Habib Paracha is in Pakistan for the premier of his latest film, ‘The Last Full Measure’, on which he worked as an Executive Producer. He is a Pakistani success story – an inspiration for all Pakistani filmmakers and his latest film is a testament to that.
The Last Full Measure is a film based on the true story of William H, Pitsenbarger, an United States Airforce Pararescueman who saved 60 lives in a single battle before losing his own. For his valor, Airman Pitsenbarger was awarded the Airforce Cross, which, according the soldiers whose lives he saved, was not enough for him. This movie is about the 32 year battle with the Pentagon bureaucracy these soldiers fought to get Pistenbarger the highest military honor in the United States: The Medal of Honor.
Overly dramatic at times, some bland performances aside, The Last Full Measure is a story well told. It evokes the right emotions and manages to tell a difficult story about war, honor, courage, and valor. It accurately depicts the brotherhood that is forged in the battlefield and the great sacrifices that stem from it. It does a good job of doing justice to a war hero. It is an inspirational, emotional, heart rendering tribute to a great soldier and an honorable man and definitely a movie worth watching.
War isn’t just about cool equipment and handsome guys running into battle with guns blazing. It is about commitment and sacrifice, this movie manages to tell that side of the war and its aftermath really well. It captures the emotional aspect of war, about losing your child to war, or seeing your friend give up his life to save others. It hits all the right notes and that is something that ISPR must take notice of before making over-the-top action-packed flicks about war heroes for local consumption. If Habib Paracha manages to produce something like this for ISPR, it will be a movie worth watching.
War stories are difficult to tell but this movie, in the end, does manage to make you cry. While Sabestian Stan is flat, some brilliant performances by Samuel L Jackson, and William Hurt save this movie. If you are a war-movie buff, this movie is a must-watch. We give it an overall rating of 7/10.
About Habib Paracha