We Were Soldiers, Were You?

Rating: Null/10 (18 June 2002)

I am extremely disappointed by some of the commentaries that have been posted regarding the reviews of "We Were Soldiers." As a former Marine, as well as someone who actually read the book "We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young" prior to viewing the movie, I feel that this movie was an extremely accurate portrayal of the book into film format. Any movie that has the author's approval (as former Lt.Col, now retired General Moore has given) is good enough for me. The man was there and finds that the movie accurately portrayed what he was trying to bring into focus with the written word. For those of you that find that this movie is not in the "Apocalypse Now" or "Full Metal Jacket" genre, you're right . . .because it portrays a different and more pro-U.S and pro-military timeframe in the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War that General Moore was portraying in his book, and that Wallace brought to the screen is not, and was not supposed to, in my view, be the later war of the early and mid 1970's that those movies bring to life. This movie was of the U.S.' early involvement in the war and the patriotism and mind-set of that time-frame, not the Vietnam War of "Platoon" or similarly negative viewpoints. The movie did not glorify war, nor sugar-coat why the U.S. was involved, but rather offered a viewpoint of the men (and their families and their women) that fought it and why they volunteered to do so. The basic premise of both the book and the movie was that men fight on the battle field, not for glory or honor, but for the comraderie (or love) of the man next to him. Admitedly, there wasn't enough time to go into the thorough characterizations that many would have preferred on the individual character, but how long do you think the movie could have lasted then? I do believe that for the best appreciation of this movie, it should serve as a companion piece to the book, then you could fill in all the gaps that many have noted they feel are weaknesses of the movie. But seldom have I went to see a movie after reading the book first, that I felt was more aptly truthful to the book. And yes, there was some flag-waving and sugar-sweet moments early on, but they ARE accurate to a point as well. The best of the military will tell you that they train for war, not for love of it, but to better prepare and defend their country in time of it. The entire nation (and world for that matter) always missed the point, as far as I am concerned, about the Vietnam War. You can, and rightly so, abhor what occured in Vietnam; however, at no time EVER should the men and women who fought, sacrificed, suffered and died been made the victims of the public's scorn for U.S involvement. In short, the book is great, the film is excellent, and I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. Even if it is biased, uninformed, and dangerously narrow-minded. Semper Fi!