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on October 31, 2004
I served three combat infantry tours in Vietnam, and this is the movie that best captures the realities of the U.S. military field experience there (the other movie that's worth seeing is the more recent "We Were Soldiers"). "Hamburger Hill" has the right music -- the soundtrack is full of songs I never knew the names of, but tunes that I remember hearing in Vietnam and that help to bring back the world as it was then.
You see the ubiquitous helicopters, although no movie, including this one, has ever used anywhere near the number of choppers that were actually used in Vietnam. I've seen as many as 100 around a major operation, but it's rare to see more than a dozen at a time in a movie. I would guess that the cost is prohibitive for movie makers. War is an expensive proposition.
No movie can convey the smells of a place, but "Hamburger Hill" comes close with its images of field conditions, and it catches everything else -- the sights, the sounds, the language, the cliches, the basic training knowledge common to all grunts, the attitudes toward those outside your unit -- including higher command, Vietnamese, media people, and politicians -- and even the social revolution that was rocking America while the troops, who fought for ground that would not be held, knew they would never be allowed to chase the enemy back to his lair, so next week, or next month, or next year you'd be fighting for the same hill again.
For those who were there, this movie takes you back. For those who weren't, this movie, better than any other, tells it like it was. There's a special place in heaven for writers and directors who make truthful art like this.
You see the ubiquitous helicopters, although no movie, including this one, has ever used anywhere near the number of choppers that were actually used in Vietnam. I've seen as many as 100 around a major operation, but it's rare to see more than a dozen at a time in a movie. I would guess that the cost is prohibitive for movie makers. War is an expensive proposition.
No movie can convey the smells of a place, but "Hamburger Hill" comes close with its images of field conditions, and it catches everything else -- the sights, the sounds, the language, the cliches, the basic training knowledge common to all grunts, the attitudes toward those outside your unit -- including higher command, Vietnamese, media people, and politicians -- and even the social revolution that was rocking America while the troops, who fought for ground that would not be held, knew they would never be allowed to chase the enemy back to his lair, so next week, or next month, or next year you'd be fighting for the same hill again.
For those who were there, this movie takes you back. For those who weren't, this movie, better than any other, tells it like it was. There's a special place in heaven for writers and directors who make truthful art like this.
on December 13, 2012
I saw this movie at the end of the '80's and liked it really well, despite the fact it represented the war I heard about and watched on tv--YOUNG MEN THROWN INTO THE GRINDER OF VIET NAM!! Not pleasant during war--not pleasant seeing the movie as debuted or seeing it now. I remember the MANY HILLS taken described in the media. The hills taken, then abandoned for the taking of another hill. This is one of those hills (based on a real hill, hill 937, and combat). The very YOUNG MEN CHEWED UP during this battle (70%). A VERY HEAVY COST. The movie hits on the times and how they were--an UNVARNISHED VIEW.
Starring very young DON CHEADLE, DYLAN McDERMOTT and MICHEAL BOATMAN. 5 STARS FOR IT'S STARK REALISM.
Starring very young DON CHEADLE, DYLAN McDERMOTT and MICHEAL BOATMAN. 5 STARS FOR IT'S STARK REALISM.
on March 16, 2017
glad to add it to my collection of war movies
on June 7, 2017
another good war movie that mad history
on February 4, 2012
This is a GREAT Viet Nam movie, far more accurate than the usual Oliver Stone propaganda stuff like Platoon, Full Metal Jacket and like ilk! It is hard to follow, just like the original combat in Au Shau valley! Well acted, and with the correct amount of black and white soldiers in the company, not the often exaggerated political correctness gone wild that you see in other films! The only film as accurate as this one is "We Were Soldiers" with Mel Gibson. As a Viet Nam era vet, I absolutely DESPISE the way liberal history has re-written this war. This movie will help the viewer make a little more sense of things.
on July 10, 2017
excellent movie depicts the cruelty of the vietnam conflict
on June 20, 2010
I have read many reviews from those of you that weren't there and you totally miss the point of this movie. If you want a faery tale based on the fantasys of Oliver Stone and Stanley Kubrick, then that is your choice. This movie; however, is light years ahead in reality compared to any other movie of the Vietnam War.
The story is a salute to the American fighting man and his willingness to gain objectives. Few people know that there were 44 provinces in South Vietnam and that the 4 provinces that comprised I Corps accounted for 44% of all US casualties. It really was a different war there although actions in '65 thru '67 in the Central Highlands were just as fierce and challenging. The Ashau Valley was conqured, with great sacrifice, in 1968 and 1969 by The Marines, The 1st Cav and by my proud unit the 101st Airborne.
I was there in operation Somerset Plain in August 1968. I was on the lower levels of Hamburger Hill when we backed off and let the Air Force Bomb Hanburger Hill for 24 consecutive hours. When we entered the valley, both sides were lined for miles with 37MM and 51 cal anti-aircraft guns. Out of 50 Slick Hueys and 26 supporting gunships, 15 of the choppers were shot down before we touched down on the valley floor. That mission was doomed from the start. A Company 2/502 was hit by an Air Force National Guard F100 that dropped a 500# bomb directly on their position killing 15 of my Brothers and wounding 55. Due to casualties in the war a standard company of 200 men could not get replacements fast enough to field more than 100 men. We spent 19 days on the west ridge of the valley before pulling out.
My unit B Co. 2/502 is the Strike Force unit of the 13th Valley fame. However, the two major engagements Hamburger Hill and Ripcord were both fought by the 3rd Brigade of the 101st. Hats off to the 3rd Brigade and all who served in Vietnam. Most I Corp grunt units were like mine taking 1 in 4 killed and 50% wounded every year. If you were in the mountains, Hamburger Hill was your story, any other movie is a faery tale..
The story is a salute to the American fighting man and his willingness to gain objectives. Few people know that there were 44 provinces in South Vietnam and that the 4 provinces that comprised I Corps accounted for 44% of all US casualties. It really was a different war there although actions in '65 thru '67 in the Central Highlands were just as fierce and challenging. The Ashau Valley was conqured, with great sacrifice, in 1968 and 1969 by The Marines, The 1st Cav and by my proud unit the 101st Airborne.
I was there in operation Somerset Plain in August 1968. I was on the lower levels of Hamburger Hill when we backed off and let the Air Force Bomb Hanburger Hill for 24 consecutive hours. When we entered the valley, both sides were lined for miles with 37MM and 51 cal anti-aircraft guns. Out of 50 Slick Hueys and 26 supporting gunships, 15 of the choppers were shot down before we touched down on the valley floor. That mission was doomed from the start. A Company 2/502 was hit by an Air Force National Guard F100 that dropped a 500# bomb directly on their position killing 15 of my Brothers and wounding 55. Due to casualties in the war a standard company of 200 men could not get replacements fast enough to field more than 100 men. We spent 19 days on the west ridge of the valley before pulling out.
My unit B Co. 2/502 is the Strike Force unit of the 13th Valley fame. However, the two major engagements Hamburger Hill and Ripcord were both fought by the 3rd Brigade of the 101st. Hats off to the 3rd Brigade and all who served in Vietnam. Most I Corp grunt units were like mine taking 1 in 4 killed and 50% wounded every year. If you were in the mountains, Hamburger Hill was your story, any other movie is a faery tale..
on October 6, 2013
I did not serve in Vietnam, but I've seen several other reviews that are impressed by this film's reality. I found the story pretty involving, but I didn't really "connect" with any of the specific characters. I think it gives you a pretty good idea of what combat in Vietnam must have been like. I can't imagine that young children would want to watch this, but you should note that the film really deserves its "R" rating- there is a fair amount of gore and almost constant vulgar language. I may not ever watch it again, but it was worth seeing once. It certainly helps remind one of the sacrifices and suffering so many young men went through.
