Review of Johnny Got His Gun (1971) by Devon B — 18 Oct 2009

A curious story of the flashbacks of a fallen, maimed, physically destroyed and damaged soldier during World War I. The only functioning part of this soldier's body is his mind. His mind speaks but those in attendance, of course, do not hear him.

There is an assumption by the medical staff that this wounded soldier is nothing more than a slab of meat -- no purpose, no feeling, no future. Johnny slowly begins to realize the full extent of his condition, and how he is going to deal with it.

Can we learn from what this useless, supposedly vacant individual has to teach us regarding war and its consequences? Dalton Trumbo, screenwriter and director, conveys this story superbly. Listen carefully to all the ambiguity, and you will leave this film with a new respect for life, conflict and the weak and wounded from war.