Product Details

• Actors: Wings Hauser, R. Lee Ermey, Robert Arevalo, Mark Neely, Gary Hershberger
• Format: NTSC
• Language: English, Vietnamese
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Delta Library Compan
• VHS Release Date: March 28, 1990
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 630126939X
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,347 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brutal, in your face depiction of a true incident in 'Nam, March 20, 2001

By 

"comtad" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Siege of Firebase Gloria (Amazon.com Exclusive) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This film will not likely win the hearts and minds of the average film-goer. But it ranks right up there with "Platoon" and "Go Tell the Spartans" as among the very best of the Vietnam war films.

It pulls few punches in its depiction of that war's brutality. It is totally stripped of all sentimentality. Importantly, it sympathetically portrays both Vietcong and American humanity, feelings and attitudes at the infantry level.

A plus to this film is R. Lee Ermey's (also see "Full Metal Jacket" and "The Boys in Company C.") portrail of Marine Sgt Major Bill Haffner who, at the beginning of the film, is in command of a small recon squad. Later, upon "relieving" an inept dope-smoking Army captain of command, is ultimately in charge of shaping up an entire company of near misfit GI's at Firebase Gloria. He job is to fortify the base and defend it from an impending Vietcong attack. The ensuing battle sequences are as harrowingly realistic as any you'll see anywhere. Real life ex-marine Ermey is completely convincing, funny and entertaining even though, at times, he appears slightly uncomfortable in the lead role.

Some viewers may take exception to Sgt Haffner's unprovoked beratement of Nurse Capt. Flanagan. Under the circumstances, one would think her and her nurses presence would be greatly appreciated. It's my only gripe with the film.

Australian director, Brian Trenchard-Smith has stuck his neck out and made a remarkable, sleeper of a war film. Any war film fan who hasn't seen this film is in for a pleasant (or unpleasant, depending on your viewpoint) surprise. Others should view it for a reality check. At the current price, it is an unbelievable bargain. Don't miss it!

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, June 26, 2004

By 

Alistair Dean (Cornwall, England, Great Britain) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Siege of Firebase Gloria [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I have just watched this film and I thought that it was the best Vietnam War film I have evey seen. After watching Full Metal Jacket, Platoon and Hamburger Hill I find 'Siege of Fire Base Gloria' refreshing and hard hitting. War at the best of times is harrowing and usless but this film brought home the comradeship and closeness one finds in the services and during times of conflict. It was well directed and very well acted and showed a true representation of war you would not find other wise by actually being there. Its a shame you only have five stars because this film and its actors deservse 10+

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an absoulute must see for war buffs, February 8, 2001

By 

"hope122972" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Siege of Firebase Gloria (Amazon.com Exclusive) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

It's a story of a small firebase in the middle of nowhere being overrun during the Vietnam War, but it goes much deeper than that. The movie brings to life the feeling of desparate terror in the hearts of soldiers facing an enemy ten times their size and having no hope of reinforcment. Running along the lines of Hamburger Hill, The Seige of Firebase Gloria is a classic in it's own right, and an integral part of this genre of movies. The cast includes a line-up familiar to war movies doing some of their best work. I would highly recommend seeing this movie to anyone who wants a glimpse of real life in time of war, there are no unstoppable superman type heroes in this flick, only a group of men trying to survive in any way they can.