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The Vietnam War is the inspiration behind many excellent Hollywood movies. Almost as soon as the conflict ended, filmmakers began dramatizing this major historical event, bringing it alive on the big screen for 1970s audiences. These films were well-loved because they demonstrated both the horrors and humanity that occurred during the war.
Even today, directors continue to feature the Vietnam War in their films, shining a light on everything from small sub-conflicts to veterans’ post-combat experiences. The best Vietnam War movies of all time feature compelling stories and accurate depictions of life on the battlefield, which earns them respectable ratings on IMDB.
This article discusses sensitive topics regarding war, violence, mental health, and kidnappings.
10/10 Da 5 Bloods Focuses On A Group Of Veterans
IMDb Score: 6.5
Da 5 Bloods is a 2020 film directed by Spike Lee telling the story of four veterans returning to Vietnam decades after the war ended. The middle-aged veterans are on a quest to find the remains of their deceased squad leader, Stormin’ Norman.
The late Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman plays the squad leader, who mostly appears in ghostly flashbacks. The film presents a narrative part treasure hunt, part adventure to the past. IMDB reviewers have mixed opinions about the film, but highlight some touching moments between the veterans as they make their journey.
9/10 Casualties Of War Depicts Some Very Harsh Realities
IMDb Score: 7.1
Some of the most powerful movies about war examine the morality (or lack thereof) of soldiers’ actions on the battlefield. Casualties Of War features a young Sean Penn and Michael J. Fox as two members of a group of soldiers who kidnap a young Vietnamese girl for their entertainment.
In terms of this event, Penn and Fox are on opposite sides of the morality spectrum: Penn is the instigator, while Fox finds himself ostracized for refusing to participate. IMDB reviewers call this film hard to watch because of its brutality, but impossible to miss because of the powerful message it delivers.
8/10 Born On The Fourth Of July Is A Powerful Biography
IMDb Score: 7.2
Born on the Fourth of July stars Tom Cruise in a somewhat unusual role for him. He plays Ron Kovic, a real-life Vietnam War veteran who became paralyzed in combat then went on to be an anti-war activist and writer. The film took inspiration from Kovic’s 1976 memoir, which was part of what made it so compelling.
Many IMDB reviewers praised Tom Cruise’s performance, as well as Oliver Stone’s directorial choices for Born on the Fourth of July. However, any film that takes a political stance is likely to have some detractors, so it’s no surprise some reviewers took issue with its anti-war message.
7/10 Rescue Dawn Is A Harrowing Survival Story
IMDb Score: 7.3
Werner Herzog wrote and directed Rescue Dawn, which details a U.S. pilot’s fight for survival after his plane gets shot down in Laos during the Vietnam War. The film’s close focus on a small cast of characters provides an intimate snapshot of the struggles of war.
Christian Bale and Steve Zahn each earned several well-deserved award nominations for their roles. Most IMDB reviewers also praised Herzog for his expert direction of the film, although some note the movie was best seen in theaters. The compelling survival story itself was a definite highlight among the film’s most positive reviews.
6/10 Good Morning, Vietnam Features Refreshing Comedy
IMDb Score: 7.3
The late Robin Williams was a beloved comedic actor, and he lent his talents to the 1987 movie Good Morning, Vietnam. Although many war-themed films focused on the dark sides of battle, this film highlighted a more heartwarming story.
Williams starred as DJ Adrian Cronauer, who worked at the U.S. Armed Services radio station. IMDB reviewers praised this film for its delicate balance between comedy and drama, and many thoroughly enjoyed Williams’ performance. Besides positive IMDB reviews, Williams also received a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his role.
5/10 We Were Soldiers Depicts The Start Of The War
IMDb Score: 7.4
We Were Soldiers takes place during the first phase of the Vietnam War and details the experiences of both the soldiers and their wives back home. A novel entitled We Were Soldiers Once… And Young served as inspiration for the movie, which stars Mel Gibson as Lt. Colonel Hal Moore.
Many IMDB reviewers praise the film for its realism and believe this quality sets We Were Soldiers apart from many other war movies. However, some reviewers note the graphic nature of some scenes makes the film difficult to watch for some viewers.
4/10 Jacob’s Ladder Is A Haunting Veteran’s Story
IMDb Score: 7.4
Jacob’s Ladder places viewers in the center of jumbled consciousness and is enthralling from beginning to end. Tim Robbins stars as Vietnam War veteran Jacob Singer, who’s haunted by images of a violent battle from his time in the service. The film follows his harrowing struggle to differentiate between fact and fiction.
Many IMDB reviewers have written glowing reviews of Jacob’s Ladder, describing it as innovative, mesmerizing, and one of the best films ever made. However, some reviewers found the plot difficult to follow and thus couldn’t enjoy the movie.
3/10 Platoon Shines A Unique Light On The Brutality Of War
IMDb Score: 8.1
Platoon is often considered one of the best war movies ever made due to its star-studded cast and compelling story. It describes the Vietnam War experience of a soldier who finds himself in the middle of a feud between two sergeants, starring a young Charlie Sheen alongside Willem Dafoe and Forest Whitaker.
Several IMDB reviewers rave about Olive Stone’s direction, especially his choice not to shy away from the intense brutality of the battlefield. Some believe the film hasn’t aged well, but most reviewers believe Platoon has stood the test of time.
IMDb Score: 8.3
When it comes to gritty films that are hard to forget, Full Metal Jacket is at the top of many people’s lists. The film follows a U.S. marine as he observes the effects of war on his fellow recruits through boot camp and combat. Matthew Modine stars alongside Vincent D’Onofrio and R. Lee Ermey in this 1987 classic.
IMDB reviews for this film are mostly positive and highlight Modine, D’Onofrio, and Ermey’s excellent performances. Reviewers also praise the fact that the film pulls no punches when depicting the violence of war. However, some reviewers feel the film loses some steam in the second half.
1/10 Apocalypse Now Is A Vietnam War Classic
IMDb Score: 8.5
Francis Ford Coppola’s 1979 drama, Apocalypse Now, became practically synonymous with Vietnam War-themed films. The Godfather director created a stunning portrayal of the war only a few years after its conclusion, and it’s held up perfectly for over four decades. The film starred Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, and Robert Duvall, who received an Oscar nomination for his role.
IMDB reviewers largely considered Apocalypse Now to be one of Coppola’s best films, calling it an outstanding masterpiece. One of the most common complaints about the movie was its length, with some reviewers believing the film could benefit from being shorter.
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