“The Forgotten” is a story of one mans emotional and spiritual journey as hes thrust into the human experience of war. Unexpectedly finding himself in a leadership role, he learns truths about himself, his religious faith and the meaning of humanity, ultimately resulting in his spiritual redemption.
Chronicled through his journal, William Byrne, an idealistic, God-fearing young man, volunteers for war for the noblest of reasons: Duty, God, and Country. The deaths of the platoons officers and a sergeants suicide have pressed Corporal Byrne into command. Then comes word of the improbable. William must lead his beleaguered and outnumbered men into battle.
William struggles to maintain his faith and understand his place between good and evil, while his tank crew comes to grips with their impending fate. After saving a Korean soldiers life and quelling a desertion and mutiny, William musters his last shred of idealism and leads his men into battle.
The film was completed over a period of several years and its release comes at a time when the interest in the subject of war is reaching unprecedented heights.
The polarizing war in Iraq has increased the publics interest in military-themed films, on both the left and right sides of the political spectrum. Early indicators make us confident that this will translate to extremely strong rental and sales revenue.
With “The Forgotten,” director-producer Vincente Stasolla hoped to shed light on the Korean War, also referred to as The Forgotten War. Stasolla says We lost the same amount of guys in three years as in 10 years of Vietnam. He added the ironic observation that most of Americans closest perception of this pivotal war comes from the television show “M.A.S.H.”
Like Ken Burns “Civil War” and “The War” series, “The Forgotten” is both a reminder of a particular moment in time for these men, and a plea that they not be forgotten.