Purple Hearts

Purple Hearts is both a war movie and a romantic movie. Regarding the latter, this movie really had an impact on me. On the one hand, I don't claim it's an epic like "Dr. Zhivago". On the other hand, 35 years after seeing it, it's one that I remember most clearly and that drew me into the story most completely. For my friends who served in the Vietnam War, the movie was right on target, super realistic. But I don't like war movies that much, so it was the romance that drew me in. Out of curiosity, I looked at the IMDB rating and saw it was rather low, but I stuck with my experience and gave it a 9. Then I read the reviews and almost all gave it very high praise. But many viewers must have given it a low score. If you're a romantic, it's worth taking a chance and if it's a match, it'll really be worth it. I just saw it again and think it's a GREAT movie. I have NOT seen the recent remake, BUT there was no artistic reason to do a remake, one could not improve on the original!

This thoroughly entertaining movie has two intertwined story lines: a talented Navy doctor (Ken Wahl) trying to save lives while coping with the challenges of working in a war zone, and his involvement with a talented nurse (Cheryl Ladd).

Other reviewers have already commented on the superb photographic artistry, so I'll just say that, more than 20 years after first seeing it, what still stands out in my mind is its ending.

It's astonishing that (as of June, 2006), Purple Hearts still has not been released on DVD. Until then, you still may be able to rent or buy it on VHS.

A real feel good movie. The ending is the best, just like I would want this kind of movie to end. I saw this movie when it came out in 1984 and I have been looking for a copy, now that I can afford the price. I finally got one off of E-Bay. I enjoyed the action and the romance. It is really a good movie for the person who is tired of the movies coming out today. Cheryl Ladd is one of the most beautiful women in the business, and a terrific actress, Ken Wahl is also a very strong character and the combat scenes are fantastic. I also noticed that R. Lee Ermey is in this movie playing his best character a Marine Gunnery Sargent. If you get the chance find a copy and watch.

I saw this so long ago, but was never ever able to find it on DVD or a decent copy on VHS. In 2015 while in nursing school we did a rotation at the state mental hospital (Terrell, TX). They had a thrift store and I found a primo copy, even the sleeve was pristine. Love the movie.

I love a good war film, and I love a good romance. This film had both, and more besides. I'd never seen Ken in anything else before, and he quite simply blew me away. Every time I watch this film, and I still do, regularly, there is always something new in it. Ken is surrounded by great actors who bring out the best in him. Cheryl was absolutely perfect as his leading lady, and Whizz was just a blast alongside being a faithful buddy. Hanes was a fantastic choice, too, bringing a youthful intelligent and likable black man into it was a brilliant thought. The two sexual scenes were awesome. Tasteful, but sexy. Gut-wrenching, but hopeful. And the ending...beautiful.

I love it. Simple as that.