Rating: 
Summary: Compelling - A Brilliant Film - Highly Recommended
Review: As a young 36 year old woman, I was born about seventeen months after the events in this movie and the book ("We Were Soldiers Once... And Young" by Lt. Gen Harold G. Moore and Joseph L. Galloway) its based upon occurred. My Grandfather served in the British Special Forces during the second world war, and in the army for close to 20 years spanning before and during that war. I guess, my interest in his war time experiences, (which left him with some terrible physical and emotional scars), has ultimately led me to this incredible movie and the truly compelling book it's based upon, even though it is of another war and time.When I watched DVD of "We Were Soldiers" recently, it totally stunned and blew me away. I wasn't simply crying as the film drew to an end, I found myself attempting to control the strong urge to sob, as the tears flowed freely. I also had found the tears came quickly through various parts throughout the film as well. After watching it, I took a note of the name of the book, "We Were Soldiers Once... And Young", and went on line here and purchased it immediately. The book is incredible and riveting reading, and so very shocking and eye-opening to a 36 year old woman who has only ever known war through her Grandfather's stories. I find the book and its companion movie a truly poignant and moving account of love and courage and comradeship and incredible self sacrifice. The soldiers and other service men (and women) deserved far, far more than the limited recognition they received during and after Vietnam for their courage and self-sacrifice during the years of the conflict. "We Were Soldiers Once... And Young" is a book I believe all young people should read, in order to open their eyes about what their fathers, uncles, older brothers, cousins and fellow countrymen, (regardless of their country of origin - I live in Australia myself and many men [and women also] from here served in Vietnam), went through during this conflict, and what they had to do for each other in order to survive. This war may not have been popular politically, but that was not the fault of the servicemen involved in fighting it. These men simply did what they had to do to survive, and to try to keep their comrades around them alive. As Lt. General Moore says in his book... "No greater love hath no man..." (than to lay down his life for another). So very poignant and moving. I feel privileged to have read his book, and to have seen the marvellous movie based upon it, and to have felt (to still feel) deep into my heart and soul the emotions and the love within them both. Deepest, sincere thanks to Lt. General 'Hal' Moore and Joe Galloway for putting down in print the stories of these fine, brave young men in combat. I highly recommend their book as essential reading and the movie as essential viewing. Thank You. (Christine, Sydney, Australia. June 8, 2003).
Rating: 
Summary: finally....a brilliant,-original-film about a Vietnam battle
Review: This film will rank as one of the all time great battle movies. It's not a war movie; it doesn't try to prove a point or tell the tale of a whole war. Just one very meaningful, and very heroic (and tragic) battle. It's not a 'message' movie, or a blatant political statement, or a movie that shows a bunch of roaming, scared, crazy or doped up GIs trading attrocities with the enemy. It shows a valiant, dignified effort from solid, young, and patriotic soldiers in one of the few major *conventional* battles of Vietnam (before the war turn exclusively guerilla). The movie has a good human touch too, wonderfully portayed by Gibson, who shows where the battle really begins...in his mind during training camp and battle study at home. It gets into politics tangentially, for a Vietnam movie could not be made without some nod to the heavy political weight that plagued the war and its soldiers. But politics were relatively under the surface back then...back then before it was a huge quagmire...back then when soldiers didn't doubt their patriotism and their country didn't doubt their integrity. A great depiction of a great, unsung slice of history. You'll enjoy it (but beware the violence and gory a la Saving Private Ryan). Special effects and discussion of tactics also make this movie special (and the enemy has a face, voice and brain, too). Maybe some of the pauses are a bit too drawn out, that's the only thing keeping me from giving a 5 star review. But don't miss out on this one!!
Rating:
Summary: A good movie, but a little disappointed.
Review: I found the movie entertaining and for those who were not there, enlightening. I was really disappointed when the movie veered off from what really happened at the battle of the Ia Drang. There is no indication at all of what happened when Moores' battalion moved from the first lz, at the end of the first part of the battle, towards the second lz, where they were scheduled to be choppered out. That part of the battle was very different from the first part, that shown in the movie. The second part of the battle was even more brutal than that shown in the movie. Which is probably why it was just simply cut short. I would recommend watching it, but if you want to know what really happened, there are several fine histories available. You should know what really happened there.
Rating: 
Summary: Ponderous....
Review: First, I have to say that I am not a Mel Gibson fan, and this movie is the classic example of why. Gibson takes a compelling story about the battle of Ia Drang and turns it into a preacy, overly-long account of the battle. It really wastes the talents of Greg Kinnear. I think I would read the book again, and skip what may be one of the worst Vietnam war flicks (there is a lot of quality competition like Full Metal Jacket, Deer Hunter, Apocalypse Now, etc.).
Rating:
Summary: wow
Review: This will most certianly go down as a classic movie and as a movie with class. First of all it combines the surberb acting talent of Mel Gibson AND Sam Elliot!. Second of all, this is one of if not the very first to show the extreme sturggles on the home front. What some of the other reviewers describe as fluff, cheese, and boring, is pure emotion. Just imagine if you got word that your loved one was killed, all of a sudden those "fluff" parts become incredibly powerful and emotional.
War is hell, so simple yet so true. I feel that Randall Wallace succeeded with flying colors in bringing our the hellish nature of war. Colonel Moore said it perfectly, "'cause when [the fighting] starts ourselves is all we got." Randall Wallace then successfully showed the interpersonal relatinships between all who fought together.
We were Soldiers will go down as perhaps the greatest war movie ever made and should surely break into the top 15 movies of all time. The power will make itself trully known in the last 30 minutes, especially when you find yourself still watching the credits, mesmorized to the score, minutes after the movie ended. You will most certianly gain a new understanding towards the ordinary soldier. "To fallen soldiers let us sing
Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing
Our broken brothers let us bring
To the Mansions of the Lord"
Rating:
Summary: A war movie...yes,but a great story too.
Review: Being a young adult born in the year 1980, I never had a true understanding of the Vietnam war. I didn't understand the full mind-set of the era, even though I've read several books on the events that took place during the war. This movie, and this movie alone explained it to me. And in truth it's one of those movies that I wish I hadn't seen. For an epic war story this movie had all of the aspects that make a movie great. It had outstanding cinematography that parallels both "Saving Private Ryan" and "Black Hawk Down." The choices made for the music to this movie only add to the atmosphere of the battlegrounds. And the opening sequence that ends with the audience staring down the barrel of a gun, creates an absolutely disturbing feeling. But this movie also includes a wonderful story behind the soldiers, that a lot of movies tend to forget about. The wives that had to survive the war finally got their just amount of screen time.(and not the terribly stupid love story time that "Pearl Harbor" spawned) The novel "Black Hawk Down" did an excellent job of showing both sides of the conflict, that Ridley Scott seemed to lose in the making of the movie. This time, director Randall Wallace didn't make the same mistake and that made for a much better movie. The acting in this movie was superb. Mel Gibson did a great job as usual, continuing his quest to fight in every war that ever took place. Barry Pepper filled his role as reporter Joe Calloway nicely. Sam Elliot had by far the strongest characters in the movie, Sergeant Major Plumley, and I can't see anyone else in his role. Even Chris Klein, of "American Pie" fame, could pass for an actor in this movie. What seals this movie as a great in my mind, was the closing minutes of the film. Some movies sadden me, but I can handle soldiers being killed and widows crying, without really blinking an eye. But this movie really got to me. The North Vietnamese general's lines at the close of the movie, sum up the despair that was to come. And I finally understood what the war did to this country. And for the first time in a long time, I left the theatre with tears in my eyes. The Breakdown:
1. Plot- 9 (Great choice for a true life war topic)
2. Characters- 10 (Nicely chosen characters to focus on out of the hundreds who fought the battle)
3. Flow- 9 (Spent an adequate time on the background story and the action scenes went by quickly)
4. Atmosphere- 10 (Battle grounds were realistic and excellent choices for music)
5. Cinematography- 10 (Beautifully shot and realistic special effects)
6. Entertainment factor- 10 (the time flew by)
7. Replay factor- 8 (solid movie, but some will be bothered to much to watch a second time)
8. Casting/character depth- 9 (everyone deserved to be in this movie and Sam Elliot was awesome)
9. Relevance to genre- 9 (Great war movie that had very emotional aspects)
10. X-factors- 10 (Vietnamese general's speech to close the film along with the scenery will be in my head for a long time) Total: 94/100
Rating:
Summary: Someone Pinch Me!
Review: Without a doubt the best movie on the vietnam war since "Platoon"
I give this movie two thumbs up! Mel Gibson, as always does not displease and neither do the other star studded cast members.
Based on one of the first battles fought between Americans and the North Vietnamese it graphically portrays our American boys for what they really are, heros! I highly recommend it to anyoe who is sick of seeing the Americans always portrayed as the bad guys of the Vietnam War.
Rating:
Summary: Finally, a movie that fogs the Vietnam War
Review: I will admit right now, I am no fan of Mel. He is very talented as an actor and film maker; there is no doubt about that. But I think he's always had an extreme Christian-right leaning agenda that he managed to keep somewhat hidden for decades, and in this film, his veil of secrecy is clearly removed. Forget about the whys and morals of that particular war, he indicates. You get from Gibson that the real point is that war is bloody hell and we may as well win while we're at it, and we have plenty of practice with it. And to hell with all those peace loving naysayers. So in effect, his film throws our society back another 30 years. Stick with the real Vietnam films like MASH, Apocalypse Now, Deer Hunter, and Full Metal Jacket. Even Hamburger Hill made more sense than this piece of junk.
Rating:
Summary: For Real
Review: A true war story and a good movie about a bunch of guys tuffing out bad policy in the battlefield. Luckily the leader of this "exercise" was a skilled in tactics. Great book by the way. There are a couple of traditional Mel Gibson moments... you know, the attempts at wrenching the hearts of the viewers by getting a bit sappy, but the 'Nam scenes are skillfully done and show what great leadership Hal Moore really exercised. He (Hal Moore) cared and he shed blood with his brothers in arms. And many men will hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks that fought with us during those bloody days.
Rating:
Summary: out of words
Review: this is the most compelling movie i ever saw to see what theses young guys did for us and to see how the battle sequences were done incredible mel gibson i think truly had one of those roles i thought barry pepper is a upcoming actor to watch and to truly understand the cost of a war is just watch the battles i cried to tears and remember war is not the answer for any problems
with that said this is the best vietnam movie to date
especially how they handle the telegrams parts. loss for words
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