Read the book first - then see the film - highly recommended

Rating: Null/10 (13 August 2002)

A few hints at the content of the film (and not a book review):-
Having read the book, and now just caught the film, I'm surprised by the amount of negative comments regarding the film.
I suggest people read the book to understand that things were a lot different in 1965, to '67-'75 - I'm sure that Authors Lt Gen Harold Moore and Joseph L. Galloway did not exaggerate the gung ho sprit of the WWII and Korean veterans who took part in the fight at Ia Drang, nor the greenness showed by the 18-20 year olds, and whose lack of combat experience was reflected in either action or lack of it (and that goes for some of the first time Lieutenants).
The leaders in this battle, the aircrews, and the ordinary infantry soldier (if there could be such a thing) did what they thought right, there was no thought of not following orders, nor of being in peek physical fitness, or not wanting to help your fellow soldier. The issues and feelings that later arose during the last 6 odd years of the Vietnam War, rightly, got a lot of people thinking, and that includes the soldier asked to go die for their country.
But that was later.
In 1965 America was still experiencing a growth and prosperity not seen since the turn of the century, and at this time people still went to church, aspired to have the perfect wife and family complete with picket fence around the yard and would un-questionably die for their country - this was reflected in the high standards expected of the US Army, and by the Majors and Generals asked to lead and set the standards during the early stages of the Vietnam War (please don't think I'm saying that the US army does not now have high standards - of course it does - high standards set, in part, due to the terrible price paid in Vietnam).
Of course war is futile - a message that should be told as many times as possible, in as many different ways, maybe then we and our rulers/leaders/statesmen/stateswomen will listen.
I highly recommend the film, because I highly recommend the power of the book - go read, go see.