MWSA Film Review

In The Shadow of the Blade

Arrowhead Film and Video Studios

Director:  Patrick Fries

Creative Director: Cheryl Fries

Reviewer: Bill McDonald – President of the MWSA

BEST VIETNAM DOCUMENTARY EVER MADE!

Arrowhead Film and Video will forever be remembered as the people who created the best Vietnam documentary ever made.  Director Patrick Fries had a dream and he stuck to that vision no matter what the odds were.  He stayed the course and created an emotional and sacred film journey.  He takes his four Vietnam veterans across country in a rebuilt Huey helicopter.  Letting them meet and mix with local veterans and their families in make-shift LZs that were sometimes nothing more than farmland and backyards before they were magically turned into something very special.  That unfolding of these emotional sacred moments is what makes this a real different kind of film.

We hear stories from: old veterans telling us of combat experiences, Donut Dollies recalling their days in Nam when they too were young, and Dustoff pilots discussing close encounters with the enemy.  We also hear from a former POW named Ben Purcell and his wife Anne who tell a love story.  They weave in their faith and love for each other in the film while taking us through their life experiences when he was listed as a MIA in Vietnam.

There is so much power in each story and each person.  They have masterfully edited this final version of the film for DVD and video so that now you can share this journey with them at home.  You will never ever see another movie like this in your lifetime.  It does not contain any graphic violence and should be suitable for most all family members to watch.

The music CD that goes along with this film is as good as it gets.  The music and the editing are top notch!  Together they make for an artful presentation that will move you at times to tears but not sadness.  Most all of the music was written for this film.

I was privileged to be one of those veteran crew members taking this across country.  The movie really captures the flying and stories as I heard and felt them in person.  This gets the MWSA Top Film Rating.  You can get no better then this documentary.  Go to their website and check out how to buy the film and much more.