Spartans were told: "With your shield, or on it."
 
Message?  When you fight - Win or die in the attempt.  Why?  Duty.  Honor.  Loyalty.  Service.  Valor.  Perseverance.  You know, that Yoda thing... "Do or do not.  There is no try."
 
Either way, ‘with your shield or on it,' your service and the sacrifices involved were respected for you had done your duty, demonstrated your valor, shown your loyalty, and upheld your honor.  What is often not discussed is that on those occasions when one returned "on their shield," someone had to carry that shield with the heroic dead upon it.  It is in this act of bringing home one who has served that your comrades demonstrate their loyalty, consider it their honor, and perform their duty as a portion of their service.
 
Today, if inquiry is made by an outsider, one not a member of the society or ‘tribe,' regarding this task, the proper response is ideally laconic: "Go tell the Spartans."  While there are several translations, this expression is explained by the full quote: "Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, that here obedient to their laws, we lie."  The source for this is Simonides of Ceos, an ancient Greek philosopher-poet, and it has been used as the epitaph inscribed on a stone placed at the ‘burial' site of the Spartans at Thermopylae.

The Story

While the U.S. Marine Corps has been dubbed by some as modern-day Spartans, we are, in some respects, fortunate they are not all as reticent as the originals.  In a simplistic sense, Taking Chance is the After Action Report of an official escort (Lieutenant Colonel Strobl - played by Kevin Bacon) for the remains of a Marine killed in action.  However, rather than the bureaucratese and perfunctory detail typical of such AAR's, the story becomes that escort's cathartic account of the people he meets on the journey from Dover Air Force Base in Maryland to Dubois, Wyoming with the remains of PFC Chance Phelps (posthumously promoted to Lance Corporal, a rank he had earned immediately prior to the ambush in which he gave his life performing his duty and sacrificing himself for his fellow Marines; actions which were recognized in the bestowment of a Bronze Star with "V").
 
The underlying theme of the story is based on the fact that not every member of society can be a warrior on the front lines; but, they can fulfill their duty as citizens in supporting those warriors - even if it is simply to recognize and honor their sacrifice.  The movie does not focus on the process or the ‘rituals' involved; though it does provide a certain level of education regarding both.  Such rites provide a context, serve as both an unifying and a transitional device, and create some of the most intense emotional moments.  Just be aware that they can, sort of, "sneak up" on you; much as the ‘convoy' does with Lt. Colonel Strobl on the final leg of the trip.

While there are some ‘light' moments (such as when the young lady sitting next to Strobl on the plane is ‘caught' texting that she is sitting next to a "HOT soldier" and he informs her that it is "Marine," not ‘soldier'), the overall timbre of the film is often described as somewhat somber.  Personally, I do not think ‘somber' is the correct term.  I would prefer the descriptors of intense and respectful; the former due to the emotional response the story will resonate with viewers and the latter in that it is an homage to a fallen warrior and the honor such sacrifice means to citizens.  I'm not talking about the platitudes and ‘platform' utilized by politicians in such circumstances; but, the recognized nobility of what was referenced in the movie 300 as part of the Spartan belief structure regarding a ‘beautiful death' - i.e., a warrior's death, an heroic struggle ending in the sacrifice of all for society... the ‘ultimate' test of one's love of and devotion to his fellow citizens.  (Bear in mind that such a concept is not unique to the Spartans or the "military."  I refer you to the Bible, King James Version, John 15:13: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.")

That is the context of the story.  The U.S. Marine Corps has a long-standing tradition that the family of a fallen Marine will be notified in person, by a member of the Corps; not simply by telegram or a phone call.  As is the philosophy of the Corps, there are no excuses and any issues standing in the way are overcome.  For example, the Casualty Assistance Call Officer tasked with notifying the Phelps family had traveled from Salt Lake City, Utah to Dubois, WY; a minimum 750 mile round trip.  Likewise, Marines have a tradition that no one is left behind; thus, the remains will be escorted home.  In essence, you do not leave it to "someone else" to ‘take care of' family.
 
In fact, there is a moment in the film, based on the real-life encounter, where Lt. Colonel Strobl meets another escort and his charge from the Army while waiting on a connecting flight.  In a video clip found on the HBO website for Taking Chance, Strobl informs Kevin Bacon that this scene in the movie means a lot to him personally.  As it turns out, the Army Sergeant was escorting the remains of his actual brother and would be meeting their family shortly.

The DVD

Taking Chance is an HBOFilms production.  The movie is 78 minutes (plus credits) long; moving quickly, giving audiences little chance to ‘catch their breath' - something which adds to the emotional intensity of the film.  It is exceptionally well filmed; winning an Emmy for Outstanding Single Picture Editing for a Miniseries or Movie.  It was also nominated for a host of other awards, including 9 other Emmy Awards (including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie - Bacon giving one of his best performances, ever), the Sundance Film Festival Award, and the Television Critics Association Award.  The DVD cover notes that it is the "Official Selection" of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.

The DVD is divided into 12 segments which can be selected from the Main Menu: What Really Matters, PFC Phelps, Duty, Thank You, They All Know, Rendering Honors, He's Finally Home, Six Ribbons, Glad You're Here, You Do Not Mourn Alone, He Lived a Hero, and Credits.  In addition, there are four Special Features: Bearing Witness, a protracted featurette dedicated to family and friends remembrances; The Real Chance Phelps, interviews, home movies, and photos; From Script to Screen, i.e., ‘the making of...'; and a single Deleted Scene, which includes a ‘note' from the Director almost apologizing for deleting it from the film.  (I understand his explanation for doing so.  However, I think it could have been left in; for it drives home the ‘relationship' that not only Strobl develops with the deceased, but many of the underlying sentiments/context which create the real-life sense of duty in these circumstances.)

Released on DVD in May 2009, this is a surprisingly difficult film to get your hands on.  Absolutely none of the ‘usual outlets' had it in stock in two ‘local' cities; e.g., Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target, etc.  Amazon claims it normally retails for $20, which is the price listed on HBO's website; but, their (Amazon's) price is $14.99.

Final Thoughts

If you are interested in reading the original article which spawned the screenplay, you can find it at http://www.chancephelps.org. There are also additional, background materials/videos found on this site, the HBO website, and YouTube which are not present on the DVD.

Taking Chance will appeal across the board: ‘young' and ‘old,' left and right, military and civilian, those who have lost and those who know one's who have (and we all do).  It will be particularly poignant for those who come from ‘small towns' such as Lance Corporal Phelps did.  Such a loss is no more or less felt in big cities, but those from such areas will recognize the extent to which the loss is felt throughout their community; something portrayed with sensitivity and accuracy in the movie.

Taking Chance is not a movie based on political ideology.  This is not about pointing fingers, political paradigms, or creating ‘platforms.'  It is about honoring the sacrifice of the individual and the individual's family, as well as the duty which every citizen has in contributing to the recognition of their service and the meaning it holds for those who remain as individuals in that same society.  In fact, after watching this film, if you are unable to understand and appreciate the phrase "Go tell the Spartans," well...

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older