Men of Honor (2000)

Director:

George Tillman Jr.

Writer (WGA):

Scott Marshall Smith (written by)

Release Date:

10 November 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

History is made by those who break the rules.

Plot:

The story of Carl Brashear, the first African American, then also the first amputee, US Navy Diver and the man who trained him.

Plot Keywords:

Navy | African American | Determination | Training | Racism

Awards:

9 nominations

Cast

Robert De Niro	...	Chief 'Billy' Sunday
Cuba Gooding Jr.	...	Chief Carl Brashear
Charlize Theron	...	Gwen Sunday
Aunjanue Ellis	...	Jo
Hal Holbrook	...	'Mr. Pappy'
Michael Rapaport	...	GM1 Snowhill
Powers Boothe	...	Captain Pullman
David Keith	...	Captain Hartigan
Holt McCallany	...	MM1 Dylan Rourke
David Conrad	...	Lt. / Cmdr. / Capt. Hanks
Joshua Leonard	...	PO2 Timothy Douglas Isert
Carl Lumbly	...	Mac Brashear
Lonette McKee	...	Ella Brashear
Glynn Turman	...	Chief Floyd
Dennis Troutman	...	Boots

Also Known As:

Men of Honour (UK)
Navy Diver (USA) (working title)
The Diver (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

129 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Malaysia:18PL (uncut) | Malaysia:U (cut) | Philippines:PG-13 | Brazil:12 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:M | Chile:TE | Finland:K-11 | France:U | Germany:12 (w) | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:M | Norway:11 | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:M18 | South Korea:12 | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #37764)

Filming Locations:

Cathlamet, Washington, USA

Company:

Fox 2000 Pictures

Trivia:

In the hearing to determine if Senior Chief Brashear can remain a diver, his insignia is gold and Chief Sunday's is red. Chief Sunday has had a record of bad conduct. Gold chevrons are used if an enlisted man has a good conduct record of at least 12 years.

Goofs:

Continuity: The day before the final test Brashear is wearing a blue (winter) uniform, while Chief Sunday is wearing a khaki (summer) uniform. But on the dock the next night, the sailors are wearing P-coats and N-1 jackets while Sunday is still wearing khakis.

Quotes:

Carl Brashear: Forgive me sir, but to me, the Navy isn't a business. It's an organization of people who represent the finest aspects of our nation. We have many traditions. In my career, I have encountered most of them. Some are good, some not so good. I would, however not be here today were it not for our greatest tradition of all.
Captain Hanks: And what would that be, Chief Brashear?"
Carl Brashear: " Honor, sir"

Movie Connections:

Featured in "HBO First Look: The Making of 'Men of Honor'" (2000)

Soundtrack:

I'm in Town

A great film from George Tillman Jr.

TIllman Jr.'s drama about the first African American Navy Master Diver (Gooding Jr.), who defies all odds and achieves his goals despite a strict embittered trainer. The screenplay is not bad, a bit extreme at times, but the direction and acting is first-rate, and this film is inspiring and achieves what its supposed to do. I liked DeNiro in the lead, although its not on par with his masterful works (taxi driver, godfather and all the others) it is as good as his other good performances such as in King of Comedy or Angel Heart. DeNiro is always convincing and believable here, very good performance, Gooding Jr. is not bad, definitely one of his better performances. --- IMDb Rating: 6.6, my rating: 9/10