Faith of My Fathers

I wasn't surprised but yet surprised by the treatment that Senator McCain received during his 5 yrs as POW. I thought the movie was rather moving in the fact on how the military can prepare ones own mentality to "hold on" to survival and to fight that of brainwashing tactics. I was surprised however to question why the Vietnamese just didn't shoot him and the rest of the POW's......why didn't he leave when given a chance? I believe that there should have been more movies out like this shortly after they ended "the conflict" to show the American people more in-depth of the treatment of our herons. With this said, it would of, I believe, been more opened, understanding and welcoming arms reached out to our herons coming home. I thank everyone of them every day in prayer :-)

Shawn Hatosy appears to be managing his career carefully. For a young, relatively unknown actor he seems to look for work in films with casts that include accomplished, known co-workers. He hasn't made the mistake of accepting anything that's offered.

The story (McCain's harrowing experiences as a POW) should make one appreciate what McCain has given to his country but my lasting impression of this film is Hatosy's work. His was a very, very good piece of acting. This is an actor who has established a floor under his work which he will not go below. He has relatively high standards which assures viewers that anything he appears in will be good, or very good.

Faith of My Fathers is a rather formulaic, predictable personality puff piece based on Senator John McCain's memoirs of his capture and experiences in Viet Nam.

As horrific as that experience must have been, this "made for TV" docudrama does a fairly good job of relating the ugly and terrible experience McCain went through without getting overly graphic or violent. The personal struggles with morality and sense of duty (for everyone) are what is in focus here.

Though much of the film portrays our "hero" as a noble and somewhat naive rebel, I believe it goes too far in trying to excuse McCain's faults and weaknesses and in fact, attempts to portray them as strengths or gloss over them altogether. Given the timing of this film, it is quite obviously a character "re-calibration" attempt for the McCain brand leading up to his run for the presidency. However, I think the film is excessive in its blatant attempt to present McCain as virtually perfect. While there's nothing wrong with being noble, brave, persistent, etc. For the right reasons, the film takes every opportunity to make sure you "get it." McCain was a hero, we get it... but it rather beats the point to death. Not unlike your grandma insisting you have "just one more bite" of her wonderful peach cobbler even though you are about to burst.

No doubt there were plenty of "personality branding" experts on hand to tweak the script (mostly to cut out anything that might be considered negative for McCain). The film is well acted and well produced. It is interesting enough to sit through but knowing its purpose was primarily to get McCain elected makes it feel a little too much like an elaborate and very expensive campaign ad. Still a good watch.

This movie appeals to those viewers who are either military or related to a military member.

It is a story of what people endure at the hands of the enemy, regardless who that enemy is (reverse roles and you have the Iraqi prison scandal).

War is not sterile or "cool." The anger, frustration and hopelessness of those involved in its day to day actions is well expressed in this film. One commentator found fault with the Admiral's (Glenn's father) lack of emotion. As a seasoned military man, emotions are things which the professional soldier puts on hold until the issue at hand is resolved.

This story is NOT a warm and fuzzy. McCain endured for years what most people in the US could not endure for one week. We are quick to jump on the depiction of the events and criticize the story but those of us who HAVE served this country in times of conflict can only say that were the shoe on MY foot, would I have the temerity and fortitude to endure this torment? McCain, unlike the present Commander-In-Chief, IS a war hero and this film does justice to him, the US Military and the Code of Honor that upholds our military traditions.

This story is a great tribute to those who withstood the horror of being a prisoner of war not only during the Vietnam War, but any conflict. I knew of Senator McCain's story at the time for I was 21 years old when he was released, but did not know the whole story until now. The young man who portrays McCain, Shawn Hatosy, is riveting, he catches every emotion the senator must have gone through during those five years. You can see the touching relationship he had with his career-navy father was the strength he drew from in the years he was imprisoned. It makes you think....how can another human be so utterly unfeeling to another human to think nothing of inflicting such torture and pain. I know the recent photos of our own military inflicting horrible torture upon others makes me see that any human can be inhuman, that it doesn't matter who you are or what country you were brought up in. But that is no excuse and you can see that in this story of how one man stood high and above his captors and never lost his respect for himself or the other prisoners there with him. God bless John McCain.