Gamma Squad
Encyclopedia
Expendable, re-named from Gamma Squad for its premiere
on June 14, 2004, is a film by Catman Do Films that was directed by Nathaniel Barker and Eliot Lash; it is an independent film
.
There has been much public controversy as to whether or not this was a great film or a terrible film (the considerably limited public of interest did not claim much middle ground in this dispute but was largely polarized by the issue). While the directors and many of the film's fans claim that the movie was the best of those made by Catman Do Films, others perceived it as Catman Do Films's worst production yet. Echoing some of the negative sentiment surrounding the feature, Joshua Wolf claimed that the movie's combination of "bad acting, directing, and props, as well as its low budget and terrible working conditions" all led to the film's poor quality.
Despite the "controversy," Barker and Lash, along with both fans and detractors maintain that, considering the scope, budget, and inexperience of the film makers involved, the film, as stated by Lash, was "pretty decent" and some believe it rivals the vast majority of films made by students with similar breadths of experience.
In 2006, it was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the United States Library of Congress
and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry
.
The final scene opens with what is assumed to be Gamma Squad, a five-person team, composed of Alloy, Muller, Barker, Lash, and their commander, Wolf, hiking through a creek bed. While walking through the forest, they are ambushed by the enemy and Alloy is killed by enemy fire. Muller and Wolf scatter off to one side, and Barker and Lash both move to forward positions.
Wolf orders Muller to move ahead; he complies and in doing so steps on a landmine, dying instantly. Barker takes a shot, quipping "Poor bastard should have had a better hiding place like mine!" and is killed by a gunshot to the head immediately thereafter. Lash rushes to Barker to briefly consider the implications of his comrade's death. Finally, Wolf runs up toward Lash but is shot on the way. The gunfire stops, and Lash is the only one left alive. In a final act of desperation and mourning, he draws his pistol to his head. The screen goes black and Lash's fate is left unresolved.
Premiere
A premiere is generally "a first performance". This can refer to plays, films, television programs, operas, symphonies, ballets and so on. Premieres for theatrical, musical and other cultural presentations can become extravagant affairs, attracting large numbers of socialites and much media...
on June 14, 2004, is a film by Catman Do Films that was directed by Nathaniel Barker and Eliot Lash; it is an independent film
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
.
There has been much public controversy as to whether or not this was a great film or a terrible film (the considerably limited public of interest did not claim much middle ground in this dispute but was largely polarized by the issue). While the directors and many of the film's fans claim that the movie was the best of those made by Catman Do Films, others perceived it as Catman Do Films's worst production yet. Echoing some of the negative sentiment surrounding the feature, Joshua Wolf claimed that the movie's combination of "bad acting, directing, and props, as well as its low budget and terrible working conditions" all led to the film's poor quality.
Despite the "controversy," Barker and Lash, along with both fans and detractors maintain that, considering the scope, budget, and inexperience of the film makers involved, the film, as stated by Lash, was "pretty decent" and some believe it rivals the vast majority of films made by students with similar breadths of experience.
In 2006, it was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the United States Library of Congress
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry
National Film Registry
The National Film Registry is the United States National Film Preservation Board's selection of films for preservation in the Library of Congress. The Board, established by the National Film Preservation Act of 1988, was reauthorized by acts of Congress in 1992, 1996, 2005, and again in October 2008...
.
Plot
The movie Gamma Squad tells the story of an elite squad of soldiers in the U.S. army called, incidentally, "Gamma Squad". After discovering that two vital outposts have been taken by the enemy (who is never specified), General Somers tells General Conner that he is going to send in a rescue mission for the men still alive at the outposts, but that he cannot risk his best men for the mission (presumably squadrons Alpha and Beta, though only Alpha is referenced during the film). He thus decides to send in Gamma Squad. General Conner says to Somers in protest that it is a suicide mission, to which General Somers replies that he is aware. He reasons that by going in, "they'll be dubbed heroes. More heroes means more support; more support, more recruits." He also comments that by the time they arrive, there'll be no one left to rescue. Upon hearing this, Conner calls Somers crazy, and says to him, "You're fuckin' nuts!" Somers then slaps Conner, and tells him that if he again questions Somers' orders, he'll be sent out to fight. In the end, Conner issues the order for Gamma Squad's deployment.The final scene opens with what is assumed to be Gamma Squad, a five-person team, composed of Alloy, Muller, Barker, Lash, and their commander, Wolf, hiking through a creek bed. While walking through the forest, they are ambushed by the enemy and Alloy is killed by enemy fire. Muller and Wolf scatter off to one side, and Barker and Lash both move to forward positions.
Wolf orders Muller to move ahead; he complies and in doing so steps on a landmine, dying instantly. Barker takes a shot, quipping "Poor bastard should have had a better hiding place like mine!" and is killed by a gunshot to the head immediately thereafter. Lash rushes to Barker to briefly consider the implications of his comrade's death. Finally, Wolf runs up toward Lash but is shot on the way. The gunfire stops, and Lash is the only one left alive. In a final act of desperation and mourning, he draws his pistol to his head. The screen goes black and Lash's fate is left unresolved.