This was a really crappy war but it inspired some really great war movies. In terms of human deaths - and these numbers are oft debated - 3 to 4 million Vietnamese from both sides, 1.5 to 2 million Laotians and Cambodians, and 58,159 U.S. soldiers lost their lives. And then there were also millions of wounded Asians. And we thought we had lots of casualties! The war lasted 16 years and came close to destroying this country from within.
I already mentioned my attachment to this genre. I thought I had seen a ton of 'Nam films until I started researching the subject. An archive from Slippery Rock University lists 510 films about Vietnam and its aftermath. And, here's a great link - from Wellesley College - to an amazingly comprehensive list of news films and documentaries (primarily). After reviewing these lists I did acquire a few new titles and at least one has made my list.
One of the common themes through all these movies is the use of 60's/70's music - much of which was inspired in one way or another by the war. Some of the most famous songs include Vietnam by Jimmy Cliff, The I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die-Rag by Country Joe & the Fish, Eve of Destruction by Barry McGuire, Goodnight Saigon by Billy Joel, Ohio by CSN, Fortunate Son by CCR and many, many more.
The top movies in this category are hard to rank - so I won't try. Even though there are always a few that stand out, in this category there is no difficulty finding a top ten. The hard part is limiting the list to that. There really are a lot of quality films on this topic so my list will include 13 movies that deserve top ten consideration.
I already mentioned my attachment to this genre. I thought I had seen a ton of 'Nam films until I started researching the subject. An archive from Slippery Rock University lists 510 films about Vietnam and its aftermath. And, here's a great link - from Wellesley College - to an amazingly comprehensive list of news films and documentaries (primarily). After reviewing these lists I did acquire a few new titles and at least one has made my list.
One of the common themes through all these movies is the use of 60's/70's music - much of which was inspired in one way or another by the war. Some of the most famous songs include Vietnam by Jimmy Cliff, The I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die-Rag by Country Joe & the Fish, Eve of Destruction by Barry McGuire, Goodnight Saigon by Billy Joel, Ohio by CSN, Fortunate Son by CCR and many, many more.
The top movies in this category are hard to rank - so I won't try. Even though there are always a few that stand out, in this category there is no difficulty finding a top ten. The hard part is limiting the list to that. There really are a lot of quality films on this topic so my list will include 13 movies that deserve top ten consideration.
Still a few really jump out and there are certainly a top FIVE: - make that SIX:
Platoon - Oliver Stone film - I think his best. Won four Oscars including best director and picture. And, another Willem Dafoe film (nomination for best supporting). GREAT cast (Johnny Depp, Charlie Sheen, Forest Whitaker, Tom Berenger, Keith David, etc.). Maybe the reason it was Stone's best was because he actually was an infantryman in Nam and wrote this movie as a counter to John Wayne's The Green Berets (could be the lead in a class on Propaganda and Film). Music from the Doors was to be used liberally in the film and Jim Morrison was invited by Stone to play the lead but never even replied to the request. Instead the Doors music was prominent in Apocalypse Now.
Platoon - Oliver Stone film - I think his best. Won four Oscars including best director and picture. And, another Willem Dafoe film (nomination for best supporting). GREAT cast (Johnny Depp, Charlie Sheen, Forest Whitaker, Tom Berenger, Keith David, etc.). Maybe the reason it was Stone's best was because he actually was an infantryman in Nam and wrote this movie as a counter to John Wayne's The Green Berets (could be the lead in a class on Propaganda and Film). Music from the Doors was to be used liberally in the film and Jim Morrison was invited by Stone to play the lead but never even replied to the request. Instead the Doors music was prominent in Apocalypse Now.
The Deer Hunter - One of the films that marked my generation. This movie had it all - gr
eat cast, compelling story, love, war, tragedy, heartache, redemption and some of the greatest tension in any movie made (in particular the MOW MOW scenes). It won FIVE Oscars and had a cast that included Streep, DeNiro, Walken and Cazale. This is a bit strange: Cazale (best known as Fredo from The Godfather) had cancer and died shortly after filming. In the Russian Roulette scenes involving Cazale (which were shot first due to his illness), DeNiro suggested using a live bullet and Cazale agreed! He was engaged to Streep at the time. Very interesting tidbit - Cazale was in a total of five films. ALL FIVE were nominated as Best Picture. Can you name them (answer below)? Another piece of trivia - to make himself look more ghostly, Walken exclusively ate rice, bananas, and water for the week before he filmed the third act.
Apocalypse Now - Amazing cast. A Coppola (the Godfather series) film with Martin Sheen, Brando, Harrison Ford, Duvall, Fishburne, Hopper. This was a very intense film. Some critics have written it off but I thought it was great. It was nominated for eight Oscars but only won two minor ones. Sheen was great in this role and he was about the sixth choice. McQueen, Pacino, Nicholson, Redford and Caan were first approached. And, Brando was paid $3.5MM for one month of work -- and this was 1976, when $3.5MM was actually a lot of dough.
Full Metal Jacket - The biggest name in the movie was Mathew Modine, and most people don't know who he is. Lots of great characters played by relative unknowns - like Vincent D'Onofrio and Pvt. Pyle - incredible scene in the latreen (the one that gives the movie its name). Directed by Stanley Kubrick (2001, Clockwork Orange, Dr. Strangelove, Spartacus, Lolita, Paths of Glory - wow, what a list - and then Eyes Wide Shut (boy was that a terrible movie))
Tigerland - Not a well known film but a great portrayal of what training for the war must have been like. Excellent scenes of the trainign programs to get recruits ready for Nam. Way beyond basic training. Takes place at Ft. Polk, La. Stars Collin Farrell and a bunch of people I had never heard of.
Good Morning Vietnam - I just don't think of Robin Williams in roles like this one but he was fabulous. As the AM DJ in the armed forces radio his monologues are vintage Williams and no one does a stream of consciousnous like he does. Great scene when is out with the troops stopped by a truck convoy.
eat cast, compelling story, love, war, tragedy, heartache, redemption and some of the greatest tension in any movie made (in particular the MOW MOW scenes). It won FIVE Oscars and had a cast that included Streep, DeNiro, Walken and Cazale. This is a bit strange: Cazale (best known as Fredo from The Godfather) had cancer and died shortly after filming. In the Russian Roulette scenes involving Cazale (which were shot first due to his illness), DeNiro suggested using a live bullet and Cazale agreed! He was engaged to Streep at the time. Very interesting tidbit - Cazale was in a total of five films. ALL FIVE were nominated as Best Picture. Can you name them (answer below)? Another piece of trivia - to make himself look more ghostly, Walken exclusively ate rice, bananas, and water for the week before he filmed the third act.Apocalypse Now - Amazing cast. A Coppola (the Godfather series) film with Martin Sheen, Brando, Harrison Ford, Duvall, Fishburne, Hopper. This was a very intense film. Some critics have written it off but I thought it was great. It was nominated for eight Oscars but only won two minor ones. Sheen was great in this role and he was about the sixth choice. McQueen, Pacino, Nicholson, Redford and Caan were first approached. And, Brando was paid $3.5MM for one month of work -- and this was 1976, when $3.5MM was actually a lot of dough.
Full Metal Jacket - The biggest name in the movie was Mathew Modine, and most people don't know who he is. Lots of great characters played by relative unknowns - like Vincent D'Onofrio and Pvt. Pyle - incredible scene in the latreen (the one that gives the movie its name). Directed by Stanley Kubrick (2001, Clockwork Orange, Dr. Strangelove, Spartacus, Lolita, Paths of Glory - wow, what a list - and then Eyes Wide Shut (boy was that a terrible movie))
Tigerland - Not a well known film but a great portrayal of what training for the war must have been like. Excellent scenes of the trainign programs to get recruits ready for Nam. Way beyond basic training. Takes place at Ft. Polk, La. Stars Collin Farrell and a bunch of people I had never heard of.
Good Morning Vietnam - I just don't think of Robin Williams in roles like this one but he was fabulous. As the AM DJ in the armed forces radio his monologues are vintage Williams and no one does a stream of consciousnous like he does. Great scene when is out with the troops stopped by a truck convoy.
Seven through 13 are as follows:
The Boys in Company C - Again, Ermey as the DI. Excellent portrayal of boot camp and a tour of duty. Really helps one understand the military concept of FUBAR.
Hamburger Hill - Breakout role for Don Cheadle. Follows the story of an actual single assault over ten days on a worthless military objective on the Laotian border. Great battle scenes and a strong feeling for what a multi-day siege must have been like.
The Siege of Firebase Gloria - I had not heard of this movie till a couple of weeks ago. Very powerful. Great action scenes during a long siege at a small firebase. Lead role played by R Lee Ermey who you'll now remember as the drill Sgt. in Full Metal Jacket. He also had roles in Apocolypse Now, The Boys in Company C, China Beach, and Purple Hearts - obviously somewhat type cast as the "Gunny." (He was formerly an actual US Marine Corp Drill Instructor.)
Coming Home - Jane Fonda was terrific and Jon Voight moved me as the disabled vet. According to IMDB the film is about "A woman whose husband is fighting in Vietnam falls in love with another man who suffered a paralyzing combat injury there." Interestingly it won three Oscars - best writing, best actor and best actress, but not best film. That went to ...surprise, The Deer Hunter.
Forrest Gump - I hadn't really thought of this movie as being a Vietnam film but many others do. Many parts were about the war and its impacts here and abroad. So, its in. And it was excellent. Gary Sinise is outstanding as Lt. Dan. And the parts where Forrest plays ping pong are hilarious.
Hearts and Minds - Documentary about the war. Made in 1974 by a significant group of military officers against the war. Notably (and the main reason this movie makes the list) is the appearance (multiple scenes) in the film by one Randall Floyd, a former main squeeze of my sister Janet. He was a Captain and flew numerous bombing missions before finding a way out. Randy was one of a select few who attended Patty and my wedding oh those many years ago.
Born on the Fourth of July - Based on a true story. Oliver Stone directed. After a while you get a little sick of Cruise but still an excellent film. Willem Dafoe also in this film and he is almost always good.
Honorable Mention:
The Boys in Company C - Again, Ermey as the DI. Excellent portrayal of boot camp and a tour of duty. Really helps one understand the military concept of FUBAR.
Hamburger Hill - Breakout role for Don Cheadle. Follows the story of an actual single assault over ten days on a worthless military objective on the Laotian border. Great battle scenes and a strong feeling for what a multi-day siege must have been like.
The Siege of Firebase Gloria - I had not heard of this movie till a couple of weeks ago. Very powerful. Great action scenes during a long siege at a small firebase. Lead role played by R Lee Ermey who you'll now remember as the drill Sgt. in Full Metal Jacket. He also had roles in Apocolypse Now, The Boys in Company C, China Beach, and Purple Hearts - obviously somewhat type cast as the "Gunny." (He was formerly an actual US Marine Corp Drill Instructor.)
Coming Home - Jane Fonda was terrific and Jon Voight moved me as the disabled vet. According to IMDB the film is about "A woman whose husband is fighting in Vietnam falls in love with another man who suffered a paralyzing combat injury there." Interestingly it won three Oscars - best writing, best actor and best actress, but not best film. That went to ...surprise, The Deer Hunter.
Forrest Gump - I hadn't really thought of this movie as being a Vietnam film but many others do. Many parts were about the war and its impacts here and abroad. So, its in. And it was excellent. Gary Sinise is outstanding as Lt. Dan. And the parts where Forrest plays ping pong are hilarious.
Hearts and Minds - Documentary about the war. Made in 1974 by a significant group of military officers against the war. Notably (and the main reason this movie makes the list) is the appearance (multiple scenes) in the film by one Randall Floyd, a former main squeeze of my sister Janet. He was a Captain and flew numerous bombing missions before finding a way out. Randy was one of a select few who attended Patty and my wedding oh those many years ago.
Born on the Fourth of July - Based on a true story. Oliver Stone directed. After a while you get a little sick of Cruise but still an excellent film. Willem Dafoe also in this film and he is almost always good.
Honorable Mention:
Dead Presidents - more about a vet after the war, but still very entertaining.
Heaven and Earth - the third in the Oliver Stone Trilogy, from the perspective of a Vietnamese woman. Even though Tommy Lee Jones has a small part he is featured on the movie cover.
Casualties of War - Michael J. Fox and Sean Penn. Intense.
The Quiet American - Michael Caine and Brendan Frasier. The 1952 version was also pretty good. About Vietnam, pre-THE war.
We Were Soldiers - Lots of people rave about this movie but I thought it was weak and boring. Maybe I have just had enough of Mel.
Heaven and Earth - the third in the Oliver Stone Trilogy, from the perspective of a Vietnamese woman. Even though Tommy Lee Jones has a small part he is featured on the movie cover.
Casualties of War - Michael J. Fox and Sean Penn. Intense.
The Quiet American - Michael Caine and Brendan Frasier. The 1952 version was also pretty good. About Vietnam, pre-THE war.
We Were Soldiers - Lots of people rave about this movie but I thought it was weak and boring. Maybe I have just had enough of Mel.
Watchable:
Hanoi Hilton - slow at times but still pretty intense
The Green Berets - The original Vietnam film all decked out in red, white and blue.
Rescue Dawn - POW film with Christian Bale
Rambo - First Blood - Sly goes to Nam - good action, lousy film
Missing in Action - Chuck Norris goes to Nam - good action, lousy film
Flight of the Intruder - Danny Glover stars. Not bad.
Rolling Thunder - Not about Nam, really a revenge flick with Tommy Lee and William Devane.
TRIVIA ANSWER: Godfather, Godfather II, The Deer Hunter, Dog Day Afternoon, The Conversation.
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Lee Ermey also does a great job in Full Metal Jacket as the drill sergeant. The first half of that movie is so badass. If that had carried through the film, it would've been so great. I remember the training scenes so well but could not tell you how the movie ends.
ReplyDeleteYeah I agree with Bag. I remember how FMJ ends, but after the intense first half of training, the actual war feels like a joke. I'd like to combine the first half of this movie w/ the last "half" of Deer Hunter, because that wedding scene at the beginning just sucks my life away.
ReplyDeleteIn general I agree with you about the wedding - that's what makes DVD's so great - the FF button! If you cut that sequence by 50% - okay 75% - this might have been the perfect movie. Love the literary picture of the wedding sucking life out of someone.
ReplyDeleteNo mention of MASH.... Thoughts of movie? Thoughts of TV show?
ReplyDeleteI was so puzzled you didn't mention it I looked it up. Korean War....gotcha.
ReplyDeleteJim Morrison died in 1971 and Platoon came out in 1986...what's the story Wayner?
ReplyDeleteScreenplay written in '68 and then sent to Morrison who supposedly never even responded.
ReplyDelete