We Were Soldiers, a Movie by Randall Wallace: The Vietnam War and The Fight with Guerrilla Warfare

We Were Soldiers directed by Randall Wallace is a 2002 film which is based on real time events that happened in November of the year 1965. The movie brings the audience to a spectacular world of the gruesome beginning of the Vietnam War. The French defense forces had engaged unsuccessfully in guerilla warfare. The United States of America had a new enemy in their hands and had no idea of how to handle it. When the movie begins, Randall introduces the audience to most of the soldiers together with their respective families. Not only does this tactic keep the audience engaged but also shows how much they care about them as well as narrating the story apart. Randall puts across two significant concepts throughout the entire film. One, he illustrates how war is a powerful tool to combat evil or enemies. Two, even though a hard task, Randall illustrates the loyalty that the defense forces from both sides have for one another and how willing they are to protect each other from the opposing forces.

Earlier on, Mel Gibson who plays as Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore cuts out a mature figure to his family. His wife Madeline Stowie quite respectful to him and the work he does in the army. Before they leave for Vietnam, Lt. Col Moore tells his troops that they are leaving for another home far away from home. He also adds by saying if they plan a poor mission upon arrival and execute their tactics wrongly, they will be badly overran by the opposing forces. This to me means that they have the responsibility to care for each other when they engage the enemy in exchanges. They also have a duty to sacrifice for each other for the success of the mission. Since the home far away from home is where they will battle the enemy, to some it is quite uninspiring place to go.

The soldiers bid goodbye to their respective families and Lt. Col Moore leads out his men, the 1st Battalion of the 7th Cavalry, to the valley of death. It is an emotional and at the same time, a brilliant scene. Emotionally captivating because tears are strolling down some men, not knowing they might not come back alive. Brilliant in the sense that they are leaving out for a mission and what we can only expect is their life out in the battlefield. We Were Soldiers exemplifies the horrors of war those forces go through. The sense of worry also cuts out, with regard to their wives, who pray for the safe return of the forces. There is a scene where I initially do not think whether Lt. Col Moore will survive. Then the movie on the other end it shows Madeline Stowie, cleaning. This cuts a sharp contrast with respect to the horrible war the defense forces are going about, as well as the fact that these military wives have to go on about their daily schedules with no idea of what is happening in Vietnam.

As one continues to watch this film, he or she then simultaneously continues to have a much better knowledge and understanding of what transpired during the war in Vietnam. Normally you get to hear about war stories of people who fought, far from a touch of reality. But in this case, it is not just a story; you get to see how these soldiers would just throw themselves into bullets and grenades at times to save their colleagues. The movie is even more touching to see the military wives learn about the death of their soldiers in war, then the fact that they will onwards be widows and their respective children be orphans makes it emotional. In as much, one would shed tears given the movie is based on a true story. The movie continues to revolve from a Vietnamese perspective and American’s as well.

Despite the fact that United States troops were outnumbered and outran at times leading to loss of lives, they manage to fend off the opposing forces, and in the process capturing the northern side. Even though some of the colleagues are killed by their own forces in the battle, much of the Vietnamese forces are eliminated rendering them powerless. At this point the United States military retreats back to regroup, attacking and breaking the Vietnam headquarters, thus taking charge. The stranded soldiers are rescued and the place evacuated. Having overseen the completion of the mission, Lt. Col Moore and colleagues pick up the slain soldiers, regardless of whether dead or alive, on to a helicopter then departs the valley. When the film ends, it is revealed that they spent over two hundred days fighting. When asked by a reported at the end of the film how he can account for victory or success of the war, Lt. Col Moore turns away quietly. I’m not convinced if he can indeed explain from a particular perspective; explain victory in this case as some of the American soldiers were brutally killed during the war.

Generally, it is quite a graphic and violent movie. It is like a fight between two like-minded individuals alongside the troops they control. It is for sure one the most intense films one will see. I find We were Soldiers a bit harsh and even more realistic when the soldiers out there are involved in heated exchanges. The footage of the war is really good and classic. One also manages to feel the sadness, the uncertainty, tremble and at times left in suspense as the film progresses. Even the film is R-rated, I think to some extend it has a moral teaching behind it. It clearly shows that in battles, regardless of how horrible they are, there is a lead to have the courage in all situations.