Serving In Silence - The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story

Yes, this is another movie about how army regulations banning gays and lesbians from serving. Yes, this is another TRUE story about the being a lesbian in the armed forces. No, that does not make it pointless, done before and not worth watching.'Serving in Silence' is a rather old movie now but it is amazing how little progress has been made in the 'dont ask, dont tell' decree held by the US armed forces.Glenn Close is brilliant as Magarethe Cammermeyer, the highest ranked women to be thrown out of the army for being homosexual. Her courage, determination and belief in equality meant she didn't take it lying down which as you can imagine had many consequences back in the 80's (not that it wouldn't even now but probably less so!).A very moving film which I have watched several times over due to its strong but subtle message, and don't ask me how they did it but there are also some funny/witty scenes thrown in for good measure.

I have been looking for this film for a long time. Thank you very much, great service.

This is a very well created story based on true events. I can appreciate the reason for making this film it is ridiculous that the military took so long to rethink it's position on gays and lesbians. Two fine actresses make this an enjoyable experience to watch.

“Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story” is a US television movie that is based on a true story: the life and career of Margarethe Cammermeyer, who served as a nurse for more than twenty years in the US Army and the National Guard, reaching the rank of a colonel. But when she stated that she was a lesbian, she was summarily discharged. This movie, which premiered on US television (NBC) in 1995, was released on DVD in 2006. Here is some basic information about it:** Directed by Jeff Bleckner** Produced by Glenn Close, Cis Gorman, Richard Heus, Neil Meron, Barbara Streisand, and Craig Zadan** Screenplay written by Alison Cross** Based on the book Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story by Margarethe Cammermeyer with Chris Fisher (HC 1994, PB 2005)** Run time: 91 minutesThe cast includes the following:** Glenn Close as Margarethe “Grethe” Cammermeyer** Judy Davis as Diane Divelbess – Grethe’s partner in life** Jan Rubes as Mr Cammermeyer - Grethe’s father** Eric Dane as Matt – Grethe’s son** Ryan Reynolds as Andy – Grethe’s son** Trevor St John as David – Grethe’s son** Wendy Makkena as Mary Newcombe – Grethe’s lawyerMargarethe “Grethe” Cammermeyer was born in Norway in 1942, while this country was occupied by Nazi Germany. In 1951 her family moved to the US and in 1960 she became a US citizen. She married and had four sons, but the marriage was not going well; it ended with a divorce in 1980.She joined the US Army and later transferred to the National Guard in Washington State in order to be closer to her sons. She served as a nurse in various locations for more than twenty years, reaching the rank of a colonel. In 1988 she met Diane Divelbess, an artist and a professor of art, who became her partner in life.In 1989, during an interview for a promotion, she stated that she was a lesbian. That was when her troubles began. The official position of the army was that she could no longer serve.However, her superiors did not want to lose her. They suggested that she should recant, i.e. take back her statement, but she replied: “I cannot lie. I have to be honest, even if it will get me into trouble.”The army went ahead with its policy and in 1992 she was honourably discharged from her position in the Army and the National Guard.The army is a place where you follow orders, but after thinking about it and after talking with those who were close to her, she decided that she was not going to follow this order. She decided to fight back.This movie is the story of her life, her career, and her fight for her right to continue serving in the army.What do reviewers say about it? On IMDb it has a rating of 72 per cent; on Rotten Tomatoes it has an audience score of 73 per cent; both are somewhere between three and four stars. If you ask me, both these average ratings are too low.On the US version of Amazon there are 30 reviews of this product. The average rating is 4.8 stars. If you ask me, this average rating is much more appropriate. Why?The script is well-written and the actors play their roles well. The story is captivating, dramatic, and often emotional. In addition, it is based on a true story. I want to go all the way to the top with this product. I think it deserves a rating of five stars.PS # 1. A new revised edition of Cammermeyer's biography was published in September 2016. Here is a link: Serving in Silence.PS # 2. In 2012, after same-sex marriage was legalized in Washington State, Cammermeyer and her partner Diane Divelbess became the first same-sex couple to get a license in Island County.PS # 3. Cammermeyer has a personal website where you can find more information about her.PS # 4. Cammermeyer has written the foreword to the following book about a somewhat similar case: Tell: Love, Defiance and the Military Trial at the Tipping Point by Margaret Witt and Tim Connor (to be published by University Press of New England in November 2017).

glenn close & judy davis at their best.