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Other Films Depicting the Bonus Army Marchers?

posted 14 years ago by chrismo1
3 replies | jump to latest

What other films depict the Bonus Army Marchers of 1932?

For those unfamiliar with the Bonus Army story, the 'Army of the Unemployed' shown in this film is based on a real social movement that occurred in 1932. During June 1932 15,000 to 20,000 World War I veterans from across the country, marched on the Capitol to request early payment of cash bonuses due to them in 1945. They attempted to lobby Congress for 6 weeks and on July 28, cavalry, infantry, tank troops and a mounted machine gun squadron commanded by General Douglas MacArthur and Major Dwight Eisenhower dispersed the veterans and their families with bayonets and tear gas.

See:
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trm203.html
http://www.worldwar1.com/dbc/bonusm.htm
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4494446

[–] JoeinFla 14 years ago

1995's HBO film "In Pursuit of Honor" is about a US cavalry troop that is banished into America's hinterland because they would NOT attack the bonus marchers. Don Johnson plays one of the leaders, and Craig Shaeffer another in a true tale, I'm told. Later, these same men would be tasked with another dishonor: the willful destruction of the US Cavalry's entire remuda as they become mechanized in the early 40s.

It's well worth the rental!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113399/

[–] ttcherrick 14 years ago

Not a film, but probably will become one: Barbara Kingsolver's bestseller "The Lacuna." It has a marvellous (fictional) first-person account of that event that chillingly evokes the horror and brutality of the attack. It would make a great film epic and I would bet any money it has already been optioned.

[–] marktayloruk (2378) 3 years ago

Worst blot on MacArthur 's record.