FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Brad Pitt said his new survival drama “Heart of the Beast” pays tribute to members of the military who put not only their bodies but their “psyches” and “souls” on the line, while exploring how sacrificial love can give people a reason to persevere through trauma and hardship.
Speaking to The Christian Post at the film’s global premiere at FirstBank Amphitheater, the 62-year-old Academy Award winner reflected on the sacrifices made by service members and the difficulty many face when transitioning back into civilian life. “They really put themselves on the line, not just their bodies, but their psyches, their souls, and they go through something, you know, experience very extreme circumstances for us,” Pitt said.
“And then that integration back into the world, I wouldn’t think is an easy thing.” Pitt stars as James Belmont, a former U.S. Army Special Forces officer who ventures into the wilderness with his retired combat dog, Odin. When their trip turns into a fight for survival, the two are forced to depend on each other while confronting the lingering effects of their military service. The film opens in theaters on Sept. 25.
Directed by David Ayer, a professing Christian, the film explores post-traumatic stress not only through James but also through Odin, a detail Pitt said particularly affected him. Dogs, he pointed out, are known for their unconditional love but can also be deeply affected by their experiences, much like humans. “The idea that even a canine combat dog could come out of it with PTSD was really moving to me,” Pitt said.
“And you go, of course.” “We know our dogs are unconditional in their love,” he said, adding that they can also be changed “by the way they’re treated” and “what they experience.”