This film presents the case of a Navy seaman suffering from combat fatigue. He is first shown at his duty station in the engine room of a ship, manipulating water pipe valves. The scene then shifts to a hospital ward; the sailor's ship has been torpedoed and sunk. The patient has not suffered any physical wounds, but he is jumpy, nervous, combative, and short-tempered. He goes home on a 30-day leave, thinking all will be well once he is away from the hospital and the military. But he blows up at his family, walks the streets, gets drunk, and fights with his girlfriend. The only people he feels comfortable with are other servicemen home on leave. He becomes so distraught when hunting in the woods with his father that he is taken to a doctor and then sent back to the Navy hospital. He is aware now that he is ill and cannot cope with civilian or military life. Talking about his deep feelings and fears in individual and group therapy sessions helps the sailor recognize and deal with his problems. This film acquaints the patient suffering from combat exhaustion with the nature of his illness and the therapy necessary for recovery. Stars Gene Kelly.
Copyright:
The National Library of Medicine believes this item to be in the public domain. (More information)
Extent:
036 min.
Color:
Black and white
Sound:
Sound
Provenance:
Received: Jan. 20, 1955 as a donation from the U.S. Navy.