We Were Soldiers (DVD 2002)

It is a true story of the events that took place over three days beginning November 14th 1965 at la Drang Valley Vietnam, when 400 US marines of the 7th Cavalry were air lifted into hostile territory and faced 2000 North Vietnamese Army (NVA) Regulars. They were surrounded, cut off, heavily outnumbered and fighting to survive.

The originally story was written by the commander (Lt Col H. Moore) and the reporter (Joe Galloway) and begins by laying the history of the French Mobile 100 in the same valley in 1954. It is not long before the film dumps you in the thick of it and spanning the 12000 miles between Vietnam and Fort Benning Georgia.

The interwoven story lines blend seamlessly with aspects from the families, a tough Sgt Major (Sam Elliott), a lost platoon, US Air power, courage, tragedy and a loop of a French bugle. It is simplistic in places but fits so well with the period and how it was viewed at the time. It clearly points out the mistakes the French made and so cleverly throws them back at the viewers who know the ultimate ending of the war.

The first 90 US Marines land at 10.48 AM, two hours later they were surrounded with patrols cut off, under heavy fire, and being attacked from all sides. A Hot LZ was declared and the courage of the helicopter pilots landing again and again in these conditions was a testament to their courage.

Eventually the NVA broke through, overruning the Landing Zone and a Broken Arrow was declared. The result was a turning point in US history when all available US combat aircraft are called up in support; the outcome showed what overwhelming air power was capable off. In the end, tenacity, knowing were the enemy was and having the greater firepower to call upon proved too much; at least in those early stages of the war.

This is a hard hitting movie pulls few punches in its depiction of chaos and brutality, and stands shoulder to shoulder with Wind Talkers and Saving Private Ryan. Like Wind Talkers, this movie has a hidden message that is not lost on those who understand it, and is quite frankly, a story that should be told least we forget what they sacrificed on both sides.

In military terms, this was a watershed and a first in many ways. First time US Marines had met the NVA in battle, First use of the Air Mobile Division, First mass use of the M16 Assault Rifle, First Broken Arrow in Vietnam, and the point when US involvement was increased to 125,000.

There are numerous poignant moments, one when asked about being a father and a soldier, Lt Col Moore (Mel Gibson) replies, Being good at one makes me better at the other. Another is the explanation of war to a young child, Something that shouldnt happen but it does... Also in the darkest moment Lt Col Moore’s comparison with Custer is a Gem.

For the courage of those who died, in the silence of the night we will always hear their screams. The names of the US Marines who died at la Drang Valley are remembered on panel 3 of the Vietnam War Memorial, together with the other 58000 who lost their lives.

In conclusion, I feel this movie shows the story from both sides and although it is patriotic it is in no way propaganda. The movie is as close to what it is like and as true to the story as can be. More a depiction of what both sides endured and the courage of sacrifice under extreme conditions.

Starring:
Mel Gibson
Madeline Stowe
Sam Elliott
Greg Kinnear
Chris Klein
Keri Russell
and many more...