War fanatics have discovered another film they believe is as good as the iconic Saving Private Ryan. Based on the true story of the Battle of Ia Drang, We Were Soldiers follows an air cavalry unit of 400 men during the early days of the Vietnam War. The unit is led by Lt. Colonel Hal Moore, who is ambushed alongside his troops by a much larger enemy force in the Ia Drang Valley in 1965, leaving them fighting for their lives.
The three-day battle was the first major fight between the United States and North Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War. Not only does the film focus on the impact of war on the men in the field, it documents the grief of the wives and families at home, who gradually receive news of casualties. The film perfectly balances the chaos of warfare with the devastating impact of the battle on the soldiers and their families.
Hollywood star Mel Gibson leads the cast as Lt. Col. Hal Moore, with critics and audiences praising his portrayal of the character, recognising his ability to showcase a commanding presence as well as emotional depth required for a leader in the war.
The 2002 film is directed by Randall Wallace and also stars Sam Elliott, Madeleine Stowe, Greg Kinnear, and Keri Russell. Despite Gibson’s performance receiving widespread praise, the film earned somewhat lukewarm reviews from critics.
However, not everyone feels the same as We Were Soldiers has been hailed “the best war film” by several viewers.
Expressing admiration for the film’s accuracy of balance, one wrote: “We Were Soldiers is probably the best war movie when it comes to the balance between heroism and portraying the darkness of war.”
Another posted: “Never heard of We Were Soldiers before (Mel Gibson, Sam Elliot, Madeline Stowe etc). Just about the best war film I’ve ever seen. Feel drained just watching it! Non-stop, brutal and heart-rending.”
“We Were Soldiers is probably the best film depicting the Vietnam War,” added a third as another shared: “We were soldiers ….. The best war film I ever watched.”
A fifth declared: “This movie is on par with ‘Saving Private Ryan’ and ‘Black Hawk Down’. However, it is not as acclaimed as the above two were. Perhaps, tone of the movie despite its intense realistic, sometimes very violent , battle scenes is anti war. A very good, thought provoking must see movie.”
Another echoed: “We Were Soldiers is probably the best war film I have ever seen.”