Has he hair or grin of glee, or has he just come round for tea.
Who’er yellowed skin maybe, far bey...
Has he hair or grin of glee, or has he just come round for tea.
Who’er yellowed skin maybe, far beyond or behind a tree.
Do you see ’im do you not, but when he’s been you know your got.
Homie woz ‘er (_8-(|)
Member since:02.02.2003
Reviews:19
Members who trust:23
It is a true story of the events that took place over three days beginning November 14th 1965 at la Drang Valley Vietnam, when 400 US marines of the 7th Cavalry were air lifted into hostile territory and faced 2000 North Vietnamese Army (NVA) Regulars. They were surrounded, cut off, heavily outnumbered and fighting to survive.
The originally story “We were soldiers once...and young” was written by the commander (Lt Col H. Moore) and the reporter (Joe Galloway). Which begins by laying the history with the 1954 massacre of the French Mobile 100 in the same valley and numerous references to Custer and “Les Guerres en Indochine”. It is not long before the film dumps you in the thick of it spreading 12000 miles from the events in Vietnam to the families at Fort Benning Georgia.
The interwoven story lines blend seamlessly with aspects from the families, a tough Sgt Major (Sam Elliott), a lost
platoon, US Air power, courage, tragedy and a loop of a French bugle. It is simplistic in places but fits so well with the period and how it was viewed at the time. It clearly points out the mistakes the French made and so cleverly throws them back at the viewers who know the ultimate ending of the war.
The first 90 US Marines land at 10:48 am and to hours later they were surrounded with patrols cut off, under heavy fire, and being attacked from all sides. A “Hot LZ” was declared and the courage of the helicopter pilots landing again and again in these conditions was a testament to their courage.
Eventually the NVA broke through to over-run the Landing Zone and a “Broken Arrow” was declared. The result was a turning point in US history when all available US combat aircraft are called up in support; the outcome showed what overwhelming air power was capable off. In the end, tenacity, knowing were the enemy was and having the greater firepower to call upon proved too much; at least in those early stages of the war.
This is a hard hitting movie pulls few punches in it’s depiction of the chaos and brutality, and stands shoulder to shoulder with “Wind Talkers” and “Saving Private Ryan”. Like Wind Talkers, this movie has a hidden message that is not lost on those who understand it, “We will not make the same mistakes...”. It is quite frankly, a story that should be told least we forget what they sacrificed on both sides.
In military terms, this was a watershed and was a first in several ways. - First time US Marines had met the NVA in battle. - First use of the Air Mobile Division. - First mass use of the M16 Assault Rifle. - First “Broken Arrow” situation in Vietnam. - The point in time when US involvement was increased to 125,000.
There are numerous poignant moments, one is when asked about being a father and a soldier, Lt Col Moore (Mel Gibson) replies, “Being good at one makes me better at the other”.
An explanation of war to a young child, “Something that shouldn’t happen but it does. Some people in another country or any country take the lives of other people. Then soldiers like your daddy have to go over there and stop them”. As good as any I’ve heard about Vietnam.
Also in the darkest moment when Lt Col Moore’s comparson with Custer’s last stand, the Sgt Major responds, “Custer was a pussy, you ain’t”.
The events depicted were real, it happened to real people and with them goes my respect. To those professional critics, how can you criticise something you have never been near.
For the courage of those who died, in the silence of the night we will always hear their screams. The names of the US Marines who died at la Drang Valley are remembered on panel 3 of the Vietnam War Memorial, together with the other 58000 who lost their lives.
In conclusion, I feel this movie shows the story from both sides and although it is patriotic it is in no way propaganda. The movie is as close to what it is like and as true to the story as can be; more a depiction of what both sides endured and the courage of sacrifice under extreme conditions.
Mel Gibson Madeline Stowe Sam Elliott Greg Kinnear Chris Klein Keri Russell and many more...
DVD features:
Feature length commentary from director Randall Wallace. Deleted scenes with optional commentary. “Getting it Right” making of documentary (25 mins). TV & Radio spots. Theatrical trailer.
Audio: 5.1 Dolby digital. Subtitles
Certificate: 15 Running time: 133 mins Cost: £4.99 VHS - £9.99 DVD (specials) at Morrisons Website: www.weweresoldiers.com Related site: www.click2flicks.com/we_were_soldiers/wewere_soldiers_ch1.htm
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We Were Soldiers, based on the bestselling account of the battle of La Drang valley at the ... more
outset of the Vietnam War, is the latest Mel GibsonBraveheart-esque offering where plot and characterisation, rather than the men who lost their lives in the con...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Truthful, non-glorifying, tells both sides Disadvantages: Too much truth for some, you have to get past Mel Gibson doing his "mad in the face of danger"
AdamGale 06.07.2004 (06.07.2004)
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Review of We Were Soldiers (DVD)
![We Were Soldiers [DVD] [2002]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78526888.jpg "We Were Soldiers [DVD] [2002]")
May 28th, 2003
(May 30th, 2003)
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