Favorite Vietnam War Films?

[rebel_1812]

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 . . .   

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.

[Allhallowsday]

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. 

[ghouck]

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

[rebel_1812]

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.

[trekgeezer]

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.

[batty007]

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.

[Oldskool138]

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.

[Allhallowsday]

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. 

[rebel_1812]

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.

[StackAttack]

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)

[Potato king]

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

[Scott]

I can watch APOCALYPSE NOW at any moment it comes on. Great film effort by Coppola.

[RCMerchant]

I think WE WERE SOLDIERS (2002) should be on the list...it's on of my favorite war movies of all time...any war.

[Nick]

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

[ER]

We Were Soldiers. It was too long but it was also deep because it was based on reality.