Tarawa
WWII Veteran Returns to Tawara
Steven, Just watched your film Return to Tarawa. You did a fantastic job. It's a first class production. The story is extremely compelling. Ron Meyer - Universal Studios - March 2009
"What a beautiful film! Definitely not your run of the mill war documentary. The way you chose to follow the story of one man from the time of the battle to present day was really wonderful. It gives the piece a raw human quality many other doc's miss. The way in which elements of racial tension, honor and respect, and environmental and social justice are wrapped up in his story is very elegant." woman from Napa, August 2009
Ed Harris narrating: http://www.photoshow.com/watch/eR7iW4sg
Golden Globe Winning, Oscar-Nominated Actor Ed Harris on Board for Vanilla Fire's Next Production.
Golden Globe Winner and three time Oscar nomintated actor "Truman Show" and "Apollo 13" actor Ed Harris is set to narrate Vanilla Fire Productions' next film, "Return to Tarawa." Begins airing on Discovery's Military Channel on Friday April 24th at 7pm & 10pm.
Source: Launch Pad Entertainment
May 22, 2008 14:26:05 and March 13, 2009
Ed Harris 
PRLog (Press Release) – May 22, 2008– Filmmaker Steven C. Barber is bringing star power to Discovery’s Military Channel this spring. As seen on ABC World News Tonight and CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, Barber is pleased to announce that Ed Harris is narrating for his first movie - "Return to Tarawa" - an emotional look through the eyes of WWII veteran Leon Cooper who fought on the battlefields alongside actor Eddie Albert. Leon, who lives in Malibu, is attempting to secure earmarked funds from Congress to clean up Red Beach 1, Red Beach 2 and Green Beach where 1,113 marines died November 20-23, 1943 in the most brutal battle in 20th Century Warfare. Leon returns from Tarawa and brings back evidence of litter and debris that desecrates this hallowed ground - for Senator Feinstein and Congressman Waxman. Please go to www.90daywonder.netfor more information. The Defense Department has asked Vanilla Fire Productions to keep some of its shocking discoveries (on this undisturbed battle ground) confidential until further arrangements can be made. A documentary is in production (including an exclusive interview of the late Eddie Albert) aimed for Discovery Communications/History Channel. (An ongoing reality television series is also in the works.) Vanilla Fire Productions was approching Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Clint Eastwood for narration, but Ed Harris inked the deal.
In the three days of savagery that became known as "Bloody Tarawa," the first major amphibious assault in the Pacific War. More than 6,000 men were killed, including more than 1,000 US Marines. Was this battle necessary? Did we have to spill the blood of so many of our young men? How are we honoring the sacrifices they made?
Tarawa film editor Jay Miracle has worked as a sound and picture editor with filmmakers including George Lucas, Milos Forman, and Francis Ford Coppola. Miracle won an Emmy Award for editing for the Showtime documentary "Hearts of Darkness, A Filmmaker's Apocalypse." He has produced and directed numerous documentaries, including, "Klaus.Kinski.45.minutes," "American Midnight, "Los Lightning, The Stolen Secrets of Nikola Tesla," "American Casino," and "Temptation Island." Jay also produced and directed the feature film "Submission," which is being sold at this year's Cannes Market.
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Tarawa Slide Show:
http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=51424719af54d2ec976d32&skin_id=601&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url
Oscars 2008 Red Carpet Interview:
Documentary Filmmaker talks about Tarawa:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6siYu1j9kog
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8BUneIY6Go
The Fiji Sun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVglZp8GZNs
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Hi, Mr. Barber--
Paul Quinn, here (pquinn349@aol.com), writing from beautiful, though slightly chilled, New Hampshire.
Was astonished to see the ABC spot on Tarawa last night, and dismayed that the garbage has been allowed to pile up on Red Beach. My uncle, 1st Sgt. David H. Quinn, still lies underneath those sands somewhere, most likely at Red Beach 2. As you may already know, casualties of the first assault waves--Uncle Dave among them--had to be hastily interred, during the crush of succeeding waves. Many of these graves were only temporarily marked with wooden crosses, etc., which were subsequently lost, making ID of grave sites impossible.
My research shows that while Uncle Dave was listed as having "died of wounds" on his outfit's muster roll,following the battle. Many of the dead were buried more formally, but his remains are not listed as being buried anywhere discernable. Also, records of subsequent burials at sea did not include his name. Neither is he mentioned as among those of the dead who were later disinterred from Tarawa and moved to Hawaii, for reburial in the Cemetery of the Pacific.
All of which indicates that he is still there, along with hundreds of his fellow Marines, and God only knows how many Japanese soldiers as well.
If you think there's a chance that any of these remains will be located and repatriated, I'd very much like to know. And meantime, if a clean-up expedition is ever put together, I'd like to go be part of it.
Finally, if your documentary, featuring Leon, becomes available on TV or on DVD, please let me know how I might go about seeing this film.
Thanks very much for your time and attention. And thanks for focusing renewed attention on what is often regarded as the most vicious and savage 76 hours in the history of the Corps.
Best regards,
Paul C. Quinn
147 Route 45
Temple, NH 03084
(603) 924-6173; cell (603) 721-2123
pquinn349@aol.com
Hi, Tamara:
My uncle Izzy, a marine in the Second Marine Division, won the Silver Star in the Battle of Tarawa and I am glad that someone is talking about that battle and bringing to light what is currently going on there. Good for you.
:)
Joey Camen http://www.voiceoveruniverse.com/profile/JoeyCamen
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Leon Cooper
Leon Cooper was featured on two separate occasions in the Malibu Times.
The Memorial Day issue here: http://www.malibutimes.com/articles/2008/05/23/life_and_arts/art1.txt
The first time here:
