Pity those that will never understand the courage of such men

Rating: 9/10 (22 January 2004)

This movie has a soul.
It shows respect for the American Soldier. It isn't politically correct among many, including some of the posters here to do that it seems.
Pity those who can't grasp the concept of men who believe there are things bigger than themselves and who bet their very lives on that belief. The film accomplishes this tribute to the soldier by also giving due to the NVA Regular who fought with bravery. Nothing shows the nobility of a fighting man than by showing the quality and courage of his opponent. Like Colonel Moore says in his prayer however, he understands their humanity to a degree but wants them to die in battle and not his men. That's compassion laced with a real world understanding of how things are.
Men who throw themselves on grenades, who charge into enemy fire, who while wounded themselves risk themselves again to save a comrade are not Hollywood cliches. There are countless citations of such acts made from Breed's Hill to the Sunni Triangle. With the Sunni Triangle, it's happening as I type these words.
Kinear did a fine job showing the humor that is so common among men in the military. Sheppard caught the spirit of the professional Sgt. Major, Barry Pepper displays well a time when an American journalist saw that he was first an American and then a reporter.
This movie captures the worth and nobility of the typical American soldier.

By the way, the only reason we have a film industry that produce films from all perspectives is because the American soldier made it possible. And this holds true for every nation in the world where films are made that are not censored by their government. Because if it wasn't for the United States and her soldiers, freedom wouldn't exist anywhere.
Remember that when you eat your popcorn.