- Actors: Cuba Gooding Jr., Robert De Niro, Charlize Theron, Aunjanue Ellis, Hal Holbrook
- Directors: George Tillman Jr.
- Writers: Scott Marshall Smith
- Producers: Bill Badalato, Bill Cosby, Robert Teitel, Stan Robertson
- Language English
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Fox
- VHS Release Date: 21 Jan 2002
- Run Time: 129 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00005NMXU
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 8,125 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Originally, Men of Honour was simply called Navy Diver and no doubt all involved held high hopes that it would be an award-winning biopic. Unfortunately, Carl Brashear's life as the first African-American Master Diver went through that vaguely distasteful contemporary Hollywood Marketing makeover and the result is not quite so worthy of its subject and intentions. The film's hopelessly clichéd tagline reads, "History is made by those who break the rules"; the direction is shot through with sunsets 'n' slow-mo; and the script is peppered with foreshadowing dialogue ("don't end up like me son").
The plot devices follow a predictable arc: family poverty, a swiftly sweet romance, a shock accident, court hearing and, naturally, a grisly antagonist. It's with the last of these that the movie comes to life. We may have seen DeNiro spit nails countless times before, but his saltily intractable Master Chief is a terrific screen creation. Next to him, Cuba Gooding Jr really does shine as the endlessly persecuted Brashear. All-too brief cameos from Charlise Theron and Michael Rapaport lend sparkle too. But the film's message about how social attitudes toward race have changed is lost in a murky haze of Hollywoodisation. As one character declares, "some things just don't mix".
On the DVD: Men of Honour on disc underlines the Hollywood marketing message by including the Music Video ("Win" by Brian McKnight) used to promote the film among the extras. A commentary from director George Tillmann Jr, Cuba Gooding Jr ("this is my Rocky"), writer Scott Marshall Smith and Producer Robert Teitel is crammed with anecdote and explanation. Twelve deleted scenes include an alternative ending dropped thanks to that Tinsel-Town makeover, and the commentary continues for this plus three minutes of storyboards and animatics. There's also a 13-minute HBO featurette on the film's making, a half-hearted five-minute mini-documentary in tribute of Brashear, a trailer and two TV spots. This transfer itself is pristine in 5.1 surround and 2:35.1 ratio. --Paul Tonks
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Cuba Gooding Jr. Makes an absolutely sensastinal performance in this film, acting as Carl Brashear a break through military master diver, bieng the first african american diver to ever achieve such a position. Based in a period of time where the coloured population were commonly discriminated against because of thier race.
This film has deep meaning and shows how the determination of one man can make such a difference in a society that seems unchangable... Throughout the film you are grasped into the life of Carl Brashear and his natural talent and love for the water.
With this love he decides to join the Navy with a promise to his dad "to be the best, and never give up, EVER" through the pain of breaking the barrier of racism it shows how he managed to survive the tourment.
This DVD has special features describing the making of the film, and shows scenes with Carl Brashear himself, and once you have finished watching this I assure you you will feel a new life within yourself to achieve the goals you are heading for, absolutely amazing!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Carl Maxie Brashear (1931-2006) was the first African American to become a U.S. Navy Master Diver in 1970; this film set out to be the film of his life and struggle. I do not know enough about his life story to comment on its adherence to facts, but the film certainly left me with a real feeling of how hard that struggle had been, not only because of the prejudice of the time but the difficulties inherent in the task itself.
The film which had eleven nominations for various awards, starred Robert De Niro as Master Chief Billy Sunday, a role for which he was ideally suited and Cuba Gooding Jr. as Chief Carl Brashear, a role to which his acting brings all the necessary characteristics, making both their characters believable.
It may not be accurate history but there is truth in there somewhere. Recommended
The film which had eleven nominations for various awards, starred Robert De Niro as Master Chief Billy Sunday, a role for which he was ideally suited and Cuba Gooding Jr. as Chief Carl Brashear, a role to which his acting brings all the necessary characteristics, making both their characters believable.
It may not be accurate history but there is truth in there somewhere. Recommended
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I was told about this film since the minute i started to dive. Not only does is cover the thrills of diving but us a great story of a black man wishing to better himself at all cost, a must view.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
men of honour
had this film on video was happy to see that it was on dvd so got it at a good little bargin picture gr8 no scratchs on the disk came within 4 days of ordering
Published 9 months ago by J. Burden
true story
if your interested in true stories this is one you must have thank you amazon for sending it so quickly
Published 14 months ago by marion
wonderful film
This is a wonderful film that I first watched years ago. I found myself watching again and decided I had to have a copy of my own. Read more
Published 15 months ago by young 50
where is it ???????
This item was due for delivery 30dec.2010. still not received 15 jan. 2011. please advise me where my goods are.
Published 16 months ago by 020
good stuff
This DVD came in fantastic condition and came rather quickly (within 7 days).
I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Read more
I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Read more
Published 18 months ago by smile
DVD
Disappointed that this will not play on my dvd recorder but will play on computer and dvd player.
Published on 8 Dec 2009 by Mrs. Mj Sharp
Hollywood moralising bilge
I was forced into watching this garbage from the luxury of a hospital bed a few years ago.It is another DeNiro 1-note performance wherby he comes up against the first black master... Read more
Published on 3 Feb 2009 by Billy Ray Cyrus
An OK film
I'm not sure I rate this film as highly as some others. For me a 5 star film is really good and watchable again. Read more
Published on 19 Nov 2008 by Gatehouse
Beyond racial equality
An essential film on the history of the US Navy and the integration of the first blacks ... in the kitchens, and then the integration of the first Black as deck personnel and later... Read more
Published on 30 Jun 2008 by Jacques COULARDEAU
Never quit......be the best
True story about Navy diver Carl Brashear [Cuba Gooding jnr] and his determination to be the best diver in the elite division despite the constant obstacles put in his way by... Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2007 by S. Knight
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