Hamburger Hill (1987) R - 4 Stars

OMG Don Cheadle is so young in this movie along with some of the other actors. Perhaps this is where they got their start. What I really liked about this movie was is it felt real. It's not an Apocalypse Now, Platoon, or Full Metal Jacket action production but more a realistic look at the ugliness of war. Based on the true story of faithful soldiers in 1969, who did the impossible taking over Hill 937 in the Ashua Valley of Vietnam as instructed. Their commanding orders, "Just get up that hill," the infamous hill would better be known as Hamburger Hill due to the massive carnage from both sides, strewn all over it. For all the men that just died, the media parades up the hillside to document, as if they've earned the right for the freedom to pass, because men had just lost their lives for. 70% of the 101st Airborne Division lost their lives, in the 10 day blood bath to overcome the hill. The Vietcong refused to surrender and most lost their lives trying to stand off to each other. Sadly, after their conquest of the hill, it was abandoned with little use to anyone.

Soldiers include Langulli - Vincent (Anthony Barrile) Washburn, (Don Cheadle), McDanile (Don James), Galvin (M.A. Nickles), Motown (Michael Boatman), Murphy (Michael Dolan), Duffy (Harry O'Reilly) and Sgt. Frantz (Dylan McDermott).

Paramount Pictures
Director: John Irvin
Writer: Jim Carabatsos
Producers: Jim Carabatsos, Larry de Waay, David Korda

I viewed 12/08