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Movies => Good Movies => Topic started by: Scott on January 23, 2007, 11:55:44 AM



Title: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: Scott on January 23, 2007, 11:55:44 AM
Feel free to add any that are missing. Just comment below. This is more of a database where you can also comment about your favorites and vote for them. You can change your vote.

(http://www.pathguy.com/lectures/doughnut2.jpg)


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: ulthar on January 23, 2007, 12:25:44 PM
Of those listed, I voted FULL METAL JACKET (hard call between that and APOCALYPSE NOW).

I'd add (among others):

HAMBURGER HILL
THE SIEGE OF FIREBASE GLORIA
THE DEER HUNTER
PURPLE HEARTS


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: BeyondTheGrave on January 23, 2007, 12:34:04 PM
I went with Full Metal Jacket.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: Scott on January 23, 2007, 12:40:36 PM
Andrew, what was the name of that basic training film from the 60's or 70's where a recruit kinda goes into a meditative state to overcome things and the D.I. is giving him a hard time. The scene with him holding the water buckets was most memorable. You told me the title years ago, but I forgot the title. One of my favorites.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: Andrew on January 23, 2007, 12:49:05 PM
Ah, you must be remembering "Tribes."

Another Marine Corps film I would suggest, which I have been waiting for the DVD of, is "The D.I."


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: Scott on January 23, 2007, 12:53:36 PM
Yea, that is the film. Always liked this film called TRIBES (1970). Just read it was a made for TV film. Didn't know that. Can't add it to the list I suppose since they didn't actually go to Vietnam in TRIBES.

http://imdb.com/title/tt0066490/ (http://imdb.com/title/tt0066490/)

Picture from TRIBES (1970): http://www.darrenmcgavin.net/desktop/Darren111.jpg (http://www.darrenmcgavin.net/desktop/Darren111.jpg)

EDIT:

THE D.I. (1957) is a good one for sure. http://imdb.com/title/tt0050283/ (http://imdb.com/title/tt0050283/)



Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: raj on January 23, 2007, 02:17:07 PM
Apocalypse Now.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: RCMerchant on January 23, 2007, 09:33:15 PM
I agree with Ulthar...ahard choice between FMJ and AN....went with APOCOLYPSE NOW..."the horror....the...horror..."


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: Scott on January 23, 2007, 09:51:56 PM
Yea, I had to go with APOCALYPSE NOW just because of how massive the whole film is and how great it is. No doubt the PLATOON and FULL METAL JACKET are also very good.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: Automan2000 on January 23, 2007, 10:22:09 PM
I went with Full Metal Jacket. I like Kubricks films in general and this was one of the best.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: CheezeFlixz on January 23, 2007, 11:02:34 PM


Another Marine Corps film I would suggest, which I have been waiting for the DVD of, is "The D.I."

D.I.? .... D.I.? ... must be an Army film, they only have D.I.'s in the Army, the Marines have "Drill Instructors" ... you know that. Jarhead. :wink:


Oh ... my choice ... FMJ


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: Andrew on January 23, 2007, 11:22:27 PM
D.I.? .... D.I.? ... must be an Army film, they only have D.I.'s in the Army, the Marines have "Drill Instructors" ... you know that. Jarhead.

Believe me, after 15 years, I am very familiar with Marine Corps terminology and they are referred to as drill instructors.  However, the name of the movie is "The D.I."  If I tell people to look for the movie "The Drill Instructor," I am likely to cause some frustration.

And, yes, referring to a Marine as "Jarhead" is suitably rude from someone outside the Corps.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: CheezeFlixz on January 23, 2007, 11:27:18 PM
D.I.? .... D.I.? ... must be an Army film, they only have D.I.'s in the Army, the Marines have "Drill Instructors" ... you know that. Jarhead.

Believe me, after 15 years, I am very familiar with Marine Corps terminology and they are referred to as drill instructors.  However, the name of the movie is "The D.I."  If I tell people to look for the movie "The Drill Instructor," I am likely to cause some frustration.

And, yes, referring to a Marine as "Jarhead" is suitably rude from someone outside the Corps.

You do know I'm a former Marine, right? I was a 0321.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: Andrew on January 23, 2007, 11:43:50 PM
D.I.? .... D.I.? ... must be an Army film, they only have D.I.'s in the Army, the Marines have "Drill Instructors" ... you know that. Jarhead.

Believe me, after 15 years, I am very familiar with Marine Corps terminology and they are referred to as drill instructors.  However, the name of the movie is "The D.I."  If I tell people to look for the movie "The Drill Instructor," I am likely to cause some frustration.

And, yes, referring to a Marine as "Jarhead" is suitably rude from someone outside the Corps.

You do know I'm a former Marine, right? I was a 0321.


I did not and well met then.  My apologies for being terse.  For some reason, I have been in a general foul mood today.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: CheezeFlixz on January 24, 2007, 09:21:56 AM


I did not and well met then.  My apologies for being terse.  For some reason, I have been in a general foul mood today.

No problem, I'm in a foul mood most days.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: raj on January 24, 2007, 12:50:31 PM
What's an 0321?


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: Andrew on January 24, 2007, 12:57:56 PM
All of the 03XX series are infantry, everything from rifleman to machinegunner.

0321 = Recon.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: CheezeFlixz on January 24, 2007, 01:22:07 PM
All of the 03XX series are infantry, everything from rifleman to machinegunner.

0321 = Recon.

No. it's 3:21AM which was about the time of day I had enough booze in my system (while on Court Street) to say to my fellow drunks while in ITS (Infantry Training School for you non-USMC) "Hey, lets join Recon!" to which I should have added this Marine Infantry stuff isn't enough abuse, I want more.

No, I enjoyed it. :thumbup:


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: raj on January 24, 2007, 02:44:38 PM
Thanks guys.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: Jim H on January 24, 2007, 09:02:26 PM
(http://www.libreriauniversitaria.it/data/images/MIT/300/147/img_147622_lrg.jpg)

My personal favorite.  Not a perfect film (I think the ending is bad, in particular) but still generally great.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: Dennis on January 24, 2007, 11:51:23 PM
D.I.? .... D.I.? ... must be an Army film, they only have D.I.'s in the Army, the Marines have "Drill Instructors" ... you know that. Jarhead.

Believe me, after 15 years, I am very familiar with Marine Corps terminology and they are referred to as drill instructors.  However, the name of the movie is "The D.I."  If I tell people to look for the movie "The Drill Instructor," I am likely to cause some frustration.

And, yes, referring to a Marine as "Jarhead" is suitably rude from someone outside the Corps.

At the risk of annoying two marines who are both probably in foul moods I just want to say that in the Army they have Drill Seargents as opposed to the Drill Instructors of the Marine Corps.



After posting this I noticed that the word seargent doesn't look right, it passed spell check but then so did sargent so now I've probably got the Army mad at me too, oh well that's life, oddly enough I don't have a favorite Vietnam War film.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: ulthar on January 25, 2007, 09:11:16 AM
There was a Vietnam movie I used to have that was set in 1950's French era about some commandos that went in to rescue some medical personnel.  It was an interesting film, but a bit disturbing.

Even though I used to own it, I cannot recall the name.  Memorable scenes include a huge stump with spikes swinging down and spiking one of the commandos as he crossed a log over a gully - the others could only watch as he swung back and forth screaming until he died.  Also, one was a virgin and when he got wounded, the leader performed oral sex on him to fulfill his dying wish (the nurse being rescued refused).  It was, as I said, disturbing.

The ending was dark; this was not a happy film.  The only other story I have about it is that once when my Dad was visiting, he popped it into the VCR thinking it looked interesting.  I told him he probably did not want to watch it and promptly took it out (I now regret doing that, btw).  In all the years I had it, I only watched it once.  There was just something about it.

Anyone seen this one?


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: BoyScoutKevin on January 27, 2007, 02:13:40 PM
Probably not Ulthar's film, but there was another film set in Vietnam or French Indochina, as it was then called, "China Gate." What makes this one interesting is the cast: Gene Barry, Angie Dickinson, Nat 'King' Cole in one of his few film roles, and as the chief North Vietnamese villain, Lee Van Cleef.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: peter johnson on January 28, 2007, 02:56:36 AM
Nobody actually TALKED about "The D.I."!!!
This is a Jack Webb film, no?  Jack Webb is one of the numerous successful unsumg geniuses of Hollywood.
Jack Webb could grab his own award for unsung acting -- Everyone always assumed he could only do the "Dragnet" bit -- People forget he produced and directed most of the episodes, never mind the acting.
Ever see "Sunset Boulevard"??
Webb does a grand Beatnik free-fellow that would put Jack Kerouac to shame --
which makes the movie even more perverse . . .
peter weirdo/denny kerouac


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: peter johnson on January 28, 2007, 03:05:45 AM
And Hey!:  Re. Military Records:
I'm a Genuine Army Clown, as opposed to the cliche folk-term.
I was recruited by the Department of Defense (DOD) to perform skits and entertainment (mostly farcical clownish comedy) in 1992/'93 for the US Forces in Belgium, Holland, and Germany.
I ended my triumphant tour in 2 weeks at Berchtesgaden, at Hitler's Hotel, the Hofbrauhause  :cheers:
I was a GS-12, and can prove it!!  I outrank all of youse poseurs!!!
* * * *
So:
I really have no favorite Vietnam Film, but my favorite War film remains "Slaughterhouse Five", for various reasons, not the least being authenticity, which I confirmed via conversations with local veterans.
* * *
We's all gots our own thangs what we've been through, no?
peter squid/denny twit


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: flackbait on April 18, 2007, 02:43:17 PM
I LOVE THE SMELL OF NAPALM IN THE MORNING!!!!
I really do like Full Metal Jacket better though, even though Apocalypse Now kicks ass


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: rebel_1812 on April 18, 2007, 05:51:06 PM
Full Metal Jacket had better one liners but didn't give a good glimpse of the Vietnam war.  Apocalypse Now immersed the audience in its dark vision of the jungle war.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: RCMerchant on April 19, 2007, 06:28:50 PM
 I just saw WE WERE SOLDIERS with Mel Gibson a little while ago....good movie!!!


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: Mr_Vindictive on April 19, 2007, 06:55:39 PM
There was a Vietnam movie I used to have that was set in 1950's French era about some commandos that went in to rescue some medical personnel.  It was an interesting film, but a bit disturbing.

Even though I used to own it, I cannot recall the name.  Memorable scenes include a huge stump with spikes swinging down and spiking one of the commandos as he crossed a log over a gully - the others could only watch as he swung back and forth screaming until he died.  Also, one was a virgin and when he got wounded, the leader performed oral sex on him to fulfill his dying wish (the nurse being rescued refused).  It was, as I said, disturbing.

The ending was dark; this was not a happy film.  The only other story I have about it is that once when my Dad was visiting, he popped it into the VCR thinking it looked interesting.  I told him he probably did not want to watch it and promptly took it out (I now regret doing that, btw).  In all the years I had it, I only watched it once.  There was just something about it.

Anyone seen this one?

The movie sounds damn interesting.  I'd like to know the name myself.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: Allhallowsday on April 19, 2007, 10:47:07 PM
Ever see "Sunset Boulevard"??
Webb does a grand Beatnik free-fellow that would put Jack Kerouac to shame --
which makes the movie even more perverse . . .
It is fun to see Jack Webb in SUNSET BOULEVARD and his presence adds to the film, perhaps not only in his sex appeal to Nancy Olson compared with William Holden . . .  :tongueout: 

Apocalypse Now immersed the audience in its dark vision of the jungle war.
I think the same could be said of PLATOON.  DEER HUNTER has some intense scenes in the jungle, but not many minutes of true warfare; it also had some gorgeous music by Stanley Myers. 

I think I'll vote for FULL METAL JACKET as just the best offered; it's like two movies.  1) Who Matthew Modine is before Vincent D’Onofrio and 2) Who Matthew Modine is after . . .

Some films missing from the discussion:
COMING HOME
STREAMERS
THE BOYS IN COMPANY C
ROLLING THUNDER
GOOD MORNING VIETNAM
All have something to recommend them. 

Great thread! 


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: rebel_1812 on April 19, 2007, 11:01:22 PM
Ever see "Sunset Boulevard"??
Webb does a grand Beatnik free-fellow that would put Jack Kerouac to shame --
which makes the movie even more perverse . . .
It is fun to see Jack Webb in SUNSET BOULEVARD and his presence adds to the film, perhaps not only in his sex appeal to Nancy Olson compared with William Holden . . .  :tongueout: 

Apocalypse Now immersed the audience in its dark vision of the jungle war.
I think the same could be said of PLATOON.  DEER HUNTER has some intense scenes in the jungle, but not many minutes of true warfare; it also had some gorgeous music by Stanley Myers. 

I think I'll vote for FULL METAL JACKET as just the best offered; it's like two movies.  1) Who Matthew Modine is before Vincent D’Onofrio and 2) Who Matthew Modine is after . . .

Some films missing from the discussion:
COMING HOME
STREAMERS
THE BOYS IN COMPANY C
ROLLING THUNDER
GOOD MORNING VIETNAM
All have something to recommend them. 

Great thread! 


Platoon was really good too.  I think a big reason it was so good was the performance of Charlie Sheen.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: Allhallowsday on April 20, 2007, 12:32:34 AM
Platoon was really good too.  I think a big reason it was so good was the performance of Charlie Sheen.
 
I really don't care for Charlie Sheen, but you are probably right.  I forgot to mention CASUALTIES OF WAR, believe it or not I was thinking of Michael J. Fox who I greatly admire, but neglected to mention his Vietnam War film. 


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: ghouck on April 20, 2007, 12:57:54 PM
Apocalypse now, I had never seen that film until a couple years ago, , , can't believe what I was missing. Next I'd say platoon, , FMJ has a cheesy, almost cliche' feel to it, I don't care for it much compared to A.N and platoon. Casualties of War was a great film also.

There's another called "84C MoPic" that, if memory serves, is pretty good. I've only seen it once, and although I remember liking it alot, have almost forgotten about it until now.
-Greg


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: rebel_1812 on April 20, 2007, 01:47:52 PM
Platoon was really good too.  I think a big reason it was so good was the performance of Charlie Sheen.
 
I really don't care for Charlie Sheen, but you are probably right.  I forgot to mention CASUALTIES OF WAR, believe it or not I was thinking of Michael J. Fox who I greatly admire, but neglected to mention his Vietnam War film. 

see I had trouble see Micheal J. Fox in a serious role.  Maybe its typecasting, but I just couldn't take him seriously even though the situation was serious.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: trekgeezer on April 21, 2007, 06:52:01 PM
Hey Scott, you left out The Losers!! Bikers fighting the Viet Cong, can't beat that.  But seriously, Apocalypse Now really took me in with it's surrealism the first time I saw it at the theater.



Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: batty007 on April 29, 2007, 11:37:46 AM
I had to vote for "Full Metal Jacket", because it is my favorite good Viet Nam movie. But given that I am in here due to my love of Bad Cinema, I must say that My Favorite ever is called "Combat Shock" (aka "American Nightmare") It was a Troma release and can still be obtained from them (I hope).  It concerns a returning nam vet, complete with an annoying wife, mutant baby right out of "Eraserhead", and a large heroin habit. Ricky is not adjusting back in the world, and keeps having awesome "Nam Flashbacks" featuring vampires and bloodshed. The scene where the junkie hasn't an outfit so he opens a vein with a rusty coat hanger and pours the heroin in is worth the price of the video.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: Oldskool138 on April 29, 2007, 02:00:11 PM
I picked Full Metal Jacket.  I'm a huge Kubrick fan and I think that other than Paths of Glory it's the best anti-war movie out there.  Watch it again and then tell me that the war going on now is not like Vietnam.  (Note: I'm a vet and I'm against the war).  Sure, the first half has been  quoted into a joke but it's still great.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: Allhallowsday on May 01, 2007, 10:28:35 PM
I picked Full Metal Jacket.  I'm a huge Kubrick fan and I think that other than Paths of Glory it's the best anti-war movie out there.  Watch it again and then tell me that the war going on now is not like Vietnam.  (Note: I'm a vet and I'm against the war).  Sure, the first half has been  quoted into a joke but it's still great.
I applaud you. 


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: rebel_1812 on May 02, 2007, 12:37:01 PM
I had to vote for "Full Metal Jacket", because it is my favorite good Viet Nam movie. But given that I am in here due to my love of Bad Cinema, I must say that My Favorite ever is called "Combat Shock" (aka "American Nightmare") It was a Troma release and can still be obtained from them (I hope).  It concerns a returning nam vet, complete with an annoying wife, mutant baby right out of "Eraserhead", and a large heroin habit. Ricky is not adjusting back in the world, and keeps having awesome "Nam Flashbacks" featuring vampires and bloodshed. The scene where the junkie hasn't an outfit so he opens a vein with a rusty coat hanger and pours the heroin in is worth the price of the video.


yeah combat shock is a cool movie, most Troma films are.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: StackAttack on May 03, 2007, 09:44:12 AM
i wanted to pick Meet the Feebles but i guess puppets having flashbacks from other movies isnt enough to call that a Vietnam movie (j/k)


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: Potato king on May 23, 2007, 03:57:43 AM
All movies on the list are great, but I had to go with "Apocalypse. Now." just because of the mood in the film. It's just so dark and dreamlike, unreal, creeping anxiety that haunts you through the film. And music in the film is just marvelous, it helps contain the mood and is very enjoyable.  This is truly one of those movies that blow your mind and make you truly think about life, death and all other eternal questions. Five stars plus


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: Scott on May 23, 2007, 09:26:37 AM
I can watch APOCALYPSE NOW at any moment it comes on. Great film effort by Coppola.

(http://www.filmfodder.com/movies/reviews/apocalypse_now_redux/images/apocalypse_now.jpg)


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: RCMerchant on May 23, 2007, 08:19:00 PM
I think WE WERE SOLDIERS (2002) should be on the list...it's on of my favorite war movies of all time...any war.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: Nick on May 30, 2007, 03:09:20 AM
I liked "Thou Shall not kill..Except". Classic. Not really a full on vietnam flick, but an amuzing story about a couple vets after the war vs a bunch of freaks led by Sam Raimi! Very hilarious schlock action. Definitly get the DVD as I hear the vhs is unwatchable, plus great commentary by Bruce Campbell and the director...As for the movies listed.. I don't know about calling it my favorite, but Apocalypse now I have seen oodles of times and im still captivated everytime. They are all great movies in their own rite though. Sorry can't spell at 4AM


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: ER on December 30, 2021, 04:28:48 PM
We Were Soldiers. It was too long but it was also deep because it was based on reality.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: Trevor on January 01, 2022, 01:01:19 AM
To Heal A Nation and First Blood are my favourite films: both dealing with what happens to veterans after the war.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: ER on January 01, 2022, 02:08:25 PM
Everybody forgets Oliver Stone's 1993 Heaven & Earth.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: Archivist on January 07, 2022, 08:35:55 PM
Of the movies listed, I've only seen Platoon, Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket. And none of them really did anything for me.

Perhaps my favourite Vietnam War movie is First Blood (1982). Alongside that is Missing In Action (1984). Now these aren't strictly Vietnam War movies, but they are directly related to the war and its after effects.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: RCMerchant on January 07, 2022, 08:44:58 PM
^ both are mindless bulls**t.
No offense, I mean this IS Bad Movies.


Title: Re: Favorite Vietnam War Films?
Post by: lester1/2jr on January 07, 2022, 11:39:55 PM
anyone ever see siege of Firebase gloria?