Most realistic, best filming, outstanding cast & screenplay since early days of "the Duke"!

Rating: 9/10 (7 October 2002)

I remember watching "Warner Pathe News" at the Saturday matinee showing action from WWII. I remember watching a round screen with a magnifier (RCA)showing clips from Korea. I remember watching a 25" color newsbroadcast showing 1-2 hour old clips from Vietnam. I remember watching live action on CNN as laser-guided ordinance selectively destroyed pieces of Iraq. I have seen 'war movies' from early John Wayne, Aldo Ray, etc. through the surrealistic works of "Apocalypse", "Platoon", etc. I have paid evening prices to watch near-fantasy as "Looking For Private ....", etc. There are/were few "bad" 'war movies' and fewer "great" war movies.
Now, on satellite PPV, I have watched "We Were Soldiers". I am quite familiar with the actual events forming the base of this picture, and I feel confident in stating that this entire production should be processed in a form where it could be an integral part of each and every scholastic treatment of the "Vietnam era". In fact, the portrayal of not only the armed conflict, but the in-combat and at-home tension and emotional excursions, was so well done and life emulating, this rendition of the battle history should be required!! material from middle schools through graduate study! "... if I were King ..." this would have taken every Award Category even remotely applicable. Alas, merely a vassal, but an enriched one having viewed "We Were Soldiers"!