My Father's Brothers

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My Father's Brothers

2019

1h 13m

Documentary

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5 Reviews

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June 29, 1966. During a routine patrol in the jungles of Vietnam, a platoon of U.S. soldiers stumbles upon a much larger enemy force. Outnumbered nearly 10-to-1, the platoon is savagely attacked. The triple-canopy jungle is dense and muddy, impeding the possibility of rescue. This film is a journey to understand what the survivors went through in 1966 and continue to go through today because of it. Some had volunteered for the army as teenagers. Others were drafted. Some went back to Vietnam years later in hopes of finding closure and peace.

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

A revealing film even for those who think to themselves they've seen everything there is to see about the Vietnam War.

Rated: 3.0/4.0

Jul 4, 2022

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Tony Asankomah

GhMovieFreak

Regardless of how you feel about war, it is the sense of brotherhood that is formed in the glaring face of adversity that makes the piece and the story it tells worthy of making.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 26, 2021

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Bob Bloom

Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

... no matter your views on the conflict, you will come to admire these quiet heroes ... who performed bravely and served their country with honor.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 25, 2021

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Alejandro Turdó

Hoy Sale Cine

My Father's Brothers is a story about trauma, bravery, tragedy and companionship. About young people creating everlasting bonds in the most critical scenario. About those lost in the way and about keeping their memory alive.

Rated: 7/10

Aug 25, 2021

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Evan Dossey

Midwest Film Journal

Heartfelt & personal look at the human cost of the Vietnam war over half-century later.

Aug 15, 2021

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Audience Member

une 29, 1966: A platoon of American soldiers is outnumbered ten to one in the jungles of Vietnam. This will be the darkest moment of their lives, if they survive. Now: Those that walked away explain how life would never be the same again. My Father's Brothers is a journey to understand what filmmaker Shawn Kelley's father and seven survivors went through then and keep going through now. Whether they volunteered or were drafted, each of them has had to deal with the cards life dealt in their own way. Some of them have even returned to Vietnam in the hopes of somehow coming to terms with their past. Shawn's father was one of the ones that volunteered. As he made it to the rank of captain, he routinely led his company of 140 men on patrols through the jungles of Vietnam. On that fateful June 29th, he recieved orders to spread out too far and stumbled upon a better supplied and manned outpost of Vietcong forces. While this battle usn't well known, it is an integral part of these men's lives. As they went their separate ways after the war, they discovered that they would come together to find ways to make the past make more sense, if that is ever possible. Kelly explained how the origin of the movie was very simple. In fact, it started on a long car ride. "My 83-year-old dad rarely talked about his time in Vietnam. Since I had a few hours with him alone in the car, I decided to ask a lot of questions. And I found out there was a lot about my dad's past I didn't know." The film also highlights Medal of Honor recipient, Sgt. Charles B. Morris, a paratrooper that went above and beyond the call of duty to protect his platoon on that day. I really enjoyed this film because it presents a moment in history that would be lost if not for that car ride and the drive for Kelley to make this film, one that highlights not only his father, but the men who found themselves in the midst of a situation that would define every moment of the rest of their lives.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

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Shawn Kelley

Director

Jack T. Kelley Sr.

Self

Bill Vose

Self

Mike Thibault

Self

Mike Sturges

Self

Shawn Kelley

Writer

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My Father's Brothers: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

June 29, 1966. During a routine patrol in the jungles of Vietnam, a platoon of U.S. soldiers stumbles upon a much larger enemy force. Outnumbered nearly 10-to-1, the platoon is savagely attacked. The triple-canopy jungle is dense and muddy, impeding the possibility of rescue. This film is a journey to understand what the survivors went through in 1966 and continue to go through today because of it. Some had volunteered for the army as teenagers. Others were drafted. Some went back to Vietnam years later in hopes of finding closure and peace.

Director: Shawn Kelley
Producer: Shawn Kelley
Screenwriter: Shawn Kelley, Patrick McLean
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 24, 2021
Runtime: 1h 13m