One of the best war films

Rating: 10/10 (20 May 2002)

An amazingly complex film. The realism is breath-taking. I was impressed by the depth of the ensemble cast - even minor roles are well acted. The movie is lyrical at times, especially when the beauty and serenity of the natural world is set in juxtaposition to the banality and horror of war. I was also moved by the way the natives reacted to the war, and in particular to Pvt. Witt.
There are two things in particular that I believe set this film apart from others in this genre. One is the in-depth examination of several characters' motivation for their actions. This sets a moral tone that runs throughout the film. The confrontation between Capt. Staros and Lt. Col. Tall cuts to the heart of the matter: every victory is paid for with lives.
The second truly rare aspect of this film is its depiction of the enemy as people, just like us. You see it in the faces of the soldiers when, after great sacrifice, they finally overrun the Japanese positions. This realization, that we are all the same inside, is what makes this film unique.