Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero

Year: 2018

Actors: Helena Bonham Carter, Logan Lerman, Gérard Depardieu, Adam James

Duration: 84 min

In 1917, the US joined the war against Germany. Thousands of young men joined the army and were trained to fight in the battlefields of Europe. These young men were known as dough-boys. French and British had already been fighting the German army for 3 long years. They badly need help and were happy to see the US joining the war.With World War I am looming, young U.S. Army dough-boy Robert Conroy (Logan Lerman), Hans Schroeder (Jim Pharr) & Elmer Olsen (Jordan Beck) has his life forever changed when a little dog with a stubby tail wanders into camp. Robert and his unit had paraded through town and Robert noticed Stubby and threw him a biscuit, when he saw Stubby begging for food. Stubby followed Robert into camp and met him on parade grounds.The men of the 102nd Infantry Regiment (United States), 26th Infantry Division (United States) train on the parade grounds of Yale University. Conroy gives his new friend a name, a family, and a chance to embark on the adventure that would define a century.Sgt. Ray Casburn (Jason Ezzell) leader of Conroy's unit is very impressed that Stubby is not afraid of gunfire and is very helpful in various training tasks. Stubby can even salute the Colonel, who allows Stubby to join the army. Stubby also participates in gas mask training and learns to be wary of the gas-based weapons. He also completes the basic training and the obstacle course. Conroy's unit is the first US infantry division to join the war on the ground in Europe. The colonel orders Stubby to be left behind, but train with the next batch of recruits at the base. Robert was heartbroken to leave Stubby behind.Conroy hands over Stubby to the unit's chef before leaving for Europe, but Stubby escapes and stows aboard the troop ship. Stubby reunites with Conroy by tracking the smell of his boots all over the ship and is accepted by the unit's Colonel when Stubby impressed him with his intelligence.Despite lacking formal military working dog training, Stubby and his human companions find themselves in the trenches of France in the town of Chemin Des Dames. Stubby makes himself useful by chasing the vermin out of the trenches. Hans, meanwhile, has to put up with a lot of hostility due to his German background. French soldier Gaston Baptiste (Gérard Depardieu) befriends the duo and accompanies them along their epic journey through harsh conditions and incredible acts of courage. Stubby digs out many soldiers from the rubble of artillery fire.Goston, Conroy and Stubby go on a spy mission close to the German positions and find that Germans are about to attack with mustard gas. They are pinned down by sniper fire and unable to return, so Conroy dispatches Stubby to warn the unit to put on masks, thereby saving hundreds of lives. Stubby also warns the nearby villagers before the gas reaches, thereby winning their trust and gratitude. Gaston and Conroy become good friends, sharing stories of their families back home. Gaston has 3 daughters, while Conroy's sister Margaret is like a mother to him. Gaston is a good chef and wants to open a French restaurant after the war.As narrated by Robert's sister Margaret (Helena Bonham Carter), Stubby's combat service includes sniffing incoming gas attacks, finding wounded allies in No Man's Land, and even catching a German infiltrator in the trenches. In Apr 1918, the Yankee division is moved to a new battle sector in Seicheprey. Seicheprey was the single largest American battle of WW 1, as they back the Germans from advancing on Paris. Stubby is injured and hospitalized after he saves the unit from a grenade attack. The Germans continue to advance, and the allied defense line keeps getting pushed back from Seicheprey and closer and closer to Paris.Gaston is reassigned to a French unit and so Conroy is left alone. Conroy gets the flu and is also hospitalized. Conroy and Stubby eventually reunite and Conroy gets better. They are given R&R in Paris. The US Airforce ruled the skies and by Sep 1918, the momentum had shifted in favor of the allies. The war was close to being over as the German army was in retreat. Stubby is promoted to Sergeant for the capture of the German spy, and he outranks Conroy now.Back home, Stubby's exploits are retold in newspapers across the country. Eventually the Germans surrender in face of tank attack from the US led by Captain George S. Patton (Nicholas Rulon). Nov 11th, 1918, the war comes to an end. Olsen dies on the last day of combat, while Conroy and Hans come back home. Gaston meets Conroy and bids him goodbye.For his valorous actions, Stubby is still recognized as the most decorated dog in American history and the first canine ever promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the United States Army.

Genre: Action   Adventure   Animation   Family   History   War