Taking Chance
List Price:
Our Price: $11.59
You Save: $8.38 (42%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $8.98 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Kevin BaconBrand: VPD
Writer: Michael Strobl
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Portuguese (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 77 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2009-05-12
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Hbo Home Video
Product features:
- Based on the true experiences of Lt. Colonel Michael Strobl, who wrote eloquently of them in a widely circulated 2004 article, Taking Chance is a profoundly emotional look at the military rituals taken to honor its war dead, as represented by a fallen Marine killed in Iraq, Lance Corporal Chance Phelps. Working as a strategic analyst at Marine Corps Base Quantico in VA, Lt. Col. Strobl (Kevin Baco
DVD Reviews of Taking Chance
DVD Review: America's Respect For the Fallen
Summary: 5 Stars
**SPOILER ALERTS**
"The death of every person always serves the agenda of every other person who is aware of it. That is why they are aware of it. Therefore, no death (and no life) is ever 'wasted.' No one ever dies 'in vain.'" --CWG
"Taking Chances" is one of the most moving films I've seen in recent years. The film not only speaks to the fallen soldiers of America, but to the men and women who are aware of them. It tells the true story of Lt. Colonel Mike Strobl. He spends much time going through a list of names of soldiers who have been killed in the Second Gulf War. He prays that he never recognizes a name. However, one Private First Class, Chance Phelps, jumps out at him. Not because he knows him, but because he's from the same small town in Colorado. This is enough to establish a connection for Strobl.
Strobl puts requests escort duty, in which a member of the military escorts the body back to the place where it will be buried. This is an unusual request for a senior officer, but his Commanding Officer grants the request. Strobl will escort the body of Chance Phelps from Dover to a small town in Wyoming. His job is to assure the safe delivery of the body, and to also give Phelps's personal effects to the family.
At first, it seems that Strobl feels duty-bound to escort the body. He knows little personal information about Phelps. But the reaction he receives from nearly everyone he comes across, concerning a fallen soldier,that none of these people know, begins to move Strobl, and he finds a growing connection to Phelps with each stop, until he reaches his final resting place in Wyoming.
The power of this film rests in small moments. They are simple moments, but powerful nonetheless. A group of luggage carriers all stop what they are doing to pay their respects. Strobl looks around and is clearly moved by the gesture. There is another moment when he is escorting the body by car, back to the small town. A line of cars of people, who see the casket with the flag over it in the back of the SUV, all begin to turn on their lights, and lead a procession of other vehicles all the way to the town. None of them know who Chance is. It doesn't matter. They are paying their respects, and demonstrating their gratitude for his service to this country.
The power of the this film rests in these simple gestures of gratitude and respect by nearly everyone who comes across the body of Chance Phelps. There is a powerful moment, when Strobl finally opens the coffin to view Chance, and to help another officer place certain personal items into it. We almost expect Strobl to quicky close the casket. Instead, he stands and gazes at the perfection of the uniform of Chance Phelps, and he is soon moved to tears over the body of a man he does not know. The film does a great job of never showing us the face of Chance Phelps (since he killed by a shot to the head), and it really does not matter. I felt this was a wise move by the filmmakers.
The film does a tremendous job in educating the viewer regarding the process that a "body" goes through from the time the soldier dies to its final resting place. Great effort is undertaken by the men and women who do their absolute best to assure that the body is cared for and cleaned. They do their best to make sure there is no evidence of blood upon the fallen soldier's personal effects.
There are many people who will tell you that it is impossible to not feel something when you become aware of someone who has passed away. It doesn't matter whether you know them or not, you are affected by that person. Perhaps that is why I chose the quote that I did for this review.
A person can disagree with the reason for a "war." But, I find it hard to believe that anyone doesn't support our military troops, and honor them. The movie demonstrates this in so many small windows of opportunity, showing that Americans do hold a fallen soldier with the utmost respect. Within the film, it's clear that even Strobl is moved by these simple demonstrations. I would wager that many soldiers are perhaps unaware of this respect and gratitude. Strobl meets a man on of the planes. The man simply looks at him and thanks him for his service. I've done the same thing with a few military people whom I've come across. I feel that it means a lot to them to hear that they are appreciated.
Kevin Bacon may have turned in one of his best performances as Mike Strobl. There isn't a lot of dialogue in this film, and so much of the emotion rests in simple looks upon the face of Kevin Bacon as Mike Strobl, and what he is feeling. That is all that is needed. Words somehow seem insufficient, and I think the director and writers did an admirable job by showing restraint regarding the dialogue within this film.
This film should be required viewing, especially at the high school level and above. I feel that it would serve our young people to learn to appreciate the service of our military men and women.
Mike Strobl has provided an incredible service, by allowing his journal to be used for the making of this film. He was also one of the screenwriters. He has taken careful steps to assure that the "story" of Chance Phelps is told, as well as that of every fallen American soldier. Every life has a story, and every person in death, also has a story. Our awareness, our respect, and our gratitude are all that is needed.
Description of Taking Chance
Based on the true experiences of Lt. Colonel Michael Strobl, who wrote eloquently of them in a widely circulated 2004 article, Taking Chance is a profoundly emotional look at the military rituals taken to honor its war dead, as represented by a fallen Marine killed in Iraq, Lance Corporal Chance Phelps. Description is continued below.Bestsellers in DVD
![The Story of Jeremiah [VHS] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
The Story of Jeremiah [VHS]Vision Video; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Wresting With God [VHS]by Vision Video
Vision Video; Published: 1990-10-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Study Bible Video with Workbook [VHS]Spring Arbor Distributors; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops:
Tempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops:
Tempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/ Party Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
![Strike the Original Match [VHS] Image](/images/Strike-the-Original-Match-VHS-0001374079-X.jpg)
Strike the Original Match [VHS]New Liberty Films; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
![Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS] Image](/images/Medjugorje-The-Miracles-and-the-Message-VHS-0001373293-X.jpg)
Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS]JPN Film Production; Release date: 1995-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.99
Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008by Mayo
DVD
Price in other shops:
Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single Userby Oakstone
DVD
Price in other shops:
Cost Accounting [VHS]by Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Srikant M. Datar, Howard Teall
Pearson Canada, Toronto; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
CourageousSony; Release date: 2012-01-17; DVD
Best price: $12.43
Price in other shops:
BrothersLions Gate; Release date: 2010-03-23; Published: 2010-03-01; DVD
Best price: $2.96
Price in other shops:
Combat Diary - The Marines of Lima CompanyA and E Home Video; Release date: 2006-09-26; DVD
Best price: $7.99
Price in other shops:
When Trumpets FadeHBO HOME VIDEO; Release date: 1998-11-10; Published: 1998-11-01; DVD
Best price: $2.70
Price in other shops:
In the Valley of ElahWarner Brothers; Release date: 2008-02-19; DVD
Best price: $3.98
Price in other shops:
Artist Not Provided - Honor and Glory - America's Elite Military Honor Guards (History Channel)A&E; Release date: 2005-09-27; DVD
Best price: $2.84
Price in other shops:
Gardens of StoneSony; Release date: 2002-06-25; DVD
Best price: $7.96
Price in other shops:
Artist Not Provided - National Geographic: Arlington - Field of HonorNational Geographic; Release date: 2005-05-17; DVD
Best price: $6.15
Price in other shops:
The MessengerOscilloscope Laboratories; Release date: 2010-05-18; DVD
Best price: $2.99
Price in other shops:
Temple GrandinWarner Brothers; Release date: 2010-08-17; DVD
Best price: $10.57
Price in other shops: