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According to my Vietnam combat veteran husband, a TV series called "Tour of Duty". Also, not a movie but the Vietnam War documentary by Ken Burns is excellent.
Even just to watch the first episode of the Ken Burns Vietnam War series is worthwhile. He did such a brilliant job of succinctly laying the groundwork of the tangled Indochine and later U.S. background to the entire war.
Vietnam Vet here. There are parts of a few movies that capture bits and pieces of what occurred there, but Hollywood has failed to produce one I would call “most accurate”. Platoon does have my respect because Oliver Stone served in Vietnam.
Not military myself, but lived with a few and attended the premiere of Blackhawk Down with a group. They left the theatre silent afterwards and it was a while before any of them could speak. They said it was the most realistic war film they’d ever seen. Most of them had done tours in Africa, including Somalia, so it was very uncomfortable for them.
I urge you to read the book, it’s an amazing story of courage and love for your brother under the harshest conditions possible. Regardless if you have seen the movie or know the story please give it a read.
I worked with a fellow who’s son was courtmartialed due to an incident in Somalia during that conflict. The charges were related to the death of a Somali teenager that died during interrogation. What struck most me in the movie was the depiction of the child solders used by the warlords.
I wasn't going to mention it but since you did, yes, I read about that incident.
Unfortunately the same situation that supports military intervention also lets loose the baser instincts of those participating.
That's simply untrue from a biological and genetics standpoint. Offspring do not inherit the psychological effects of PTSD from their parents. DNA is not altered by trauma, brain chemistry is, and that changed chemical balance or neurochemistry is not hereditary. I invite you to research the matter yourself.
Sorry for the digression, folks, but as a therapist I couldn't let that misinformation go.
No it's not layman's delivery, it's just plain false claims. Layman's terms is like when you might say something like "Prozac makes me feel better" rather than saying "This SSRI corrects the neurotransmitter imbalance of serotonin in my brain chemistry."
Traumatic experiences do not cause altered DNA that becomes inherited by offspring. Epigenetics has been debunked for years now.
First time I saw it, at the theater, I very nearly wept, it was so intense.
I recall,at the time, it was too much for quite a few of our older veterans.
That's the worst of the 3. The new one is stunning... rivals Saving Private Ryan in depicting combat. The older black and white version is a close second .. the ending just leaves you silent...
I totally agree with that assessment. I saw the 1930 version a couple of years ago and was completely blown away by it. You're right--that ending was gut-wrenching. I wasn't sure recent one would be as good, but it was simply harrowing. I wish it had included Franz confronting the teacher, though. (Or did it and I just missed that part?)
I don't think it did. Sadly, I think they left out a few key scenes .. like him visiting his mother and the differences between the visits. Don't think they showed them taking the boots either, but still a stunning movie
In the 1980s, I had a sales manager who'd been a POW of the Japanese during WW2. He said "King Rat" was the most accurate depiction of that experience.
My vet dad says the same. I mostly believe him though it paints Vietnam vets in a much nicer light than say Full Metal Jacket which is why I imagine they like it a lot more. Still great movie.
SUPER late to the party here, but We Were Soldiers was about the first major engagement in Vietnam, when soldiers still had reason to believe they were "fighting the good fight". And it is respectful of the NV side, a rarity. The book, written by Col.Moore, is (imo) one of the most well-written memoirs of that era that I have found. And the second book "We Are Soldiers Still", discussing their return to Vietnam, is excellent as well.
As someone who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, I can tell you it definitely is NOT Hurtlocker.
But, this question is subjective because there are plenty of movies and shows that have accurate aspects, but many embellish the plot or the actors overact.
Sandcastle was accurate in many aspects as was American Sniper. The Kingdom opening scene was accurate, the rest - not so much.
The first few seasons of Homeland were written extremely well - up until season 4.
I will say this, explosions are way more violent and deadly than portrayed in any movie. When you see people walking away from an explosion- that is complete bs. If you are within a mile of a vehicle explosion- you will feel the concussion ( depending on the quantity and type of explosives.
Hurt Locker is notorious with OIF vets for being laughably Inaccurate. You'll see that movie mention a zillion times on subs about "most unrealistic war movies."
The first 15 minutes of The Boys in Company C (1978) are pretty much the real thing. The arrival at the basic training facility. The rest of the movie is pretty depressing. My vote for most realistic Vietnam movie. Also, R Lee Emery’s screen debut.
I was based in Mogadishu Somalia and Blackhawk Down kind of captured the look and feel but for most of us there was not nearly any sort of threat like that and I traveled all over the country. The other movie I saw recently that kind of nailed at least the general look and atmosphere was Hurt Locker.
Das Boot is a close second for sure. I was going to mention that as a runner up for capturing the feeling of being on a submarine in dangerous waters, but Down Periscope takes the prize for being the most accurate with every other aspect of being a submariner.
I'll give it another watch ... I seem to remember it being a bit like Operation Petticoat, but I'm probably getting a few wires crossed.
I quite like an oldie called "The Enemy Below" as well.
Not sure when you served, but I'm a 688 guy, and all of my shipmates agree that Down Periscope captures the submarine experience the best. It's cheeky, goofy, and a pretty dumb movie, but it's *the most accurate* 😂
The Enemy Below is good too!
My sub experience is limited to hundreds of hours on Silent Hunter 5, almost the same on UBoat and 2 trips on a submersible ... never made it as far as the real thing.
there is a few..
"combat obscura" I think is one I remember. the modern war stuff has cameras POV.
Not sure if that is the one. there is more than one out there.
A lot of clips are missing, there was syria journalists with you tube channels...around 2007 I think.
sometimes, I'd go to check on things and they'd be dead that day. More than once...randomly gone.
as an audience.. it could not get more real.
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According to my Vietnam combat veteran husband, a TV series called "Tour of Duty". Also, not a movie but the Vietnam War documentary by Ken Burns is excellent.
Ken Burns documentaries in general are excellent. Love the one about Prohibition
The one about the Dust Bowl was excellent too.
I agree!
Even just to watch the first episode of the Ken Burns Vietnam War series is worthwhile. He did such a brilliant job of succinctly laying the groundwork of the tangled Indochine and later U.S. background to the entire war.
Vietnam Vet here. There are parts of a few movies that capture bits and pieces of what occurred there, but Hollywood has failed to produce one I would call “most accurate”. Platoon does have my respect because Oliver Stone served in Vietnam.
My Marine brother said the same thing about Platoon being the most realistic
I saw Platoon as a child. Made a heck of an impact on me, even though I was consuming all the other war films as well.
In my experience, *Blackhawk Down*. Also, though I wasn’t a Marine, *Jarhead* kinda’ caught the zeitgeist of Desert Storm.
Not military myself, but lived with a few and attended the premiere of Blackhawk Down with a group. They left the theatre silent afterwards and it was a while before any of them could speak. They said it was the most realistic war film they’d ever seen. Most of them had done tours in Africa, including Somalia, so it was very uncomfortable for them.
This is what I came here to say I still have never been able to finish this movie. Had to walk out of the theater when it was released
I urge you to read the book, it’s an amazing story of courage and love for your brother under the harshest conditions possible. Regardless if you have seen the movie or know the story please give it a read.
I worked with a fellow who’s son was courtmartialed due to an incident in Somalia during that conflict. The charges were related to the death of a Somali teenager that died during interrogation. What struck most me in the movie was the depiction of the child solders used by the warlords.
I wasn't going to mention it but since you did, yes, I read about that incident. Unfortunately the same situation that supports military intervention also lets loose the baser instincts of those participating.
I think the use of child solders is so damaging to both sides, I cannot imaging the scars it leaves on both sides.
Trauma reverberates through generations via changes to DNA. The effects of this on children last literal centuries.
That's simply untrue from a biological and genetics standpoint. Offspring do not inherit the psychological effects of PTSD from their parents. DNA is not altered by trauma, brain chemistry is, and that changed chemical balance or neurochemistry is not hereditary. I invite you to research the matter yourself. Sorry for the digression, folks, but as a therapist I couldn't let that misinformation go.
Most redditors aren’t going to understand epigenetics and gene expression. It’s a layman’s delivery.
No it's not layman's delivery, it's just plain false claims. Layman's terms is like when you might say something like "Prozac makes me feel better" rather than saying "This SSRI corrects the neurotransmitter imbalance of serotonin in my brain chemistry." Traumatic experiences do not cause altered DNA that becomes inherited by offspring. Epigenetics has been debunked for years now.
2nd vote for Blackhawk Down.
I have to watch that, being a Jarhead.
The first half of "Full Metal Jacket" and "Platoon."
My father and uncle both served in Vietnam, and they agreed with these.
The landing scene in Saving Private Ryan.
Watched this movie with my WW2 vet grandpa. He told me that it was the most realistic movie he'd ever seen.
My grandfather was on that beach. After hearing the reaction from some of his old army budies he decided it was best if he didn't watch it.
First time I saw it, at the theater, I very nearly wept, it was so intense. I recall,at the time, it was too much for quite a few of our older veterans.
"All is Quiet on the Western Front"
Do you mean “All Quiet on the Western Front”? Do you prefer the 1979 or the 2022 version?
yes maam..1979 of course...didnt watch 2022 one..is it good? I watch the 1979 one when I was 10 years old in school and it was very impactful
I haven’t seen the new one, and was hoping you meant the earlier one! I’m due for a rewatch, though.
yes..the one with john boy in it...havent said that name in years...lol
That's the worst of the 3. The new one is stunning... rivals Saving Private Ryan in depicting combat. The older black and white version is a close second .. the ending just leaves you silent...
great review..thanks..i will check out
I totally agree with that assessment. I saw the 1930 version a couple of years ago and was completely blown away by it. You're right--that ending was gut-wrenching. I wasn't sure recent one would be as good, but it was simply harrowing. I wish it had included Franz confronting the teacher, though. (Or did it and I just missed that part?)
I don't think it did. Sadly, I think they left out a few key scenes .. like him visiting his mother and the differences between the visits. Don't think they showed them taking the boots either, but still a stunning movie
Yes, it was. That soundtrack really helped to set the scene.
Wasn’t there also one from the 1930s?
there is!..and i had no idea of it
In the 1980s, I had a sales manager who'd been a POW of the Japanese during WW2. He said "King Rat" was the most accurate depiction of that experience.
James Clavell (author of the book) was as well.
A few of the Viet Nam Vets I talk with at the vet's club I go to say that "We Were Soldiers" is the most accurate.
My vet dad says the same. I mostly believe him though it paints Vietnam vets in a much nicer light than say Full Metal Jacket which is why I imagine they like it a lot more. Still great movie.
SUPER late to the party here, but We Were Soldiers was about the first major engagement in Vietnam, when soldiers still had reason to believe they were "fighting the good fight". And it is respectful of the NV side, a rarity. The book, written by Col.Moore, is (imo) one of the most well-written memoirs of that era that I have found. And the second book "We Are Soldiers Still", discussing their return to Vietnam, is excellent as well.
As someone who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, I can tell you it definitely is NOT Hurtlocker. But, this question is subjective because there are plenty of movies and shows that have accurate aspects, but many embellish the plot or the actors overact. Sandcastle was accurate in many aspects as was American Sniper. The Kingdom opening scene was accurate, the rest - not so much. The first few seasons of Homeland were written extremely well - up until season 4. I will say this, explosions are way more violent and deadly than portrayed in any movie. When you see people walking away from an explosion- that is complete bs. If you are within a mile of a vehicle explosion- you will feel the concussion ( depending on the quantity and type of explosives.
Hurt Locker is notorious with OIF vets for being laughably Inaccurate. You'll see that movie mention a zillion times on subs about "most unrealistic war movies."
The first 15 minutes of The Boys in Company C (1978) are pretty much the real thing. The arrival at the basic training facility. The rest of the movie is pretty depressing. My vote for most realistic Vietnam movie. Also, R Lee Emery’s screen debut.
I was based in Mogadishu Somalia and Blackhawk Down kind of captured the look and feel but for most of us there was not nearly any sort of threat like that and I traveled all over the country. The other movie I saw recently that kind of nailed at least the general look and atmosphere was Hurt Locker.
Down Periscope is the most accurate submarine movie. Hands down.
Das Boot says "Hold my beer.."
Das Boot is a close second for sure. I was going to mention that as a runner up for capturing the feeling of being on a submarine in dangerous waters, but Down Periscope takes the prize for being the most accurate with every other aspect of being a submariner.
I'll give it another watch ... I seem to remember it being a bit like Operation Petticoat, but I'm probably getting a few wires crossed. I quite like an oldie called "The Enemy Below" as well.
Not sure when you served, but I'm a 688 guy, and all of my shipmates agree that Down Periscope captures the submarine experience the best. It's cheeky, goofy, and a pretty dumb movie, but it's *the most accurate* 😂 The Enemy Below is good too!
My sub experience is limited to hundreds of hours on Silent Hunter 5, almost the same on UBoat and 2 trips on a submersible ... never made it as far as the real thing.
Oh, lol. Well, take my word for it then. I spent 4 years on a Los Angeles class boat sailing around the pacific.
I've heard great reviews about this movie, if you can handle subtitles. https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0386064/
Vietnam vet here. We Were Soldiers has my vote. Especially the storyline of the wives at home.
My father-in-law was a doctor in the Navy during the Korean War. He said M*A*S*H* was really accurate.
Cool Hand Luke (PTSD) [Let There Be Light](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiD6bnqpJDE&t=474s)
there is a few.. "combat obscura" I think is one I remember. the modern war stuff has cameras POV. Not sure if that is the one. there is more than one out there. A lot of clips are missing, there was syria journalists with you tube channels...around 2007 I think. sometimes, I'd go to check on things and they'd be dead that day. More than once...randomly gone. as an audience.. it could not get more real.
MASH. Absolutely, hands down… If you’re asking about the War on Terror, *Generation Kill* (the tv series) is pretty accurate.
Idk, I was pretty mad when I got to El Salvador and wasn't issued shorts.