Customer Reviews

A Rumor of War [VHS]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

There is no way to switch off the Chinese subtitles on this dvd. What's more they are very obtrusive - they're larger than usual and higher up on the picture.

This DVD is apparently in a foreign format and it will not play on my DVD; but the problem is intermittent.

This is a pretty good movie. I remember catching it on TBS one day while staying home sick from school. I was still sick the next day, so I got to catch the second part of it. It was a movie that stuck out in my mind for its portrayal of the war.

A few years later, I remember seeing the book and reading it. The book was much better because it went into the mindset of the character and why he joined the Marines. The movie does a decent job of portraying that, but not quite.

Another movie that needs to find its way to DVD.

The only known way to get the full version of this film (unless you were lucky enough to have recorded it from tv) is this sort of gray market region 0 dvd.

Now most on here are talking about the Chinese subtitles. For those that are wondering since it was never mentioned in any other review, the subs are burned in. They are NOT forced subs but ones truly burned into the picture. When I had received th disc, the first thing I did was make my backup on the pc and take a closer look at the subs to verify if they were forced or actualy burned into the picture.

So again if subs appearing on the bottom of the picture are going to bother you, than skip this disc. However if you are dying to get your hands on the full version of this wonderful film, than suck it up and deal with the subtitles.

I did not find them bothersome at all.

This was a "Made for TV Movie", that was on two nights for 2 hours each, on CBS. The high quality of this movie is very surprising for a 1980 TV movie. It is a shame this movie has not been put on DVD. The VHS version that I have is 195 minutes, which I believe is the full length version. It is hard to believe this movie is 30 years old now. Some of the actors in this movie are so young it will be hard for you to pick them out, like Laurence Fishburne, as Lightbulb.

The movie is negative against the Vietnam War, but as a veteran, I believe it is fair for Vietnam. The war did get to many over there, and there was nothing to be happy about. In the end those who came home, most eventually went on with their lives, as did the Lt. Philip J. Caputo.

Of course there are some technical issues with this movie. The big thing was the type of Huey helicopters used never made it to Vietnam until very late if at all. The Marines in 1965-66 were mostly flown in UH-34D's, known as "Goonybirds". Their hair is long for this time period. The Marines still required the "High and Tight" in this time period. In the big picture of things, these are minor. They still don't take away from a well done movie.

This movie stays true to the awarding winning book, which is really saying something for a TV movie. The viewer will also be treated to a great performance by Brad Davis, a great actor who died way too young. I hope this will come out in DVD so future generations will be able to see this great movie.

guess next time i will do more reading before buying im not really pleased that i have to watch the subtiles in another country language and cant turn them off

I was in headquarters company 1/3, Philip Caputo's unit in Vietnam. I didn't know him but the movie is the most accurate I have seen on this subject. Although, I haven't seen many about Vietnam because they were to depressing for me to watch. I watched this movie because a coworker told me about it 20 years ago. It wasn't pushed by Hollywood like other movies. It portrays accurately what that war quickly became. 1/3 was the first Marine combat unit in Vietnam in March 1965. This unit set the standards for this war. Nothing exactly to be proud of, just the truth. It's not the blood and guts but rather the mindset of the high ranks. We went through 3 CO's in six months. I can guess why the first two were replaced.

Very poor quality video and you can not turn of Chineese sub titles very dissapointed

Great movie but you cannot remove the cHinese subtitles on the bottom. I still gave it 3 stars because after a while the subtitles didn't bother me.

Rumor of War is by far the most compelling movie about Vietnam I have ever seen. The way this movie was presented should serve as a model for ALL Vietnam War movies. The suspense, the background music/tempo, not to mention Brad Davis's intense acting style made this movie one I want to own! Unfortunately, I cant seem to locate the full length feature of 3 hours 20 minutes. All I can find is the shortened version, which cuts out half the movie. Despite 2 actors in this movie (who played only minor roles) EVERYONE did a great job, ESPECIALLY Brad Davis. PS: IF ANYONE OUT THERE KNOWS WHERE I CAN BUY THE FULL LENGTH FEATURE (3 HOURS 20 MINUTES) OF THIS MOVIE, PLEASE EMAIL BOMBJABA@AOL.COM