Graphic in all the horrors of war

Rating: Null/10 (23 August 2002)

I approached this movie with some trepidation. Was this going to be another over glorified war movie or was it going to convey the message that, as General Sherman said 140 years ago, "War is Hell". I am happy to say it was the later. As a Viet Nam era veteran (I was in the Army in 1968-1970, a tank platoon leader, but never served in Viet Nam) I have the utmost respect for those who did serve and ultimately made the supreme sacrifice. This movie, unpleasantly graphic at times and not for the faint of heart, shows the heroism and extraordinary leadership of Col. Moore. He was a devout family man and a compassionate warrior. He cared for his men and led by example. In my time in the Army I saw many "book" officers but can remember only a few who I considered real leaders. If the real Col. Moore was as portrayed in the movie my hat is off to him. Too many officers were "ring knockers" (West Point graduates) who led by the rank insignia on their collar. Col. Moore saw his duty and performed it, whether he felt the orders were idiotic (they were) or that he was leading his men into a trap (they were).
Another thing about this movie which impressed me was the way the enemy was humanized and not demonized, as is usual. The North Vietnamese were fighting for their country and had the same fears and hopes as their American counterparts. This movie did an uncommon job of showing that.
In closing I would recommend this movie to anyone who is interested in the savagery and futility of war and the uncommon men who rise above it to be true leaders and heros, even when their leadership is not.