MovieChat Forums > Courage Under Fire (1996) Discussion > the father just forgave him like that

the father just forgave him like that

posted 17 years ago by angelus1762
8 replies | jump to latest

So the father of the person he killed cos of his order just forgave him just like that. I thought he was gonna say sumin like get outta my house or pull out his shotgun to shoot him.

[–] MuchToBeGratefulFor 15 years ago

By the time the truth came out, it had been many months since the incident. While one can never totally "get over" the loss of a child, the parents had had some time to come to terms with it. And knowing Nat who had been a friend to their son, they knew that Nat felt horribly guilty over his role in their son's death, and they wanted to ease his pain.

You must be the change you seek in the world. -- Gandhi

[–] BobStage 14 years ago

It would have nevertheless been interesting to see if the parents hadn't forgiven him or had demanded that he leave. Because what would he have done if that had occurred?

[–] neamtzu_rau 14 years ago

It was war . Mistakes happen in war.
His father saw the genuine guilt that he kept inside his soul, he saw his repentance , no need for more of that, so he forgave him.
Let the dead rest in peace.

signature :

...something deep and overwhelming...

[–] pavlova2 14 years ago

War is hell. Having a son in the service,I think Boylar's parents knew that. Not to over simplify things but it goes with the territory i.e. making mistakes in times of war like friendly fire.

[–] workingonzen 14 years ago

I also think there could've been a possibility that they'd suspected something since he'd admitted he'd had to lie to them. They may've suspected he wasn't being straightforward and come to terms with it before he actually said it.

(I don't know if this is a true story or not?)

[–] jporter-6 14 years ago

The dad raised a son who joined the army, went through OCS, went through tank training and then faced an enemy that was shooting at point blank range.

A lot of men and women who join the army are not compelled to do so by a judge to avoid a harsh jail or prison sentence. They join because they have absorbed the character and integrity of their fathers and mothers. A lot of people join because one or both of their parents also service our country.

And many people live by a principle of forgiveness.

Some people don't understand any of what I just wrote. But many do.

[–] cadeduelg 9 years ago

That line from Boylar's dad was so powerful. "It's a burden you're going to have to put down some day."

[–] vnse 8 years ago

It obvious his son's death was an accident. What would be the point in being mad at Denzel over it? Obviously, I can't say for sure since I'm not in that position, but I think I'd forgive Denzel too. How can you be mad at someone for doing something like that? You can be mad at the situation, but mad at the individual? What's the point?