Releasing a movie is a scary thing. For months, years even, you’ve poured your heart and soul into this project, and then when it gets time to release it to the world, you worry about the response. Will they love it? Will they hate it? Will they get it?
Today I was blessed to hear from a wife of a Vietnam Veteran. She lived the life portrayed in Summer of ’67. She and her husband met two weeks before he shipped out. They married when he returned. What a blessing to receive these words of encouragement from her.
I’ve just watched the movie and have just now quit wiping my tears. I’ve been so overcome with emotion, I don’t think I can write a blog about this powerful movie. What I can do is let you know how it has affected me, since I have been so close to the story.
I told myself before watching it that the only thing that could make me not like it was if it did not bring out the faith it took for those left behind at home while their loved ones were in Vietnam. Your movie did not disappoint me. In fact, it was powerful. I think I already said that—it was heart-rending. It was so true to life as how ordinary life was during that time. The details were exact: cars, home decor; the daily numbers of those killed reported by the media; even the young man who spit on the military. That happened to my future husband when he came home.
I watched the movie without my husband deliberately, because with each movie we’ve seen about Vietnam, he could point out errors; they never hit the mark of how the war really was. More than that, war movies always brought a distance between us that we could never talk about. Romantic weekends were spoiled with a bad choice of movie.
This has been different. My husband asked me why I was so emotional with this movie. I told him it made me realize, even more so, just how fortunate it was that he came home. Also, how for the last 49 years, we’ve lived with the aftermath of this terrible war – meaning he has lived with guilt that he came back and others did not. For years all I heard was, “The ones who died were the lucky ones.”
Your movie has brought more healing to our marriage and I know it will bring more healing to many.
Wow! What a powerful testimony for your film Sharon! You are to be commended.
Just watching your trailer told me to expect an excellent movie.
May God continue to move powerfully in the lives of your audience.
My name is Bill Chew and I was in V1 Rep 8 Crash Crew on flight deck of the USS Forrestal during the fire of 67. I am very interested in seeing the movie. I reside in Scottsdale AZ please send me info on release date locations. bill Chew 480-510-4447
Bill, at this time we don’t have any scheduled screenings in your area, but we would love to have feedback that we could share from a USS Forrestal survivor. I can send you a private screener link if you’re interested.
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