Vietnam War Archives - chimesfreedom

A Vietnam Movie About the Continuing Effects of the War: “The Last Full Measure” (Missed Movies)

The 2019 film “The Last Full Measure” failed to be a box office hit, but if you are looking for a lesser known film about the after effects of the Vietnam War featuring some of America’s great actors, check out this movie. You might enjoy it if your expectations are not too high.

In light of the fact that The Last Full Measure (2019) grossed only $3 million versus a $20 million budget, most people probably have not seen this film, making it s a movie you might have missed. Should you check it out?

There are some reasons the movie did not attract a large audience. When the film was released, it already was about a war that took place nearly fifty years earlier. The director Todd Robinson was not well known, and at times the production might seem like a TV movie rather than a feature film, with the starring role by a lesser known actor at the time, Sebastian Stan. While featuring some battle scenes, the movie is not really an action story about a battle, and viewers will already know who lived and died at the beginning. Further, the generic title of the film probably did not attract many viewers. Using an Abraham Lincoln quote from The Gettysburg Address that evokes the Civil War only confuses a potential viewer and tells them nothing about what the movie is about. Such a title could be slapped on any war movie (and is also the title of an earlier book about Vietnam). Finally, one reason that reviews were mixed might be that the title and the image on the poster seem to promise a movie set during a fight, most of the film takes place in Washington, D.C., years after the war has ended.

But The Last Full Measure, which took nearly 20 years to make from inception to final editing, is worth your time for two main reasons: First it is a rare film about the aftermath effects of war, doing for the Vietnam War in some ways what The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) did for World War II. Second, it features a number of great performances by many great actors. Even though they come and go, and most of them do not appear together for most of the film, there are wonderful appearances by Christopher Plumber, Peter Fonda, William Hurt, Ed Harris, Samuel L. Jackson, Diane Lane, Amy Madigan, and John Savage (whose appearance near the end connects the film back to one of the early great Vietnam War films, The Deer Hunter (1978)).

The Last Full Measure is based on a true story of the campaign to get a Medal of Honor for William H. Pitsenbarger, a U.S. Air Force Pararescueman during the Vietnam War. The film includes flashbacks to the battle where Pitsenbarger heroically saved many men. But the majority of the movie is set around the year 2000 where a Washington, D.C. official (Sebastian Stan) is assigned to investigate whether Pitsenbarger should get the Medal of Honor.

While much of the movie, including Pitsenbarger’s heroics, are true, many of the characters are fictionalized to varying degrees. The official’s story is very loosely based upon a real person and many of the vets are fictionalized versions of the veterans who worked to get Pitsenbarger the medal. But those differences do not take away from what the movie is really about. (For more on a comparison of the movie with the true story, check out this article from History vs. Hollywood.)

And what is the movie really about? It is about the effects of war on the survivors, beautifully portrayed by some great actors. I do not want to ruin the film for anyone who has not seen it, but only to suggest you give it a try. Is it a great war movie? No. But if you go in with modest expectations to see a movie about the effects of war on those touched by it, you might be pleasantly surprised that this movie you may never have heard of is a pretty good movie that you missed. You’ll see why so many great actors were attracted to these roles showing characters we rarely have seen on screen.

Leave your two cents in the comments.

We the People Here Don’t Want a War: Bobby Darin’s “Simple Song of Freedom”

During a period of creating passionate folk and political songs, Bobby Darin write and performed the anti-war song, “Simple Song of Freedom.”

Although Bobby Darin is most well-known for his hits like “Splish Splash, “Mac the Knife,” and “Beyond the Sea,” in the 1960s he turned toward folk music, writing and recording some wonderful music often overlooked today. His turn toward political and folk music was not a marketing ploy, but a sincere artistic direction by a talented man genuinely concerned about the way the nation was heading.

Although Darin was recording some folk music by the mid 1960s, his music became more political after the death of his friend Bobby Kennedy. After Kennedy’s assassination in June 1968, Darin retreated to Big Sur, living in seclusion in a trailer near the beach, writing songs about subjects like Vietnam, poverty, and Civil Rights. Soon, he started his own record label to promote folk and protest music.

Meaning of “Simple Song of Freedon”

In 1969, Darin, having already taken a turn toward folk music on his previous two albums, wrote one of his most popular political songs, “Simple Song of Freedom.” The song protested the Vietnam War by asking people to join together and announce that “we the people . . . don’t want a war.”

Now no doubt some folks enjoy doing battle;
Like presidents, prime ministers and kings;
So let’s all build them shelves where they can fight among themselves,
And leave the people be who love to sing.

Come and sing the simple song of freedom;
Sing it like you’ve never sung before;
Let it fill the air, tell the people everywhere,
We the people here don’t want a war.

The song appealed to the common people who did not want to be led into battle. He asked us to ask questions about what our leaders told us: “Seven hundred million are you list’nin’?/ Most of what you read is made of lies.” (Note that some listings apparently mishear the line as “seven hundred million men are enlisted”).

The song also refers to someone many young listeners may not recognize:

Brother Solzhenitsyn are you busy?
If not, won’t you drop this friend a line?
Tell me if the man who is plowin’ up your land
Has got the war machine upon his mind.

“Brother Solzhenitsyn” refers to Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, who was a famous Soviet novelist and dissident prosecuted in the Soviet Union. Darin appeals to a brother across the Cold War, highlighting that the average Russian no more wanted war than the average American.

Versions by Darin and Hardin

Tim Hardin first had a hit with the song. But Darin soon began performing “Simple Song of Freedom” live and released his own version in 1971. Hardin’s success with Darin’s song was an interesting turn of events, since Bobby Darin had been the first one to score a hit with Hardin’s “If I Were a Carpenter” in 1966.

During his folk period, Darin stopped wearing his toupee and grew long sideburns and a mustache. As discussed previously, in 1969, he walked off a national TV show when the producers would not let him sing one of his protest songs unchanged.

But his protest music was not profitable, and many in his audience wanted the old swinging singles, not the folk singer. Darin soon had to sell his record company, songs, and publishing company.

Darin’s Return to Popular Performances

A guy has to make a living. So, Darin returned to show business and began performing more of his old hits and less protest music, donning his toupee again, using a full band instead of just a guitar. He also begin appearing on and hosting television variety shows.

But Bobby Darin stayed true to himself through it all, as he was deep down a great entertainer. And he never gave up on trying to reach people with the message of “Simple Song of Freedom.”

As portrayed in the film Beyond the Sea about Bobby Darin’s life, the song is presented as a turning point in Darin’s career. Darin, played by Kevin Spacey, wants to make a difference despite advice from those in the business. He eventually discovers a way to make his political statement to his audiences by presenting the song as a big stage act instead of an acoustic folk song. In the movie, Spacey performed the vocals of all of Darin’s songs.

The video below features one of these later performances of “Simple Song of Freedon.” Darin performs the song with more than a guitar, donning a tuxedo.

But he is still asking his audience to join in telling our leaders that we don’t want a war.

A little more than two years after releasing his recording of “Simple Song of Freedom,” Darin died on December 19, 1973 at the age of 37 while recovering from open-heart surgery.

Darin had had rheumatic fever as a young child that had weakened his heart.

Bobby Darin knew most of his life he likely would not live to old age and that every day was a gift to make and create what you can. Thus, he lived with a passion for life and tried to make an impact on the world, which of course he did throughout his life.

Read more about Bobby Darin in the book “Bobby Darin: Roman Candle.” Leave your two cents in the comments.

Pete Seeger: “Bring Them Home”

Pete Seeger was born on May 3, 1919 in New York City. He grew up to be a great social justice activist and folk singer. His many contributions to the battle against the Vietnam War included his song, “Bring Them Home,” which decades later he also later used to protest U.S. wars in the Middle East.

One of the clever aspects of “Bring Them Home” is that Seeger asserts that he wishes to bring the soldiers home because of his love for his country. Many who favored the war accused anti-war activists of being anti-American. But Seeger reminded them that the truth was far different. The people protesting the war did so because they cared about their country and what their country was doing.

While some of Seeger’s activism made TV executives nervous, such as the time he was censored in 1967 on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, many artists respected him. So, he did find his way onto our televisions, including in this March 1970 appearance on The Johnny Cash Show.

It is pretty amazing to watch Seeger perform “Bring Them Home” on a national television show in 1970. That year, Richard Nixon was in the White House and the war still going on. But Seeger (and Johnny Cash) always sang the truth. Check it out.

One of the signs of a great song is how it can be timeless even if written about a certain moment in time. “Bring Them Home” holds up. During the Iraq War, Bruce Springsteen performed a slightly modified version of the song, called “Bring ‘Em Home,” which was released as a digital download to support his album in tribute to Seeger, We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions (2006).

As long as there are wars, “Bring Them Home” will be sung.

In honor of Seeger’s 100th birthday, Smithsonian Folkways is releasing Pete Seeger: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection. What is your favorite Pete Seeger song? Leave your two cents in the comments.

A Vietnam Movie About the Continuing Effects of the War: “The Last Full Measure” (Missed Movies)

We the People Here Don’t Want a War: Bobby Darin’s “Simple Song of Freedom”

Matthew Ryan Finds Beauty Within Our National Affliction: “On Our Death Day”

Trini Lopez: Hammerin’ Out Danger

Why “GUY”? (Steve Earle album review)

“Last Train to Clarksville” as a Protest Song?

( Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

Daniel Ellsberg: The Most Dangerous Man

Most Dangerous Man On April 7, 1931, Daniel Ellsberg was born in Chicago. He would grow up to serve in the Marines and work at the Pentagon and for Rand Corporation, eventually becoming disillusioned with the Vietnam War and receiving notoriety as the man behind the release of government documents about the Vietnam War. After the New York Times began publishing the papers in June 1971, the actions prompted the wrath of President Richard M. Nixon and one of the most important Supreme Court cases on the First Amendment.

The 2009 documentary The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers tells the story of Ellsberg’s life and the Pentagon Papers. Directed by Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith, the film is required viewing for anyone interested in the Vietnam War. The movie reveals much about the controversies on the home front as well as the lies told by U.S. leaders.

The documentary approaches the tale by letting Ellsberg and others report the story from first-hand accounts (while Nixon’s perspective only comes through in recordings made at the White House). As much as you think you might know about Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers, you likely will learn new information from the film.

For example, we see the role that Ellsberg’s wife played in his decisions. We also learn that Egil Krogh — one of the “White House Plumbers” involved in breaking into the office of Ellsberg’s psychiatrist — came to see Ellsberg as a principled man.

The Most Dangerous Man in America takes the position that Ellsberg is an American hero who was willing to go to prison if necessary to try to end an unjust war. While some may disagree with the admiring portrayal, the lessons from the Pentagon Papers still resonate in modern times as we still face issues like Edward Snowden’s release of documents. Thus, the story of Daniel Ellsberg is just as relevant today as it was in the 1970s.

Leave your two cents in the comments.

Buy from Amazon

Harry Shearer’s New Series on Richard Nixon

Oh Oh Domino (Theory)

My Lai and “The Battle Hymn of Lt. Calley”

Springsteen’s Tribute to Walter Cichon and “The Wall”

A Vietnam Movie About the Continuing Effects of the War: “The Last Full Measure” (Missed Movies)

We the People Here Don’t Want a War: Bobby Darin’s “Simple Song of Freedom”

(Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

I Heard Her Pray the Night Chicago Died

Two hit songs from 1974 were story songs with an unusual connection: Paper Lace’s “The Night Chicago Died” and “Billy Don’t Be a Hero” by Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods.

Paper Lace The year 1974 was an odd year for music, with a number of unusual hit pop songs that you rarely hear today. The year featured acts like Bob Dylan returning to touring for the first time in eight years. Queen played its first North American concert. And the Ramones made their first appearance at CBGB. Yet, some of the biggest hit songs of the year were Carl Douglas’s “Kung Fu Fighting” and Blue Suede’s reworking of BJ Thomas’s 1968 release “Hooked on a Feeling,” adding ooga-chaka’s.

And two odd 1974 pop hits featured an unusual connection to each other: Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods’ “Billy Don’t Be a Hero” and Paper Lace‘s “The Night Chicago Died.”

“The Night Chicago Died”

“The Night Chicago Died” hit number one on the charts for Paper Lace on August 17, 1974. If you were around in those days, you probably can sing along to “The Night Chicago Died.” But if you were born after that date, it is quite possible you have never heard of the song.

“The Night Chicago Died” is a story song about a 1930s battle between Al Copone’s men and the Chicago police. Songwriters Peter Callander and Mitch Murray tell a Prohibition-era story that is largely inaccurate in both historical events and city geography.

But perhaps what made the song a hit was the part about the songwriter watching his momma cry while waiting to see if her policeman husband would come home alive. Spoiler alert: The father-husband returns safely.

At the end, the singer recalls that the door opened wide “And my daddy stepped inside,/ And he kissed my mama’s face, And he brushed her tears away.”

“The Night Chicago Died” was a huge hit. It sold more than three million copies.

The British band Paper Lace consisted of Philip Wright (drummer and lead singer on “The Night Chicago Died”), Cliff Fish, Phil Hendriks, and Dave Major. While Paper Lace had a number one hit with “The Night Chicago Died” in the U.S., the song only went to number two on the U.K. charts.

“Billy Don’t Be a Hero”

Paper Lace, who still tour, did have a number one hit in the U.K. prior to “The Night Chicago Died.” The band’s version of “Billy Don’t Be a Hero” — a story song about a woman telling her love not to get killed in the war — went to number one in the U.K earlier in 1974.

But before Paper Lace could release their version of “Billy Don’t Be a Hero” in the U.S., Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods claimed their one-hit-wonder status by releasing their version. The Bo Donaldson song went to number one in the U.S. in June 1974.

Like “The Night Chicago Died,” the song “Billy Don’t Be a Hero” was written by Callander and Murray. “Billy,” however, has a sadder ending, with the heroic Billy getting killed.

Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods reformed in the mid-1990s and still toured as of 2015. Mike Gibbons, the lead singer on “Billy Don’t Be a Hero,” did not tour with the band on the oldies circuit. And he passed away on April 2, 2016.

The song does not name the war where Billy is killed. From the lyrics (“the soldier blues”) most assume the song is set during the Civil War. But in 1974 any song mentioning war made one think of the Vietnam War.

I have barely heard “Billy Don’t Be a Hero” since the year it was released. It does make a delightful brief appearance in the background music in Walk Hard: The Dewy Cox Story (2007).

Yet, like “The Night Chicago Died,” I can still sing every word. That’s the power of pop.