COLUMBUS, Ga. /PRNewswire/ — National K9 Veterans Day on March 13 honors the day when the U.S. military officially recruited its first Military Working Dogs in 1942. Now the dog considered the forerunner to the official working dog program, Sgt. Stubby, is the subject of the new movie Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero. On April 13, the computer-animated feature film will be released on approximately 3,000 screens across the U.S. and Canada, coinciding with the year-long centennial commemoration of the United States’ role in the “War to End All Wars.”
Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero is based on the incredible true story of the unbreakable bond between a young Soldier and a stray dog who, for his valorous feats, is still recognized today as the first dog promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the U.S. Army and the most decorated dog in American history. Set against the backdrop of America’s entry into World War I, this computer-animated feature shows the world that the greatest heroes can come from the unlikeliest of places.
Directed by award-winning documentarian Richard Lanni in his feature film debut, Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero stars Logan Lerman (Fury, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Percy Jackson & The Olympians), Helena Bonham Carter (Ocean’s 8, Harry Potter, The King’s Speech) and Gérard Depardieu (Life of Pi, Cyrano De Bergerac, The Man in the Iron Mask).
Featuring an original score by Patrick Doyle (Brave, Thor, Cinderella, Harry Potter), Sgt. Stubby is produced and distributed by Fun Academy Motion Pictures with animation by Mikros Animation, a Technicolor company. Screenwriters are Richard Lanni and Mike Stokey II (Band of Brothers, The Pacific, Alexander, Born on the Fourth of July), with editing by Mark Solomon (Frankenweenie, Chicken Run, Shark Tale, the upcoming Sherlock Gnomes). Produced by Laurent Rodon and Emily Cantrill; and executive produced by Frank Lumpkin III, Tom Sheehan and Richard Lanni.
Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero has been selected as an official project of the United States World War One Centennial Commission and its French counterpart, La Mission du Centenaire 1914-18; additional endorsements and educational partners include the Connecticut State Library, the National Infantry Museum Foundation, the National World War I Museum & Memorial and the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes.
Beyond his military exploits, Stubby’s status as an adopted stray has resulted in nearly a century of recognition by animal rescues and welfare organizations, and Fun Academy has partnered with over 70 regional and national animal organizations across all 50 states to shine a light on the human-animal bond.
About Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero … Army “doughboy” Robert Conroy’s (Lerman) life is forever changed when a little stray dog with a stubby tail wanders into a training camp in New Haven, Conn.Conroy gives his new friend a meal, a name, a family and the chance to embark on an adventure that would define a century.
Narrated by Robert’s sister Margaret (Bonham Carter), Stubby and his new best friend quickly find themselves in the trenches of France. Befriended by French poilu Soldier Gaston Baptiste (Depardieu), Stubby accompanies the duo along their epic journey through harsh conditions and incredible acts of courage.
About the Real-Life Stubby … Before he was a hero, Stubby was homeless, scrounging for scraps on the streets of New Haven, Conn. in 1917—until he was taken in by Private First Class Robert Conroy of the 102nd Infantry Regiment, 26th “Yankee” Division.
In France, Stubby saw frontline action. He found wounded Soldiers, saved an entire company by alerting the men to don gas masks and even caught a German spy. Stubby earned the rank of Sergeant, the first time an animal is recognized as having been promoted through combat. Returning home to a hero’s welcome, Stubby and Conroy toured the country leading parades and met three sitting U.S. presidents, among other honors.
SOURCE Fun Academy Motion Pictures
Rod is a blogger, writer, filmmaker, photographer, daydreamer who likes to cook. Rod produces and directs the web series, CUPIC: Diary of an Investigator. He is also the editor, producer and administrator of STM Daily News, a part of the TNC Network.
