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Video Review: Out of the Night

By VVAW

"Out of the Night," a TV special based on a book of the same title by William Mahedy, will have a major national play on this Memorial Day weekend. The film documentary focuses on the experiences of Vietnam vets during and after their tour "in country.". The special, produced by JGT Media Productions in cooperation with KOMO-TV (in Seattle) and The Religious Broadcasting Commission, will be offered for local broadcast in TV markets across the country. According to J. Graley Taylor, the Seattle-based, filmmaker who wrote, filmed, and edited the hour-long film, local vet organizations and church groups will be invited to sponsor and promote the broadcasts. A local coordinator is being sought for each of the TV markets targeted for these broadcasts.

"Out of the Night" tells the physical, emotional and spiritual journeys of 25 vets who fought in Vietnam. They lost their faith, struggled with post-traumatic stress, and fought to regain both health and faith. It's a powerful story of their journey 'out of the night."

"Out of the Night" was filmed in seven states across the country. Vets from all over the United States hare their story. Segments include interviews with John Ferguson, an Episcopal priest; Barry Romo, national coordinator for Vietnam Veterans Against the War; Steve Tice, now a counselor at American Lake Medical Center near Tacoma, WA; Walter Capps, who teaches a popular class on the Vietnam War at the University of California/Santa Barbara; Jack Lyon, who worked with author Mahedy at the San Diego Veterans' Center; and Victor Westphall, of Angel Fire, NM, who built the first Vietnam memorial after he lost his son in Vietnam.

Funding in part was provided by American Baptists; Episcopal Church, Office of Communications; Mennonite Board of Missions; Presbyterian Church (USA), Office of Communications; United Methodist Communications; KOMO-TV, Seattle and many concerned individuals and congregations. KOMO-TV also provided extensive post production support.

Prior to Memorial Day weekend play, promotional premier showing are being planned in various cities. Churches and vet groups interested in sponsoring these presentations should contact Graley Taylor at (206) 4416110. An audiovisual version (without commercials and with a license for public educational use) is also available. Rental is $25.00. The sale price is $50.00. For a flyer on the film, write or call JGT Media Productions, 500 Wall Street, Suite 415, Seattle, WA 98121; phone same as above.