech given to each of the soldiers accompanying the men home. The airport is the first stop and almost right away you can?t help but be taken off guard as the lady behind the counter takes over for the person who was going to help Kevin, and she tells him that things have been taken care of and she has upgraded him to first class. She then proceeds to thank him for everything he has done. Seeing someone just pay their respect right there like that was an amazing thing to see but it is far from the last. All along the way people from all walks of life in all places recognize what has happened and what it means and they all pay tribute.
    I?m not going to name each of the incidents but this movie has two of the most powerful images I?ve seen in movies in a long time, if not ever. Before the flight you see Kevin speak with some of the a couple people that are baggage handlers. He has to stay overnight as the flight isn?t until the morning. Kevin doesn?t leave the soldiers side and requests to stay in the hanger with him to not leave his man alone. The one baggage handler comes back afterwards and brings blankets and such for Kevin to sleep on because he has nothing for a situation like this. The next morning as they go to move him to the plane you slowly see all the baggage handlers and miscellaneous people gather around the plane, removing their hands and paying their respect. As the solider makes his way up the conveyer you see each person, not knowing this solider or the things he did, each pay their respect and you can see in their faces that they get it. The fact that nobody told them to do that, that they all came together like that is really something. Showing the solidarity and respect for someone who gave so much is truly amazing.
    It wasn?t until Kevin was following the funeral home transport down this back country road when you see this semi start to pass. At first it?s like wow that is really rude?but suddenly he takes down his hat and turns on his headlights. Next there is another car passing turning on its lights and keeping pace with the hearse. It isn?t long till you see a couple more cars and what was once a deserted road suddenly has a precession of people, all with their lights on, all escorting the soldier?s homes. This scene was enough to bring tears to my eyes because you have out of nowhere people just coming together all showing the respect and the time to someone that truly deserves it.
    This movie is beyond humbling as you hear the stories of some of what happen to ?Chance?, the PFC. How he was carefree but serious and disciplined. His heroic acts which saved his squad are unbelievably humbling. The way the people in his life talk about him and the things they have to say. I couldn?t help but think how some of us really don?t measure up to the amazing men and women that put their lives on the line for their country and our freedoms that so many take for granted. They pay the ultimate price for us every day individuals and it is a deep and powerful message that you can?t help but take with you. This isn?t an action film; it isn?t something that some Hollywood person came up with to extort money from movie goers. This is the tale of a hero, a memory of the men and women that have given and STILL give each day so we can remain free. God bless the soldiers.


  • LisaMJ
    July 19, 2009
    LisaMJ
    A little slow paced, but okay.
  • angelbear1561
    October 30, 2009
    angelbear1561
    This is the most touching movie I have ever seen. Every American should be REQUIRED to watch this movie. If anyone can watch this movie without crying..then they have a heart of stone!
    Kevin Bacon deserves an Oscar for his performance! I've loved every movie I've ever seen him in...( read more), however, this movie was the BEST work he has ever done!
    Please, please, please, I beg everyone to watch this movie! You will not be sorry you did. It's not a typical war movie, so if your steering away from the movie because of the war controversy, please don't.
    God Bless our American Hero's and their families!
  • Sloirishbud
    October 30, 2009
    Sloirishbud
    A heart breaking true story, one of the best movies about the current wars that America is involved in that I have seen.
  • blackeyedsurfer
    October 23, 2009
    blackeyedsurfer
    Without a doubt the most emotional and most difficult movie I've ever watched.
  • lanba
    October 19, 2009
    lanba
    Based on real-life events, Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, a volunteer military escort officer, accompanies the body of 19-year-old Marine Chance Phelps back to his hometown of Dubois, Wyoming...La historia de las muchas bajas del gobierno por estas guerras q demuestran q si quitamnos e...( read more)l patriotismo no hacen nada en realidad, pero es bello, es bonito ver como toda una nación ya sea su posicion politica frente al conflicto armado, se enternecen y reciben con honores al q los defiende como patria, una historia q muchas veces pasa desapercibida ya q esta escena se repite quzas unas 2.000 3000 veces incluso mas y poco a poco perdemos esa sensibilidad de sentir el dolor ajeno y solo hasta q nos toca directamente la sentimos; entonces es una pelicula drámetica donde no pasa nada pero se juntan un sinnumero de emocuiones q vale la pena vivirlas, puedo decir q esta pelicula "ME TOCÓ EL CORAZÓN"
  • eh4ever2000
    October 4, 2009
    eh4ever2000
    I am giving Taking Chance five stars! This is an excellent movie. This film is based on actual events of Lt. Col. Michael Strobl (played by Kevin Bacon) who volunteers to escort the body of a young Marine (Chance Phelps) killed in action in Iraq. Even though Lt. Col. Stobl never ...( read more)knew Pvt. Phelps, he wanted to help in some way to get this young man back to his family. First from Dover to Philadelphia by hearse, then on to Minneapolis and on to Billings by plane, and then by car to Phelps' Wyoming home. During his journey stangers are touched and pay their respects. Kevin Bacon gives an excellent performance and I highly recommend it. Warning though, have a box of tissues handy.

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  • itsalwayssomethingmo
    March 5, 2009
    itsalwayssomethingmo
    I can only hope that each and every fallen soldier has the painstaking care that was shown in this film. I hope this isn't just propaganda to make families feel better and to heal a country bitter from war. I have mixed feelings about this. I know if it were one of mine I could only hope that this care were shown. The fact remains...why are we even there anyway?
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