The most iconic and interesting films about the Vietnam War
Films about the Vietnam War have long been considered one of the most popular USA. Quite often, this theme was used by directors who tried to depict that time and the heroism of the main characters as vividly as possible. In addition, the problems of the war as a whole, the relationship between soldiers and the warring parties, were also touched upon.
We invite you to read and watch the most interesting films about the war in Vietnamthat won the hearts of many moviegoers.
Apocalypse Now (Apocalypse Now)
Year: 1979
DirectorStory by: Francis Ford Coppola
Genre: drama, military
CastCast: Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Frederick Forrest, Sam Bottoms, Laurence Fishburne, Robert Duvall, Dennis Hopper, Harrison Ford, Scott Glenn, Albert Hall and others.
The film tells about the captain of the special forces Willard. He was sent to the jungles of Cambodia to eliminate the mad Colonel Kurtz, who commands a detachment of local residents and is accused of killing several Vietnamese needed by the American government. During the journey, many strange events happen to Willard, and under the influence of the environment, as he approaches the goal, he gradually loses a sense of reality and ceases to understand what to do next.
Full Metal Jacket
Year: 1987
DirectorStory by: Stanley Kubrick
Genre : drama, military.
Cast: Matthew Modine, Adam Baldwin, Vincent D'Onofrio, R. Lee Ermey, Dorian Harewood, Kevin Major Howard, Arliss Howard, Ed O'Ross, John Terry, Kieron Jackkinis and others.
US Marine Corps Recruit Training Base. A cruel, inhuman system is designed to turn home boys into trained cold-blooded killers.
They are trained for the war in Vietnam, where they will often have to ask themselves the question “Isn’t war hell?” Otherwise, it is simply impossible to kill every day without understanding what it is for?
Platoon
Year: 1986
DirectorStory by: Oliver Stone
Genre: drama, military.
CastCast: Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, Charlie Sheen, Forest Whitaker, Francesco Quinn, John C. McGinley, Richard Edson, Kevin Dillon, Mark Moses, Keith David and others.
In September 1967, a private from the 25th Infantry Regiment, Chris Taylor, arrived in the border area between Vietnam and Cambodia. He came to see with his own eyes what the real Hell looks like. Not fictional, composed by writers or artists, but a real earthly hell.
Here there is a conflict between two sergeants, who, like the protagonist, believed that they would have to fight only with the partisan detachments of the enemy. Life dictates its own rules. The guys understand that only their own can inflict a fatal blow ...
We were soldiers (We Were Soldiers)
Year: 2002
DirectorStory by: Randall Wallace.
GenreKey words: action, drama, military, history.
CastCast: Mel Gibson, Madeleine Stowe, Greg Kinnear, Sam Elliott, Chris Klein, Keri Russell, Barry Pepper, Don Duong, Ryan Hurst, Robert Bagnell and others.
It is an adaptation of Joseph Galloway and Harold Moore's book We Were Soldiers...and We Were Young.
The film tells how the Vietnamese army destroys French soldiers who entered the plateau. In Vietnam, due to the lack of communications in the Pentagon, it was decided to transfer troops using helicopters. Korean War veteran Lieutenant Colonel Harold Moore takes command of a battalion in the 1st Airborne Cavalry Division, which is used for helicopter warfare. Moore begins to introduce his tactics, he monitors the training of soldiers, gets acquainted with officers, studies the mistakes of the French. The regiment, which includes Moore's battalion, receives the designation of the 7th Cavalry, they depart for Vietnam. The battle begins in the Ia Drang Valley, the largest battle in Vietnam and one of the largest during the entire war. In parallel, we see the life of the wives of officers, many of whom lose their husbands, while others languidly await notification of death.
The Deer Hunter
Year: 1978.
DirectorStory by: Michael Cimino.
Genre: drama, military.
CastCast: Robert De Niro, John Cazale, John Savage, Christopher Walken, Meryl Streep, George Dzundza, Shirley Stoler, Rutania Alda, Amy Wright, Mary Ann Haenel, Joe Grifasi.
Five bosom friends work in a steel mill in a small industrial city in the Midwest. It's 1968. The guys have developed a kind of ritual - after hard work, they like to look into the pub to unwind, chat and have a glass of beer. But for three of them - Michael, Nick and Steven - a completely different life will begin in a few days. They go to Vietnam, where they will have to realize from personal experience that friendship, heroism, death ...
The Deer Hunter is one of the best movies on the Vietnam War movies list.
Good morning, Vietnam (Good Morning, Vietnam)
Year: 1987.
DirectorStory by: Barry Levinson
Genre: drama, military.
CastCast: Robin Williams, Forest Whitaker, Tung Thanh Chan, Chintara Sukapatana, Bruno Kirby, Robert Wool, J.T. Walsh, Noble Willingham, Richard Edson, Juni Smith, Richard Portnow, Floyd Vivino, Cu Ba Nguyen, Don Stanton, Don Stanton.
Films about the Vietnam War try to touch on many aspects of the life of that time. So in the center of the plot of the film “Good Morning Vietnam” is the serene Vietnam of 1965. Vietnam of that time is a serene resort with a hot sun, beautiful girls and calm military service. And almost all of Vietnam, at least in the part where the American troops are stationed, is broadcast by a boring army radio station. She stays that way until a new host, Adrian, joins Army Radio. With his appearance in the studio, everything changes dramatically - the radio station turns into the mouthpiece of ordinary soldiers. Educational speech, Adrian begins with the branded phrase-click: "Uuutro, Vieeeteanamaam!". And this means that now listeners will receive a portion of the hottest news that will remind the soldiers of their native land.
Military casualties (Casualties of War)
Year: 1989.
DirectorStory by: Brian De Palma.
Genre: drama, crime, military.
CastCast: Michael J Fox, Sean Penn, Don Harvey, John C. Reilly, John Leguizamo, Thuy Thu Le, Rick King, Jack Gwaltney, Ving Rhames, Dan Martin, Dale Dye, Steve Larson, John Linson, Vito Ruginis, Al Shannon .
Like many films about the Vietnam War, this movie tells how during the war, fighters often lose their human face. During the Vietnam War, this fate befell all the soldiers of the platoon of Sergeant Meservu. The only exception was Private Eriksson, who witnesses how his colleagues rape and then kill a young Vietnamese girl. The fact that for other soldiers of his platoon is the norm, for the main character it seems wildness. Sergeant Meservu cannot understand why his subordinate is so dissatisfied. After all, for him, such behavior in war is the norm.
Air America (Air America)
Year: 1990
DirectorStory by: Roger Spottiswoode
Genre: action, comedy
CastElenco: Mel Gibson, Robert Downey Jr., Nancy Travis, Ken Jenkins, David Marshall Grant, Lane Smith, Art LaFleur, Ned Eisenberg, Marshall Bell, David Bove, Bert Kwouk, Tim Thomerson, Harvey Jason, Sinjay Plengpanit and others.
Air America is an action comedy that tells about the times of the Vietnam War in 1969 and about the life of two American pilots - Gene Ryan and Billy Covington. No, they are not military pilots, they are not aware of explosions, bombing, war. Billy has just lost his job, he is at a crossroads and is looking for a new income. On the path of life, he meets the private airline Air America, in which he successfully finds a job. Gene Ryan becomes his partner. Life and work in this pair is full of fun and mysterious adventures. They are aware of rumors that they are transporting prohibited items to Laos, but they themselves have never considered what they are transporting, and they are paid quite well. For them, work is work. Billy is a very good person, he always does the right thing, but in order to do his job, he will have to give up his life principles and really transport drugs to a neighboring state. Partners do not care, they will do it at any cost.
Height "Hamburger" (Hamburger Hill)
Year: 1987
DirectorStory by: John Irvine
Genre: military, drama, thriller.
CastCast: Anthony Barril, Michael Boatman, Don Cheadle, Michael Dolan, Don James, Dylan McDermott, Michael Nickles, Harry O'Reilly, Daniel O'Shea, Tim Quill, Tommy Swerdlow, Courtney B. Vance and others.
Vietnam, May 1969. For ten days, the soldiers of the Bravo detachment of the 101st division, exhausted by the war, storm Hill 937, nicknamed the "Hamburger". This unremarkable hill is named so because it grinds people like a meat grinder, and its entire territory is saturated with blood.
Losses are 70%, but you have to go into battle again and again. Young American boys are fighting for their country, their friends and their own lives. Such films about the Vietnam War very clearly demonstrate the situation of that time.
Tigerland
Year: 1987
DirectorStory by: Joel Schumacher.
Genre: military, drama.
CastCast: Colin Farrell, Matthew Davis, Shea Whigham, Nick Searcy, Clifton Collins Jr., Tom Guiry, Russell Richardson, Afemo Omilami, James MacDonald, Kate Ewell, Matt Gerald, Stephen Fulton, Tyler Cravens, Michael Edmiston, Arian Waring Ash.
To prepare recruits for the Vietnam War, USA built the most advanced training center. This place has its own special laws, because of this it is notorious. This is a real infernal factory, where young guys are turned into ruthless killers who are able to fulfill any order.
And after this center, the Vietnam War will be a pleasure. However, among the mass of recruits is one who tries to remain human. He is a leader who is able to lead others, but how will this desire end ...
If you were interested in a selection of films about the Vietnam War, then read more interesting materials in our the magazine.
