Bloodshed

Author(s): Daniel Crooke
Location: Ohio

"Bloodshed"

Produced by: Oliver Stone and Steven Spielberg
Directed by: Jonathan Demme
Original Screenplay by: Steve Zaillian
Original Music by: John Williams
Cinematography by: Robert Richardson
Costume Design by: Anna B. Sheppard
Film Editing by: Claire Simpson

Main Cast

Chris Cooper as Lt. William Calley
Alfred Molina as Ernest Medina
Edward Burns as Hugh Thompson
Dennis Quaid as Richard Nixon
Alec Baldwin as Spiro Agnew
Thora Birch as Mary Ann Vecchio
Daniel Franzese as Jeffrey Miller
Evan Rachel Wood as Sandra Scheuer
Scott Bakula as John Filo

Tagline: "So much happened besides the war itself"

Synopsis: The Vietnam War was and still remains one of the most controversial conflicts in history. "Bloodshed" focuses on three important events of the Vietnam War. First, William Calley, lieutenant of the Charlie Company of the United States, led the massacre of innocent women and children in a My Lai, a small town in Vietnam, that was rumored to have Viet Cong inside. He led the attack alongside one of his right hand men, Ernest Medina. Distraught by the complete lack of moral fiber in the company, helicopter pilot Hugh Thompson helped curtail the attack by intimidating the American troops with their own weapons and reporting over the radio what was happening. The actions by Calley were kept under wraps in the US until it was leaked to the country as the My Lai Massacre. A series of court hearings for Calley followed. Meanwhile in the White House, new president Richard Nixon was struggling to enforce his policy of Vietnamization and "peace with honor" alongside his vice president Spiro Agnew. He encountered problems such as disapproval and a limiting ability to get through to Congress. Lastly, at Kent State University in Ohio a protest against Vietnam broke out. However, the protest soon turned bloody when National Guard members shot four students including Sandra Scheuer. John Filo captured the now immortalized photograph of Mary Ann Vecchio over her dead classmate Jeffrey Miller. "Bloodshed" captures the hatred, emotion, violence, and controversies of the Vietnam War through the My Lai Massacre and the following court hearings, the early Nixon administration, and the Kent State shootings.

What the Press would say:

Jonathan Demme's new film "Bloodshed" is the best film about Vietnam in recent memory. But why this over "Platoon", "Born on the Fourth of July", and "Rescue Dawn"? What makes this film so memorable is that it captures everything about the Vietnam War without actually showing the main battles. There is only one subplot in Vietnam and it is a brutal massacre, not even a battle. The three subplots weave in and out of each other with the subplot involving the My Lai Massacre and court hearings following being the most prominent one. Chris Cooper is excellent in his portrayal of Lt. William Calley, the leader in My Lai. His best scenes are his before the courts during his incrimination. Cooper plays his character in the court scenes as if he had done nothing wrong but at the same time you can see the embarrassment and shame in his eyes. This is Cooper's best performance to date, even better than in "Adaptation." and "American Beauty". The next subplot involves Richard Nixon in his pre-Watergate days. Dennis Quaid plays "Tricky Dick" better (dare I say it) than Anthony Hopkins in "Nixon". He has transformed himself into Nixon completely. He spent weeks watching Nixon in old video footage, studying his mannerisms and vocal patterns, and even gaining weight for the role. He really exceeded my expectations and will without a doubt be receiving his first Academy Award nominaton (and probably a win too) for "Bloodshed". The last sublot is at the Kent State shootings. Thora Birch of "Ghost World" plays Mary Ann Vecchio, the female student in the immortalized photograph of the Kent State shootings by John Filo. Birch's performance is best highlighted in her scenes of fear and desperation immediately after the shootings. She portrays this character beautifully and after being snubbed for some of her past work she will also be recieving her first Academy Award nomination. Under the excellent supervision of Jonathan Demme, "Bloodshed" is poised to become an Academy favorite this year. Don't let me forget about Steve Zaillian's terrific comeback as an amazing screenwriter after his last disappointment, "All the King's Men". "Bloodshed" is a fantastic film and will remain a masterpiece because of its excellent way it shows the emotions of the Vietnam War.

Nominations
Best Picture- Oliver Stone and Steven Spielberg
Best Director- Jonathan Demme
Best Actor- Chris Cooper
Best Supporting Actor- Dennis Quaid
Best Supporting Actress- Thora Birch
Best Original Screenplay- Steve Zaillian
Best Film Editing- Claire Simpson
Best Cinematography- Robert Richardson