HEARTBREAK RIDGE

 "HEARTBREAK RIDGE" --- (1986) ---

MY THOUGHTS:
This movie is about a hard-nosed, decorated veteran preparing a group of undisciplined recruits for battle, when those recruits don't respect him or believe that they will be called into battle. It is a battle of wills, as much as it is a story of military training and preparedness, team building and personal growth. It digs a bit deeper than most "war movies" and it has held up well over the years. Definitely worth a watch.

SYNOPSIS:
"Marine Sgt. Thomas Highway is a decorated veteran of two wars. On his last posting before retirement, he is surrounded by officers with no combat experience who view him as an odd, even dangerous, holdover. Highway is assigned to train a group of undisciplined recruits including Cpl. Stitch Jones, a slick hustler who has previously encountered Highway. As the old soldier prepares his men for a war they don't believe will come, the U.S. invades Grenada."

STARRING:
Clint Eastwood, Everett McGill, Mario Van Peebles, Marsha Mason, Pete Koch, Moses Gunn, Bo Svenson, Eileen Heckart and Lloyd Nelson.

SCREENPLAY:
James Carabatsos

DIRECTOR:
Clint Eastwood

AWARDS & OTHER HONORS:
The film won the "BMI Film Music Award" for Lennie Niehaus and the Image Award in the category of "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture" for Mario Van Peebles.

The film also received a nomination, from the Academy Awards for "Best Sound" for Les Fresholtz, Dick Alexander, Vern Poore and Bill Nelson.