Burton delves into the complicated development history, beginning in the 1960s under Colonel Robert L. Smith, who becomes frustrated with the continuous design changes mandated by higher ups, leading to the Bradley's transformation from a light troop carrier into a bulky tank-like vehicle poorly suited to its original role. Burton also discovers discrepancies in testing of the Bradley's survivability due to Partridge's cronies, Colonel Bock and Major Sayers. Burton receives confidential information from Smith on the condition of anonymity. Master Sergeant Dalton, the man in charge of live fire testing, reveals he's been routinely ordered to manipulate the test results, asserting that honest officers such as Burton always end up buckling to the pressure of corruption to gain their next promotions.
Burton's continuous insistence on fair testing prompts Partridge to reassign Burton to Alaska but another anonymous leak from General Smith convinces Defense Secretary Weinberger to demand a full written report on the Bradley. Partridge cancels Burton's transfer and orders him to write the report which he plans to alter when it is sent to him for approval. Burton circumvents this by highlighting the changes made on Partridge's orders in a memorandum, which is leaked to the press and instigates a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee.
Partridge is humiliated at the hearing and the Committee Chairwoman orders the tests Burton has demanded go ahead. Burton reminds the soldiers performing the survivability tests that despite Partridge's orders to manipulate the tests, their real responsibility is to their fellow soldiers whose lives depend on honest testing. Partridge is humiliated when the live fire testing results in the complete destruction of the vehicle. Dalton and his men admit they were swayed by Burton's sincerity and integrity.
A postscript explains the Bradley was extensively redesigned in response to Burton's demands, significantly reducing casualties during its use in the Gulf War. Most of the officers involved in the Bradley's development earned promotions and high paying jobs while Burton was forced to retire.
Col. James Burton is credited as a consultant on the film. Russell Murray II is also credited as a consultant on the film. Murray served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Systems Analysis from 1962 to 1969 and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Program Analysis and Evaluation from 1977 to 1981, both during the development of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.[citation needed]
Upon its premiere on HBO, Daryl Miller reviewed the film for the Los Angeles Times and described it as "a savvy satire of military spending—an epic tale of boys and their toys... a triumph for that cable outlet."[5]
Questioning the movie’s R rating by the MPAA and suggesting it should have been a PG-13 at best, Filmospheric called The Pentagon Wars an underrated movie that deals with a very important issue of our times.
“At a time when the waste and abuse of taxpayer money is an important issue in the American political atmosphere, The Pentagon Wars stands as an example of ‘90s TV creating entertaining movies around real issues in the most generously funded institutions of the country. It’s the underrated movie of the last 30 years that is ever more relevant today.”[6]
Awards
Primetime Emmy Awards 1998: Amy Stofsky (costume supervisor): Winner of Outstanding Costuming for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special[7]
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