The Bullet
ACTION ADVENTURE CRIME DRAMA FAMILY MEMOIR SUSPENSE/THRILLER HISTORICAL FICTION WAR
1940s & '50s,1960s & '70s,1980s & '90s
Gary Matheny

TaleFlick Pick!
Logline
A bullet is fired from a gun and follows the shortest path between two points-in most cases. But in this intriguing story by Gary Matheny, the bullet at the heart of the novel travels a circuitous path. Through decades of war, around the world and as it touches the lives of families to its exciting
Genre
Action,Adventure,Crime,Drama,Family,Memoir,Suspense/Thriller,Historical Fiction,War
Short Summary
This is a story of the journey of a bullet. And the effects it had on different people, through wars, crime and time. .Young man enters the Army then the war...friendships are forged and lives destroyed all because of "The Bullet".
Gary Matheny as his youthful body twitched several times, his eyes widening with panic. Within a few seconds, his body lay lifeless on the cold concrete floor. Luis’ bullet had hit him point blank in the middle of his chest, killing him. Sabato stood looking at the lifeless body of the boy who could
Setting
Mississippi, 1941; Ft. Benning, GA; England; Creston, IW;
Based on a True Story
No
Plot - Premise
Other
Plot - Other Elements
Twist
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Main Character Details
Name: Private Henry Appleton
Age: teens to 20s
Gender: Male
Role: Emotional
Key Traits: Adventurous,Masculine,Aspiring,Modest,Aggressive,Obedient,Clumsy,Charming,Complex,Confident,Patriotic,Decisive,Selfless,Empathetic,Outspoken,Skillful,Faithful,Flexible,Funny,Visionary,Gracious,Heroic,Honorable,Strong Moral Code,Leader
Additional Character Details
Name: Lt. Willard Green
Age: 20s-30s
Gender: Male
Role: Mentor
Key Traits: Adventurous,Aspiring,Masculine,Aggressive,Obedient,Complex,Confident,Patriotic,Decisive,Engaging,Faithful,Skillful,Flexible,Visionary,Heroic,Educated,Honorable,Strong Moral Code,Leader
Additional Character Details
Name: Specialist Horace “HO” Campbell
Age: 20s-30s
Gender: Male
Role: logical
Key Traits: Adventurous,Masculine,Aggressive,Obedient,Complex,Confident,Patriotic,Decisive,Blunt,Engaging,Faithful,Skillful,Flexible,Gracious,Heroic,Educated,Honorable
Additional Character Details
Name: Patricia Campbell
Age: 20s-30s
Gender: Female
Role: sidekick
Key Traits: Adventurous,Modest,Charming,Obedient,Complex,Confident,Patriotic,Decisive,Empathetic,Engaging,Skillful,Faithful,Heroic,Educated,Honorable
Development Pitch
The Bullet is a story about an object that travels through time and affects the lives of five people, Pvt. Henry Appleton, Lt. Willard Green, Specialist Horace “HO” Campbell, Patricia Campbell and Sgt. Luis Sabato. The bullet travels through four generations and four wars, WWII, Korea, Vietnam and the inner city streets of Miami, Florida. The bullet is issued at the beginning of WWII and makes its way through England, Germany and France and sees the struggles of one man Henry Appleton who comes from a sleepy little town on the Gulf of Mexico. The bullet is issued along with a .45 caliber handgun as part of standard issue equipment and is thought to have kept Pvt. Appleton alive, but the story continues. The bullet is handed down to each of the characters in a very unique way, yet the recipient is not aware of the connection until they receive the prized object. Through generations of turmoil, pain, love, and renewal the bullet becomes an item that ties people together by a thread. Whatever the reason, the association that comes from those threads are life touching and life-long. In every humans make-up there is a sense of connection that allows him or her to either encourage another species of the same kind or carry them along to make them great. This can either be a person, an idea, or a particular object that brings people together to make them one. The reader must get to the end of the book to grasp the importance of one single bullet in the life of those who have survive
Genre
WAR, DRAMA, ACTION
Brief
A bullet, first fired during WWII finds its way into the hands of 3 generations of soldiers. Three young men are faced with wars and the decision to fight for their country. The bullet is gifted to each one following them into various wars, but always returns home safely.
Overall Rating
EXCELLENT
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: EXCELLENT
Characterization: GOOD
Commerciality: GOOD
Franchise Potential: GOOD
Pace: GOOD
Premise: GOOD
Structure: GOOD
Theme: GOOD
Accuracy of Book Profile
Yes, the book profile accurately reflects the book.
Draw of Story
The story takes a close look at the lives of the young men who have fought in various wars. It is a realistic view of each man making a decision to enlist and their experiences at war.
Possible Drawbacks
The end drags and is not consistent with the first two thirds of the book. It focuses on one of the male characters, Ho, sister. It takes a long detour into her story and then resurfaces with her husband. Patricia's husband, Luis, receives the bullet because he serves the country as a police officer. There is a distinct difference.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY DOES NOT RELY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The hook is that a bullet is passed down to men going off to war, from WWII to the Vietnam War, as a good luck charm. It has protected each man and they returned safely home.
Fanbase Potential
This could have a large fanbase. War films are very popular, especially when focused on the everyday man that finds himself in the trenches. This story focuses on the human side of war.
Awards Potential
This could have awards potential with the right directory. War films generally do well as they are inspiring stories about sacrifice and determination.
Envisioned Budget
LARGE BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
HACKSAW RIDGE, 1917
What’s New About the Story
This story is not original. There are many similar films about war which follows the story of the young men sent to the front lines. This story could be made more unique by changing the setting and the wars. This story is very all-American. It could be brought into the 21st century, utilizing more recent wars and conflicts. The story could be diversified to make it more inclusive to modern audiences.
Lead Characters
The lead characters do not stand out. They are the same type of characters seen in other war films. They are young men with little options who enlist in the war of their generations. They are naive and young, but are changed because of all they suffer during their time in war.
Uniqueness of Story
This is an average story. It has all the elements of a typical war movie. This could be improved by the focus being on different wars and different generations. It could be modernized for the last few wars in history.
Possible Formats
Film - Indie, Film - Streaming, Film - Studio
Analyst Recommendation
CONSIDER
Justification
This story is a consider because it is a solid war movie with heart. The common thread of the bullet being a good luck charm, tying generations of soldiers together is inspiring. Inspiring war movies have been done many times over. Exploring new wars that are less common with a diverse cast would modernize the story.