What All Films Should Do

Rating: 9/10 (17 March 2002)

What all films should do, is tell a story.
This story was a difficult one to tell.
As an Englishman, Vietnam is not so much a part of my national identity as an Americans.
This film, based on real life events, really bought home the horror of that pointless conflict.
I say pointless, because I really believe that those young men fighting so bravely on both sides of the war, did not really understand why they were there.
This film clearly shows that they were honorable and brave, and that they were lucky to have such an inspirational leader in Col. Moore.
What it also shows is that politics are no replacement for tactics, and that soldiers should fight wars without political interference of the nature brought to bare in 1965.
It has been a long time since I walked out of a theatre with tears openly rolling down my cheeks, but I am proud to say that this film was worth every tear.
Well done to all concerned, and RIP all those brave young men who fell in The Valley of Death and beyond.