A gruesome, accurate portrayal of what battle in Vietnam was like.

Rating: 7/10 (16 February 2006)

I salute the actors, and directors of this movie for having the courage to depict the harsh realities of war without "romanticising" it. With all the negative sentiment surrounding Vietnam it is admirable this movie can be objective enough to show the soldiers on both sides as people with family who care about them. Even though I served there and detested the terrorist, aggressive actions of the communist north I have always known the enemy were people. They were someones sons and daughters. This movie shows in some respects how war affects the many who do not serve. If all people of the world felt as I do now, there would be no more wars. Unfortunately such is not the case. Sam Elliot is excellent as the hard nosed old Sergeant who has seen too much war in his lifetime but is not about to give up fighting the good fight. Mel Gibson does a fine job portraying the leaders of this band of men who first confronted the NVA. Great supporting cast.