Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

Joe Galloway: There were no bands, no flags, no honor guard to welcome them home. They went to war because their country ordered them to. But in the end they fought not for their country or their flag, they fought for each other.


We Were Soldiers (2002)

Director by Randall Wallace
Mel Gibson as Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore
Madeleine Stowe as Julie Moore
Greg Kinnear as Major Bruce Crandall - Snake
Sam Elliott as Sergeant Major Plumley
Chris Klein as 2nd Lieutenant Jack Geoghegan
Barry Pepper as Joe Galloway


The Storyline / plot

The morning of November 14th, 1965 was the morning American soldiers engaged the enemy, in force, for the first time. These soldiers were the men of the 7th Air Cavalry Division. They were led by Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore and Sergeant Major Plumley. This engagement started approximately 9A.M. there were 395 U.S. soldiers. As usual, military intelligence had no idea what they were sending Col. Hal Moore and his men into. They suspected that Col Moore and his Cavalry soldiers would meet light resistance. The light resistance that they met was a large battalion size element. There was between 2,000 - 3,000 regular enemy soldiers. Not only were they out numbered, they were surrounded with no way out. This is OK if your Chesty Puller, or as it turns out, Hal Moore.

We Were Soldiers is about this battle and the men that fought there. It was documented by a young journalist by the name of Joe Galloway. The film starts out by showing the viewer a few training scenes. It is just enough to develop a couple of the main characters and their wives. The film wastes little time stateside, in Fort Benning Georgia. As the film progresses into the battle, it comes back to Fort Benning, Georgia. This is so we can see what the wives and their families are going through as the battle rages overseas. The film and its flow, works quite well.

Some Quotes From We Were Soldiers

Col. Moore: I’ll never forgive myself
Galloway: For what sir?
Col. Moore: That my men... that my men died and I didn't.

*********
[Young sergeant attempting to be cordial to the Sergeant Major]
Sergeant Savage: Beautiful morning, Sergeant Major!
Sergeant Major Plumley: What are you a f*cking weatherman now?!


Conclusion

I liked everything about this film. It doesn’t show a disgruntled soldier who was drafted. It doesn’t get into the politics of the war. Furthermore it doesn’t get into the American public, who some feel abandoned the American soldiers. So all of the sore spots and politics are left out of the film. Instead, this film focuses on the men who fought the first major action in Vietnam and their families. In fact, I feel it is the finest film ever made about the Vietnam War. This film gets right down to the brass tacks of one battle, the men who fought it and their families. And it is an excellent film for that. The character development in this film was very well done. The film has a good flow to it and a good mixture of drama and action. The action by way of special effects and some fine acting is very powerful. The drama is splendid as well. The acting by Madeleine Stowe as Col. Moores wife was just outstanding. There are some scenes that will put a lump in the throat of anyone, even men the likes of Sergeant Major Plumley! This film is a tear jerker for me. It’s hard to watch. When a battle starts , soldiers will die. When these soldiers are killed in action, their wives are sent a Western Union telegram which stated, “…The Secretary Of Defense regrets to inform you that your husband has been killed in action…” This is crazy, but it really happened. In fact this entire film is based on the true story.

Joe Galloway who is portrayed by Barry Pepper in the film wrote a book. This book was co-authored by retired Colonel Hal Moore, it’s called We Were Soldiers Once And Young. This film is based on that book. I have not read the book, but I can imagine how good it must be. The movie is excellent. Getting back to the film, the acting was superb. Madeleine Stowe, Mel Gibson, Sam Elliott, Chris Klein and Barry Pepper were all outstanding in the film. I have never taken much account of Madeleine Stowe’s acting, after seeing this film I most assuredly will take note in the future. Her acting abilities are splendid and she is a pleasure to watch. Elliott and Gibson are two favorites of mine. These two portraying two main characters in the film, just added to the quality of the film for me.

The cinematography was great. The combat scenes were very realistic looking. There was enough blood to know they were in serious trouble in a combat zone. On the other hand, there was not as much as you would see in Saving Private Ryan. The film works well without being too graphic. The special effects in the film were good as well. The dialog was well thought out. The film was intelligent and had some humorous spots to break up the seriousness of this kind of film. My only gripe with the film came after I watched the deleted scenes. One of the best parts of the film was deleted. It was a short scene where Col. Moore is being debriefed by General Westmoreland, four star General, and commander of the combat theater and Secretary Of Defense, Robert McNamara. You’ll see what I mean…

In the deleted scene General Westmoreland says to Col Moore, “After your victory, it is clear that we can win. Only 79 dead against 2,000 NVA regulars. All we need is more men, we’ve requested 50,000 more soldiers. We’ll run the little bastards back home!” Col Moore replies, “…that Napalm and Artillery pushed them back alright and that his men slaughtered the enemy. But we won’t be running the little bastards back home, they are home sir.” The reason that this scene was deleted is the same reason that I enjoyed the movie though. It gets into the politics of the war and director, Randall Wallace decided to cut the scene just for that reason. He wanted the film to be about the soldiers and not the politics. I commend him for that, I still liked the deleted scene and I’m glad I got to see it on the DVD. We Were Soldiers is an excellent film about the soldiers who fought in the first battle of Vietnam. I give this film, five of five stars!


DVD Bonus Features

• Deleted scenes
• Theatrical Trailer
• Wide Screen

Similar War Movies

• Top Ten War Films
• Top Ten World War II Films

RUNTIME: 2 hours 18 minutes
Rated : [R] for graphic violence, blood and language

Thanks for the read,

© 2005 Joe McMaster

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age