Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Lest We Forget.....
"We Were Soldiers" is a Viet Nam War movie unlike any other. Other movies of this genre, exceptional films like "Apocalypse Now", "Platoon" or even "The Green Beret" focus on a message of either anti or pro the Viet Nam war. This movie focus on the brave soldiers who fought and the families they left behind. It is the story of Lt. Col.Hal Moore played by Mel Gibson and his troops as they are among the first Americans to be in battle against North Viet Nam in the early stages of the war.
After the opening scenes of the men finding out they will be deployed and some very touching moments as they spend their last few days with their families, they leave for their target, the la Drang Valley. The encounters with the North Vietnamese are very violent and graphic, but depict the horror that these men went through. There is a poignant moment where a photographer (Barry Pepper) who has been put in the position of fighting, lays his gun down, picks up his camera and shoots the atrocities he see around him. (By the way this photographer, Joe Galloway co authored with Moore the book this film is based on.)
On the other side of the world, while these brave men fight, the wives have already started recieving the dreaded telegrams. You cannot help but feel for these grieving woman and their families.
This film is a real tribute to the Viet Nam Vets, and they should be remembered well.
The cast also includes Sam Elliot as the rough gruff Sgt Major, Madeline Stowe as Moore's wife, and with Greg Kinnear and Chris Klein. It was directed by Randall Wallace (writer of Braveheart)
The DVD (Paramount Widescreen Collection) is 5 stars in my book. Excellent cinematography, the 5.1 surround sound was perfect, I felt like the war was going on right in my living room,the widescreen picture was top rate, even the night time scenes were clear and bright. If you have already seen this movie and are wondering about the DVD go for it! There are lots of extra goodies too, including commentary,deleted scenes and behind the scenes. There are subtitles in English for those that may need them. If you havn't seen it and like war movies, (this one is very graphic, so it is not for the sensitive)you will be captivated by this one.
thanx laurie
Rating:  - A Beautiful Crafted Film
I saw this film today - and like everyone in the movie theatre audience, I was crying nearly all throughout the entire two and a half hours.The emotion that's in this movie can't be beaten. And I think it's one of the best films released this year - Mel Gibson's performance as Lt. Col Moore is amazing and should be Oscar nominated. I also loved the narration in the movie. It's true that Vietnam wasn't a popular war and the soldiers that gave their life and the ones that made it and ones were injured - in fact were rarely shown as heroes as they fought the war that no one else wanted to fight. The war scenes are amazing - you can see the bombs coming down, soldiers on both sides being killed and the ones that were badly injured. The camera work on this film was one of the best I've seen in such a long time. And the movie ends with a touching tribute to the soldiers that gave their lives. Also the film goes between the US Army, the Vietnamese soldiers and the wives at home - especially when Madeline Stowe who plays Gibson's wife and Keri Russell handing out telegrams to widows of the soldiers. This movie shouldn't be missed and is Oscar caliber.
Rating: - An Excellent War Movie
I haven't read the book that this movie is based on, so unlike reviewer Russell Ross, I have nothing to compare it to.... Judged on it's own, We Were Soldiers is a tremendous movie, telling the story of 400 Air Cavalry Soldiers who spent three days waging a horrific battle with over 4,000 Vietnamese Soldiers. The courage and heart that our Soldiers displayed is wonderfully portrayed, and Mel Gibson does his usual great job as their Commanding Officer. (Sam Elliott is also great as his second-in-command...) We also get to see another, seldom-seen side of the Vietnam War- The Home Front, where wives and families lived in fear of a telegram from The Army... The movie's violence is VERY graphic, but war is hell, so.... We Were Soldiers gives us another view of America's most unpopular War, and in this time of increased patriotism, it's a welcome view at that. Highly recommended!
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