Friendly Fire (1979)

 

            On April 22, 1979, 64 million Americans watched a TV movie about the Vietnam War.  Average Americans were finally ready for a movie that challenged the government’s narrative about the war.  Ironically, the movie was about an average American couple who challenged the government’s story about their son’s death.  “Friendly Fire” appeared on ABC back when made-for-TV movies could sometimes become water cooler fodder and influence the national view on various topics.  It was a huge hit and won four Emmys, including Outstanding Directing in a Limited Series or Special (David Greene), Outstanding Drama or Comedy Special, and Outstanding Music Composition.  Carol Burnett and Ned Beatty were nominated for their acting.  The movie won a Peabody Award.  It was based on a nonfiction book by C.D.B. Bryan. 

            The movie was dedicated to Michael Mullen, his family, and the men of Charlie Company, 1^st Battalion, 6^th Infantry Regiment, 198^th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division.  Mullen grew up in a typical farm family in Iowa.  In 1969, this John-Boy goes off to Vietnam.  It is unclear whether he volunteered, but it is implied that he’s not enthusiastic about going.  He narrates his letters home which are intercut with a montage of farm activities.  His letters reveal that the war is hell and its kill or be killed.  Some of the soldiers commit atrocities.  His last letter mentions that the army is returning to search and destroy missions.  His mother Peg (Burnett with brown-dyed hair) has a foreboding.  Sure enough, here comes the black car with the chaplain.  The Mullens are told it was friendly fire from ARVN artillery firing at VC infiltrators.  Peg is immediately skeptical (for no good reason).  She is not amused when they get a form condolence letter from Nixon which includes copies of his speeches!  The body is returned for the funeral and it is remarkably unmarred for an artillery victim.  Peg:  “Why couldn’t he have been blown to bits so I could believe he died in a war?”  Peg and Gene begin to press the military for the real story.  They contact his comrades and find out that the government is lying about the big picture (e.g., secret incursions into Cambodia), so it could easily be lying about one death.  The Mullens join the anti-war movement.  You can imagine how that goes over in their conservative farming community.  Peg and Gene have left the Silent Majority.  They get contacted by a reporter.  C.D.B. Bryan (Sam Waterson) had been a reporter in Vietnam.  He helps them get their story out.  The movie eventually gets to the flashback section which reenacts Mullen’s death.  The truth is not going to satisfy the Mullens.

            “Friendly Fire” is very much of its time period.  Made-for-TV movies avoided rocking the boat too much.  This one happens to push the envelope.  Other Vietnam War movies have had scenes featuring the parents of deceased soldiers, but “Friendly Fire” concentrates on the parents of a grunt who died from friendly fire.  It is faithful to the story, which means a modern audience might find it tame.  The Mullens are not Yippies.  But they end up on the left with them.  The movie has no bogey man from the right for them to joust with.  Michael’s commanding officer Col. Schindler (based on Norman Schwarzkopf) is truthful about the incident.  The government is the villain.  Much of the 64 million viewers probably were surprised to learn the well-publicized invasion of Cambodia was not the only incursion.

            Since the movie is historically accurate, it is nice to know so many Americans watched it and learned something significant.  But most did not tune in for a lesson.  They tuned in because you had only three major networks to choose from and the movie starred Carol Burnett in a dramatic role.  (I think it was her first.)  She is excellent, as is Ned Beatty.  The whole cast is fine and the Vietnam flashback has some familiar faces (if you’re a  Baby Boomers).  That sequence is worth the wait if you don’t mind a G-rated take on the war.  The hours leading up to Michael’s death will be familiar to any veterans of any war. SNAFU comes to mind. 

            Several made-for-TV movies impacted the public’s view of the war.  Two others that come to mind were “Tribes” and “A Rumor of War”.  Each was seen by multi-millions.  Each shaped the perception of the war.  For the good, because they are realistic.  When you look at all those names on the Wall, remember that the vast majority were survived by their parents.  No parent should have to survive their child.  We sometimes overlook that on days like Memorial Day.  “Friendly Fire” is a memorial to those parents who had that encounter with the black car and the chaplain.  But it’s not just about their grief, it’s about the manner of their son’s death.  Some of the 58,000+ were victims of friendly fire, which has existed since the dawn of warfare.  I would think many of the viewers when it premiered were ignorant of the fact that it was still a problem.  Hell, how many of the viewers even knew the meaning of the movie’s title?  They learned.

GRADE =  B