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From left are James Earl Jones and James Caan in the 1987 movie "Gardens of Stone". Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093073/ (May be subject to copyright) |
It is a haunting and chilling image – Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Even more chilling is one of its descriptions – “gardens of stone”.
“Gardens of Stone” is set among the 3rd Infantry Regiment, or The Old Guard, who provide the ceremonial honour guard for the funerals of fallen soldiers. A movie seemingly devoid of action, turns out to be a great war movie.
Recently, I was laid up and off work for a day. Sitting on my PVR for close to a year was this movie I had heard of close to 40 years ago, watched 10 years after that, and decided I needed to see again.
“Gardens of Stone” was as good as I remembered.
The movie
The movie stars James Caan as Sergeant First Class Clell Hazard, who is assigned to the the 3rd Infantry Regiment. He would rather be training living soldiers sent to Vietnam, so they don't get killed in action.
The movie stars James Caan as Sergeant First Class Clell Hazard, who is assigned to the the 3rd Infantry Regiment. He would rather be training living soldiers sent to Vietnam, so they don't get killed in action.
He meets Samantha Davis, a Washington Post reporter opposed to the war, played by Anjelica Huston. Eventually, they become involved romantically.
One of Hazard's best friends is Sergeant Major “Goody” Nelson, played by James Earl Jones, who is also a superior. Another superior is Captain Homer Thomas, played by Dean Stockwell, who is company commander.
Then, one day, Jackie Willow, played by a very young D.B. Sweeney, is assigned to Hazard’s platoon. Willow’s father served in Korea with Hazard and Nelson. Willow said his dad suggested he look up Hazard.
Hazard, in turn, tells Nelson he promised Willow’s dad he would look out for his son.
Willow is gung ho, hell bent on deploying to Vietnam. He also courts, and eventually marries, Rachel Feld, played by Mary Stuart Masterson.
As the days go by, Hazard tries to keep Willow safe, and away from Vietnam. In the end, he fails and Willow is sent to Vietnam. He writes letters home describing his experiences, and everything seems to be going well.
One day, Hazard receives some bad news. The next thing we see, he is absolutely destroying a room. He’s throwing chairs, flipping over tables, and screaming in rage.
Willow has been killed in Vietnam.
Hazard requests to go to Vietnam to be a platoon sergeant in a combat infantry unit.
The last scene of the movie was also the first scene – a military funeral in Arlington National Cemetery. At the outset of the movie, we had no idea who anyone was. Now we know them all. The widow, is actually Rachel Willow.
Hazard places his Combat Infantry badge on Willow’s coffin, then speaks to those in attendance.
The movie ends with a rifle salute and “Taps” being played.
It is a great movie.
Viewing history
I first heard about “Gardens of Stone” on “The Movie Show”, a locally produced series on Channel 7 of the peasant vision dial. I recall towards the end of Grade 12 in 1987, writing down the title on a list of movies I wanted to see. I had it pinned it to the corkboard in my bedroom. Then I went off to university and never looked back.
I first heard about “Gardens of Stone” on “The Movie Show”, a locally produced series on Channel 7 of the peasant vision dial. I recall towards the end of Grade 12 in 1987, writing down the title on a list of movies I wanted to see. I had it pinned it to the corkboard in my bedroom. Then I went off to university and never looked back.
In the Summer of 1996, I had just finished up at the University of Alberta, and moved into an apartment. Between jobs, I decided to rent some of the movies I had wanted to see for a long time.
One of those movies was “Gardens of Stone”.
That was the first time I ever saw the movie, and the last time, until a couple days ago.
Parting thoughts
As I was reflecting on “Gardens of Stone”, it occurred to me that in some ways it is a book end for another one of my favourite war movies “Heartbreak Ridge”. They both have characters in postings they would rather not be in, being protected by superiors who are also friends. In both cases, they served in Korea and Vietnam and had definte opinions on the direction of those conflicts. That's why I kind of think “Gardens of Stone” is a book end to “Heartbreak Ridge”.
As I was reflecting on “Gardens of Stone”, it occurred to me that in some ways it is a book end for another one of my favourite war movies “Heartbreak Ridge”. They both have characters in postings they would rather not be in, being protected by superiors who are also friends. In both cases, they served in Korea and Vietnam and had definte opinions on the direction of those conflicts. That's why I kind of think “Gardens of Stone” is a book end to “Heartbreak Ridge”.
Beyond that, it is a good movie that illustrates the random tragedy of war. It looks at how gung ho and committed someone can be to getting into action, only to die for no really good reason.
The backdrop is really interesting too. Whereas a movie like “Heartbreak Ridge” is about training and going into military action, “Gardens of Stone” is about what happens to the unfortunate few who don’t make it back from combat.
It is pretty sobering.
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