Expert: Mel Priddle - 5/26/2009

Question
About 30 years ago I saw a movie about an injured soldier on a hospital bed with a nurse in the room.  He was deaf, mute, and blind, but his brain and senses worked fine. I can't remember alot it but I have never forgotten about this movie. Can you tell me the name?

Answer
Hello Joe,

That sounds like "Johnny Got His Gun" from 1971.

Written and directed by Dalton Trumbo, it starred Timothy Bottoms as Joe, a young American soldier who is hit by a mortar shell on the last day of World War I. He lies in a hospital bed, a quadruple amputee who has not only lost his arms and legs, but also his eyes, ears, mouth and nose. He remains conscious and able to think, reliving his life through strange dreams and memories, unable to distinguish whether he is awake or dreaming. He is totally frustrated by his situation, until one day when he discovers a unique way to communicate with his nurse.

A very unusual and moving film that never seems to get much mention these days, although it was released on DVD in April this year.

Here are a few links.......

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Got_His_Gun_(film)

http://tinyurl.com/omr4sr

http://tinyurl.com/pvll3v


Glad to be of help. Cheers..........Mel.