William Friedkin- Ambush: Reflections on my friend Jim Webb

[Wetzelbill]

Academy Award winning film director, William Friedkin wrote this about Jim Webb. I thought it was pretty fascinating. -WB


Ambush: Reflections on my Friend Jim Webb

January 3, 2007. Washington, D.C.

The day dawns crisp and shiny, an unseasonably warm 50 degrees and climbing. The cherry blossom trees are barren, awaiting an early spring as the nation anticipates the new Congress. Signs of rebirth are seen all over Washington. Other signs as well: a placard in front of the Russell Senate Office Building reads, "America is Dying.

Bush Be Gone."

My wife Sherry and I have been invited to attend Jim Webb's swearing-in as the new Senator from Virginia, the result of an unexpected, come-from behind victory over the Republican incumbent -- and former potential presidential candidate -- George Allen. We've known Jim since 1999 when he wrote an original screenplay called Rules of Engagement, which I directed. We remained friends in spite of numerous "creative differences" -- often heated, sometimes bitter.

I came away from that experience feeling that Jim Webb is the most complex, principled man I've ever known. He came away feeling good about what I had done with the finished film -- though he still refers to me as the only man in the country with a temper worse than his. I accept this as a compliment.

In 1969, at the age of 23, as a First Lieutenant and Company Commander in Vietnam, he led 170 men. When he came home two years later, he had received two Bronze Stars, a Silver Star, a Navy Cross, two Purple Hearts, and numerous other combat medals. Webb's war was as fierce as it got. Along with the medals, he brought home shrapnel in a knee, arm, kidney, and at the back of his head.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/william-friedkin/ambush-reflections-on-my_b_38841.html

[Wetzelbill]

1. Shameless kick

damn, this is a great article too.

[Vidar]

2. Good article on Webb. Thanks.