One of those quiet movies that leave a deep impression. Garner is good, as always, and the supporting cast seem just perfect for their roles. It has a similar atmosphere to FIRST MONDAY IN OCTOBER with Walter Mathau. A feel good movie, and well worth seeing more than once.
14 Reviews
Mr. Hallmark Hall of Fame
Ajtlawyer5 December 2017
James Garner made a bit of a cottage industry out of appearing in Hallmark Hall of Fame TV-movies. Hallmark productions were always noted for their high quality and portrayal of solid community values.
In "Decoration Day" Garner plays a retired Southern judge who is somewhat of a recluse. He is pulled back into the community when a young man gets into trouble, Garner finds a new chance to connect with an interesting woman, and he has to persuade a childhood friend to reconsider his refusal to accept a belated Medal of Honor.
Bill Cobbs plays Gee, Garner's childhood friend and a tenant farmer who has had to deal with racial injustice all of his life while his educated white friend Garner has had a much easier and successful path. Both men served in WWII, Gee in a segregated Negro unit. When the Army determines that Gee should receive the Medal of Honor the community is disrupted and people have to re-examine racial attitudes when Gee refuses to accept this most prestigious honor.
As you'd expect in a Hallmark production, the topics are dealt with in a quiet, responsible, non-histrionic way. Garner and the cast all deliver.
In "Decoration Day" Garner plays a retired Southern judge who is somewhat of a recluse. He is pulled back into the community when a young man gets into trouble, Garner finds a new chance to connect with an interesting woman, and he has to persuade a childhood friend to reconsider his refusal to accept a belated Medal of Honor.
Bill Cobbs plays Gee, Garner's childhood friend and a tenant farmer who has had to deal with racial injustice all of his life while his educated white friend Garner has had a much easier and successful path. Both men served in WWII, Gee in a segregated Negro unit. When the Army determines that Gee should receive the Medal of Honor the community is disrupted and people have to re-examine racial attitudes when Gee refuses to accept this most prestigious honor.
As you'd expect in a Hallmark production, the topics are dealt with in a quiet, responsible, non-histrionic way. Garner and the cast all deliver.
really liked it
jewelch26 March 2021
I love this movie and it took a lot for the man to decline the Medal of Honor and why he did it. Everyone should view this movie they could learn from it. Hallmark Hall of Fame's sensitive exploration of friendship, racism and the impact of war on its survivors, DECORATION DAY is set in Georgia. Yes I recommend it. James Welch Henderson, Arkansas 3/25/2021.
Good Work
leslieadams18 January 2005
Late in his life when Robert Mitchum was finally receiving accolades for his career work, a reporter asked him why it took so long for such recognition. Mitchum replied, "Because there's nobody else left."
The same might be said for James Garner, as people increasingly acknowledge his skill. Like Henry Fonda, Garner makes it look so easy and effortless that one tends to take his work for granted.
In "Decoration Day" his character is similar to his laid-back hero in "Murphy's Romance." Garner can play wide emotional ranges as the script may call for, yet smoothly blend nuances to achieve a finely tuned product.
Here the entire cast works in fine ensemble fashion, with Bill Cobbs being particularly strong as Gee.
Perhaps real-life Purple Heart-winner Garner felt a special connection to this touching story about the aftermath of war.
This was another worthy Hallmark production made especially for television.
The same might be said for James Garner, as people increasingly acknowledge his skill. Like Henry Fonda, Garner makes it look so easy and effortless that one tends to take his work for granted.
In "Decoration Day" his character is similar to his laid-back hero in "Murphy's Romance." Garner can play wide emotional ranges as the script may call for, yet smoothly blend nuances to achieve a finely tuned product.
Here the entire cast works in fine ensemble fashion, with Bill Cobbs being particularly strong as Gee.
Perhaps real-life Purple Heart-winner Garner felt a special connection to this touching story about the aftermath of war.
This was another worthy Hallmark production made especially for television.
Hello Old Friend
ronmcreynolds22 March 2024
I was surprised that I'd never heard of this movie of yours before. While this movie appealed to me more and more as I watched it was a bit slow by conventional Hollywood standards. But that's fine with me. I'm older now and Hollywood is not what it used to be. All that green screen and whiz bang don't make up the lack of writing and acting abilities. Shakespeare didn't rush good plots and Mark Twain let a Tom Sawyer drift down the Mississippi on a raft.
I could talk about how many long lost pals have been consumed by age and death. I'm still working on living to be three hundred years old. When I get there I'll celebrate and toast to many turned dust. I will start with you, Mr. James Garner. Good bye friend.
I could talk about how many long lost pals have been consumed by age and death. I'm still working on living to be three hundred years old. When I get there I'll celebrate and toast to many turned dust. I will start with you, Mr. James Garner. Good bye friend.
Remarkable by its simplicity
selffamily31 December 2010
This is one of those quiet movies, where nothing exciting or outlandish happens, and nobody's life is in ruins but it is all the better for it. One of the things I enjoy about James Garner is that he tends not to be in the movies that are all hot air and explosions. The layers of this story are slowly peeled back as the characters grow on the viewer until the viewer finds that they really care! It's well executed, beautifully and with simplicity and it all feels real. I don't care about how scenes are concocted or faked, the end result is a work of beauty and art, and I'm delighted to have had the chance to see it again. Real life is not a blockbuster, and this film captures the genuine friendship that exists between the people and we feel it. wonderful.
A memorable movie
nabor718 January 2005
The cast and the setting of this movie was enough for me. When you add the plot and sub-stories it turns into an extremely well made and thought out movie. I enjoyed every minute and can't express in words the magnificent job the cast did. I really enjoyed the interaction between Rowena and Judge Finch. You could tell from the beginning there was quite a past between the two. I can't find any fault in Decoration Day. It's amazing how with the correct script and cast, that violence, profanity, and sex would seem out of place. The sub-plots were sufficient to keep the viewer guessing and the story of Billy and Loreen fit in perfectly. I would encourage everyone to see this to see what a real story and great actors can do when they are combined
A Movie to be Remembered
Arnold-728 October 1999
This movie tells two very moving stories with care and sensitivity. Everyone in the cast plays their roles the way they were meant to be played. No one steals the show; instead they work together to create a movie to be remembered.
Good movie
mitchellrharl9 January 2021
A little passive
HotToastyRag1 July 2022
The main plot of Decoration Day is about Bill Cobbs's refusal to accept the Congressional Medal of Honor for his service in WWII, but there are a couple of side plots to fill out the story. Oddly enough, James Garner has the leading role, but his character is more of a supporter than a leader. He doesn't actually have anything to do, but instead he involves himself in other people's problems. He tries to convince Bill to accept the award, and together they live through some flashbacks. He acts as the middle man between his godson, Norm Skaggs, and his wife, Jo Anderson. And he has a passive romance with Judith Ivey, and takes some well-meaning advice from his housekeeper, Ruby Dee.
So, if you're interested in a bunch of little plots strung together by an everyman character, you can try this one. There's obviously a buried secret or two, and there is some terrible sadness sprinkled in. It's not the best Hallmark Hall of Fame flick out there, but you could certainly do worse.
So, if you're interested in a bunch of little plots strung together by an everyman character, you can try this one. There's obviously a buried secret or two, and there is some terrible sadness sprinkled in. It's not the best Hallmark Hall of Fame flick out there, but you could certainly do worse.
Another gem from Hallmark Hall of Fame
georgegolembiewski17 June 2001
This is a movie you remember. It is a poignant tale of race, honor, patriotism, and love. The film's very title evokes memories of an earlier time in America, a time when there was less shouting and more respect for others. The former Judge excellently portrayed by James Garner has a great deal of love for his old boyhood friend from days gone by. The work that the Garner character goes through to redeem this old relationship is very reaffirming. Bill Cobb does a great job as the embittered former friend of Garner. This is truly a great film with a little romance thrown in. A must see for a more mature audience.
You might even learn something
Miles-1019 March 2000
Clever plot about misunderstandings might teach you something beyond the fact that prejudice is as apt to harm the practitioner as its target. Excellent performances by James Garner and Bill Cobbs as old friends estranged by the history of race in their community and nation.
Decoration Day.
heresbigmike13 November 2016
Although James Garner Is one of my favorites,Bill Cobbs, as In the movie, Is not given the glory he deserves ! This passionate actor deserves accolades ! I don't know how many awards he has received, but he deserves many more ! I've seen him In many second-fiddle roles, Where he could have actually been the leader ! I'm going to follow-up, I need to see more of this great actor's accomplishments. I reiterate, this passionate and compassionate Individual needs to have a script written around him , I bet the right one would raise him over the brim ! I know that he Is an Exceptional Individual, How? Sometimes everyone can tell !
Got to be a part of this movie!
LBeria30 January 2007
Warning: Spoilers
When my then future-husband was heavily into WWII reenacting, he was invited by another reenacting friend to be a extra for the battle scenes that appear in the movie. The "winter" battle was filmed just outside of Atlanta in the summer! The filming was all done at night with fake snow on the ground.
He told me that there's a number of "flubs" that appeared in the battle scenes. One of the most glaring is where the young soldiers fires the BAR from the damaged halftrack all the Germans fall over dead even though he only fires 20 rounds. This happened due to the many takes and re-takes that the film did that sapped the reenactors and they all fell over at once when the gun fired! Also, there was supposed to be another sub-plot where James Garner's character was supposed to find the then-wounded army officer who saw what happened when the young soldier killed all the Germans and then drove off. The scene was changed and had a dubbed-over voice saying "I'll get help!" while the Germans initially attack.
Over two days of filming for less than 15 minutes of actual air time!
He told me that there's a number of "flubs" that appeared in the battle scenes. One of the most glaring is where the young soldiers fires the BAR from the damaged halftrack all the Germans fall over dead even though he only fires 20 rounds. This happened due to the many takes and re-takes that the film did that sapped the reenactors and they all fell over at once when the gun fired! Also, there was supposed to be another sub-plot where James Garner's character was supposed to find the then-wounded army officer who saw what happened when the young soldier killed all the Germans and then drove off. The scene was changed and had a dubbed-over voice saying "I'll get help!" while the Germans initially attack.
Over two days of filming for less than 15 minutes of actual air time!
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