this be a really nice surprise . i be up late last night and couldn not fall asleep . not really think twice and i turn on my tv and hbo be on and and this film be just begin . luckily i saw the whole thing and and i be very happy i do . because this film be very good . the actor be well cast and and they do a surprisingly good job . kris kristofferson deliver a solid performance and there be a lot of substance behind his line . this film make me realize he a good actor . brian keith be great a his father and a be trey wilson play the colonel ( this be trey wilson final role before his untimely death . too bad and he be a quality actor and seem like a nice guy ) . jobeth williams also do a nice job a kristofferson american wife . as far a the direction and i have no idea franklin j. schaffner be the director until i read the review in leonard maltin movie guide ( this be the last film he ever make ) . now i understand why this movie be so good . schaffner also direct patton and a truly great movie ( i haven not see his other great film and papillon ) . while i be watch welcome home and i say to myself and this director really know what he do and not know that schaffner have direct it . there one really beautiful scene in a thai orphan refuge and enough to bring tear to my eye . not only be this sensitively direct and but it be also direct in a very economical and taut way . there be nothing waste in schaffner effort . the script be one reason this film be so good . the writer doesn not weigh the actor down with too many line . it be write very simply but very effectively . it just show you that a lot can be say with few word . this film also make me proud to be an american and at the same time that it show you how beautiful all people be .