the PITCH
HONOR RECOUNTS THE TRUE STORY
of Justin Sharratt, a 19 year-old Marine who fights through two combat tours in Iraq, including the savage fight for Fallujah and the notorious Hell House.
After killing four Al Qaeda in a close quarters fire-fights, his heroics are twisted by an unscrupulous journalist to look like civilian murders. Now, facing life imprisonment, Justin faces a new war at home - proving his innocence while battling the demons that haunt our 21st Century warriors.
the FILM
HONOR is an evocative military action/drama that calls to mind the palpable tension of films like THE HURT LOCKER, STOP-LOSS, and AMERICAN SNIPER, while upholding the humanity and dignity owed to our Men in Service, per SOUND OF FREEDOM.
The story goes beyond a “war” movie as it shifts to a powerful, intense Military Courtroom drama as our Marine is falsely charged with war crimes, and then to a post-service fight for clarity and peace. Throughout the film, the war hovers like a specter, threatening to rise up and snatch him, as it does so many of his brothers.
Through it all, our Marine never loses his most cherished possession-- his HONOR.
Marketwise, WAR MOVIES are are currently experiencing a powerful revival, HONOR is well-positioned to capitalize on this from both a CREATIVE and BUSINESS standpoint with the added appeal of an authentic, TRUE-TO-LIFE STORY.
the STORY
Justin Sharratt grew up in a strong multi-generational coal-mining family. He was a uniquely American, blue-haired, dirt-bike pushing teenager with a wickedly ironic sense of humor. He was SEVENTEEN when AL QAEDA TERRORISTS attacked America on 9.11.01. Still in high school, he early-enlisted in the USMC, driven by a sense of DUTY and HONOR.
Sharratt’s Squad and Platoon trained together for two years before being deployed to Iraq. They were closer than brothers.
They would all be tested to the limit, and many of them killed or wounded in the 21st CENTURY SAVAGERY of the fight to drive Al Quaeda from Fallujah; a fight won at CLOSE QUARTERS by the rifle, the grenade, the pistol, the knife and the courage of the Marine behind them.
Al Queda owned Fallujah. They turned the city into thousands of Kill-Zones. Fueled by drugs, they fought with one mission, KILL AMERICANS. No rules, no prisoners, KILL OR BE KILLED.
It was the toughest fight the Marines have been
in since Viet Nam.
Sharratt’s unit was the tip-of-the-spear. He fought inside the HELL HOUSE, a fight so intense that it has become LEGEND.
BACK HOME, after Fallujah, Sharratt re-connects, talks a bit with his sister about the war, and parties hard. But subtle cracks show, a reflex trigger pull, a far-away stare. Sharratt ships BACK TO IRAQ to combat. In an intense, terrifying sequence, Sharratt moves to clear a house. His weapon jams just as an AQ Fighter's AK-47 misfires inches from his face. Sharratt rolls out, pull his sidearm, rolls back in and KILLS THE AQ FIGHTER and three other armed AQ Fighters in the small house.
The following day, a known AQ propagandist STAGES THE BODIES to look like they had been executed. He sends pics to a member of the US MEDIA, who runs the story without
talking to the Marines.
SHARRATT IS CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE.
Sharratt is brought back to the States. He faces LIFE IN PRISON. The media condemn him as a ‘COLD-BLOODED MURDERER’. His family stand by him. the ordeal tears them up.
The investigation links back to Iraq. The powerfully dramatic trial proves his COMPLETE INNOCENCE.
But, the damage has been done. He leaves the Marine Corps
and tries to build a new life.
BACK AT HOME, drinking hard, out-of-shape, resisting help, chasing the wrong things, but still a fighter, Sharratt rides the whirlpool to the bottom. He never loses his sense of humor, his zero-tolerance for bullshit or his habit of helping any stranger who needs it. His family’s quiet, constant love, and his inherent sense of HONOR and COURAGE bring him back.
Finally moving forward with purpose, he is rocked by the sudden SUICIDE of one of his closest COMBAT BROTHERS. Then an opportunistic web-caster, looking to make a name, starts to dog him and the other Marines, trying to RESURRECT THE FALSE ACCUSATIONS.
Still, Sharratt walks in the light, planning his future and working the plan…until, that day when, without any signaling, without any warning, he takes his own life.
the TEAM
Steven R. Monroe - Director
Steven was born into a film-making family and has been making movies since he was a child. A member of The Directors Guild of America, Steven has directed over twenty feature films, over thirty-five TV/Cable movies and many hours of Television. Steven has shot film in Europe, Asia, Africa, Canada, Ireland and the US. He is also an accomplished Producer, Executive Producer and Cameraman. His films cross over many genres from suspense to horror to family to rom-com. He is widely respected for his understanding of the film-making process from both the creative and business sides. Steven holds a deep respect for and understanding of HONOR and its importance.
He will deliver a beautiful, powerful, haunting film.
Michael R Williams, Line Producer/UPM
Michael is a feature-film Producer, Line producer and DGA Unit Production Manager. He has served in these key positions in over forty movies with budgets ranging up to $26 million.
He has produced multiple TV Series episodes. Michael is a production Guru. His decades of physical production
leadership have given him the complete tool-box and the knowledge to use it. He is the creator of production software
that is in use around the world. Michael sees the value and importance of HONOR and is committed
to bringing the film to life
Peter Gibbons, Screenwriter
Pete is an award-winning screenwriter. He has trained
in the field with the US Army Infantry at Fort Benning and was given deep access to the DMZ in Korea with US forces. His field-investigation work on criminal gangs has taken him from NYC to the Texas Border and from South-East Asia to the Balkans. He understands the ‘edge’ and brings it to the page. Pete came to know and like Justin Sharratt over a decade ago. He sees bringing HONOR to the screen as a highlight in his life
and an obligation to the truth.
David Stone, Combat Consultant
Stone was there with Justin through both Iraq combat
deployments. They were both SAW Gunners. He was in the Hell House fight. He has been and will continue to be a key member of the Team, helping to ensure accuracy and realism.
The warrior-bond between Stone and Justin remained strong after their war was over. He sees this film as a way to honor his friend and brother.
Justin Sharratt’s Family and Brother Marines
Justin’s family (Mother, Father and Sister)
have been, and continue to be, instrumental in helping HONOR get the story right. They do not want the film to sugar-coat anything. They want Justin’s story to be told honestly. They are remarkable.
This picture was taken inside the Hell House. It shows Justin (in the back) and the final rescue team just moments before the final assault into the kill-zone. A few of the Marines in the picture, as well as a Marine who was trapped inside, have been, and will continue to be, instrumental in creating and maintaining
the ultimate level of accuracy in all the Iraq-based sequences.