A man's story of leaving New York in 1967 to bring beer to his childhood buddies in the Army while they are fighting in Vietnam.A man's story of leaving New York in 1967 to bring beer to his childhood buddies in the Army while they are fighting in Vietnam.A man's story of leaving New York in 1967 to bring beer to his childhood buddies in the Army while they are fighting in Vietnam.
- Awards
- 2 nominations total
Featured reviews
The title alone was enough to get me to come out and see this one. Although not what I was expecting with a title like that, but it was pretty amazing.
Mr. Zac Efron did a fine job telling James "Chickie" Donahue's true story of a man's strange plan to get up and do something by personally going to Vietnam to give all his boys from the block a beer.
It's starts out as a Frat boy style movie but the odd journey he goes though was special. Not sure how true the movie is, but I do know one man cannot carry that many cans of beer in a duffle bag, which I concentrated far too hard on.
It feels like Efron is trying to pull a Mark Walberg with this vehicle. Yes, Russel Crowe and Bill Murray are in this flick, but they are not pulling any weight here. Their parts could have been played by anyone and it was useless to have them in the film, cause it was all about Zac Efron finding the perfect part where he can use his boyish charm to still seem serious, but if he's hoping for an Oscar nod, I think Walberg, who could have killed this role 20 years ago, still has it down packed with Father Stu.
But either way, this movie was funny for those people who love movies featuring Northeasterners being as blue collar as possible while attempting to step out of their environment. I grew up close to Chickie's hood so I'm down.
Mr. Zac Efron did a fine job telling James "Chickie" Donahue's true story of a man's strange plan to get up and do something by personally going to Vietnam to give all his boys from the block a beer.
It's starts out as a Frat boy style movie but the odd journey he goes though was special. Not sure how true the movie is, but I do know one man cannot carry that many cans of beer in a duffle bag, which I concentrated far too hard on.
It feels like Efron is trying to pull a Mark Walberg with this vehicle. Yes, Russel Crowe and Bill Murray are in this flick, but they are not pulling any weight here. Their parts could have been played by anyone and it was useless to have them in the film, cause it was all about Zac Efron finding the perfect part where he can use his boyish charm to still seem serious, but if he's hoping for an Oscar nod, I think Walberg, who could have killed this role 20 years ago, still has it down packed with Father Stu.
But either way, this movie was funny for those people who love movies featuring Northeasterners being as blue collar as possible while attempting to step out of their environment. I grew up close to Chickie's hood so I'm down.
I saw this movie tonight, without having any idea what I was going to see as a part of a mystery movie screening. The movie even has a cold opening, no title no a tors nothing, so I was sitting through the whole thing until I found out what it's called. I had never heard that this movie existed, what it was about or seen a glimpse of a trailer. This is not a movie that can be marketed, and is likely going to bomb at the box office.
Which is a real pity, as this is one if the more effective anti war movies I have seen, and I'm familiar with most of the usual suspects in that genre. It's not going for the big heroic moments, it's showing what a bloody stupid idea war is, having the Vietnam war as a stand-in for all wars. That doesn't mean there are even more stupid ideas, like Chickie's beer run, and believe me when I say Zac Efron is entirely vanishing in that character. I expect him and Russel Crowe to see nominations next award season for their work here, but while Crowe is chewing every scene he is in, Efron gives a much more subtle performance. Showing more with his expressions than words, how he changes as the movie progresses.
In a time of big franchises, CGI extravaganzas and super heroes, it sounds odd to say this was a breath of fresh air. There is humor in the movie, but it doesn't subvert the message, I just hope more people are going to see this movie, and talk about this movie, making filmmakers aware that good storytelling is still in demand.
Which is a real pity, as this is one if the more effective anti war movies I have seen, and I'm familiar with most of the usual suspects in that genre. It's not going for the big heroic moments, it's showing what a bloody stupid idea war is, having the Vietnam war as a stand-in for all wars. That doesn't mean there are even more stupid ideas, like Chickie's beer run, and believe me when I say Zac Efron is entirely vanishing in that character. I expect him and Russel Crowe to see nominations next award season for their work here, but while Crowe is chewing every scene he is in, Efron gives a much more subtle performance. Showing more with his expressions than words, how he changes as the movie progresses.
In a time of big franchises, CGI extravaganzas and super heroes, it sounds odd to say this was a breath of fresh air. There is humor in the movie, but it doesn't subvert the message, I just hope more people are going to see this movie, and talk about this movie, making filmmakers aware that good storytelling is still in demand.
I Really Enjoyed This - first it's just one heck of a great true story - but then, it's got a lot of heart - and it even kind of offers a different view of the War in Vietnam! It's got a good feel to it - it's got some great people in it - it's just a great movie! And again - an amazing true story! I'd honestly say the overall review numbers on this should be even higher - I'd say it's a solid 8 - but I gave it a 9 just to boost the average.
Terrific feel to it - and just some amazing real people! Kudos to everyone involved with bringing this story to the screen - it's a terrific film about a crazy idea!
Terrific feel to it - and just some amazing real people! Kudos to everyone involved with bringing this story to the screen - it's a terrific film about a crazy idea!
The Greatest Beer Run Ever is one of the best war films I have ever watched! Not just because this happened in a real life story, but how Chickie, (Zach Efron) got the wildest, craziest idea to go to Vietnam, just to bring some beers from America to his friends, who were in the middle of the war!
It's funny at first because of Chickie's character, but after he realized what's really going on in Vietnam, it gets heart-breaking.
The story will give you good lessons in life, so this is definitely a must watch movie!
Zach Efron definitely nailed it!
The music was indeed good too, by the way!
A very rewatchable movie.
It's funny at first because of Chickie's character, but after he realized what's really going on in Vietnam, it gets heart-breaking.
The story will give you good lessons in life, so this is definitely a must watch movie!
Zach Efron definitely nailed it!
The music was indeed good too, by the way!
A very rewatchable movie.
This movie really takes you for a wild ride of emotions. One moment you are laughing, and the next you are stunned and horrified. The imagery of war and what it's true colors were is what I loved most about the film. It sucks you in with such a wholesome plot that quickly turns dark and somber. It's a film that everyone should see! Its brutally honest representation of the horrors of war and the beauty of friendship and human connection was done spectacularly. It's stunning cinematography and musical score just add to this movies enjoyment.
It isn't the best film and could be tweaked slightly in a few areas, but overall a truly enjoyable and memorable watch.
Highly recommend to any war buffs!
It isn't the best film and could be tweaked slightly in a few areas, but overall a truly enjoyable and memorable watch.
Highly recommend to any war buffs!
Did you know
- TriviaBased on the book of the same name. A memoir written by John "Chick" Donohue and J.T. Molloy about Donohue's eight weeks in Vietnam delivering beer to his friends and other soldiers in combat.
- Goofs"Coates is seen wearing a kaffiyeh (a traditional Arab head scarf) around his neck. The kaffiyeh did not become a fashion accessory among westerners until the 1980s."
Coatses is a war correspondent, so he would have traveled all over the world, and could have well reported from the Middle East, where he could have easily acquired a kaffiyeh.
- Quotes
Chickie Donohue: Don't be dumb, Arthur. This ain't a war no more. It's mass murder.
Coates: That's what war is, Chick. It's one giant crime scene.
- Crazy creditsSPOILER: at the end of the movie, we find out what happened to Tommy Minogue. The info reads as follows: "Tommy Minogue willingly sacrificed his life to save the lives of his commanding officer and the soldiers in his company. There is a grass roots effort to award him the medal of honor."
- SoundtracksSoul Finger
Written by Jimmy King, Ben Cauley, James Alexander, Ronnie Caldwell, Carl Cunningham, Phalon R. Jones Jr.
Performed by The Bar-Kays
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
- How long is The Greatest Beer Run Ever?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $40,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime2 hours 6 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.00 : 1
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