J.M. Harper's 'Soul Patrol' Documentary Explores Black Vietnam Veterans' Stories, Drawing Comparisons to Spike Lee's 'Da 5 Bloods'
J.M. Harper's documentary 'Soul Patrol,' which premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival and received the U.S. Documentary Directing Award, is now arriving in theaters. The film is inspired by a Vietnam War memoir by Ed Emanuel and chronicles a reunion of Black American Vietnam veterans who served in long-range reconnaissance patrol (LLRP) units, dubbed 'Soul Patrol.' Harper's documentary utilizes archival news footage, period songs, 8mm footage from the veterans' youth, and contemporary interviews to portray their experiences. The film also employs re-enactment scenes to visualize the veterans' struggles with PTSD. Critics have drawn comparisons between 'Soul Patrol' and Spike Lee’s 'Da 5 Bloods,' noting that while Lee's film incorporates documentary elements before shifting to genre action, Harper's work maintains a documentary focus, offering a powerful narrative about the dwindling number of LLRP veterans.
