Based on the book by Lt. Col. Harold Moore (ret.) and journalist Joseph Galloway, We Were Soldiers offers a dignified reminder that the Vietnam War yielded its own crop of American heroes. Departing from Hollywood's typically cynical treatment of the war, writer-director Randall Wallace focuses on the first engagement of American soldiers with the North Vietnamese enemy in November 1965. Moore (played with colorful nuance by Mel Gibson) and nearly 400 inexperienced troopers from the U.S. Air Cavalry were surrounded by 2,000 North Vietnamese Army soldiers, and the film re-creates this brutal firefight with graphic authenticity, while telling the parallel story of grieving army wives back home. While UPI reporter Galloway (Barry Pepper) risks his life to chronicle the battle, Wallace offers a balanced (though somewhat fictionalized) perspective while eliciting laudable performances from an excellent cast. Like the best World War II dramas of the 1940s, We Were Soldiers pays tribute to brave men while avoiding the pitfalls of propaganda.Read full review
While I am not a Mel Gibson fan (and hate the thought of a foreigner playing the leed role), I have to admit that this film is not just a great Vietnam War film, it is simply a great war film, period. It also manages to show the enemy in an appropriate light. For in order to have a great victory, you must have fought a worthy opponent. To this end, I thought the portrayal of the NVA commanding officer was an excellent touch. But for me, the hardest hitting moments were the letters being received by the wives of the recently fallen soldiers. While admittedly a bit 'hollywoodized', it was a great reminder of those families of soldiers, airmen and sailors who live in fear and dread every ringing of the phone or knocking of the door. A must see movie!!
Great movie but the book gives another side to the story that makes this story more ironic!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
beautiful picture and graphics. just purchased blu-ray player and knew it would be good.I was right. the picture was awesome. the movie was outstanding as well. iy did not have really any behind the scenes features, which i would have liked, but overall, it was still a winner.
This is a tough movie,It not only helps us remember the past,It helps us to think of what our service people are going through right now.This movie does not at any time glamorize a soldiers life,It however gives a peek at the many horrors emotions and concerns of a soldier facing war.We were also shows the effects of it all on those family members left behind. Mel Gibson hit a homerun with this movie and is complemented with many fine co-stars.
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