About Johnny Got His Gun

Written and directed by Dalton Trumbo, the film takes place in the mind of an American soldier hit by an artillery shell on the last day of WWI; a quadruple amputee who has also lost his eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. Regaining consciousness, Joe Bonham discovers that while his brain is healthy and able to reason, the rest of his body is irreparably shattered, leaving him trapped forever within the confines of his own imagination. He struggles to find some way to communicate with the outside world. Tapping his head in Morse code, he breaks through and pleads with his caretakers to be put on display as a living example of the cost of war. The film explores the interplay between science, medicine, religion, and politics.

Film Details

  • Awards:
    1971 Cannes Film Festival: Grand Prix Spécial du Jury
  • Writer/Director:
    Dalton Trumbo
  • Cast:
    Timothy Bottoms
    Jason Robards
    Donald Sutherland
    Diane Varsi
    Kathy Fields
  • Release Date: 1971
  • Purchase: Buy Today at Shout Factory