“Beyond Glory ” (2016)

Beyond Glory (Gravitas Ventures, 2016)

Starring: Stephen Lang

Executive Producers: James Cameron, Jon Landau

Written by Stephen Lang (Based on the Book by Larry Smith)

Directed by Larry Brand

Stephen Lang in “Beyond Glory”

The Medal of Honor: the highest honor from the United States military given to members of the Armed Forces. Established during the American Civil War, the award has been given to 3,515 men, for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty. Twenty-four of these men were the subjects of Larry Smith’s book Beyond Glory, which told the story of Medal of Honor recipients in their own words.

After reading an unedited copy of the book, acclaimed stage and screen actor Stephen Lang (Avatar, Gettysburg, Tombstone) adapted the book into a one-man show, where Lang would portray eight of the Medal of Honor recipients on stage. First performed in 2007, the play went on to earn almost unanimous praise. Since its premiere, Lang has taken the show around the world, performing in various theaters, and even for American troops stationed overseas. And now, in a unique production, the acclaimed play has been brought to the screen in Beyond Glory, executive produced by James Cameron (Lang’s Avatar director) and Jon Landau. The film version features candid moments with the actor, as well as clips from live performances captured around the globe, interspersed with filmed versions of Lang giving his performance.

Not many actors can be able to hold an audience captive for nearly eighty minutes, but Stephen Lang is definitely one of those actors. I have admired his work ever since I first saw him in Ron Maxwell’s Gettysburg, where he played the dashing Confederate General George Pickett. Lang is definitely one of the most versatile actor’s working today. From the boyish charm of Pickett, to the noble warrior Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson in the underrated Gods and Generals, and to his best known role, that of the villainous Colonel Miles Quaritch (Who I’m not ashamed to say I was rooting for) in Avatar, Lang has proven time and again his wide range as an actor, and one that has earned him respect from his peers.

But in Beyond Glory, Lang is presented with a very unique challenge: Portraying eight different men of various ages, races, and backgrounds, who fought in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. For each character, Lang brings different mannerisms, ticks, and dialects to recreate these brave men whose actions won them the Medal of Honor. In several instances, the change from one character to the next is almost instant, catching the viewer off guard (As it is meant to). And Lang does all of this all on his own (With some aide from music, and an off-stage voice provided by Gary Sinise), and never misses a beat with each one. If there has ever been a performance that can be described as flawless, Mr. Lang’s performance in Beyond Glory is certainly that!

Lang is also the writer of the play, and he definitely captures the essence of each man splendidly. There are moments of humor, sadness, excitement, danger, and reflection. In a manner of speaking, those are the experiences of those men who fought for our country in wartime in a nutshell. And unlike most big-budget war films, those experiences are felt far more through experiencing Mr. Lang’s powerful performance.

And, at the end of the day,that is what Beyond Glory is. Not just a play or a film, thought they are certainly that. It is an experience for the audience, whether in a packed theater, or alone watching it on the TV screen. Perhaps never before have the experiences of war been as powerfully conveyed as how Mr. Lang does through these eight characters. Through it, we gain a better understanding of those brave men who fought to keep America free. And through it, we gain a better appreciation of what those men suffered through, and sacrificed, to defend and protect this great nation of ours. Any technical flaws and such in the film (Of which there are very few) can be disregarded, as the film truly is an experience of acting, with eight characters wonderfully brought to life by Mr. Lang.

In closing, if anybody has not had the chance to see Stephen Lang’s Beyond Glory on stage, here is your chance to see this one-of-a-kind theater experience, where one actor commands the stage for eighty minutes, bringing to life eight different men who were awarded for bravery above and beyond the call of duty. This is one film that I’ll never be able to recommend highly enough!

Grade: 10/10 (A+)