Published: April 02, 2009 04:53 pm      

"A Heroes Welcome" movie review

Executive Producer Michael J. Brown’s vision for creating the documentary entitled A Hero’s Welcome: The Story of Our Heroes and the Town that Stood Up to Honor Them was to tell the stories of both the Medal of Honor Recipients and the city with the only Medal of Honor Host City Program in America: Gainesville.

“I wanted to use this film as a vehicle to raise awareness for what you are doing here in Gainesville for America’s greatest heroes,” said Brown during a special VIP pre-screening held in Gainesville’s State Theatre.

Special guests during the event included Gainesville leaders such as Mayor Glenn Loch, City Manager Barry Sullivan and City Council Member Vince Rippy.

Two time Emmy winning and 12 time Emmy nominated filmmaker Javier Sanchez served as director for the film and was also present during the prescreening.

“I just figured this is too important not to take involvement,” said Sanchez. “My goal is to sink into the heads of the young people and everybody that lives in the U.S. that these men have done so much and it takes a small town like Gainesville to recognize that.”

Narrated by Joseph Michael Cabosky, the film begins with a touching dedication to the Medal of Honor Recipients who have died during the making of the film. At the start of the project, there were 105 living Medal of Honor Recipients. However, now there are only 98 left. Over 10 of those heroes are featured in the film.

The film truly serves as an educational and heart felt piece as area community members tell what the program means to them and to Gainesville.

A journey of last year’s Medal of Honor program, viewers enjoy simple yet powerful clips of community members greeting the guests with huge hugs at the airport and of students speaking with the men during a school program in their honor.

However the true gem of this film is the interview with Lt. John Finn, the nation’s oldest living Medal of Honor recipient. Finn, who will turn 100 this year, was the first Medal of Honor recipient from World War II. He received the medal for his duty at Pearl Harbor.

A sailor in the Navy, Finn is an American legend and icon. At 17, he enlisted and drove his car to war. That car still exists today.

The most powerful moment in the film was during a special ceremony when Finn, who usually walks with the help of canes, stood up and walked on his own.

Although he describes his heroic deeds as “natural,” it is clear from this film that Finn is anything but an ordinary man.

The premiere for the film will take place Saturday, April 4 at 7 p.m. in the State Theatre, 200 E. California Street. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Medal of Honor Host City Program. Tickets are $150 per person and may be bought at www.heroswelcomemovie.com or by calling (972) 533-6360 up until the day of the show.

Prior to the showing, a special red carpet event will take place. Each Medal of Honor recipient present for this year’s program, including Finn himself, will be there. Brown, Sanchez and Cabosky are also set to be in attendance.

A Lightning Bear Studios production, this film is approximately 60 minutes long.

**** of *****