Bastards' Road

2021 • 98 minutes

About this movie

Walking nearly 6000 miles, a Marine Veteran confronts unprocessed traumas from war. A hopeful story of resilience and courage meant to inspire all audiences. After years of struggling, Jonathan Hancock confronts the demons that had overtaken his life. Visiting his fellow 2/4 Marines - a unit known as the The Magnificent Bastards - and families of their fallen along the way, this journey highlights incredible compassion. With remarkable honesty, insight and humor, Jon's journey gives a uniquely positive approach to the post-war topic. It's about changing the ways one relates to traumatic memories. It's about beginning the healing process.

Ratings and reviews

Bottom-line-up-front: This is the most beautiful and haunting movie I have ever watched! It is beautiful in that it accurately depicts the healing effects of the brotherhood and sisterhood that exists among the military, especially the Marines. Understanding the unmitigated importance of being with those that know what you went through, but, more importantly understanding the things that you are GOING through, is portrayed wonderfully. This is the greatest Marine Corps movie EVER made! It is the most accurate depiction of the Marine Corps I have ever seen. It does not glorify the violent nature of combat with any jump from your seat footage of explosions or bullets whizzing by! It shines light on the unseen damage done in the aftermath of surviving that! It shows Marines’ incessant need to deal with darkness head on and hide from the light with our dark humor. It is haunting because ALL the stories told could have been, or could be, my story. Our names could be on the memorial. We could have easily given in to the darkness. But we are here. The exposure of the ex-girlfriend/baby mama portion was a surprise to me! But holy hell, what a beautiful surprise! I could only watch my reflection coming back at me. I was (often still am) that guy that said and did those things. Nobody wants to project that to the world! We fear to show that side to the world, but especially to our children. We tell ourselves “They can’t know this is me!” When we do not face that shadow-self our children are then forced to! When we can’t stand the sight of the “twinkle” because we don’t want to know that is a reflection of the greatest parts of ourselves. We fear the splendor of that “twinkle” for fear that it is weakness. This film exposes that in such a beautiful way. Jonathan Hancock! You answered your own question in the film, “Why can’t they be here to see this?” Your brothers ARE seeing it, Jon! Because you ARE seeing it! You ARE the living embodiment of those we lost! You/We are their legacy! Thank you for making this movie and exposing your journey to the world!

I really liked seeing this film. It showed me so many things that you don't really get to hear if you don't experience it. I recommend this film to everyone! It kept my attention the whole time. Great job!

The best military documentary I have ever seen! A "Must Watch" for both military and civilians alike, don't sleep on this one.