This is one of those rare gems: an excellent TV movie.
In Australia, this TV movie is (apparently) called 'Hamburger Hill 2'. Although it's neither a sequel nor a prequel to 'Hamburger Hill', I forgive the reference on the basis that if you've seen (and enjoyed) 'Hamburger Hill', you will certainly enjoy this movie. Both are directed by John Irvin and share certain elements: a simple story, a relatively unknown cast, excellent production values and dramatic battle sequences.
The story centres around Private Manning (Ron Eldard), a soldier who simply wants out, but finds himself, due to the fact that his survival instinct is misinterpreted as battle instinct, promoted first to Sergeant and then to Lieutenant and given charge of a small band of new soldiers as they battle with the German Army. Manning is assisted by war-worn medic, Chamberlain (Frank Whaley) and taunted by his nemesis, Sergeant Talbot (Dylan Bruno) who sees him as a coward. Manning, however, redeems himself. The ending is heartbreaking.
As with 'Hamburger Hill', John Irvin presents us with a poignant reminder of just how much of a meat-grinder War is. Instead of a hill, we have a forest - a beautiful, but deadly forest. The cinematography here belies its TV movie status; it is simply stunning. The cast, especially the protagonists, give 100%. The sense of anger, fear and despair is palpable. There's no let up in all its 92 minutes.
My only quibble (and a minor one) is with the music. Whereas Philip Glass provided a simple, yet chilling, motif for 'Hamburger Hill', Geoffrey Burgon gives us slightly too much music which, in some scenes, didn't quite gel with the images.
I bought this movie on DVD on the basis of other reviews here and the fact that I enjoyed (and also bought) 'Hamburger Hill'. I did not waste my tenner. Excellent.
10/10
