“Lads of Swampoodle” Documentary

“The Lads from Swampoodle” is the story of a group of friends, primarily Irish and Italian Catholics that grew up in The Swampoodle section of Philadelphia in the 1950’s and 1960’s then served in Vietnam and remained lifelong friends and a support group for each other after The War and over the course of the rest of their lives.

The story explores the history of Swampoodle, the milieu they grew up in, their relationships with each other, their community and church, the impact of de-industrialization on their community, family and friends, the trauma of war and long-term collateral damage of war. The film also explores the residents of Swampoodle and Catholic Philadelphia’s long rich history of military service and commitment dating back to The Revolutionary War.