THE LAST MISSION
is a family feel good story about the forgotten heroes of
World War II. It is a character driven account of the aged
survivors of a B-17 bomber crew reunited for one last mission
by the impending death of their co-pilot. A contemporary
version of The Best Years of Our Lives, it deals with growing
old, losing power, purpose and control in one’s life, and of
wanting to regain it again, if only for a little while. THE
LAST MISSION is a tribute to all those who fought in WWII.
On their 24th bombing mission over Germany, Cap, the co-pilot,
in a selfless act of courage, brings a crippled B-17 back to
England, risking his own life to save the lives of the other
crew members. Wounded and hospitalized, they end their tour of
duty one mission shy of the required 25. Sixty-two years later
five surviving crew members reunite around the hospital
bedside of their savior, Cap. Suffering from cancer of the
liver, he does not look or feel unduly sick, but in reality
has only days to live. Once the movers and shakers of society,
the elderly men are treated with disrespect, indifference, and
disdain by the hospital staff. Refusing to leave his room, the
men stage a marathon poker game at Cap’s bedside, complete
with the quibbling and humor reminiscent of their war days.
Cap joins the play as they recount their life stories with
emphasis on current situations. As the stories unfold there is
a sense of powerlessness over their lives.
The pilot, Baxter, owner of a large aerospace company and
involved with NASA and the space industry since its inception,
is poised to lose everything to the IRS because he placed
loyalty to his employees above business sense. His inability
to communicate his feelings of loss leads to friction with his
loving wife of more than fifty-five years.
The navigator, Curly, once one of the best legal minds in
Texas, is in the very early stages of Alzheimer’s. He attempts
to hide his condition behind his trademark humor.
The side gunner, Preach, always spiritually minded, is retired
from the ministry and wanting very much to remain useful.
The ball turret gunner, Red, is enmeshed in the legal and
marital problems of his granddaughter and faced with
supporting her and her children in place of her deadbeat
husband.
The radio operator, Charlie, a successful investor and
businessman, after a succession of failed marriages has found
true love with a woman thirty years his junior. He anxiously
considers the prospect of raising his sister-in-law’s orphaned
teenage son.
And finally, the co-pilot, Cap, always strong-willed and
pig-headed, does not want to die a slow death attached to life
support. Cap wants out of the hospital and would give anything
to be back flying with the crew. A widower, estranged from his
son by his own stubbornness, regrets that he hasn’t
reconciled.
After one last encounter with the doctors and staff, Baxter
resolves not to take it any longer. He symbolically quits
being a passenger, gets back into the pilot’s seat and rallies
the rest of the crew, including Cap, to do likewise. Late
night calls are made to their wives and friends, as each man
reasserts control of his life.
Baxter and his wife reaffirm their love for each other and he
admits the loss of their company has stirred unhealed feelings
over the loss of their son in Vietnam which as a man he was
unable to express.
Curly teams with Red resolving to use his remanding time and
formidable legal skills to fight Red’s daughter’s legal
battles.
Preach sees an unmet need for a hospital chaplain and decides
to fill it.
Charlie begins to sound like the proud father.
Cap, stubborn to the end, determines that what little time he
has left will not be spent under the control of this hospital
or doctor. His hard veneer begins to crack as he petitions
Baxter to call his son Howard for him. Cap’s son, finally worn
down by Baxter and the crew, cancels all appointments and
comes to his father for a tearful reunion. He introduces his
father to his grandson and namesake.
Through a highly placed old friend in the military, Baxter
arranges to transfer Cap to an Air Force Facility. A military
ambulance stops on the flight line at Kelly Air Force Base and
the men step out. They are clad in WWII uniforms and bomber
jackets delivered by their wives. To their left is a flight
line of modern fighter-bombers with their crews standing by.
Beyond this is a contingent of WWII fighters from the
Commemorative Air Force. On the other side of the ambulance
stands a B-17, the name “Sentimental Journey” emblazoned on
the side. As Cap is assisted from the ambulance, a military
band strikes up. In a surprise ceremony the men are greeted by
a military contingent, as their wives and family watch from
the reviewing stand. In stark contrast to their treatment at
the hospital, they are lauded in a speech as pioneers of the
modern day Air Force, courageous and honorable men who today
have all but been forgotten by a society woefully short on
real heroes. A weak but obviously elated Cap is assisted on
board the B-17. From the pilot’s window, he gives the thumbs
up sign to the family and friends on the ground below, they
return the gesture. Over the radio clearance is given for
their 25th and final mission. As the B-17 taxis past modern
fighter-bombers and crews, they each salute in turn as they
are passed. Cap rests peacefully in the pilot’s chair, as
Baxter, still an accomplished pilot, flies the plane from the
co-pilot position. Airborne, Cap eases back in the pilot’s
chair, closes his eyes, a contented look on his face, his hand
slips from the throttle. They fly off into the sunlight
escorted by modern fighter planes and vintage aircraft forming
the missing man formation with the B-17. Cap’s grandson
notices there is a plane missing and points it out to his
father, who responds, “That’s for Granddad”.
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