Delco native’s all-star war epic gets screen debut
Add another star to the forevergrowing list of Delaware County success stories.
When “The Last Full Measure” hits theaters nationwide on Jan. 24, county residents can watch with Delco pride, thanks to the creative and realistic storytelling of former Middletown resident Todd Robinson. A 1977 graduate of Penncrest High School and an honoree in the Penncrest High School Hall of Fame, Robinson is the film’s writer, producer and director.
“The Last Full Measure” is a true story of Vietnam War hero William H. Pitsenbarger, a U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen, who personally saved more than 60 men.
During a rescue mission on April 11, 1966, he was offered the chance to escape on the last helicopter out of a combat zone heavily under fire, but he stayed behind to save and defend the lives of soldiers of the U.S. Army’s 1st Infantry Division before making the ultimate sacrifice in one of the bloodiest battles of the war.
Thirty-two years later, Pentagon staffer Scott Huffman, on a career fast-track, is tasked with investigating a Medal of Honor request for Pitsenbarger that was made by his best friend and PJ partner on the mission and his parents. Huffman seeks out the testimony of Army veterans who witnessed Pitsenbarger’s extraordinary valor. As Huffman learns more about Pitsenbarger’s courageous acts, he uncovers a high-level conspiracy behind the decades-long denial of the medal, prompting him to put his own career on the line to seek justice for the fallen airman.
“The Last Full Measure,” distributed by Roadside Attractions, stars Sebastian Stan, Christopher Plummer, William Hurt, Ed Harris, Diane Ladd, Samuel L. Jackson, Bradley Whitford, John Savage, Alison Sudol and Jeremy Irvine, among others. The drama is also distinctive because it is the last film that Peter Fonda starred in before he died last August. The one-hour, 50-minute long film was shot on locations in Atlanta, Washington D.C., Costa Rica and Thailand. But the seeds of it all were planted decades ago right here in Delaware County.
Robinson said that his years growing up in the Riddlewood section of Middletown were “idyllic” and the start of his lifelong passion for film.
“While I was eating breakfast, my mother would tell me that dinner was at 6 and that was it,” the film director remembers. “I was gone on my bike or off in the woods with my dog all day. What a life!”
“The Last Full Measure” creator said he had lots of inspiration growing up in the area.
“I loved the movies and made home horror movies with my neighborhood pals Dave and Rick Mortlock. I think the reason they let me hang out was because my mom and dad had a Bell and Howell Super Eight movie camera,” Robinson laughs at the memory. “It was good times. We’d make our own movies and then exhibit them on the weekends in our garage movie theater. We did it all!”
Robinson’s training in the film world became more structured during his days at Penncrest High School, when he studied with drama teacher Judy Roman, whom he said, still lives in the area.
“Judy Roman changed my life,” Robinson stated. “She was incredible. She made everyone involved in our school plays feel like the most important person in the show. It didn’t matter is you were an usher or the lead in the play - she made you feel special. She gave you a sense of purpose. I’m still close friends with her.”
His talent for acting continued to be honed in his higher education pursuits.
Robinson attended Adelphi University in New York, where
“The Last Full Measure,” distributed by Roadside Attractions, stars Sebastian Stan, Christopher Plummer, William Hurt, Ed Harris, Diane Ladd, Samuel L. Jackson, Bradley Whitford, John Savage, Alison Sudol and Jeremy Irvine, among others. The drama is also distinctive because it is the last film that Peter Fonda starred in before he died last August. The one-hour, 50-minute long film was shot on locations in Atlanta, Washington D.C., Costa Rica and Thailand. But the seeds of it all were planted decades ago right here in Delaware County.
he studied drama. His roommate was Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner Jonathan Larson, the composer and writer of “Rent.” Because of his extensive background as an actor, after making the switch from in front of the camera to behind it, Robinson has often been referred to as an “actor’s director.”
According to Robinson’s website, Robinson’s films often explore the boundaries of the human condition set against the action of large-scale theatrical backdrops, as is evidenced by his cold war submarine thriller “Phantom,” starring Ed Harris, David Duchovny and William Fichter, and the Ridley Scott sea-faring epic, “White Squall.” Robinson wrote and produced “White Squall,” which stars Jeff Bridges, Ryan Phillippe, Jeremy Sisto, and Scott Wolf. He wrote “The Four Diamonds” for Disney, directed by Peter Werner, “Mermaid” helmed by Peter Masterson and was a contributing writer on Bad Boys II directed by Michael Bay.
Robinson also wrote and directed the feature film noir thriller “Lonely Hearts” starring John Travolta, James Gandolfini, Salma Hayek, Jared Leto and Laura Dern in which Travolta plays Todd’s grandfather,
Elmer (Buster) Robinson, one of the real-life homicide detectives on the case.
Robinson created, and executive produced the series “Astronauts” for ABC, adapted the Nicholas Sparks best seller “The Rescue” for CBS and wrote and produced “Night and Day” for TNT.
Robinson’s film talents also can be found in the documentary genre. He wrote and directed the feature documentary “Amargosa” about Death Valley artist and recluse Marta Becket and was an Academy Award finalist for Best Documentary Feature and later an Emmy Award nominee. Robinson executive produced “Go Tigers!,” exploring the famed Massillon, Ohio, High School football team of the same name. The film made its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award.
Robinson said that his idea for “The Last Full Measure” came to him almost two decades ago, while researching another movie. After meeting veterans who experienced the unbelievable hardships themselves, Robinson promised that he would take their story to the big screen.
“I made a promise to some veterans who were in the battle and suffering,” he said. “It never occurred to me it would take 20 years to complete the film.”
Robinson couldn’t feel more pleased with the feedback that he has received on the film so far. He said when “The Last Full Measure” was screened for test audiences, they not only loved the film, but the military audiences especially gave it favorably reviews, which means a lot to him.
Currently, Robinson is a professor at the University of Southern California in the graduate program of the School of Cinematic Arts. Robinson lives in Malibu, Calif., with his wife of 30 years, Elizabeth. The couple has two children, both of whom graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts and who are also “in the business.”
Rob Dunion, a Penncrest classmate of Robinson’s who has remained in contact with the filmmaker post-graduation, said the Penncrest Class of 1977 couldn’t be prouder of their friend and fellow alumnus. Scott Darling, another member of their class, is gathering a group of alumni to watch the film together when it makes its debut this coming week.
“I will speak for my classmates of Penncrest 1977 class,” Dunion said this week. “We are very proud of Todd and his accomplishments. It’s great to see a guy that we grew up with follow his dreams and receive recognition. His hard work and commitment have rewarded him to follow his passion in cinema, as well as help others along his way. Congratulations and hats off to Todd!”
Quite a few veterans had the opportunity to preview “The Last Full Measure” before it hits theaters this month and their reviews, one after the other, across the board, have been favorable.
Retired USMC veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Major General James Livingston said,”I was moved after seeing the excellent film ‘The Last Full Measure,’ which covered so much of what the Vietnam veterans experienced, including PTSD and family impact. The brave soldiers whose sense of duty catapulted them, in my book, to the ranks of great patriots, are rightfully saluted for a job well done. The extraordinary story of Bill Pitsenbarger’s valor, thankfully, did not end in Vietnam. It remained alive in the hearts of those he saved selflessly.”
Charles Baldwin, Chaplain, Major General, USAF, Retired, echoed the accolades.
“‘The Last Full Measure’ is the best presentation of the Air Force rescue mission in Vietnam that I have ever seen,” Baldwin stated. “The film truly honored not only Airman Pitsenbarger, but also every Airman who ever flew ‘so that others may live.’ “
Ron “Trash” Haley, C 2/16 Rangers (Mudsoldiers),1965 – 66, wrote “Some of us from Charlie Company, who were there during Operation Abilene on April 11, 1966 and somehow were able to survive that battle, were at an advanced viewing of ‘The Last Full Measure’ on March 30, 2019, in Dayton, Ohio. We cried, as did many others. Maybe this could be expected of this by-invite-only select audience of survivors, Air Force personnel, Pitsenbarger family members and those who were involved in the creation of this movie. However, some of us went back the next day to see it again. We cried, as did many others. This showed us that knowing what was coming in the next scene did not diminish its impact…You have brought to the big screen the truth. This is not Hollywood make believe, it is a window into a battle we did not win, and of courage that must not be forgotten.”
With most of the previews and pre-opening events behind him now, Robinson, who already has several future projects swirling around his head for the future, including a true crime story that takes place in Media and a documentary of the great European cathedrals, is hopeful and excited for “The Last Full Measure” to hit theaters.
“The film is all about service greater than self,” Robinson says, summing up the emotional and intense true story into just a few words. “The bottom line is that everyone can make a difference to others.”