We were in the wrong place

Rating: Null/10 (8 June 2002)

Mel Gibson's blockbuster We Were Soldiers is a solid war Movie. All the issues revolving around the Characters are balanced with skill and accuracy and great care. Gibson stars as Lt Colonel Hal Moore, who wrote the story. Moore is a family man (Madeleine Stowe plays the missus), a religious man, and knows how to get the job done in a battle. He is put in charge of an Air Cavalry unit which use helicopters. They fly in, kill, blow the crap out of everything and get out again. With the help of Sargent Major Basil Plumley (Sam Elliott) they put together the 1st regiment, 7th cavalry. With young troops and untested battle plans they are dropped into the La Dang Valley in Vietnam which becomes known as the 'Valley Of Death'. About 400 young soldiers are soon surrounded by some 2000 North Vietnamese and it's not a pretty sight. There is nearly total panic from the word go as the regiment is forced to split in different directions. It's wall to wall carnage as the slaughter on both sides goes on for three days. Realistic battle scenes fill the screen and with dying troops scattered all over the place, it is reminiscent of the inside of an abattoir. This battle is well known as it was responsible for getting the Americans involved in the Vietnam War big time, and we all know how that went. Bad news telegrams to loved ones back home, body bags by the dozen, acts of heroism; it's all there and is in-your-face as you can get. The real Hal Moore was there in real life and his portrayal is obviously spot on, more the pity. Special mention must be made of Barry Pepper who plays war photographer/reporter Joe Galloway. Insane is the only word to describe this character. And at nearly two and a half hours you will wonder where the time went.