re: “We were Soldiers”
I liked this movie very much. I thought the movie portrayed the surreal atmosphere of the Viet Nam conflict. It showed the homefront of what the wives and families of our soldiers experienced while the battle progressed.
On a side note, there was a Viet Nam combat vet in my church who said the movie really helped him come to terms with some issues he was still dealing with.
The one thing I didn’t quite “get” was Gibson’s attempt to equate the bravery of our soldiers with that of the enemy. I’m not denying that the VC weren’t brave in their cause - but, they were fighting for an evil, abhorrant one. Just as the Japanese fought to a suicidal extent - but all for a terrible thing. I just have a hard time admiring that.
We Were Soldiers seemed a little sappy. That scene with the photographer was Corny. But Sam Elloit Sargent Major was very good. It could have been better, but at least it wasnt That Oliver Stone trash” Platoon”
And it is a trend to humanize our enemies, even those whose brutal treatment of captured Americans, like “Letter from Iwo Jima”.The japs may have been brave, but they were heartless, Like the NVA.
That wasn't Gibson, it was the character he was portraying. Lt. Col. (later Lt. Gen.) Hal Moore. Read his two books ("We Were Soldier's Once..." and "We are Soldiers Still") (both with reporter Joe Gallowy ). That's the way they both felt. He even went to Vietnam and met the NVA (not VC) officer who was on the other side during that battle. They returned to LZ X-Ray, in part to exorcise their demons. They even spent the night there, although that wasn't in the official plan and General Anh, now deceased, did not spend it with them. Later they went to LZ-Albany, where thing were worse, especially for the Americans, but where Moore and Galloway were not involved.
They started as old enemies, but became friends.
Ironically the Vietnamese actor, Don Duong, who played then Lt. Col. Anh got termed a National Traitor, and it was touch and go for a bit, but due to the general uproar, and the desire of the Vietnamese to improve relations, he was allowed to emigrate to the US.