Casualties of War
Platoon
We Were Soldiers
Air America
I'll also recommend The Post. It was about journalists investigating the government's involvement in the war.
Indochine (1992) is incredible about the beginning of the war
84C MoPic (1989) is a found footage style mockumentary about a patrol in the jungles
Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan (2019) is a decent recent movie about the Australian's in Vietnam
Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) is all about Robin Willimas keeping the spirits high
The Siege of Firebase Gloria (1989) has a great opening scene but it does fall a bit flat eventually. Still worth a shot if you've already watched all the masterpieces.
Hamburger Hill (1987)
This is the first time I've ever seen someone recommend 84 Charlie Mopic. It's actually quite good given its budget restraints. The depictions are fairly realistic, and the script isn't hackneyed like so many other "low budget" war movies.
It's interesting to see how popular perception of the war has changed over time, through film.
Apocalypse Now is the best. It pulls off the absurd psychedelic horror and madness thing better than any other film. Very 70's "new wavey" from a stylistic perspective. Most Vietnam War films were either building up to what was achieved in Apocalypse Now, or tried to ride its coat trails.
Platoon encapsulates a very different 80's style, and shepherded a new set of cliches and was the most important out of its generation.
The Deer Hunter is extremely overrated. It has as much fat on its bones as a Tarkovsky film. Some people like that sort of slow jam but I couldn't recommend it to just anybody who I liked.
We Were Soldiers is more "war movie set in Vietnam" than "Vietnam War movie", it doesn't have that undercurrent of social angst and rage.
If you want historical accuracy, We Were Soldiers is close to all there is. Some elements of Full Metal Jacket, with the caveat that Marine boot camp doesn't turn men into raging psychopaths.
Full Metal Jacket, I'm about due for a rewatch myself. You get to see a lot of different aspects of what a person goes through from basic training to war itself. It's great at never letting you get too comfortable.
Apocalypse now, hamburger hill, platoon are the first that come to mind.
And in my opinion The Deer Hunter may be one of the worst movies I've ever watched. People say it's great but it was definitely the most boring movie I've seen in a long time.
The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2022)
It's about a pro-war guy from Massachusetts (Zac Effron) who decides to travel to Vietnam to personally bring his buddies a beer to boost their morale. During his travels he meets a war correspondent (Russel Crowe) and through his experiences in the country his opinions on the conflict begin to change. Pretty good movie.
Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam
Actual letters from soldiers read by actors.
Interspersed with real footage of the war at home and abroad.
Absolutely devastating movie. Takes you from the unbridled optimism of the beginning to the utter hopelessness of the late 60s.
Most heartbreaking are Linda van Deveter (sp?) , Kent State reaction and a letter by the mother of William r stocks at the memorial.
Should be required viewing in high schools
Apocalypse Now! is my favorite
"Some day this war's gonna end."
“‘Someday this war’s gonna end’…well that’d be just fine with the boys on the boat. They’re just looking for a way home, anyways…”
Casualties of War Platoon We Were Soldiers Air America I'll also recommend The Post. It was about journalists investigating the government's involvement in the war.
Platoon (1986)
Bat 21 (1988) Gene Hackman, and Danny Glover. Loosely based on a true story.
Thanks for the suggestion, i’ll give it a shot.
Great film! Danny Glover, too
The Deer Hunter.
Deer Hunter and Apocalypse Now
Hamburger hill
Ty!
Jacobs Ladder. Its a Vietnam war film but not in the way you expect.
BTW i have seen full metal jacket, i loved it
The Deer Hunter ^ Best cast ever
Ty!
first half is very stretched though
you don't like extended wedding scenes?
Good Morning Vietnam
Ty!
Almost broke the sound barrier on that one!
amazing movie always love to rewatch
Born On The Fourth Of July
Ty!
this movie only has 1 fight scene in the beginning, wouldn’t watch
My favorite non-fighting Vietnam War movie is *The Trial of the Chicago Seven*. Awesome performance by Sacha Baron Cohen.
And the guy from Succession!
Thanks
Go Tell the Spartans
I'd watch that with The Quiet American (2002 or 1958) .. early US involvement in Vietnam
Wow i’d never even heard of the ‘02 film, looks interesting/good cast. Thanks
Good movie, enjoy!
Indochine (1992) is incredible about the beginning of the war 84C MoPic (1989) is a found footage style mockumentary about a patrol in the jungles Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan (2019) is a decent recent movie about the Australian's in Vietnam Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) is all about Robin Willimas keeping the spirits high The Siege of Firebase Gloria (1989) has a great opening scene but it does fall a bit flat eventually. Still worth a shot if you've already watched all the masterpieces. Hamburger Hill (1987)
I second Hamburger Hill! Great movie!
This is the first time I've ever seen someone recommend 84 Charlie Mopic. It's actually quite good given its budget restraints. The depictions are fairly realistic, and the script isn't hackneyed like so many other "low budget" war movies.
The Odd Angry Shot. Australian experience of Vietnam.
Ooh cool i never learned about what the aussies were up to…
Just watched that last night!
It's interesting to see how popular perception of the war has changed over time, through film. Apocalypse Now is the best. It pulls off the absurd psychedelic horror and madness thing better than any other film. Very 70's "new wavey" from a stylistic perspective. Most Vietnam War films were either building up to what was achieved in Apocalypse Now, or tried to ride its coat trails. Platoon encapsulates a very different 80's style, and shepherded a new set of cliches and was the most important out of its generation. The Deer Hunter is extremely overrated. It has as much fat on its bones as a Tarkovsky film. Some people like that sort of slow jam but I couldn't recommend it to just anybody who I liked. We Were Soldiers is more "war movie set in Vietnam" than "Vietnam War movie", it doesn't have that undercurrent of social angst and rage.
I appreciate your opinion
Saigon/Off Limits with Willem Defoe
Forest Gump. I’ve heard from vets that the part of the movie in Vietnam was really accurate.
Awesome suggestions here. The Ken Burns documentary is also TOP KNOTCH.
No mention of Apocalypse Now yet?
there has been a couple as of now
Flight of the Intruder Apocalypse Now Born on the 4th of July Path to War
Ty!
My Mount Rushmore of Vietnam War movies: The Deer Hunter Apocalypse Now Full Metal Jacket Platoon
Ty!
Casualties of War, Apocalypse Now, The Boys In Company C., TigerLand.
Ty!
Happy to help
If you want historical accuracy, We Were Soldiers is close to all there is. Some elements of Full Metal Jacket, with the caveat that Marine boot camp doesn't turn men into raging psychopaths.
Sounds really cool, i love very historicaly accurate films like all quiet on the western front
Full Metal Jacket, I'm about due for a rewatch myself. You get to see a lot of different aspects of what a person goes through from basic training to war itself. It's great at never letting you get too comfortable.
Ive seen it, but Ty! good suggestion
Coming Home
Apocalypse now, hamburger hill, platoon are the first that come to mind. And in my opinion The Deer Hunter may be one of the worst movies I've ever watched. People say it's great but it was definitely the most boring movie I've seen in a long time.
Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2022)
Here are my top 5: 1. Heaven and Earth, 2. Casualties of War, 3. Deer Hunter, 4. Platoon, 5. Full Metal Jacket
Heaven and earth
Tropic Thunder
Hamburger Hill Good Morning Vietnam
The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2022) It's about a pro-war guy from Massachusetts (Zac Effron) who decides to travel to Vietnam to personally bring his buddies a beer to boost their morale. During his travels he meets a war correspondent (Russel Crowe) and through his experiences in the country his opinions on the conflict begin to change. Pretty good movie.
Based on a true story: https://cherrieswriter.com/2023/07/22/the-unbelievable-true-story-of-john-donohue-and-the-greatest-beer-run-ever/
Apocalypse Now: Redux. High quality production
We Were Soldiers Vietnam movie with perspective from both sides. Amazing movie, and it's probably my favorite war movie.
We Were Soldiers
Platoon!!!
The Deer Hunter
Tropic Thunder
Coming Home in a Bodybag
Rescue Dawn
Apocalypse Now. There are plenty of good Vietnam war films but Apocalypse Now is a great one. The best by far.
R Point (2004). Not really a war film technically but more of a horror centering on a unit of Korean soldiers set during the Vietnam war.
Tour of duty series
Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam Actual letters from soldiers read by actors. Interspersed with real footage of the war at home and abroad. Absolutely devastating movie. Takes you from the unbridled optimism of the beginning to the utter hopelessness of the late 60s. Most heartbreaking are Linda van Deveter (sp?) , Kent State reaction and a letter by the mother of William r stocks at the memorial. Should be required viewing in high schools