Gardens of Stone

Set in 1968, during the Vietnam War era, the story follows soldiers facing casualties and the strain of long deployments. The year anchors Hazard and his men in the rituals of military service—training, guarding, and funerals—while public opinion about the war swirls around them.

The action unfolds around The Old Guard at Fort Myer near Washington, D.C., with Arlington National Cemetery serving as the film's emotional centerpiece at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Fort Benning is referenced as the ideal training ground Hazard would rather be at, while the capital region anchors the story in real-world military ceremony and funeral rites.

🪖 Duty & Sacrifice

The film centers on the obligation soldiers feel to their unit and country, often at the expense of personal happiness. Hazard's protective drive to save at least one man mirrors the cost of war on families and communities. The narrative repeatedly tests what soldiers owe to each other when the country questions the purpose of the fight.

🤝 Mentorship & Brotherhood

Hazard acts as a father figure to Willow, guiding him through the brutal realities of combat and soldiering. The platoon operates as a surrogate family, sharing burdens, lessons, and loyalty. The relationship underscores how experiential mentorship shapes courage and resilience.

🕊️ Morality of War

Hazard's critique of how the Vietnam War is fought sits against Willow's sense of duty to serve his country. Samantha Davis's antiwar stance adds intellectual texture to the debate over legitimacy and purpose. The film presents the moral ambiguity of honoring soldiers while questioning the politics that sent them to war.