Gardens of Stone (1987)

Director:

Francis Ford Coppola

Writers:

Ronald Bass (screenplay)
Nicholas Proffitt (novel)

Release Date:

8 May 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | War | Romance

Tagline:

It was a dangerous time to be young. An impossible time to be a hero.

Plot:

A touching, insightful look at stateside military life during the Vietnam War at Ft. Meyer and Arlington National Cemetery (the Garden)...

Plot Keywords:

Soldier | Sergeant | Vietnam | Vietnam War | Military

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

James Caan	...	Sgt. Clell Hazard
Anjelica Huston	...	Samantha Davis
James Earl Jones	...	Sgt. Maj.'Goody' Nelson
D.B. Sweeney	...	Jackie Willow
Dean Stockwell	...	Capt. Homer Thomas
Mary Stuart Masterson	...	Rachel Feld
Dick Anthony Williams	...	Slasher Williams
Lonette McKee	...	Betty Rae
Sam Bottoms	...	Lt. Webber
Elias Koteas	...	Pete Deveber
Laurence Fishburne	...	Sgt. Flanagan (as Larry Fishburne)
Casey Siemaszko	...	Wildman
Peter Masterson	...	Col. Feld
Carlin Glynn	...	Mrs. Feld
Erik Holland	...	Col. Godwin

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:M | Finland:K-12/9 | Spain:T | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Company:

ML Delphi Premier Productions

Trivia:

23 year old actor Griffin O'Neal was cast in this movie, but was replaced when the Director's 22 year old son, Gian-Carlo Coppola (a film producer) was killed in a speedboating accident in May 1986 in Annapolis, Maryland. Griffin O'Neal, who was driving the boat while using drugs, had attempted to pass between two slow-moving boats, failing to realize in his haste that both boats were connected by a very long towline. While O'Neal barely had time to duck, young Coppola was struck, throwing his body to the metal deck, sustaining head injuries whereby he died instantly. At the time of the incident, O'Neal was being directed by Francis Ford Coppola in Gardens of Stone and was subsequently replaced. O'Neal was later charged with manslaughter over the tragedy. He was ultimately fined $200 and sentenced to 18 months probation in 1987, eventually receiving an 18-day jail sentence for not performing 400 hours of community service as ordered. A law was later passed requiring short towlines between boats. At the time of his death, Coppola's fiancee, Jaqueline De La Fontaine, was two months pregnant with their only daughter, Gian-Carla Coppola, who was born on January 1, 1987.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The movie is set in 1968, but in the parade ground scene, the extras in the crowd clearly have 1980s-era hairstyles.

Quotes:

"Goody" Nelson: You ever take biology in school, soldier?
Jackie Willow: Yes, Sergeant-Major.
"Goody" Nelson: How do worms copulate?
Jackie Willow: They don't, Sergeant-Major; they use asexual reproduction.
"Goody" Nelson: Mmmm-hmmmm! Interesting concept! Tell me, Willow - any idea who first came up with that notion: reproducing without sex?
Jackie Willow: Your wife, Sergeant-Major?

Movie Connections:

Featured in Hollywood Vietnam (2005) (TV)

Soundtrack:

I Heard It Through the Grapevine

Introspective

Strangely quiet, gentle movie considering the subject matter. Not much action, but quite a bit of discussion of the ramifications and consequences of war.

Portrays the contrasts between p*ss-and-vinegar young soldiers, and the old-hand leadership of Sergeant Hazard and the Sergeant Major.

The death of Jackie Willow is stunning, and the scenes afterward are sensitively done, and very sad. There is much to consider in the prices we all pay for being so ready to get into combat. Sergeant Hazard understands the costs, and wants to get back into the action, if only to ensure no more young men enthusiastically stumble into death.

Very well done, and very well acted.