http://www.newsmax.com/archives/arti...1/113317.shtml

Interesting - I would have chosen Platoon.

I couldnt agree more. Unlike FMJ and Apocalypse Now, We Were Soldiers doesnt attempt to be anything more than it is; a film that is truly dedicated to the veterans.

Hmmm...apparently the same group chose Full Metal Jacket as the best war movie overall.

I haven't seen WWS, but does most or all of the movie take place in Vietnam? I'm thinking maybe they didn't consider FMJ to be a Vietnam War movie because half of it isn't in Vietnam.

same here.

I think the key distinction is the fact it's veterans who choose it as #1. This makes sense since it doesn't get bogged down w/ the politics of the war, it shows the camaraderie between the avg grunt, and it shows a leader who cares about his men. Whereas for the general public Apocalypse Now more easily reflects the "fucked up" nature of what they believed the war to have been. I have to say I am surprised Platoon wasn't higher in the polls. Personally it's my 2nd favorite after We Were Soldiers.

WWS struck me as cheesy and insulting to the viewer (did they have to slo-mo Gibson being the first off and last on the copter?) when I first saw it a couple of years ago. I remember thinking that it was rather poorly acted as well.

I must say that these poll results might make me go back and give it another chance. These guys obviously know a hell of a lot more about the subject matter than I do.

I would've went with Platoon at #1 as well, though WWS is pretty high up on my list.

While I agree that WWS at times stepped into cheese territory, its still a pretty good movie. My uncle who was in Vietnam (and shot) says that its his favorite Vietnam movie. Probably because, as previously stated, because it doesn't get into the politics but offers an accurate and engaging film.

Apocalypse Now IS Vietnam!

I didnt really like Apocalypse now that much. Just got kinda wierd after they passed the bridge. I think Black Hawk down and Thin Red Line are better and they were not even listed.

The poll was only regarding Vietnam War movies, which is why the two you mentioned were not qualified.

yeah, i wonder why that is...

anyway, I thought WWS was far too emotionally contrived to be taken seriously as a truthful depiction of Vietnam. i'm surprised FMJ did so well with veterans, and significantly worse with the general public. i would have thought it too cold and "heady" to do well amongst those with strong emotional ties to the experience of war. interesting that a more intellectualized view of the phenomenon of war appeals so strongly to many veterans.

I gotta wonder who they asked. As a soldier, the ones that always came up as the best were Platoon, Full Metal Jacket or Apocalypse Now...

WWS was just silly.

Consider that I rank Apocalypse Now as the second greatest film of all time (behind the Godfather), it's pretty obvious that I find it to be the best Vietnam movie ever. But then I'm not a veteran, and I can see why some of them might not like it.

Hello? MISSING IN ACTION?!

This seems odd:

Among Vets:
Best Vietnam War Film: Full Metal Jacket was number 2
Best War Movie All Time: Full Metal Jacket was number 1

You'd think if it was best All Time, it would've been number 1 for it's specific war.

I have to agree. In my opinion, We Were Soldiers is by far the worst war movie I've ever seen. The scene where the woman is commenting on the "whites only" laundromat is the worst scene in cinematic history. I would have turned the movie off right there if I hadn't been asked to watch it as a favor. Of course I should have known that with the whole "Daddy what is war?" thing from his daughter. This movie made me want to puke.

Dead Presidents was a better Vietnam war movie. I suppose We Were Soldiers is the only Vietnam movie where they didn't make the soldiers out to look like nuts so that's probably why it was voted #1. But that does not make it good, or in this case, even watchable.

Another vote for Platoon.