TotalTelly.co.uk
Devoted to Popular, Cult and Retro TV
We Were Soldiers [2002]
![We Were Soldiers [2002]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519c7MyK%2BkL._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £12.99
Our Price: £3.05 (subject to change)
I can't imagine myself wanting to watch this twice.
Review date: 2008-03-09 Rating: 4 out of 10
America tries to take over where France failed in Vietnam. US soldiers prepare for combat, using new idea of 'air cav' -- i.e. helicopters. They say goodbye to their wives. They fly out to the 'Valley of Death'. Many get killed as the Vietnamese almost overrun their position. Wives of dead soldiers receive telegrams. The US counter-attack, aided by much air support. America withdraws, believing it has won the battle.
That's the basic story. After so many films about US adventures in the Far East -- 'The Thin Red Line', 'Apocalypse Now', 'Platoon', 'Full Metal Jacket' etc -- I feel this film adds nothing to our understanding of war, although it's useful to see the highly organised, subterranean approach of the North Vietnamese strategists. Even the battlefield action seems flat. I got the impression that most of the arc of the story was concocted around the battlefield action, yet so much of it seemed hackneyed. We really don't need to see more recruit-training sequences, tearful scenes of wives receiving tragic news etc etc. And any movie that makes Madeleine Stowe look this drab has to be questioned.
Watch it once, by all means. But would you really spend any more time on it?
Similar Products
- Black Hawk Down (2 Disc Set) [2002]
- Platoon [1987]
- Saving Private Ryan [1998]
- Windtalkers [2002]
- Enemy at the Gates [2001]
Reviews
Overseen by Lt.Col. Hal Moore US Army(Ret) himself no less
Review date: 2008-01-15 Rating: 8 out of 10
The battle seen in this film takes place in the La Drang Valley, Vietnam known to the North Vietnamese soldiers as the Valley of Death,over a period of only 3 days although on watching it I never realised this at first.The film begins as usual with the formation of the squadron from mainly raw recruits, trained up by Sam Elliot, who plays an RSM answerable only to Lt.Col Moore played by Mel Gibson who states from day one he will lead from the front with Elliot, a battle-hardened sergeant of many campaigns.Before the men finish their training properly they are sent off to Vietnam but not before the most experienced third of the squad are taken away,a decision made by those in higher authority who play with other peoples lives.The group are lifted into the battle zone and fight against N.Vietnamese veterans where many lives are lost on both sides.The heartlessness of war is seen clearly when the wives of the fallen American soldiers are informed of their husbands deaths by telegrams from the Secretary of State of the War Office delivered by The Yellow Cab Company.This task is one then undertaken by Madeleine Stowe,playing Gibsons wife. Much good acting from Greg Kinnear,Keri Russell,Don Duong and producer Randall Wallace has done a good all round job. The computer work is excellent and Music by Nick Glennie-Smith,an important often ignored facet is spot on.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Greg Kinnear
Chris Klein
Mel Gibson
Madeline Stowe
Sam Elliott
Creators:
Mel Gibson (Primary Contributor)
Madeline Stowe (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Icon Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Icon Home Entertainment
EAN: 5051429100210
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, PAL,
Release date: 2007-10-22
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 133 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2002
Language: English (Original Language)