I caught this on tv unedited and without commercials. I am really angry that I never heard about this before. Great acting, thrilling story, and ambiguous ending. I did hear that the production company tried to bury this film, which is shocking since it it so good.
shareAgreed, it is a powerful film, and John Heard gives a furiously intense, no-holds-barred, driven performance—and yet is also strangely vulnerable & yearning for some sense of justice. That scene near the end where he's on the white horse (like a tarnished knight riding to battle) is breathtaking all by itself. And the entire film, with its continually shifting story & nakedly quiet character study, ties everything together in one tight emotional knot.
shareYeah. Heard should of at least been nominated for an Oscar. He does come across as crazy and unbearable at times, but I did feel sorry for him. He gave a foot, arm, and eye for his country and was seen as a pariah by his country rather than a hero. I also do love that the movie leaves the mystery up to the viewers to decide whether Cord is guilty or not and provides proof for both sides of the argument.
sharei'm two months late, but i just caught this myself & absolutely loved it. definitely a film that deserves much more of a reputation. a great 70s hangover/hangout film.
it's leaving the criterion channel at the end of the month - for anyone who has that service, i'd absolutely recommend giving it a watch before it leaves.