Description
Before the Battle of Okinawa, Marines training on Guadalcanal played a football game packed with some of the best college players in the country. Of the 65 who took the field, 15 died within a year. That game is the true story behind "The Mosquito Bowl," Peter Berg's new film based on Buzz Bissinger's book.
In this episode of The Recon Scene, Berg and actors Ray Nicholson and Tom Francis talk about bringing it to the screen. Berg describes watching recruits at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, where a young recruit unexpectedly took charge during a simulated ambush. Nicholson, who plays Purdue star Tony Butkovich, talks about receiving restored footage of Butkovich's college football career on the anniversary of his death. Francis, who plays Wisconsin's Dave Schreiner, explains how Schreiner's letters helped him understand the Marine he portrays. And Berg talks about balancing historical accuracy with adapting a nonfiction book.
"The Mosquito Bowl" is in select theaters Oct. 30 and streams on Netflix Nov. 25.
Which Marine story should Hollywood tell next? Tell us in the comments.
#military #veterans #TheMosquitoBowl #Marines #militarynews
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