Proud (2004)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Mary Pat Kelly

Writer (WGA):

Mary Pat Kelly (written by)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

The true story of the only African-American crew to take a Navy warship into combat in World War II. |

Cast

Reggie Austin	...	Dubois
Vernel Bagneris	...	Larry's Father
Marcus Chait	...	Lieutenant Westin
Michael Ciesla	...	Yeoman Of The Flagship
Ossie Davis	...	Lorenzo DuFau
Eric LaRay Harvey	...	Kevin / James Graham
Rashad Haughton	...	Hank Fields
Janet Hubert	...	Larry's Mother (as Janet Hubert-Whitten)
Albert Jones	...	Larry / Young Lorenzo DuFau
Kidada Jones	...	Gordon's sister
Jeffrey Nash	...	Marcus / Gordon Buchanan
Denise Nicholas	...	Gordon's Mother
Edward O'Blenis	...	Watkins
Aidan Quinn	...	Commodore Alfred Lind
Stephen Rea	...	Barney Garvey
J.R. Robinson	...	Chief Potts
Michael Scott	...	Captain Blackford
Keisha Whitaker	...	Collette
Darnell Williams	...	Thomas Young

Also Known As:

Proudly We Served (USA) (alternative title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic elements, language and mild violence.

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Buffalo, New York, USA

Company:

THEntertainment

Trivia:

Alfred Lind was the actual Commander of the convoy (NY 119) in which the USS Mason experienced that massive storm in mid October 1944. Commander Lind, as with most of the veterans of WWII, didn't speak of his experiences from the war. His family learned of these recommendations after Mary Pat Kelly had written her book. His real name was used in the movie, after some good timing when a grandson discovered the existence of the book, then attempted to contact Mary Pat Kelly.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the scene showing the ships departure from New York harbor, the camera pans down the side of the ship as the men "man the rail", and shows that the ship is still tied up to the pier.

Movie Connections:

References The Birth of a Nation (1915)

Sink the director

This movie had good intentions and a good story to work with. The director and screenwriter of this movie failed miserably and created a dull, boring filmstrip that made me feel like I was back in Mr. Hartford's 8th grade Social Studies class -- way back in 67.

What a waste, will somebody please take this story and make a real movie out of it - the story deserves it.

Every time a scene had potential, all we were left with were a few clichés, combined with black and white footage that they probably got from The History Channel to show the action. Shameful.

Ossie Davis was the only bright light in this dull fest. The other acting was incredibly dull - it fit in with the movie well and whomever played the Captain set a new low standard for line delivery.

However, if you are willing to accept all the numerous flaws in this movie and aren't concerned with being awed or entertained, but want to learn about the USS Mason, it is worth a watch.