84 Charlie Mopic

original title:
84 Charlie Mopic
other titles:
(84 Charlie Mopic)
country / year of production:
original length:
94 min. , color
premiere:
7 April 1989
based on:
cinematographer:
plot synopsis:
A combat cameraman who has already been on two tours of duty. He goes on a third because he is intrigued by a reel of film found on the body of a dead photographer. But first he must answer to green lieutenant Jonathan Emerson and experienced sergeant Richard Brooks. They agree to let him accompany a six G.I.s on a reconnaissance mission. Three of the men are killed, the others are saved by helicopter. Under enemy fire „mopic“ (for Motion Picture) is compelled to abandon his camera to rescue a fellow soldier. The camera has already been packed into the helicopter, filming the death of the cameraman who tries to save his comrade.
Yet another roll of film returns to headquarters without the photographer.
literature:
K. Jaehne. „Company Men“. In: Film Comment 25 (1989), 2, 11-15.
remarks:
The first half is almost like a documentary. The soldiers are interviewed and speak directly to the camera. With this trick the seemingly objective perspective of a documentary and the action of a feature a melted together.
availability:
VHS NTSC