The viewer's interest in the movie probably depends on its interest in G. Gordon Liddy. As the comments from Zontar and Sartrejp indicate, Liddy is the sort of man who provokes interest even from people who hate him.
**There is nothing in the movie or in the book or anywhere else to support Zontar's claim that Liddy is or ever was "Hitler loving." That's just a flat-out lie. The bit about Liddy being "constitution hating" is a closer call, though ultimately it doesn't hold water, either. But even if both claims were 100% true, what would that have to do with the picture? **Sartrejp writes: "Not sure why, but I guess the summertime soldiers needed an epic flick." Yeah, what a mystery. Possible explanations: the book was a huge bestseller in 1980-81. Bestsellers are prime material for TV/movies. And surviving 4 1/2 years in different prisons is the sort of life-altering experience that most people will never get any closer to than a TV-show... Nah, can't be that simple, can it? **"He sure did have it tough: just shout "God, flag, country" & boom! you're in law enforcement." Yeah, Fordham Law School? piece of cake. Army Basic Training at Ft. Bliss? Hell, any pansy could make it through that. FBI Agent at 27, and Head of the Washington DC Field Office at age 30? Slacker. /sarcasm.
**"So then, were we supposed to feel sorry that Liddy made enemies every time he broke the law?" No. But if you actually took the time to watch the movie (and nothing in your comment really indicates that you did), you might have noticed that 4 1/2 yrs in prison -- especially the particular prisons that Liddy was held in -- is something that many other men have not survived.
**"Some woosies make careers outta being tough guys: Liddy & Conrad were two." Survive a couple of years in a rat-infested prison where you're part of a <5% ethnic minority, then you'll have an opinion on the subject that's worth listening to.
