The Last Full Measure

 

War films often place over-reliance on action to maintain your attention but last weekend we watched an example where less is more. The Last Full Measure is based on the true story of William H Pitsenbarger, a US Air Force Para-rescue-man whose heroism in the Vietnam War had never received the recognition it deserved.

Pitsenbarher’s story is told through the research of Pentagon staffer, Scott Huffman who is ordered to shelve his fast-track career and instead follow up a request which has been receives for an Air Force Cross to be upgraded to a Medal of Honour. Very reluctantly and without much enthusiasm Huffman interviews former comrades of Pitsenbarger and demonstrates his lack of compassion and indeed lack of knowledge about their sacrifices in the Far East.

Gradually he is drawn into a conspiracy which has prevented Pitsenbarger from getting his true honour. The stories of selfless heroism which are shown in flashback and reveal Pitsenbarger to have been truly a man ready to lay down his life for his fellow fighters, most of whom were army soldiers and not even known to this Air Force man.

Much of the story takes place in offices and living rooms and the scenes involving the airman’s father played by Christopher Plummer are poignant indeed. Huffman puts his career on the line and takes the case to the highest level where eventually he succeeds and at the conclusion, amid stirring speeches, Pitsenbarger’s award is rightfully upgraded to The Medal of Honour.

The Jungle combat scenes are short but realistic and the enduring effects of what would then have been called Shell Shock are plain to see in his surviving colleagues. I can highly recommend this as thoroughly absorbing look at a piece of history and of justice done.