Father Soldier Son

Behind the Lens: The Making of Father Soldier Son

Netflix’s 2020 documentary Father Soldier Son offers an unflinching look at the toll of military service on one American family, but the film’s decade-long journey to the screen is nearly as gripping as its story. Directed by Catrin Einhorn and Leslye Davis, the project began as a personal exploration of sacrifice and resilience—one that would test the filmmakers’ own endurance.

A Decade in the Making

Father Soldier Son follows Brian Eisch, a U.S. Army sergeant, and his sons Isaac and Joey over 10 years, capturing the physical and emotional fallout of Brian’s deployments to Afghanistan. What started as a short-term assignment for Einhorn and Davis—both New York Times journalists—evolved into a long-term commitment. The directors embedded with the Eisch family for nearly a decade, a rarity in documentary filmmaking, where projects often wrap in months ^[2][9]. In a live Q&A, Davis revealed the team initially planned a one-year shoot but “couldn’t walk away” as Brian’s injuries and the family’s struggles deepened ^[9]. The result is a raw, intimate portrait that blurs the line between subject and filmmaker.

The Filmmakers’ Gamble

Einhorn and Davis, neither of whom had directed a feature-length documentary before, took a significant risk by committing to such a sprawling timeline. The film’s production was self-funded in its early years, with the directors juggling their day jobs at The Times while traveling to Wisconsin to film ^[2][10]. In interviews, they described the challenge of maintaining trust with the Eisch family, especially during Brian’s darkest moments—including his battles with PTSD and a life-altering injury. “We had to earn their trust every single day,” Einhorn said in a moderated discussion ^[9]. That trust paid off: the film’s most harrowing scenes, like Brian’s struggle to adapt to civilian life after losing his leg, were captured because the family allowed the cameras to stay.

Netflix’s Role and the Film’s Reception

The documentary found its home on Netflix after years of festival buzz, where it earned praise for its unvarnished storytelling. Critics lauded its emotional depth, with SensCritique giving it a 7.4/10 rating , though some noted its pacing could feel slow. The platform’s global reach amplified the film’s impact, sparking conversations about military families and the hidden costs of war. Yet, the directors have been candid about the ethical tightrope they walked. In a Frank Buckley Interviews segment, they admitted grappling with whether to intervene during the family’s crises—ultimately choosing to document rather than interfere ^[10].

Unanswered Questions

Despite the film’s intimacy, some behind-the-scenes details remain murky. Rumors swirled about tensions between the directors and Netflix over the final cut, though neither Einhorn nor Davis has publicly confirmed creative clashes [unconfirmed]. Additionally, the film’s budget and funding sources—beyond early self-financing—are unclear, leaving questions about how such a long-term project stayed afloat.

For now, Father Soldier Son stands as a testament to the power of patience in documentary filmmaking. Its legacy isn’t just the story it tells, but the story of how it was told—one frame at a time, over a decade.