WE WERE SOLDIERS

WE WERE SOLDIERS is a powerful war drama that honors the men who fought and died in Vietnam. Its Christian sympathies are clear. Col. Hal Moore prays with his children, prays with his soldiers, invokes the Trinity, and depends on God personally in the middle of battle. The film also honors the wives and families left behind.

The cost is severe. Battle scenes show soldiers shot in the throat, chest, and head, men burned by napalm or phosphorous, corpses, wounded soldiers, and other very bloody injuries. Strong obscenity and profanity add to the burden, even though the language is less frequent than in some recent war movies.

If you are a mature adult able to withstand graphic combat violence and strong language, this is worth seeing for its courage, faith, and reverence for sacrifice. Keep children and young teens away.

In 1965, Colonel Hal Moore is ordered to develop a new way to send American soldiers into battle by helicopter and withdraw them quickly. He trains his men at Fort Benning, Georgia, with their wives and families closely connected to the unit.

When Moore and his troops arrive in Vietnam, he realizes that the North Vietnamese are drawing them into an ambush. Surrounded and under intense fire, the soldiers must rely on courage, leadership, and military skill.

Four stars means this is a major, highly effective film with only minor flaws. The battle staging and filming are totally compelling, and much of the acting is tremendous. Mel Gibson brings skill to Moore’s moments with his children, his prayers, his compassion for his troops, and his leadership. Sam Elliott, Madeleine Stowe, Greg Kinnear, and the other performers also perform quite well.

The movie is well structured and keeps you riveted to your seat. Some scenes with the wives contain hyper-realistic chit-chat that diminishes the drama, and Gibson repeats some incredulous looks too often. The Vietnam terrain also does not always reflect Southeast Asia’s dark, lush quality. These are minor quibbles beside the film’s gripping execution.

WE WERE SOLDIERS presents a strong overt Christian worldview through Roman Catholic and Methodist references, appeals to Jesus Christ, and repeated references to the Triune God. Col. Moore turns to God in down-to-earth prayer, and one soldier is encouraged to ask God what His plan is for him. The film’s Christian sympathies are woven into its portraits of courage, family loyalty, sacrifice, and faith.

The film is also strongly patriotic and treats the American fighting men and their families as the central heroes. It portrays the enemy with humanity rather than caricature, while still presenting the American soldiers as those who deserve honor. One statement suggests that the enemy may pray to God under another name, a slight nod to political correctness that overlooks the atheism of the Communists and the non-theistic character of Buddhism. In the larger context, however, the film invokes the Almighty in the name of Jesus and presents the Christian God as the ultimate judge of human hearts.

The movie’s deepest longing is for courage joined to faith: men facing death while trusting God, and families carrying the cost of sacrifice. Scripture says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

WE WERE SOLDIERS is a riveting, spiritually uplifting tribute to Christian faith, family, courage, and sacrifice. Its graphic war violence and strong language make it unsuitable for children and young teens. For mature adults who can bear those scenes, the answer is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For other family viewing, see.