B.L. This is such an amazing story and I think more than anything, as a Canadian it taught me a lot about a part of the Vietnam War that we haven't been told. Barry, how did you feel, especially being a Canadian yourself and did that make a difference for you?
B.P. I think that this entire film and the book more so, opened my eyes to the true account of war. The film is such a well-balanced interpretation of that. It is very unique amongst its genre. You get to see our soldiers, our boys and their families but you get to see the enemy and their families. It unmasks that evil façade that is always sort of placed on the enemy in Hollywood. It also portrays the propagandist political money machine that drives these horrific events as well. So it's a very beautifully well-balanced piece of film work.

B.L. Joe, I can't even begin to imagine what you went through all those years ago, but reliving this by writing the book and now having the story told on film, what was that like for you?
J.G. It's been very emotional sometimes. Some days you can't get through without a good cry. The memories always linger, they echo and this film brings a lot of them to life.

B.L. You got to portray this amazing man who is sitting right next you right now. How much pressure was on you having him there on the set and making sure you were doing the best to honour him with your performance?
B.P. If I think if I hadn't had the opportunity to meet Joe it would have been excruciating. The feeling of where do I begin and how do you go about bringing honour to not only Joe but also all of these men. It's a huge fraternity. It's not only a testimony to the 234 others that perished on X-Ray and Albany but all veterans of all wars. This is a true account of a gut-wrenching battlefield. I was given the great honour of actually getting to meet the man. So I got to sit down with him in Georgia in this little café and we got to know one another and it was truly powerful for me.

B.L. Joe, what special insight did you give Barry to play you so well, and are you proud of his performance?
J.G. He did a great job on this film. He's a terrific actor. I don't know what insights I gave him. I answered his questions. I told him stories. I tried to give some of myself to him so that he would be able to do the job right.

B.L. It took about 28 years until you and General Moore actually wrote the book and then of course make the film. Why did it take so long and was it a very cathartic process for you?
J.G. Yes it was to a great extent. And the reason it took so long was that we had to do 10 years of research. We had to find these people, there were 250 of them, interview them and bring them back into the perimeter. Because of our research now there is a reunion every year of the veterans of this battle and we come together and it's a very healing thing.