Gardens of Stone
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''Gardens of Stone'' is a 1987 American drama film directed by
Francis Ford Coppola Francis Ford Coppola (; ; born April 7, 1939) is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is considered one of the major figures of the New Hollywood filmmaking movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Coppola is the recipient of five A ...
, based on a novel of the same name by Nicholas Proffitt. It stars James Caan,
Anjelica Huston Anjelica Huston ( ; born July 8, 1951) is an American actress and director. Known for often portraying eccentric and distinctive characters, she has received multiple accolades, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award, as well as no ...
, James Earl Jones,
D. B. Sweeney Daniel Bernard Sweeney (born November 14, 1961) is an American actor. Early life Sweeney was born in Shoreham, New York, on November 14, 1961. He attended both Tulane and New York University. Career In 1990, Sweeney starred as Treplev in Jeff Co ...
, Dean Stockwell and Mary Stuart Masterson.


Plot

A hardened Korean and Vietnam War veteran, Sergeant First Class Clell Hazard ( James Caan) would rather be an instructor at the U.S. Army Infantry School at
Fort Benning Fort Benning is a United States Army post near Columbus, Georgia, adjacent to the Alabama–Georgia border. Fort Benning supports more than 120,000 active-duty military, family members, reserve component soldiers, retirees and civilian employees ...
to train soldiers for Vietnam but instead is assigned to the 1st Battalion 3d Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) at Fort Myer, Virginia, which provides the ceremonial honor guard for the funerals of fallen soldiers and guards the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier A Tomb of the Unknown Soldier or Tomb of the Unknown Warrior is a monument dedicated to the services of an unknown soldier and to the common memories of all soldiers killed in war. Such tombs can be found in many nations and are usually high-prof ...
at Arlington National Cemetery. Hazard calls them the "toy soldiers" and hates his job until Jackie Willow (
D. B. Sweeney Daniel Bernard Sweeney (born November 14, 1961) is an American actor. Early life Sweeney was born in Shoreham, New York, on November 14, 1961. He attended both Tulane and New York University. Career In 1990, Sweeney starred as Treplev in Jeff Co ...
), the son of an old friend and fellow soldier, is assigned to his platoon; Hazard sees in him an opportunity to make sure at least one man comes home from Vietnam alive. Hazard tries to warn Willow about Vietnam but Willow sees it as his duty as a soldier to fight for his country, no matter what kind of war it is facing. Hazard hates how the war in Vietnam is being fought and feels that good soldiers are being wounded and killed in the "wrong" war in which the U.S. is not fighting to win. Among the others in Hazard's life are his longtime friend and superior, Sergeant Major "Goody" Nelson ( James Earl Jones), and his girlfriend Samantha Davis (
Anjelica Huston Anjelica Huston ( ; born July 8, 1951) is an American actress and director. Known for often portraying eccentric and distinctive characters, she has received multiple accolades, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award, as well as no ...
), a writer for '' The Washington Post'' who is against the Vietnam War for different reasons. Willow marries a colonel's daughter named Rachel Feld ( Mary Stuart Masterson), who at first refuses to marry Jackie as long as he is a soldier. Rachel also hates the war in Vietnam and is afraid for her husband. Hazard is divorced and hasn't seen his son in years due to the bitter divorce. After Willow's father, who is a retired U.S. Army master sergeant and a former Korean War comrade in arms of Hazard's and Nelson's, dies of a heart attack, Hazard comes to look upon Willow as a "son." He tries to teach Willow all he can about soldiering and surviving in combat. Willow in turn tries to teach his platoon-mate Private Albert Wildman, a chronic screw-up, how to be a soldier. Wildman is later ordered to Vietnam, where he distinguishes himself as a heroic soldier and effective combat infantryman. He returns from Vietnam promoted to the rank of sergeant and is a recipient of the Medal of Honor for heroism in combat. Sergeant Flanagan (
Larry Fishburne Laurence John Fishburne III (born July 30, 1961) is an American actor. He is a three time Emmy Award and Tony Award winning actor known for his roles on stage and screen. He has been hailed for his forceful, militant, and authoritative charact ...
), a fellow member of Hazard's platoon, receives his orders for Vietnam at the same time. Willow excels, is promoted to sergeant and is recommended to attend Officer's Candidate School, which he completes and is commissioned as a second lieutenant. He is ordered to serve in a combat unit in Vietnam. Willow writes Hazard from Vietnam about all the good men in his platoon that are being lost in combat. Hazard then finds out that Willow has been killed in action when he sees the burial orders for Willow's remains. Hazard requests to be sent to Vietnam for his third tour of duty as a platoon sergeant in a combat infantry unit. He places his Combat Infantryman Badge on Willow's flag-draped coffin at the chapel at Arlington National Cemetery. Wildman and Flanagan, at that time both sergeants and just recently returned from Vietnam, are also present at Willow's funeral. The film ends with military honors being rendered at Willow's graveside at Arlington and Hazard speaking to the mourners prior to the firing of the rifle salute and the playing of " Taps".


Cast

* James Caan as Sergeant First Class Clell Hazard, Platoon Sergeant. *
Anjelica Huston Anjelica Huston ( ; born July 8, 1951) is an American actress and director. Known for often portraying eccentric and distinctive characters, she has received multiple accolades, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award, as well as no ...
as Samantha Davis * James Earl Jones as Sergeant Major "Goody" Nelson, Regimental Sergeant Major. *
D. B. Sweeney Daniel Bernard Sweeney (born November 14, 1961) is an American actor. Early life Sweeney was born in Shoreham, New York, on November 14, 1961. He attended both Tulane and New York University. Career In 1990, Sweeney starred as Treplev in Jeff Co ...
as Specialist / Sergeant / Second Lieutenant Jack "Jackie" Willow, Honor Guardsman. * Dean Stockwell as Captain Homer Thomas, Hazard's Company Commander. * Mary Stuart Masterson as Rachel Feld * Dick Anthony Williams as First Sergeant R. "Slasher" Williams, Company First Sergeant. *
Lonette McKee Lonette Rita McKee (born July 22, 1954) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Sister Williams in the original 1976 musical-drama film ''Sparkle (1976 film), Sparkle''. McKee also had notable roles in such movies as ''The Co ...
as Betty Rae Nelson, Sergeant Major Nelson's Wife. * Sam Bottoms as First Lieutenant Webber, Hazard's Platoon Leader. * Elias Koteas as Specialist Pete Deveber, Company Clerk. *
Larry Fishburne Laurence John Fishburne III (born July 30, 1961) is an American actor. He is a three time Emmy Award and Tony Award winning actor known for his roles on stage and screen. He has been hailed for his forceful, militant, and authoritative charact ...
as Sergeant / Specialist Flanagan, Jack Willow's Squad Leader. *
Casey Siemaszko Kazimierz Andrew "Casey" Siemaszko (; born March 17, 1961) is an American actor. Personal life Siemaszko was born in Chicago and grew up on the city's northwest side. He attended Saint Ignatius College Preparatory School and graduated from the ...
as Sergeant Albert Wildman, Jack's Friend In The Platoon. * Peter Masterson as Colonel Feld *
Carlin Glynn Carlin Glynn (born February 19, 1940) is an American singer and retired actress. She is the mother of actress Mary Stuart Masterson. Life and career Glynn was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She attended Mirabeau B. Lamar High School in Houston, Texas ...
as Mrs. Feld


Reception

The film earned mixed reviews from critics, as it currently holds a 44% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 16 reviews. The film was entered into the
15th Moscow International Film Festival The 15th Moscow International Film Festival was held from 6 to 17 July 1987. The Golden Prize was awarded to the Italian film ''Intervista'' directed by Federico Fellini. Jury * Robert De Niro (United States – President of the Jury) * Tengiz ...
.


Box office

The movie had a limited release (612 theaters) and ended up grossing $5,262,047. According to Box Office Mojo the movie also made $1,645,588 on its opening weekend.


Replacement of Griffin O'Neal

Griffin O'Neal Griffin Patrick O'Neal (born October 28, 1964) is an American actor. He has appeared in films such as '' The Escape Artist'', ''April Fool's Day'', ''The Wraith'', '' Assault of the Killer Bimbos'', and '' Ghoulies III''. Early life and career O' ...
was initially cast in ''Gardens of Stone'' to play Albert Wildman, but was replaced by
Casey Siemaszko Kazimierz Andrew "Casey" Siemaszko (; born March 17, 1961) is an American actor. Personal life Siemaszko was born in Chicago and grew up on the city's northwest side. He attended Saint Ignatius College Preparatory School and graduated from the ...
after his involvement in the accidental speedboating death of Coppola's eldest son,
Gian-Carlo Coppola Gian-Carlo Coppola (September 17, 1963 – May 26, 1986) was an American film producer and actor. He was the oldest child of set decorator/artist Eleanor Coppola ( née Neil) and film director Francis Ford Coppola, and brother to screenwriter ...
, in May 1986.Tatum O'Neal, ''A Paper Life'', 0-060-75102-9 p. 158


References


External links

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Movie stills
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gardens Of Stone 1987 films 1987 drama films American drama films Films based on American novels Films directed by Francis Ford Coppola Films produced by Francis Ford Coppola Vietnam War films American Zoetrope films TriStar Pictures films Films with screenplays by Ronald Bass Films scored by Carmine Coppola 1980s English-language films 1980s American films