Based on the true story of the highest-ranking military officer to ever be discharged from the service for being gay, Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story debuts on DVD September 12 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment for the suggested retail price of $19.94.
The critically acclaimed drama was executive produced by Academy Award-winner Barbra Streisand and Academy Award Nominee Glenn Close, and stars Close and Academy Award Nominee Judy Davis, who both won Emmy Awards for their strong performances. The film attracted over 25 million viewers in its initial airing and was nominated for a total of six Emmys.
As Margarethe Cammermeyer states in Serving in Silence, “People ask, ‘Who are you?’ We are their daughters, their sisters, their sons, their nurses, their mechanics, their athletes, their police. We're your doctors, your fathers, your politicians, your soldiers, your mothers, your friends. We live with you, we care for you, protect you, teach you, love you and need you. All we ask is that you let us.”
After serving faithfully in the army for over twenty years, divorced mother of four Colonel Margarethe Cammermeyer (Close) unexpectedly falls in love with a bohemian artist (Davis). During an interview for a higher security clearance, she reveals to the investigator that she is a lesbian, and after she refuses to recant, the army initiates proceedings to discharge her from service. With the support of her family, her lover, and Lambda Legal Defense, Cammermeyer courageously decides to fight for her right to serve her country.
In the era before Philadelphia, “Ellen” and “Will & Grace,” the subject matter of Serving in Silence was considered groundbreaking and controversial, spotlighting the hot button issue of gays in the military that remains as relevant today for millions of people. The film was directed by Jeff Bleckner (Emmy winner for TV’s “Hill Street Blues,” “Concealed Enemies”) and executive-produced by Streisand, Close, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Chicago, Life with Judy Garland), and Cis Corman (The Prince of Tides).
Debuting on NBC February 5, 1995, Serving in Silence was a ratings blockbuster and was showered with praise, ultimately garnering a Peabody Award, a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding TV Movie, three Golden Globe nominations (Best Movie, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress) and six Emmy nominations with three wins, with Close garnering Best Actress, Davis taking Best Supporting Actress and Alison Cross nabbing Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing for a Movie, Miniseries or a Special.
The bonus features include the original featurette Silent No More: Behind the Scenes of Serving in Silence, featuring revealing interviews with executive producers Barbra Streisand and Glenn Close and Judy Davis and Margarethe Cammermeyer. Also included is never-before-seen footage from the Hollywood premiere with Streisand and Cammermeyer, as well as coverage from the 1996 GLAAD Media Awards.
Specific DVD Special Features and presentation include:
Digitally Mastered Audio and Video
Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story is now available for pre-order at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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