THE STORY – Vietnam War’s first Black special ops team reunites to share their untold story, revealing hidden military history and exploring whether confronting the past can heal old wounds.
THE CAST – N/A
THE TEAM – J.M. Harper (Director/Writer)
THE RUNNING TIME – 100 Minutes
There has been no shortage of important historical documents that analyze the frantic moments of war. Nations coming into conflict illuminate both macro-political maneuvers and small personal stories that attempt to adapt to a new, harsh reality. Some conflicts, however, do get more thorough examinations than others. The Second World War looms so large in the culture that it seems every facet of it has been discussed in some form or another. The noble intentions that set powerful forces acting to stop a great evil are a digestible binary that makes it useful for broad storytelling. Other instances have proven to have more nuance necessary, and with that comes fewer occasions for exploration. The Vietnam War, being the bloody and nihilistic situation that it was, does not enter the larger cultural consciousness as often, and does not feel as omnipresent as perhaps it should. That is why a film like “Soul Patrol” is needed to fill that space and spotlight these forgotten stories, and it does end up providing this appreciated service.
The subject is indeed focused on the conflict in Vietnam, but with a specific focus on a group of Black soldiers who were designated as a special group sent out on reconnaissance missions. They were an all-Black patrol, the first to be created, and therefore were noteworthy and distinguished. Such assignments were dangerous, but not only because of the objectives. Battling the enemy was a fight not only with the natives of the country, but with the rampant discrimination and hostility that was received from their fellow soldiers. These experiences were recounted in the book written by Ed Emanuel, whose writings served as the inspirational foundation of the film. He and the other members of that battalion have continuously met throughout the years to keep the memory of that time alive. Now, with so many who have passed away or are in failing health, their final meeting is underway. It is the last opportunity to express the rage and terror that was instilled in these men, as well as their sense of pride for the camaraderie they share.
Director J.M. Harper takes an approach that mixes a variety of techniques and styles to unveil this narrative. The modern-day scenes with these men, now weary from decades of life, are often captured with a starkness and manifest an aura of intimacy. The roundtable discussions are intriguing pieces that make you lean into the stories they are telling. Set against this more typical method are recreations of select events that are meant to color these memories with a more vivid presentation. That decision is often met with mixed results, as the limitations of the production struggle to really sell an expansive period setting of another country’s environment. Instead, they are mostly effective in providing some more detail in the encounters these men are recalling, and as a means to aid in visual representation, that is appreciated. The more daring stylistic choices come in the form of more scripted events, such as Emanuel being haunted by visions of the past that manifest as physical soldiers that parade around a grocery store. It’s a simple image that evokes the lingering trauma that has echoed throughout the years, an eerie demonstration that strikes a resonant chord.
It’s all in service to showcase this unique time capsule, littered with archival footage that also helps to give a broader understanding of these events and experiences. The most resonant aspects are the expressions of emotional turmoil, often dictated by young naivety that found young men embracing a war that never gave them the respect such a soldier deserved. The culture looked upon the actions in Vietnam with open hostility, while the fight for equal treatment at home faced just as many issues. It’s a dichotomy that produces a tortured state of mind that wrestles with dueling motives and ideologies. The same is said for the death of a family member at the hands of the enemy. It inflates that thirst for revenge, but it also clouds reasoning and fuels the guilt of having participated in such horrors. The more these men indulge in a needed catharsis, realizing how PTSD and unresolved anger have led to personal destruction, the more this endearing portrait becomes compelling.
At the same time, the ultimate impact of the piece is lessened by its brevity. The scope is mostly focused on this group, but the thematic commentary does occasionally wander into more nuanced territory. Some of it provides exceptional layering, like the complicated embrace of the Soul Patrol title bestowed on the group. It was a label that some thought created further division, and to see that discussion is very intriguing. Other occasions require a dissection of US history that is painted with broad strokes. It’s an abridged analysis that does not indulge in such complexities. The same is said for the brief interaction we see of the women who are the partners in these men’s lives. While it is understandable they would not be given a significant portion of this film, the discussion they provide is endlessly fascinating as it utilizes an entirely different perspective of how such events have a ripple effect on outside participants. It’s a brief glimpse into an even more compelling facet that isn’t utilized to its full potential.
The Black experience will always offer a unique collection of voices to bring a novel understanding of the world, especially during moments when one would think having a shared goal, like defeating an enemy during wartime, is vitally important. However, we know through history that divisions are forged in any circumstance in which a collection of Black individuals congregate, even in the pursuit of an oppressive imperialist objective that will continually refuse to elevate its own marginalized citizens. “Soul Patrol” is about a specific group of men who ventured on these daring tasks, but it is also about their longstanding suffering; what festers is an untreated malice that plagues their minds and bodies, only finding solace in the succeeding years by strengthening their own friendships.
Oftentimes, it’s a powerful display of overcoming such great obstacles and highlighting the complicated world that Black voices must navigate. But the film also has plenty of instances where it feels like it is holding back a more in-depth discussion, which admittedly makes for a less impactful piece of storytelling. However, the subjects here are soulful in their recollections and captivating as they hold court. Even with missed opportunities for an even deeper understanding, what is present is still a worthwhile discovery.
