The Saddest War Movie - The Messenger (2009) Review

A review of the war film "The Messenger" (2009)
#military #army

[@andrewkessinger5966]

I had a teacher in high school that assumed this role at some point during the Vietnam war. Said it was the hardest job he has ever had.

[@Kevin_TN]

It was originally by telegram.

[@amata415]

Well acted and an emotional gut punch. That movie is hard to watch… I don’t think I can watch The Messenger again.

[@timcairns30]

For anyone else wondering, Ralph H. Cochran, the man named on the example Western Union telegram at 1:52 , survived being shot down over Germany. He was a POW until the end of the war and passed away in February 2009, age 86.

[@larryd9549]

My dad is a retired cop. The toughest job was notifying the next of kin. Nothing worse than knocking on that door to tell loved ones that somebody is NEVER coming home.

[@simonkevnorris]

The topic was shown in the movie "We Were Soldiers" where the death notices were being delivered by taxi. The commander's wife took over the task and some of the other wives accompany her.

[@babydoe7504]

One of the most touching parts of that movie!

[@mikhailiagacesa3406]

I had this duty. Hardest part is when the children are there.

[@andrewstravels2096]

God bless you. Unfortunately you had to do what you had to do.

[@jamesk370]

Until your review, I had never heard of this film. I will check it out.

[@PavewayJDAM]

Steves's performance who literally called old buddies in FDNY to help with 911 as he used to be a FF prior to his film career Respect. Best uncomfortableness since We Were Soldiers.

[@BattleAxe1345]

1:52 Jackson, OH, that's just a couple counties next to me. Really brings it home. In southeast Ohio we have cemetery's of veterans dating back to the War of Independence.

[@Regun3x]

Hello from Meigs County. 👍

[@BattleAxe1345]

@@Regun3x Ello neighbor from north! Gallia representing😁

[@anonymousm9113]

I was fortunately protected by my GS-14 when I was in a position that mandated CNO/CAO certification and duties. He was a retired LTC, who I believe had taken retirement in lieu of continuing the struggle himself. Me? A tired and aging SFC who'd taken part in over 1000 funerals in Arlington National Cemetery, welcomed home dozens in Dignified Transfer of Remains ceremonies at Dover Air Force Base, recruited young men and women, turned civilians into Infantrymen on Sand Hill, and saw multiple sides of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Every unit I served in saw loss through combat, self-deletion, or accidents. Every time my name popped up on the list, that GS-14 found reason for me to avoid the training. I was willing to, but ultimately, I'd simply seen and done so much by that time, and he thankfully recognized that. I have many friends in Section 60. I've gone to many services both officially and to simply pay honor to those I once knew. I've comforted children during their time of loss. It's greedy of me, but I'm glad that CNO/CAO was the one duty spared during my brief couple of decades in service....

[@FAFO131]

When I was in, I got an email asking for volunteers for this detail. I noped out of that. Mad respect to anyone who is assigned this duty

[@padawanmage71]

Never even heard of this movie, though it might be because of the subject matter. I remember in 'A League of their Own', there was a scene where a Western Union guy stopped by the training grounds and while looking for the telegram (while all the women are staring at him in horror), he's joking about his job, etc. It gets so bad, Tom Hank's character grabs the telegram and throws the guy out. He then assumes the responsibility of telling one of his teammates the sad news.

[@silverstar4289]

I experienced this “knock at the door”. I remember when the trailer was out for this film. No way I was going to see the film. Then in my law enforcement career I always took death notification with an utmost respect. Also experienced three line of duty deaths and by circumstance , was responsible for most of the details for the ceremonies.

[@MyBlueZed]

Thank you for the review. I’ve not heard of this film but I’m definitely going to search for it. I can’t imagine how awful this duty would have been.

[@geordiedog1749]

Probably the only real anti war film.

[@Ryan_Winter]

What struck me was how far removed from war these people were, until they received a notification, informing them that a close relative had been killing in an armed conflict somewhere else in the world. To most Americans, war is an abstract issue and serving in the armed forces is a job, and while their close relatives are the ones who do the killing it's rationalized in abstract ways. Of course, it must hit them like a truck when war suddenly becomes a bitter sad reality. To the Koreans, the Vietnamese, the Iraqi and all the others war was/is not abstract. They know when their children leave to fight that they might not come home again, to them the same notification is the realization of the fears they had all along.

[@Tempestzzzz]

Not so unfun fact. 1985. Pentagon Desk Officer calls. We type out the letter [No grammar mistakes. NONE!]The 'Messengers' go out to the home [arrive at night]...and next of kin are out camping in another state ['non-kin makes the 'Messengers' aware]. Sooooo...the base close to the camp area sends it's Colonel and it's Chaplin/another officer out searching for the Next of Kin. 2 weeks later We get ANOTHER message (desk officer in Pentagon). Another death notification for someone else. I go to my Colonel to inform him. He throws his duffel bag toward me. "You DO IT Lieutenant!!!!!" He was good Colonel. Good, Man. I wouldn't wish this duty on my worst enemy. These deaths were all in operational training.

[@jeenkzk5919]

I remember this coming out. I think we skipped it because we were sure it was going to be a brutal watch.

[@michaelfrench3396]

This movie hits way too close to home. I'm not watching the whole video but I'm giving you a like anyway.

[@JohnnyJohnsonHistory]

Can't fault you there. Not an easy watch. Hope you and your family are well.

[@austinrothjr]

Same. Made it 20 seconds. Brutal. I was a Casualty Notification Officer but thankfully never had to do one.

[@michaelfrench3396]

@@austinrothjr You know I don't know which job is worse, Graves registration or this. Just out of curiosity, does the military provide extra counseling to you guys especially like while you're having to do it. Or do they give everybody the same top level mental health care?

[@austinrothjr]

@@michaelfrench3396 Same top level care. 😂

[@Soulessdeeds]

I attended more than a few military services for fallen soldiers during my time in Iraq. And even became friends with a civilian contractor who was later killed by a rocket. I still have some pictures and a video of him I always wish I could give to his family. He always talked about his boys and was so happy his contract was almost done. He was 40 days away from going home. I am grateful that Iraq was never close to the number of dead that my uncles would have seen in Vietnam. Or my grand father during WW2 in the Navy. I did deal with casualties and body bags. Those things never leave you. I can only imagine how hard it is to tell the families of these fallen soldiers their loved one is gone. I will never watch this movie simply because I know it will just bring back memories I do not want to remember. Even though they still come back often.

[@wiktorberski9272]

I will look for this movie. A similar plot was also shown in "We were soldiers"

[@simonkevnorris]

Yes, I've also mentioned that as I had not seen your post.

[@paratrooper8266]

I did this job for 2 years, and the honor guard. Dud over 1000 military burials, and then left for my 2nd tour in Afghanistan as a sniper team leader. I considered this a vacation. Somehow, i got back and ended up in recruiting, which i still do to this day.

[@billlexington5788]

I remember when I was waiting for my class to start training in Aberdeen Proving Ground for MOS school, we had the MAT (Marines Awaiting Training) platoon. We had different duties on base we would rotate helping out with. One of these was sorting through KIA Personnel Effects coming back in the US. Thankfully the days I had that detail, we didn’t get anything, but the days there were, were always somber days for those on that detail. Always saw those nice engraved wooden boxes on sale at the PX, never wanted to buy one after that though.

[@pierce7879]

grew up in md near APG got a buddy there secret base lol

[@billlexington5788]

@@pierce7879I had to go to the base theater once for a briefing, the place was falling apart and decrepit, crumbling walls, ceiling, etc. I think it was originally built in the 1910’s/1920’s. But it was easy to see the interior was gorgeous when that place was first built, I’m talking fancy carpet, nice stage, fancy railing, wood carved griffins, etc.

[@sartainja]

Woody’s head looks like it was going explode in some scenes. Think that he really got into the movie emotionally. It is not one of those movies, you want to watch again anytime soon after seeing it.

[@patrickfrinker]

This is the first time in a long time that I have not been disappointed in a face reveal. Great video!

[@eamonnclabby7067]

Top notch, this strkes a chord in this house ,

[@JohnnyJohnsonHistory]

Hope you and your family are doing well E. I miss English Spring. Couple more weeks here before the snow is gone if we are lucky.

[@epg96]

Make videos about these please Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale Exhuma The Iron Giant Peaky Blinders Inventing Anna Golden Kamuy Fetih 1453

[@g.p.d.2220]

I “liked” this KZbin video because I’ve never heard or seen the film. It looks like it would be hard to watch but I think it would be also good to see how difficult a duty that would be. I’ll look for this one.

[@Jarod-vg9wq]

Steve is a incredible actor.

[@juxapostion]

I would watch this.....But. cant handle matters dicussed. I used to be able to....

[@Mr.Ambrose_Dyer_Armitage_Esq.]

Can you review _Taking Chance,_ the true story of a Marine officer who brought a dead enlisted back to be buried?

[@johnpatz8395]

That is an excellent and very touching film, and I thought of it the moment I saw this video thumbnail

[@The_Black_Knight]

That film portrays Escort duty more accurately than those of this movie explaining CAO or COE responsibilities.

[@spankyharland9845]

what a depressing movie. I can't watch a movie like this....I couldn't make it through that " we were soldiers " movie without breaking down....a movie like this can get your PTSD going.

[@Zethos11513]

Im gonna watch this right now, thanks johnny!

[@deusvultpictures6550]

That must be one of the worst military jobs imaginable to have

[@drak347]

Excellent movie. Some jobs are hard to do, and yet, someone still does them.

[@josephhui1986]

At the 6 min mark of the film, he saluted an officer indoor. Took me right outta the immersion. Great review though.

[@The_Black_Knight]

This movie has significant military inaccuracies for dramatic purpose, although it does shed light on an uninformed subject. Having served as both as a CNO, CAO, and Escort, and supervising CAT, one of the fundamental differences is absence of a designated chaplain of the deceased domination faith at ALL function execution unless not requested by the family or unavailable which is exceedingly rare. All three roles are defined separately. The rank of presiding member MUST equal or rate higher than the deceased servicemember. There are many other idiosyncrasies and a strict code of conduct. Some families welcomed our presence, others did not. One family requested my assignment, and presented their son's flag to my permanent care which is unorthodox. These roles are not exclusive to Mortuary Affairs. In fact, commanders regularly do death notification of family members if not directly servicemember parents. In one case I had to conduct notification of a brother killed in combat to another brother. The parents were separately notified by CAT.

[@michaelfrench3396]

And nobody talks about this movie because war is supposed to be just about glory and God and country. And we don't want to think about all the families that are destroyed every time a boy or girl is killed. This is the cost of war and they don't want people to know about it or to think about it because if we did we wouldn't be so willing to send those that we don't know or care about off to fight for nothing

[@GuineaPigEveryday]

Nice speech but idk if that lines up with what most war movies are about and especially modern ones. Have u seen any modern war movie that isn’t largely focused on the tragedy, this isn’t the 40s-70s period of war being adventure and action. The only big mainstream war movies you hear about now are the tragedies and those focused on the misery and the loss and the suffering. Who the hell is ‘they’ anyways? No ‘they’ is suppressing these themes from movies, people just don’t really give a shit about watching movies about war anymore as clearly shown by supply & demand of Hollywood movies, the few films that do come out and are successful explore the themes you claim to be absent.

[@michaelfrench3396]

@@GuineaPigEveryday I don't know. Have you watched saving private? Ryan? How many times do you think that the landing on the beach scene has been viewed? Look it up on KZbin. It's tends of millions of times. People don't watch the whole movie. They watch the combat. Because it's a fantasy because they're too scared to actually participate. So they go to the movie and watch other people do it. It's the same reason people in our country joined these unregulated malicious instead of joining the national guard, the state guard or the military. They want all the fun of cosplaying as being in the military and shooting the guns and everything else. They just don't want anybody shooting back

[@michaelfrench3396]

@@GuineaPigEveryday they would be people like George Bush. Remember how he sent us into Iraq after 9/11? You want to tell me what the hell that had to do with 9/11 and because of that little snafu we stayed in Afghanistan for 20 years and never actually accomplish anything

[@daniellee2343]

@@michaelfrench3396 Good point. SPR still has shock factor but to most viewers it's entertainment. Full Metal Jacket will put of most people from joining but some will see it as a challenge.

[@wiseguy3696]

Worried there won't be enough people in a new conflict to fulfill this role.

[@DavidThurston-us7hn]

I have seen this.god bless for putting this on.real price is dead soldiers.my fathers brother died wòrldwar two went down in a bomber in bay of Italy. Dad said saw car coming to the house, And they knew.hismother went upstairs didn't eat for 3 days and sceamed the whole time my poor boy drowned like a rat.the other I saw 😢 with my own eyes worst thing ever saw by far.few weeks earlier he took us to the dairy bar then the big caddy pulls up knocked had to catch her in their a Rms.jimmys mother.hisbrother and I were playing across the street when it pulled up.hewas 10 and I was 12 he had his brothers ranger hat on we all bawled our eyes out.hurt.it still does.that is the price of war.

[@georgesykes394]

The NCO in the thumbnail is wearing the FWTS patch of the 10th Mountain Division HQ. FT. Drum New York. Since 9-11 it has been the most deployed conventional unit in the Armed Forces of the United States. Deployment of it's BCTs to Iraq and Afghanistan has been no less than 30!

[@johnhildenbrand2642]

10th Mountain was the most ate up unit I was ever in. I definitely preferred my time in the 1st Infantry Division

[@georgesykes394]

@@johnhildenbrand2642I 100% absolutely can't blame you.

[@TheReaper-ep2cq]

One of the hardest jobs in the Army

[@ajg8722]

Taking chance with Kevin Bacon is kinda similar to this.

[@JohnnyJohnsonHistory]

Thanks for that I'll check it out

[@tinman3586]

I saw this years ago around the time it came out. It was a rough movie.

[@thelegionisnotamused8929]

CACO's. The only worse job is SSTP and Mortuary affairs.

[@moshguy]

I attended a few dignified transfers of remains when I was in Afghanistan. They would read off each person's name, rank and age as the coffins with US flag draped over went up the ramp into the back of the cargo aircraft. We stood there at attention in silence. I remember thinking how close in age and rank I was to those guys. I often thought about what their families were going through at that moment. The experience really changed how I viewed the world.

[@blitzenforcer7123]

You sold me!!

[@patrikstrandquist1875]

This must be the hardest job in the armed services.

[@georgesykes394]

Mortuary Affairs!

[@darbyheavey406]

The scene in Saving Private Ryan will break your heart. We were Soldiers was also a good treatment of this topic.

[@hansblitz7770]

But first, Lemme tell ya about Halliburton.

[@daniellee2343]

"Sure, you're willing to die for your country but can you put your friends and family through that?" The best anti war movie ever and no combat scenes.

[@pierce7879]

yeah i can, rather serve my country then work at mcdonalds flipping patties

[@shoktroop]

The reason this movie was not pumped is it would stifle recruiting. When you bring the REALITY of service into it the military industrial complex does not like that and its bad for business. Nobody wants to picture their mom or dad getting notified your ass was killed for nothing. So.. "direct to DVD" it went

[@mx25_kingz88]

The berets kill me

[@davidweyer79]

For the people who root for war back home (as they are now)....this should be a required watch! Too many promising young lives WASTED!!!

[@rayjohn9798]

The worse experience I have had was writing a letter to someone who wanted to know how someone died. All I could say was it was quick. The RPG left half his face and torso. I wore his remains for 2 weeks. And as an aside from that was blown up a couple of feet as well and anything you walk away from is cake. Someone thinks that this is bad there is worse always and I can’t even get any more specific

[@billyponsonby]

$1.5m for this when compared with $115m for pro-propaganda piece We Were Soldiers tells us a lot about what people want.

[@Roddy556]

Good message hut honestly it's not a "fun" movie. It's hard to draw a huge audience.

[@worldofdoom995]

We Were Soldiers, was literally based on the book written by Col. Moore there is no propaganda there.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

​@@Roddy556...they should show this in schools everywhere...I have been badly injured as has my daughter and Nephew in the line of duty...all of us are still here, thankfully, best wishes from the wirral peninsula...E..

[@joshuathinker8546]

We were soldiers was definitely not pro war. It paid respect for the soldiers but it also showed the brutality and tragedy. It was from a book called We Were Soldiers and We Were Young. Again respectful but not prowar

[@nozyy5684]

BTW we can hit family members back basically self protection in general too but naw that never happens messenger was good still missing a lot

[@themocaw]

This movie isn't fun at all. And you'd expect that from the premise. But what shocked me was how bleak it was. You'd expect the notification scenes to be tearjerkers (and they are), but the rest of the film doesn't let up either. You'd think that the film would glorify the dead, or the men who do this job. It does neither. Everyone in this movie is a broken mess. A casualty of the war. This film made Jarhead look like a pro-war film.

[@patrickoglesbee3519]

the saddest thing in this movie is the shit holywood berets

[@josephbingham1255]

I can't help but think if that Madagascar deal had gone through we wouldn't have gas crisis and American boys being killed and maimed in unnecessary Middle Eastern Wars.

[@captaindouchebag1703]

I loved this movie. The performances were both powerful and devastating at the same time. A very underrated film. Thanks for reminding me of this Mr Johnny. Here's a like and a subscribe.