Just Seen: We were Soldiers

[Reiner]

So number two of two after Black Hawk Down showing a piece of real life war. The movie does not glorify the (American) soldiers and their actions like in U571 while twisting history but showing war as it is: brutal and terrifying with no winner, only loosers.

As well it does not explain why the Americans went to Vietnam nor what "Charlie" was fighting for, instead just concentrating on a battle between the 'helicopter soldiers' and the Vietnamese hiding in the jungle.
As with Saving Private Ryan you will be exposed to some disgusiting and gross pictures of people shot, burned and ripped apart - something I personally don't need to see that explicit.

Mel Gibson stars as the Colonel leading the platoon into a nearly dead-end situation. At home his wife (Madeleine Stowe) is receiving and distributing the notices to the widows of the soldiers which lost their life under his command. In a way it tries to be a drama but there is a lot of fighting and the nearly 2.5 hours pass quickly.
A very sad movie which makes you think though it leaves the question open if the entire war was actually necessary.

* * * * out of 5

[buns]

I didnt like the film that much.....but then said my girlfriend did.....

It seemed to me to be a long time of alot of the same thing....ppl shot, blown up and generally made dead!

but i guess it wasnt that bad.....

2.5 / 5

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[JSW]

Originally posted by Reiner

As with Saving Private Ryan you will be exposed to some disgusiting and gross pictures of people shot, burned and ripped apart - something I personally don't need to see that explicit.

Its only make up

I enjoyed the film, can't wait to get the DVD

The battle was done very well, Mel Gibson was ok but The old guy was cool.

[Desticado]

Originally posted by Cyber Spawn
Mel Gibson was ok but The old guy was cool.

The old guy, as you put it, is in fact Sam Elliot. He is a great character actor somewhat similar in nature to Kris Kristoferson (Except sam doesnt do country, that im aware of).

If you liked him in this go check him out in 'Roadhouse' with Patrick Swayze which is Definitely worth a watch.

Its a bit of a B movie really but is strangely catchy.

Regards

[jrwood]

Patrick Swayze turned 50 yesterday... blimey how time flies!.

Did not think he was that old

[Brian Hussey]

Loved Sam Elliot in 'Roadhouse'
Have'nt yet seen 'We were soldiers'.

Brian.

[Rambo John J]

Originally posted by jrwood
Patrick Swayze turned 50 yesterday

Didn't he have some kind of Christopher Reeve-esque crippling accident not so long ago? Broke his back or something?
Shame if he did.


Sam Elliot's been in some great films. Even in minor roles he shines, like The Big Lebowski where he's the narrator and only in it for about 5 minutes tops. Still puts in an excellent turn though.

I liked the film,, Not as good as Black Hawk Down though..

That's a 10 / 10 for me... Mhuawwww

[Jase]

Watched this the other night, thought it was pretty good to be honest. Nice build up and then all out action, as mentioned its a bit gruesome in places, when the napalm gets dropped etc.

Certainly one to give your system a work out with the various explosions, gunfire, helicopters flying about.

[magking]

Watched this movie tonight, and loved it. It's one of the best war movies i've seen. To bad we didn't get some more of the Vietnamese side of the story.
This the only time the colingribs on my REL Q400 has been realy hot.
I gave it 5 out of 5 on DVD-Profiler.
I hope there comes a special edition of this, something like the 4 disc LOTR, with DTS of course.

[Desticado]

Originally posted by magking
I hope there comes a special edition of this,

Thought this editon was pretty good.

Although would be nice to have a sharper picture as this one was pretty grainy.

Regards

[Monster]

I thought it was good, although the picture was a bit too grainy and there was a lot of noise on single colour areas.

Disk box had been overly heated during shrink wrapping and has rippled the sleeve.

Will be one of the first films I watch again if and when I make it to 6/7.1

yep low level noise on the early 'in camp' scenes were very bad but I thought the film was very, very good. I will be buying it.

and relax Patrick Swayze is fine he had a couple of nasty plane crashes (he's a pilot) last year but I think he's healthy. Can't believe he's fifty tho!!