M*A*S*H Vietnam: What it's like to be a war nurse
ADVENTURE BIOGRAPHICAL DRAMA MEMOIR FUNNY WAR HISTORICAL FICTION OTHER CRIME
1960s & '70s
Lorna Griess
TaleFlick Pick!
Logline
M*A*S*H Vietnam is not about the politics of the war, Just the job of being a nurse and treating the wounded. She explains the who, what, and why and where of operating a MASH unit in a combat zone. A first hand account of what Vietnam was really like behind the scenes.
Genre
Adventure,Biographical,Drama,Memoir,Funny,War,Historical Fiction,Other,Crime
Short Summary
This story is about a regular person who followed her passions, her desire to do good into a war zone. It starts with the the heart pounding trip to Travis AFB to board a plane to go to an unknown dangerous place, to camp out with a group of people you barely know and being asked to use your skills
When it was time to go home, three of us sat around and realized how much we had grown personally and professionally in one year. We wondered how we would adjust to being "back in the world." Had not driven a car, had a meal at Burger King or ice cream or worn a pretty dress or watched TV.
Setting
South Vietnam
Based on a True Story
Yes
Plot - Premise
Quest,Tragedy
Plot - Other Elements
Coming of Age,Other
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Main Character Details
Name: Lorna
Age: 28
Gender: Female
Role: Logical
Key Traits: Aspiring,Charming,Decisive,Empathetic,Heroic,Educated,Modest,Patriotic,Selfless,Funny,Sophisticated,Strong Moral Code
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Development Pitch
Genre
ACTION, DRAMA, WAR
Brief
A true life "behind-the-scenes" look at one nurse's experience as a surgical nurse in a Vietnam War field hospital or "M.A.S.H." unit.
Overall Rating
EXCELLENT
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: EXCELLENT
Characterization: EXCELLENT
Commerciality: EXCELLENT
Franchise Potential: GOOD
Pace: EXCELLENT
Premise: GOOD
Structure: EXCELLENT
Theme: GOOD
Accuracy of Book Profile
Yes, the profile does depict the book properly.
Draw of Story
The premise is a fascinating subject even though it's a familiar one.
Possible Drawbacks
No. The book is well written.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY RELIES A LITTLE BIT ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The real life drama of a field hospital in a war zone.
Fanbase Potential
There is a portion of the population who like war stories. Normally I would say this could but because of its similarity to both "MASH" and "China Beach" I'm not sure it's different enough to garner a large base.
Awards Potential
This is the kind of film awards voters love so if everything is done right - i.e. acting, writing and directing - it could do well during awards season.
Envisioned Budget
MEDIUM BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
MASH, CHINA BEACH, THE ENGLISH PATIENT
What’s New About the Story
No two lives are the same so this woman's true experiences are unique to her story. This is autobiographical but for a movie adaptation I would add other points of view.
Lead Characters
The woman writing /narrating has an interesting story about her experiences.
Uniqueness of Story
I wish it were rare since it's a good story but I can't shake the feeling that I've seen this before.
Possible Formats
Film - Studio, Film - Streaming, TV Series - Cable, TV Series - Network, TV Series - Limited Run / Mini-Series, TV Series - Streaming
Analyst Recommendation
CONSIDER
Justification
This was a well written and engaging story. I just wish it wasn't so similar to China Beach. I know the details are different so there may be a TV series or film in there but great pains would need to be taken by the screenwriters to differentiate this on the macro level from other similar films and TV shows.