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We Were Soldiers Translated to Film

Timothy W. Newman | Floyds Knobs, IN United States | 11/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the best Vietnam war movies made, "We Were Soldiers" features some of the most realistic combat scenes conveying the "fog of battle" and horror of combat. The story development may seem slow at first, but allows some appreciation of the characters involved and the context of the battle. The action is fast paced, showing the battle from both the North Vietnamese and American points of view, but is broken by the juxtaposition of poignant events on the home front and political machinations in the rear areas.



Mel Gibson is surprisingly exceptional as the gung-ho Colonel Hal Moore, Sam Elliot seems born to the role of the salty Sergeant Major Basil Plumley, and the entire supporting cast does a wonderful job. The cinematography and special effects go a long way towards recreating the confusing swirl of a battle with ill-defined lines.



The film is perhaps flawed only by its attempts to cover too many social and political issues in the one film; forgivable in the context of creating a story intended as a microcosm of the entire Vietnam War. This does however, lead to short scenes seemingly out of step with the rest of the film. Additionally, there are some unrealistic liberties (Killed in Action telegrams arriving home during the first night of battle), but it is simply artistic license required to make the story work. If you're willing to remember a film has limited time to tell its tale, these flashes into the social, political and personal issues go a long way in back-filling the context of the story and the conflicting emotions and views of the characters.



In the end, this is a movie of war and the people involved, and it is a very good one. It's a decent translation of the book to film, and the best portrayal of the 1st Air Cav's action at Ia Drang (the only battle of the Vietnam War in which sizable US Army and NV Army forces faced each other).



You'll like this movie if:

You liked "Saving Private Ryan" and "Black Hawk Down", or Mel Gibson in "The Patriot."



You'll dislike this movie if:

You're expecting a strict antiwar piece, a reprise of Mel Gibson in "Gallipoli" or the complicated subplots and storyline of "The Deer Hunter".



For a more detailed and realistic look at the battle, read Hal Moore's and Joe Galloway's book by the same title: We Were Soldiers Once...and Young: Ia Drang - the Battle That Changed the War in Vietnam

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Dedication to One's Loyalties

Alamo_guy | 02/01/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What I like about this movie is how both sides are depicted in this vicious engagement during the Vietnam War. You get a genuine feeling of conviction for the ideals being fought for by both opposing officers in command. The fighting is fierce and the North Vietnamese are going to hold their ground at all costs. The Americans will try and take the ground until ordered otherwise. This film examines the nature of war through the eyes of both men in charge on the field of battle. Barry Pepper in a very colorful role represents every man's instinct to survive."