SILENT VICTORY Reviews, page 2
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The SILENT VICTORY rough cut was a documentary winner at the Telluride IndieFest Film Festival.

The Festival previewers gave high marks to the documentary:
"I gave SILENT VICTORY a 10+! It is one of the best documentaries you have presented at Telluride IndieFest!"

Comments from the audience at the Telluride Indiefest:
"A very moving and inspirational documentary. I really enjoyed it a lot!"

"What I like about good documentaries is that they provide us insights on subject matter that we (the public) are often unaware about - and SILENT VICTORY was very well done, and very enlightening!"

Comments written by members of the audience immediately after a Veteran's Day sneak preview of the rough cut of  SILENT VICTORY:

Gary Newbill (1/Lt, USMCR, Co K, 3d Bn, 5th Marines [Infantry]. 107mm Mortar Battery, 2d Bn, 11th Marines [Artillery], RVN, 1966-1967):
Thank you, again, for a wonderful evening of reflection, the November 11th showing of "Silent Victory." Our son Erick (age 22) and I talked into the night about the experiences of Company F, 51st Long Range Patrol (Airborne) Infantry, and how your time in-country compared to my own combat tour with the Marines in I Corps.
...your story placed Tet 1968 and other actions in proper respective, United States forces won and the VC lost, notwithstanding media reports and subsequent historical revisionism. Thank you, Don, for serving so well, as you honored our country's call to arms.  The men of Company F have earned my undying respect and admiration.

A software designer:
"One thing that struck me was that this documentary had no narrator--extraordinarily rare---and yet it was completely cohesive and clear. I think the absence of a narrator--an intermediary between the viewer and the subject--makes the story more immediate because everything is told in the first person. I'm reminded of the miniseries of James Clavell's "Shogun." Though written and produced by talented Hollywood talent, after the first airing they hired Orson Welles and gave him narration to read, which they added before the second showing. That you guys were able to do what far more experienced filmmakers could not says a lot about your talent and perceptiveness."

A son of one of the F/51^st "Lurps" who was interviewed for the documentary:
"It has always been something I've personally wondered about, what my Dad did in the Army and what it meant to him. Seeing this movie and hearing his testimony about LRP gives me a window into what he and fellow soldiers had gone through, both in VN and home. I know for many years that this war was carried upon Dad as an emotional scar and doing this movie I feel gave him the ability to heal and time to reflect. I [didn't] know what these men meant when [I heard] them talk about the hardships of Vietnam war, but seeing this movie has opened my eyes to the world that my Dad lived in and I am grateful. Thank you."

A wife of one of the F/51^st Lurps:
"Personally, I do not like any kind of documentaries or stories about war. My husband Bill persuaded me to see 'Silent Victory' with him, and after doing so, I found that it was very intriguing. Once I started watching it, I could not stop. It was very well put together in the sense that even I could understand what was going on. Even as long as it was, I didn't leave my seat until it was over. I have to say that it was the best documentary I have ever seen about Vietnam and I think it will answer a lot of questions for a lot of people. Welcome home, guys!"

A woman who is the director of program management at a high-tech company:
"GET THIS STORY OUT! I've always had an interest in Vietnam and none of the books, movies, etc. I've read/seen come close to portraying what was portrayed here. (I've read a lot!) We weren't idiots in Vietnam, we could have won. There was effectiveness, leadership, intelligence. There are great lessons about leadership and teams here. The business world could benefit from these. Thank you!"

A wife of one of the helicopter pilots who flew for F/51^st LRP:
"This was an excellent showing and accounting. Maybe one of the best I have seen. I hope that the American people, our countrymen, have the opportunity to see this side of Vietnam. So many today, myself included, have never fully appreciated what our soldiers tried to do."

A Vietnam vet:
"Outstanding communication by each soldier. Riveting, spellbinding stories by team leaders. Audience was quiet, silent and non-moving for long periods of time. Great coordination between video story and audio description of the operation. Shows soldiers' true emotions regarding the political reason of war and true soldiers' feelings. Most personal and emotional documentary of Vietnam I've seen. Great Job!"

A son of a Vietnam vet:
"Incredible film! As a son of a Vietnam veteran (USMC), I was deeply moved, and appreciate even more the human element to the war. I hope this film reaches a large audience. From a production standpoint, it was great, too. Job well done!"


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