Hamburger Hill (1987)

A very realistic interpretation of one of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War.

Director:

John Irvin

Writer:

James Carabatsos (as Jim Carabatsos)

Stars:

Anthony Barrile, Michael Boatman, Don Cheadle

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anthony Barrile	...	Pvt. Vincent 'Alphabet' Languilli
Michael Boatman	...	Pvt. Ray Motown (as Michael Patrick Boatman)
Don Cheadle	...	Pvt. Johnny Washburn
Michael Dolan	...	Pvt. Harry Murphy
Don James	...	Pvt. Elliott 'Mac' McDaniel
Dylan McDermott	...	Sgt. Adam Frantz
Michael A. Nickles	...	Pvt. Paul Galvan (as M.A. Nickles)
Harry O'Reilly	...	Pvt. Michael Duffy
Daniel O'Shea	...	Pvt. Frank Gaigin
Tim Quill	...	Pvt. Joe Beletsky
Tommy Swerdlow	...	Pvt. Martin Bienstock
Courtney B. Vance	...	Spc. Abraham 'Doc' Johnson
Steven Weber	...	Sfc. Dennis Worcester
Tegan West	...	Lt. Terry Eden
Kieu Chinh	...	Mama San

Storyline

A brutal and realistic war film focuses on the lives of a squad of 14 U.S. Army soldiers of B Company, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division during the brutal 10 day (May 11-20, 1969) battle for Hill 937 in the A Shau Valley of Vietnam as they try again and again to take the fortified hill held by the North Vietnamese, and the faults and casualties they take every time in which the battle was later dubbed "Hamburger Hill" because enemy fire was so fierce that the fusillade of bullets turned assaulting troops into shredded hamburger meat.

---

Plot Keywords:

vietnam war | hill | vietnam | jungle | combat | 

---

Taglines:

The most realistic portrayal of the Vietnam War ever filmed . Because it's the only one that's true.

---

Genres:

Action | Drama | Thriller | War

---

Did You Know?

Trivia

The unit from the 101st Airborne division is 3rd Battalion 187 Infantry Regiment (3/187 Inf). They are known as the Rakkasans which translates to falling down umbrellas. The name was given to them by the Japanese during WWII, because it was the first time Japanese ever seen paratroopers jumping out of planes. After the battle on Hamburger Hill the Rakkasans suffered 70% casualties. 3/187 Inf is the most highly decorated unit in the whole US Army. Rakkasans have served and fought in every theater of war. The torri is the symbol of the Rakkasans and soldiers back in Vietnam and to this day proudly wear it on their combat helmets.

---

Goofs

By 1969, most US Army troops, as well as other branches of service during the Vietnam War, would have been issued and using the M16A1 (with bird-cage flash suppressor), instead of the XM-16 depicted in the movie.

---

Quotes

Doc: Okay. The war started for you when you farted... and said "Good mornin', Vietnam".

---

Crazy Credits

The following poem is shown at the beginning of the credits: If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go. Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own. And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind. Major Michael Davis O'Donnell 1 January 1970 Dak To, Vietnam

---

Alternate Versions

The Magna Pacific DVD Release: Sep 18, 2002 UPC: 9-315841-999491 is cut as when Duffy kills an NVA soldier with his M-60 the body explodes in gore and when Duffy is then killed by another NVA soldier that soldier is then shot in the back of the head and blood spurts out.

---

Connections

References Platoon (1986)

---

Soundtracks

I Wish It Would Rain
Performed by The Temptations
Courtesy of Motown Record Corp.
Written by Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield, Rodger Penzabene Sr., Helga Penzabene, Carl Penzabene, Rodger Penzabene, Jr.

User Reviews

Probably the most visually effective Vietnam movie

Many excellent Vietnam films, in an attempt to present their own interpretation of America's darkest hour, ask many political questions vital to the war: "What were we fighting for?" "Was this worth it?" "When does morality take over?" "When does the fighting stop?"

On the other hand, "Hamburger Hill" doesn't need to state any such questions. Rather, it presents the viewer with the scenario-- a group of men trying to advance on a hill-- and allows him to come to his own conclusions. It is a wonderful display of characters from all walks of life, and how hard times brought them together. Some want to be there, others don't, but they call all make the same statement: When it comes to their determination to get on top of that hill and advance upon the enemy, all of those political questions "don't mean nothin'."

This is probably the best Vietman film as far as visuals go. The actions sequences are raw and gory, and the locations are incredibly depressing-- setting the perfect stage for a war movie. Combined with excellent performances by everyone involved, this is certainly an underrated film that presents a clear picture of what the war truly might have been like.

***1/2 out of ****

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

28 August 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hamburger Hill

Filming Locations:

Philippines

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,360,705, 30 August 1987

Gross USA:

$13,839,404

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$13,839,404

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Rankcolor) Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1