Your favourite Vietnam War film?

[CTF]

I think there are three films that stand out when it comes to 'nam: Apocalypse Now, Platoon and Full Metal Jacket... what does everyone else think?

Post your favourite; and tell us why it is.

:thumbsup

 

[EvilRocketeer]

Platoon is on the top of my list. A great epic battle especially between dafoe and berenger

hmm, does forest gump count?

 

[CTF]

My favourite would be Platoon.

Sure, it isn't perfect (Adagio for Strings is used far too much, in my opinion), but "great movies are rarely perfect movies"... and this is definitely a great movie. And say what you want about Oliver Stone, but he was there, which is why I think it stands head and shoulders above other films (and is the reason a lot of veterans like it).

And who isn't familiar with this image:

 

[CTF]

While Platoon is my favourite, Apocalypse Now is a close second. It has to go down as one of the most surreal moments I've ever had in a cinema. You could say that it's my Avatar.

If Platoon is an autobiography, then this is the opera of Vietnam films... so I guess Ride of the Valkyries is quite fitting, huh?

It, too, has awesome poster art:

And that opening!

 

[CTF]

hmm, does forest gump count?

No.

:lol

 

[EvilRocketeer]

I love movies..but I could not sit through Apocalypse Now. I'm not sure what it was, but I just lost interest in it fast which is pretty sad because I love war films

Great Movie poster though

 

[CTF]

I love movies..but I could not sit through Apocalypse Now. I'm not sure what it was, but I just lost interest in it fast which is pretty sad because I love war films

Did you watch the Redux? Or the original? The former is bloated, to be honest... sometimes less is more.

But, yeah, Apocalypse Now is not for everybody.

 

[CTF]

sometimes less is more.

Actually, when it comes to film, less is more 100% of the time.

 

[CTF]

I'm not sure what it was, but I just lost interest in it fast which is pretty sad because I love war films

You might like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Hearts-Darkness-Filmmakers-Apocalypse-VHS/dp/6302414016

It is pretty much a war movie!

"My film is not about Vietnam, it is Vietnam"

 

[EvilRocketeer]

It looks pretty entertaining. I might check it out. I still havent seen inglorious basterds or the hangover, so this may have to wait a little.

I think it was the original version. I think it was like 3 or something hours long. After like an hour into it, I just couldnt take it anymore

 

[Ttaskmaster]

I hate Platoon and any other film that's about the "Yanks in 'Nam, all diddly-bopping through the bush" and "going psycho on the Gooks"...

My favourite is Hamburger Hill.
It's about a bunch of guys who just want to do their time and get home. It's about the difference in perspective of volunteer and career soldiers versus the conscripts.
It's about the pointlessness of the extreme struggles.

It's also extremely accurate according to the veterans who survived the assault on Hill 937.

 

[JunkSabers1138]

My absolute favorite Vietnam film... in fact, THE Vietnam film for me, is We Were Soldiers.

Never saw any of the others, but like Task said... I hate the "yanks in nam" approach... like its a shoot-em-up action movie and not a War is Hell flick. In fact I despise this for ANY war film. Thats why Im into war films like The Patriot, Braveheart (to a degree... its not entirely a war film perse), Saving Private Ryan (the BEST war film IMHO ), and this film, because they try to be realistic about the subject matter and not sugar coat it for Rule of Cool's sake.

Havent seen The Hurt Locker yet... but its on my list.

 

[SSgt Burton]

I fail to see how Platoon "sugar coated" war.

In my opinion it was the first film about Nam that was "in your face" about "war is hell" not "war is fun".

Platoon is first on my list. FMJ is second but far behind. Apocalypse Now is up there... but is a little too surreal to taken as a serious look at the Vietnam war.

Everything else is a shadow.

Kevin

 

[CTF]

It's about a bunch of guys who just want to do their time and get home.

It's about the pointlessness of the extreme struggles.

It's also extremely accurate according to the veterans who survived the assault on Hill 937.

Um, you've just described Platoon? :wacko

Never saw any of the others, but like Task said... I hate the "yanks in nam" approach... like its a shoot-em-up action movie and not a War is Hell flick. In fact I despise this for ANY war film. Thats why Im into war films like The Patriot, Braveheart (to a degree... its not entirely a war film perse), Saving Private Ryan (the BEST war film IMHO ), and this film, because they try to be realistic about the subject matter and not sugar coat it for Rule of Cool's sake.

None of the films listed are anything like what you describe... but I guess you wouldn't know that since you haven't seen them.

 

[CTF]

I fail to see how Platoon "sugar coated" war.

:thumbsup

It's also extremely accurate according to the veterans who survived the assault on Hill 937.

The same with Platoon and Full Metal Jacket. I actually have a story, which prompted this thread, that I'll post tomorrow (but I've got to get some sleep).

 

[TallDarkandDisfigured]

I have to put FMJ at the top of my list because R. Lee Ermey is GOD! Who better to play the Drill Sergeant than retired Drill Sergeant.... The characters were written well, and I like watching them "becoming" soldiers.

Platoon was epic. Amazingly well made flick, and it drew you in.

Apoalypse Now.... I watched this film so I could say I've seen it. Then I watched the Redux(pointless money grab) and I have to say, it had it's moments but overall wasn't the greatest.

 

[Ttaskmaster]

Um, you've just described Platoon? :wacko

Not quite.
Platoon is more about the insanity in the war and how crazy all the Americans were, a common theme that gets bandied about and has always seemed over-dramatised. I guess I also dislike it because it's become the commonplace image of US soldiers in Vietnam, ie 60% of them were drugged up and psychotic.

HH I prefer, because it's not as Gung-Ho and is more about the people and their mindsets than action. I also feel it allows you to identify with and understand the characters better, even the ones you don't like.
It still protests the war, but in a quiet fashion. It almost just presents the facts and lets you decide. I understand this was the more commonplace experience, rather than what Platoon portrays.

I like Born On The 4th Of July for similar reasons.

 

[PHArchivist]

hmm, does forest gump count?

No.

Forrest Gump

I know its not a "Viet Nam film", and doesn't truly fit that category, but the VN sequences in the film were some of the best, and the ambush scene is some of the most realistic (or so I would think) imaginable - the sound design on that assult is incredible.

I jump and duck every time that scene hits.

 

[agent5]

I know its not a "Viet Nam film", and doesn't truly fit that category, but the VN sequences in the film were some of the best, and the ambush scene is some of the most realistic (or so I would think) imaginable - the sound design on that assult is incredible.

VERY true!

Is Apocalypse Now really a true war film tho? I've always been of the impression that it was more of a story that took place during the war but not really about the war. There is only one farily conventional battle scene in the film, but an absolutely amazing scene it is. A miracle it was completed.

 

[Qui-Gonzalez]

Full Metal Jacket
Platoon

In that order. FMJ was realistic enough to be freaky to the Marines I know who were enlisted during that time period.