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We Were Soldiers

  • 20022002
  • RR
  • 2h 18m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
138K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,225
495
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Mel Gibson in We Were Soldiers (2002)
Home Video Trailer from Paramount Home Entertainment
Play trailer2:52
1 Video
99+ Photos
ActionDramaHistory
The story of the first major battle of the American phase of the Vietnam War, and the soldiers on both sides that fought it, while their wives wait nervously and anxiously at home for the go... Read allThe story of the first major battle of the American phase of the Vietnam War, and the soldiers on both sides that fought it, while their wives wait nervously and anxiously at home for the good news or the bad news.The story of the first major battle of the American phase of the Vietnam War, and the soldiers on both sides that fought it, while their wives wait nervously and anxiously at home for the good news or the bad news.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
138K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,225
495
  • Director
    • Randall Wallace
  • Writers
    • Harold G. Moore(book "We Were Soldiers Once... and Young")
    • Joseph Lee Galloway(book "We Were Soldiers Once... and Young")
    • Randall Wallace(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Mel Gibson
    • Madeleine Stowe
    • Greg Kinnear
Top credits
  • Director
    • Randall Wallace
  • Writers
    • Harold G. Moore(book "We Were Soldiers Once... and Young")
    • Joseph Lee Galloway(book "We Were Soldiers Once... and Young")
    • Randall Wallace(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Mel Gibson
    • Madeleine Stowe
    • Greg Kinnear
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 806User reviews
    • 142Critic reviews
    • 65Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 5 nominations

    Videos1

    We Were Soldiers
    Trailer 2:52
    We Were Soldiers

    Photos127

    Mel Gibson and Sam Elliott in We Were Soldiers (2002)
    Mel Gibson and Sam Elliott in We Were Soldiers (2002)
    We Were Soldiers (2002)
    Mel Gibson and Sam Elliott in We Were Soldiers (2002)
    Mel Gibson in We Were Soldiers (2002)
    We Were Soldiers (2002)
    Barry Pepper in We Were Soldiers (2002)
    Mel Gibson in We Were Soldiers (2002)
    We Were Soldiers (2002)
    Mel Gibson and Chris Klein in We Were Soldiers (2002)
    We Were Soldiers (2002)
    Madeleine Stowe, Keri Russell, and Simbi Kali in We Were Soldiers (2002)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Mel Gibson
    Mel Gibson
    • Lt. Col. Hal Mooreas Lt. Col. Hal Moore
    Madeleine Stowe
    Madeleine Stowe
    • Julie Mooreas Julie Moore
    Greg Kinnear
    Greg Kinnear
    • Maj. Bruce Crandallas Maj. Bruce Crandall
    Sam Elliott
    Sam Elliott
    • Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumleyas Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley
    Chris Klein
    Chris Klein
    • 2nd Lt. Jack Geogheganas 2nd Lt. Jack Geoghegan
    Keri Russell
    Keri Russell
    • Barbara Geogheganas Barbara Geoghegan
    Barry Pepper
    Barry Pepper
    • Joe Gallowayas Joe Galloway
    Duong Don
    Duong Don
    • Lt. Col. Nguyen Huu Anas Lt. Col. Nguyen Huu An
    Ryan Hurst
    Ryan Hurst
    • Sgt. Ernie Savageas Sgt. Ernie Savage
    Robert Bagnell
    Robert Bagnell
    • 1st Lt. Charlie Hastingsas 1st Lt. Charlie Hastings
    Marc Blucas
    Marc Blucas
    • 2nd Lt. Henry Herrickas 2nd Lt. Henry Herrick
    Josh Daugherty
    Josh Daugherty
    • Sp4 Robert Ouelletteas Sp4 Robert Ouellette
    Jsu Garcia
    Jsu Garcia
    • Capt. Tony Nadalas Capt. Tony Nadal
    Jon Hamm
    Jon Hamm
    • Capt. Matt Dillonas Capt. Matt Dillon
    Clark Gregg
    Clark Gregg
    • Capt. Tom Metskeras Capt. Tom Metsker
    Desmond Harrington
    Desmond Harrington
    • Sp4 Bill Beckas Sp4 Bill Beck
    Blake Heron
    Blake Heron
    • Sp4 Galen Bungumas Sp4 Galen Bungum
    Erik MacArthur
    Erik MacArthur
    • Sp4 Russell Adamsas Sp4 Russell Adams
    • Director
      • Randall Wallace
    • Writers
      • Harold G. Moore(book "We Were Soldiers Once... and Young")
      • Joseph Lee Galloway(book "We Were Soldiers Once... and Young")
      • Randall Wallace(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    A telling of the 1st Battalion, 7 Cavalry Regiment, 1st Calvary Division's battle against overwhelming odds in the Ia Drang valley of Vietnam in 1965. Seen through the eyes of the battalion's commander, Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore (played by Mel Gibson), we see him take command of the battalion and its preparations to go into Vietnam. We also see how the French had, years earlier, been defeated in the same area. The battle was to be the first major engagement between U.S. and N.V.A. forces in South Vietnam, and showed the use of helicopters as mobility providers and assault support aircraft. —grantss
    battlesoldiervietnam warhelicopterbased on true story155 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Father. Husband. Brother. No man is just a soldier.
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Drama
      • History
      • War
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for sustained sequences of graphic war violence, and for language
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The real Joseph D. Galloway stepped out of the movie theater during a scene, but still approved the film. His explanation was "That was my nightmare for 36 years. I don't want to see it again."
    • Goofs
      Contrary to what's shown in the movie, Lieutenant Henry Herrick and 2nd Platoon did not recklessly charge after a lone NVA soldier, but were in fact ordered to advance out to the flank by Captain John Herren and did so in a disciplined manner. At one point, when coming to the clearing shown in the film, Herrick stopped and radioed back on whether or not he should continue through it or go around it, which was when he and his men were attacked by the NVA.

      It was also Herrick's platoon that inflicted the first casualties on the NVA in said attack, not the other way around as shown in the movie.
    • Quotes

      Lt. Colonel Hal Moore: [Hal Moore speaks to his men before going into battle] Look around you. In the 7th cavalry, we've got a captain from the Ukraine; another from Puerto Rico. We've got Japanese, Chinese, Blacks, Hispanics, Cherokee Indians. Jews and Gentiles. All Americans. Now here in the states, some of you in this unit may have experienced discrimination because of race or creed. But for you and me now, all that is gone. We're moving into the valley of the shadow of death, where you will watch the back of the man next to you, as he will watch yours. And you won't care what color he is, or by what name he calls God. They say we're leaving home. We're going to what home was always supposed to be. Now let us understand the situation. We are going into battle against a tough and determined enemy.

      [pauses]

      Lt. Colonel Hal Moore: I can't promise you that I will bring you all home alive. But this I swear, before you and before Almighty God, that when we go into battle, I will be the first to set foot on the field, and I will be the last to step off, and I will leave no one behind. Dead or alive, we will all come home together. So help me, God.

    • Alternate versions
      Trailers include a scene where Julie Moore explains that the last thing most dying soldiers say is "Tell my wife I love her". This is not included in the theatrical release.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: We Were Soldiers/40 Days and 40 Nights/Queen of the Damned (2002)
    • Soundtracks
      Hold On I'm Coming
      Written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter

      Performed by Tommy Blaize

      Produced by Nick Glennie-Smith

    User reviews806

    Review
    Top review
    I've been waiting over 30 years for one
    Ever since 1970 when I finished my third tour of combat duty with the Marines in Viet Nam I have been waiting for a film that reflected the American Fighting Man in the Viet Nam war as an American Fighting Man; not a drugged-out, anti-war whiner. Well this is it. The movie is non-stop action after the first fifteen minutes of character development is finished. Having experienced what it is like to be over-run by the NVA during the third week of my first VN tour I can tell you that this movie does an excellent job of showing the excitement, tension, exhaustion, chaos, and courage of an extended battle. While this is by no means the best war movie I have ever seen, it is the first Viet Nam war movie which has provided me with a sense of satisfaction after leaving the theater. Mel Gibson turns in a good performance, Sam Elliot is a bit stiff. The wives of the soldiers are believable. Including a bit of the NVA's attitude about the war adds a balanced flavor to the film. Overall I would say that you will experience at least a small part the intensity of war if you go to this movie. I took my female companion and she was shocked, touched, and thrilled with it. As Americans, we need to remember that freedom is not, and never has been, free. It is always paid for with the blood of those who fight to get it, sustain it, or expand it. The politically correct may not like this film, but then who cares what they like. Thanks for making this film Mel. I've been waiting over 30 years to see it.
    helpful•144
    28
    • chimoves
    • Mar 23, 2002

    FAQ2

    • Why did the one VC soldier try and bayonet Col. Moore instead of just shooting him?
    • Why are Col. Moore and other soldiers seen banging their magazines on their helmet before loading them?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 1, 2002 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • France
      • Germany
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Wallace Entertainment (United States)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Vietnamese
      • French
    • Also known as
      • The Lost Patrol
    • Filming locations
      • Fort Hunter Liggett, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Icon Entertainment International
      • Motion Picture Production GmbH & Co. Erste KG
      • StudioCanal
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $75,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $78,122,718
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $20,212,543
      • Mar 3, 2002
    • Gross worldwide
      • $115,374,915
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 18 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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