Hamburger Hill
Hamburger Hill

Hamburger Hill

1987Movie110 minEnglish

The men of Bravo Company are facing a battle that's all uphill… up Hamburger Hill. Fourteen war-weary soldiers are battling for a mud-covered mound of earth so named because it chews up soldiers like chopped meat. They are fighting for their country, their fellow soldiers and their lives. War is hell, but this is worse. Hamburger Hill tells it the way it was, the way it really was. It's a raw, gritty and totally unrelenting dramatic depiction of one of the fiercest battles of America's bloodiest war. This happened. Hamburger Hill - war at its worst, men at their best.

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IMDb6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes64%
Google Users82%
Director: John IrvinGenres: War, Drama, Action, History

Plot Summary

The film chronicles the brutal struggle of a group of young American soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division as they fight to take control of a heavily fortified Vietnamese hill during the Tet Offensive in 1969. Facing relentless enemy fire, treacherous terrain, and dwindling morale, the soldiers endure immense physical and psychological trauma. The narrative focuses on their camaraderie, their desperate fight for survival, and the ultimate human cost of war.

Critical Reception

Hamburger Hill received mixed to positive reviews upon its release. While some critics praised its unflinching depiction of the horrors of war and its raw portrayal of the soldiers' experiences, others found its narrative somewhat unfocused and its characters underdeveloped. The film's realism and gritty combat sequences were often highlighted as its strengths, though its lack of a strong central protagonist was a common point of criticism. It was particularly noted for its honest look at the sacrifices made by ordinary soldiers.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its realistic and visceral depiction of combat.
  • Criticized by some for a lack of strong character development.
  • Seen as a powerful, albeit grim, portrayal of the Vietnam War's human toll.

Google audience: Google users generally found the film to be a realistic and impactful portrayal of the Vietnam War, appreciating its raw depiction of combat and the sacrifices of soldiers. Some reviewers noted that while it might lack polish, its authenticity and emotional weight made it a compelling watch.

Fun Fact

The film was shot in the Philippines, utilizing jungle locations that closely resembled Vietnam, and the production team faced challenging conditions during filming, including extreme heat and humidity, mirroring some of the actual conditions faced by soldiers in Vietnam.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
GenerationofSwine

GenerationofSwin...

Courtney B. Vance was kind of all over the place in this wasn't he? One moment he's an over-the-top make everything political racist, and the next moment he actually cares about everyone... and then it's back to nothing but race... and then...
John Chard

John Chard

The meat grinder effect. Unfairly forgotten and left in the slipstream of critical darlings Platoon and Full Metal Jacket, Hamburger Hill can proudly fly its own worthwhile flag. There's nothing preachy or political here, director John I...