Word of Honor (2003 film)
Word of Honor is a 2003 American drama television film directed by Robert Markowitz, based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Nelson DeMille. The film stars Don Johnson, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Sharon Lawrence, John Heard and Arliss Howard.[1] It aired on TNT on December 6, 2003.
| Word of Honor | |
|---|---|
DVD cover | |
| Genre | Drama |
| Based on | Word of Honor by Nelson DeMille |
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | Robert Markowitz |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Gary Chang |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Clara George |
| Production location | Calgary |
| Cinematography | Guy Dufaux |
| Editor | David Beatty |
| Running time | 91 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | TNT |
| Release | December 6, 2003 |
Premise edit
30 years after serving in Vietnam, ex-Army First Lieutenant Ben Tyson is brought forward for war crimes. Now a business executive, Tyson witnessed a massacre during the war. While he kept silent about it for decades, another veteran speaks out in a magazine article that mentions Tyson's involvement. A military attorney gets involved in the case, and a media frenzy ensues, as Tyson's family and military bonds begin to fray.
Cast edit
- Don Johnson as Lt. Benjamin Tyson
- Jeanne Tripplehorn as Maj. Karen Harper
- Sharon Lawrence as Marcy McClure Tyson
- John Heard as Dr. Steven Brandt
- Arliss Howard as J.D. Runnells
- Peter MacNeill as Gen. Norm Van Arken
- Peter Stebbings as Maj. Michael Taix
- Jesse Johnson as a young Lt. Benjamin Tyson
Production edit
Executive producer and co-writer Leslie Greif said of Don Johnson, "He can be the bad guy, he can be the good guy. He can walk that line."[2] Johnson called his role a throwback to classic Henry Fonda and James Stewart characters.[1] Filming took place in Calgary.[3]
While the film came out at the start of the Iraq War amid conflicted opinions, and some writers drew those parallels,[1] Greif said that they did not want the film to get "too political." The filmmakers, he said, instead wanted to explore broader questions of morality and the "murkiness of war."[2]
Critical reception edit
The film received several negative reviews. Ron Wertheimer of The New York Times wrote that it wasted its potential on "platitudes and plot contrivances."[4] Brian Lowry of Variety called the film a disappointment, while praising the "top-notch cast".[3]
Nominations edit
- Nominated for a Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Editing in Television Long Form - Sound Effects & Foley - 2004
References edit
- ^ a b c Bobbin, Jay (November 30, 2003). "A Soldier Who Wears a Medal of Silence". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ a b Byrne, Bridget (December 5, 2003). "Stirring up memories". Associated Press. Retrieved May 23, 2023 – via The Standard-Times.
- ^ a b Lowry, Brian (December 3, 2003). "Word of Honor". Variety. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ Wertheimer, Ron (December 5, 2003). "TV Weekend; What Did You Do In the War, Daddy?". The New York Times. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
External links edit
- Word of Honor at IMDb