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Oscar-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr. (Jerry Maguire) portrays real-life African-American hero Carl Brashear in Men of Honor, a rousing biography that celebrates virtue, courage, and integrity. Brashear, the illiterate son of a poor black sharecropper, joined the Navy soon after World War II and overcame systemic racism to become its first black man to serve as a Navy diver. Director George Tillman Jr. (Soul Food) presents the story as a duel of wits between Carl and his redneck instructor, Master Sergeant Billy Sunday (Robert De Niro), a bitter alcoholic who at first hates but eventually comes to respect the tenacious Brashear. Charlize Theron has limited screen time as Sunday's patient young wife, but she makes every second count with a skilled, subtle performance. The same can be said for Aunjanue Ellis, playing the librarian who tutors Carl in reading when he has trouble with written tests. As chronicled by Tillman, Brashear's heroism isn't flamboyant; this movie doesn't rely on action and thrills for its impact. Carl's is the quiet heroism of a man whose indomitable will drives him to surmount seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and his triumph makes Men of Honor a truly memorable and inspiring film. The DVD Special Edition includes commentary by Gooding, Tillman, and producer Robert Teitel, as well as an alternate ending, deleted scenes, documentaries on both the film's production and Brashear's life, and a music video. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

This military drama is based on the true story of Carl Brashear, who was the first African-American to serve as a diver in the United States Navy. Brashear (played by Cuba Gooding Jr.) was born to a poor farming family in the deep South, and joined the Navy in hopes of bettering himself. When Brashear applies for diving school, he first encounters Master Chief Billy Sunday (Robert De Niro), a gruff and tyrannical diving instructor who holds absolute sway over his charges. Sunday does little at first to encourage Brashear's ambitions, and the would-be diver discovers racism in the military is an ugly fact of life when his white comrades refuse to share barracks with him. But Brashear's courage and determination make an impression on Sunday, and the two men become allies as Brashear must fight prejudice, military bureaucracy, and even a crippling injury in order to realize his dreams. Originally announced under the title Navy Diver, Men of Honor also features Hal Holbrook, David Keith, Michael Rapaport, Charlize Theron, and Powers Boothe; Bill Cosby served as an executive producer for the project. Mark Deming

Product Details

• UPC: 024543037767
• Source: 20TH CENTURY FOX
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Full Frame
• Editions: Special Edition
• Time: 2:08:00
• Sales Rank: 2,964

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• Courage under Fire / Men of Honor
• Heroes of War Collection: Soldiers' Stories