The Story Behind New Film 'In the Valley of Elah'

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The Story Behind New Film 'In the Valley of Elah'

Tommy Lee Jones deserves the many raves he is getting in the Paul Haggis film about the real-life murder of a U.S. soldier who served in Iraq. But Copley News has pointed out a troubling twist in the actual case that is missing in the film -- and has been totally absent in newspaper reviews.

By Greg Mitchell

(September 28, 2007) -- The tale, as told in the movie, is disturbing enough. The true story, related most recently in a Copley News report last week, is even more troubling.

The movie is “In the Valley Of Elah,” written and directed by Paul Haggis, who did the same with the Academy Award-winning “Crash.” Tommy Lee Jones has been drawing raves for his performance as the Army dad of an Iraq vet murdered by his friends, and I concur with those views. Susan Sarandon has a much smaller role as the mother.

Haggis, in the movie’s opening credits, suggests that his film is based on true events but he changes all the names, locations, and many small and crucial details. Perhaps he felt some elements might have caused confusion or taken the focus off of Jones’ memorably lined and heartbroken face. While it draws attention to how the war may brutalize soldiers who survive it, some Iraq veterans have voiced concerns about certain aspects of the treatment.

Then there’s the matter of the key plot twist omitted: One of the murderers, perhaps the ringleader, was supposed to be confined for psychiatric care just before the killing, and was not.

You may vaguely recall the news that drew brief national attention four years ago: A soldier just back from Iraq was found in a field near Fort Benning, his body in pieces, burned to a crisp and largely devoured by animals. Eventually several of his comrades were arrested, with the savagery attributed to a fight after a wild night at a strip club. Two of the men got life in prison, another 20 years in the slammer.

End of story? Not exactly.

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