Hamburger Hill (1987)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

John Irvin

Writer:

James Carabatsos (writer)

Release Date:

28 August 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | War | Action

Tagline:

War at its worst. Men at their Best.

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Hill | Vietnam | Vietnam War | Slaughter | Uniform

Cast

Anthony Barrile	...	Vincent 'Alphabet' Languilli
Michael Boatman	...	Motown (as Michael Patrick Boatman)
Don Cheadle	...	Pvt. Washburn
Michael Dolan	...	Murphy
Don James	...	McDaniel / Mac
Dylan McDermott	...	Sgt. Frantz
Michael A. Nickles	...	Galvan (as M.A. Nickles)
Harry O'Reilly	...	Duffy
Daniel O'Shea	...	Gaigin
Tim Quill	...	Pvt. Joe Beletsky
Tommy Swerdlow	...	Pvt. Bienstock
Courtney B. Vance	...	Doc Johnson
Steven Weber	...	Worcester
Tegan West	...	Lt. Eden
Kieu Chinh	...	Mama San

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

French | English

Color:

Color (Rankcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:MA (Special Edition DVD) | New Zealand:M | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Germany:16 (cut) | Netherlands:16 | Norway:18 | Singapore:M18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Philippines

Company:

RKO Pictures

Trivia:

After the May 17 battle, Dylan McDermott, as Sgt. Frantz, vehemently tells an Army photographer who shows up to "Unass my AO!" In the condensed language of GI slang, it is an order to move his ass out of the sergeant's Area of Operations, and in this context it expresses the infantry GI's contempt for soldiers who don't fight.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Most ground combat forces in Vietnam were issued 20-round magazines for their M-16; not the 30-round, banana-clip style as depicted. Guess the film makers thought these looked more macho.

Quotes:

Sgt. Frantz: Now unass my AO!

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko (1999) (VG)

Soundtrack:

I Second That Emotion

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 ****