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We Were Soldiers

Play trailer Poster for We Were Soldiers R 2002 2h 17m War History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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63% Tomatometer 144 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Based upon the best-selling book "We Were Soldiers Once ... and Young" by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore (Ret.) and journalist Joseph L. Galloway, this compelling war drama depicts the true story of the first major battle between the United States and North Vietnamese forces. It is a film about uncommon valor and nobility under fire, loyalty among soldiers, and the heroism and sacrifice of men and women both home and abroad.
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We Were Soldiers

We Were Soldiers

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Critics Consensus

The war cliches are laid on a bit thick, but the movie succeeds at putting a human face on soldiers of both sides in the Vietnam War.

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media 12/29/2010
3/5
One of the most violent movies ever released. Go to Full Review David Ansen Newsweek 08/18/2008
We Were Soldiers is, ultimately, a powerful and moving experience--once it overcomes its clunky, badly written and cliched first act. Go to Full Review Tim Robey Daily Telegraph (UK) 10/19/2003
Gibson wears a rictus of distaste which seems more suggestive of dodgy on-set catering than the horrors of combat. Go to Full Review Steve Crum Crum on Showbiz 07/17/2022
A
A no-punches-pulled war movie, set in Vietnam, that will make even a ‘Nam veteran cringe at the violent realism. Go to Full Review Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens 11/06/2019
As Lt. Col. Hal Moore opined to Sgt. Major Plumley during the throes of battle, 'I wonder what Custer was thinking when he realized he'd moved his men into slaughter.' Plumley's natural reply, 'Sir, Custer was a p--.' Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 12/22/2006
B-
The war genre, vigorously energized with Saving Private Ryan and Black Hawk Down, takes several steps backward with this old-fashioned moralistic saga, a tribute not only to the soldiers in combat in Vietnam but also to the homefront. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Romas M @Romas Mar 10 Greetings from Lithuania. When it comes to a great war movies, "We Were Soldiers" (2002) is always I think was overlooked. This is a great war film that depicts very true events about the "opening" of Vietnam war for America. It is a brutal, bloody and hard hitting in portrayal of the actual combat. The scenes that leads to Vietnam are well made but a bit to melodramatic. Also some of the ending is a bit to melodramatic in my opinion. But the combat is were this film shines and stands right there with great ones. It is very impressively stages - the editing, sound effects, cinematography, make-up, all off it shines. Mel Gibson is at center and is good in here. Overall, "We Were Soldiers" is an excellent war film in depicting combat and is based on very real events. A good movie overall. See more T S. @TS1212 Jan 24 Great movie. Action, plot and lots of heart. See more Cody W. @Cwalton1994 Jan 18 You can definitely tell that WE WERE SOLDIERS is perhaps one of the most violent and emotional war films in recent memory. It honors the people that risked their lives throughout the Vietnam War, and tells a very impactful story of brotherhood and sacrifice along the way. See more William C. @wdcraven78 Dec 16 Possibly the best movie ever. I have watched it at least a dozen times and it is always moving. A great job of explaining g the Vietnam war and a classic tale of duty, honor and country. See more Jack F @MovieFan111 Dec 8 It's a must watch if you like war movies. A little forgettable compared to the greats, but still a solid installation to the genre. See more G S @RT17980859 Nov 30 Ignore critics as you often should. audience score is dead on - 85% ish. The story, the era 60s, the true to period, is so spot on it’s scary. The war scenes are incredible, often difficult to watch, disturbing, powerful, you feel their misery, fear, heroism, pain, conflict as if you’re in the fight. Gibson may be at his best, not overreacting, comfortable totally in character, not himself at all. I love platoon, but these war scenes are far superior, if you want to feel the fire fight as if you’re there. See more Read all reviews
We Were Soldiers

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Cast & Crew

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Randall Wallace

Director

Mel Gibson

Hal Moore

Madeleine Stowe

Julie Moore

Greg Kinnear

Maj. Bruce Crandall

Sam Elliott

Sgt-Maj. Basil Plumley

Chris Klein

Lt. Jack Geoghegan

Movie Clips

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We Were Soldiers

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We Were Soldiers

(Left to right) Madeleine Stowe as Julie Moore and Mel Gibson as Lieutenant Colonel Harold G. Moore in 'We Were Soldiers.' (Left to right) Mel Gibson as Lieutenant Colonel Harold G. Moore and Sam Elliott as Sergeant Major Basil Plumley in 'We Were Soldiers.' (Left to right) Madeleine Stowe as Julie Moore, Luke Benward as David Moore, Taylor Momsen as Julie Moore, Sloane Momsen as Cecile Moore and Mel Gibson as Lieutenant Colonel Harold G. Moore. Mel Gibson as Lieutenant Colonel Harold G. Moore in 'We Were Soldiers.' (Left to right) Mel Gibson as Lieutenant Colonel Harold G. Moore and Sam Elliott as Sergeant Major Basil Plumley in 'We Were Soldiers.' (Center) Mel Gibson as Hal Moore and (center right) Sam Elliott as Plumley in " We Were Soldiers." (Back left) Sam Elliott as Plumley and (front center) Mel Gibson as Hal Moore in 'We Were Soldiers.' (Left to right) Sam Elliott as Sergeant Major Basil Plumley and Mel Gibson as Lieutenant Colonel Harold G. Moore in 'We Were Soldiers.' (Left) Don Duong as Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Huu An in 'We Were Soldiers.' (Left to right) Keri Russell as Barbara Geoghegan, Simbi Kali-Williams as Alma Givens and Madeleine Stowe as Julie Moore in 'We Were Soldiers.' View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Based upon the best-selling book "We Were Soldiers Once ... and Young" by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore (Ret.) and journalist Joseph L. Galloway, this compelling war drama depicts the true story of the first major battle between the United States and North Vietnamese forces. It is a film about uncommon valor and nobility under fire, loyalty among soldiers, and the heroism and sacrifice of men and women both home and abroad.
Director
Randall Wallace
Producer
Bruce Davey, Stephen McEveety, Randall Wallace
Screenwriter
Joe Galloway, Hal Moore, Randall Wallace
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Wheelhouse, Icon Entertainment International
Rating
R (Language|Graphic War Violence)
Genre
War, History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 1, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 6, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$78.1M
Runtime
2h 17m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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