We Were Soldiers
We Were Soldiers

We Were Soldiers

2002Movie138 minEnglish

The story of the first major battle of the American phase of the Vietnam War and the soldiers on both sides that fought it.

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IMDb6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes55%
Metacritic65
Google Users80%
Director: Randall WallaceGenres: War, Drama, History

Plot Summary

The film chronicles the Battle of Ia Drang in November 1965, the first major engagement between the United States Army and the People's Army of Vietnam. It focuses on the experiences of Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore and his troops as they face overwhelming odds in a brutal, three-day conflict. The story also depicts the challenges faced by the soldiers' families back home as they await news from the front lines.

Critical Reception

We Were Soldiers was met with mixed to positive reviews from critics, who praised its powerful performances, intense battle sequences, and emotional depth. However, some criticized its portrayal of the war and its straightforward, patriotic narrative. Audiences generally responded favorably to its dramatic and action-packed depiction of the conflict.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its intense and realistic battle scenes.
  • Commended for strong performances, particularly from Mel Gibson.
  • Criticized by some for its patriotic tone and simplified depiction of complex issues.

Google audience: Audiences appreciated the film's strong emotional impact and its portrayal of heroism and sacrifice. Many found the battle sequences to be compelling and the human stories of the soldiers and their families to be moving. Some viewers felt the film offered a one-sided perspective on the war.

Fun Fact

The film is based on the non-fiction book 'We Were Soldiers Once... and Young' by Lieutenant General Hal Moore and Joseph L. Galloway, the only journalist to fight alongside the American soldiers during the Battle of Ia Drang.

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CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Mel Gibson ("Col. Moore") takes charge of training for, and then execution of, a perilous operation in the Vietnamese highlands in 1965. We know from the start of the film how difficult that task is going to be - the previous French troops ...