Hamburger Hill - 20th Anniversary Edition [1987] [DVD]

I expected some sort of McDonalds eating competition given the title. But it’s all about Vietnam and soldiers and all that. Bloody cracking film though.

No question Hamburger Hill was somewhat overshadowed by Oliver Stone's Platoon mostly down to the time of release, but this film is quite unique in it's own right and deserves some praise for it's gritty lifelike feel and solid performances. Both films share some common ground in that neither pull their punches in terms of trying to deliver a production that is devoid of the common "flag waving" glamorised productions of the Vietnam conflict. This is war and it's not pretty, graphic and likely a lot closer to what went on.The film centres around the Battle of Hamburger Hill which took place in May 1969, an intense and difficult assault on a well fortified NVA position which required a lot more effort than initially thought, it's a good choice for a film about the conflict.The cast is less well known though Don Cheadle is here as are Steven Weber and Dylan McDermott. Performances are very strong though despite lacking some of the bigger known names at the time of filming. This story concentrates on a platoon of the 101st Airborne Division but with the many of the platoon members "FNG" which I can't literally describe due to the F word, but it means "new guy" or "green" The reinforcements are new members with no real combat experience and are soon shaken with the grim conditions and difficult battle ahead of them.Direction is from John Irvin and he's taken a different approach to Stone by not trying to "add drama" to the film this feels more "hands on" less cinematised and crafted possibly a little rougher at the edges the film did have the misfortune of coming out after "Platoon" and thus possibly lost some attention due to that, budget wise this wasn't a low grade production (budget was more than Platoon by some margin) and the settings and props certainly feel well crafted. If you're a fan of Vietnam war films this is certainly worth picking up both films can lay claim to relegating many previous patriotic films to history as viewers hungered for a more realistic and balanced take on a difficult and unpopular conflict.

I would rank this film with Platoon,Full Metal Jacket and The Deerhunter in the Vietnam war catagory.HH works very well despite the absence of any major stars or big name directors.A terrific effort was put in by all concerned to portray the grim reality of this episode of the war,namely the attack on Hill 937 by the 101st airborne.It is violent and doesn"t hold back showing the sheer cruelty of conflict between men driven to their limits in their desire to survive the carnage of this battle.I would also recommend  When Trumpets Fade [DVD] [2000 ] (sometimes known as HH 2) also directed by John Irvin,which deals with a lesser known action during WW2.But if you are looking for a gritty,well acted and thoughtful film about the Vietnam war this is a good example.Recommended.

Not as good as I thought it would be

One of the better Vietnam war movies... It tellsthe story of the assault on Hill 937 at the A ShauValley in 1969.It starts with the arrival of a bunch of FNGs, thatis F***ing New Guys, who are green to Nam... Thejargon is about right, and it does show some of thedarker side of the war, like the brothels and friendlyfire. The battle scene are quite good, but we hardlysee the POV of the NVA or VC, they seem to be aninvisible enemy. Maybe that was the point, but therewere two sides to this battle...Overall, still a good film.

One of my top ten movies excellent film one of the best 80s films item was in good condition value for money highly recommend seller

Based on a controversial real event, American soldiers take a well defended hill in Vietnam and suffer high casualties.There's nothing really wrong with the film, it's just not an especially interesting example of its genre.

Classic, sickening too, what with all the renewed publicity of WW1/2 We have at the moment, i don't think it will be too long before this war/conflict is brought to our attention once again? Many people think this was just a war with America and Vietnam, but a lot of French also lost their lives, it still amazes me that even from the days of the Somme that the top brass can still send their troops into the butchers shop and still have good quality steak on their plates while the troops are rationed on a life expectancy????Bloody Good film!