Rumeurs de guerre

Found this really neat and tight little tv-production on an old vhs x-rental tape the other day. Wholeheartedly recommendable to anyone with the slightest interest in the psychological aspects of warfare. Hardcore action/shoot 'em up-fans should proceed with care, as emphasis is not on the bodycount...luckily!! Great acting all around...perhaps best of all by the possible "VC-agents" in minor roles. Oh, and Ken Foree...of DAWN O T DEAD fame...does a funny scene as an MP. Danish tape runs a fully 3 hours and some secs(pal system) and a hard find for collectors....I was dirt lucky. Cheers

This was one of my favorite books when I first read it overseas as a young Marine grunt back in 1978. When I returned stateside just a year later I ,along with seven other Marines from my unit, was chosen to serve as an extra in this Phil Caputo movie which was filmed (mostly) just south of Mexico City. Owning an original VHS copy, I wanted to also obtain a DVD copy of the original cut. The problem is that the DVD copy that I bought online (same that's pictured here on IMDb - not the original cover) is an edited/foreign version with subtitles. Since then I've had my VHS copy burned to DVD, but I wish could find the original cut on DVD (professionally done). Oh, and my other beef with this foreign cut that sells online is that they cut out my only speaking scene with Lt. Cohen (Michael O'Keefe)...sad. Aside from the experience of being in the movie, I really enjoyed the final product as I thought it brought a lot of realism (both Marine Corps and Vietnam) to the screen. If you get a chance to see the original cut, I believe you'll enjoy it as I did.

Gripping war drama with a fine performance by Brad Davis. Ranks with many of the best of the Vietnam movie genre (Platoon, Go Tell The Spartans, Gardens of Stone, etc.). Could have easily been a theatrical release.

The movie is a true story. The book gave me bad nightmares, especially the chapter "Officer in Charge of the Dead". Saw it's premiere on TV, which had big time graphic warnings at the end of each commerical break. Sad to say - I doubt the REAL original cut exists. To date I've rented 3 different versions on VHS, none matched the original and one was cut to deliver a different theme - pure butchery. Your experience with this flick will vary wildly, depending upon which release you've happened upon. Probably Brian Denehey's best performance ever. One release I rented cut all the Marine Officer Training school and Ofcr in Charge of the Dead chapters entirely. My advice - read the book, then look for the longest version of this masterpiece that you can find. This sorely needs a restored DVD release. Marine Officer veterans of Vietnam should see this flick, it's the only Vietnam movie that won't leave a bad taste in their mouths. Many fine performances, amazing jungle photography. Fave quote; "You stay here - you learn!"

Born on the Fourth of July has a lot in common with this film; a gung-ho young man craves action and release from the Billy-Joel like mundane existence of the suburbs. Nothing like a little reality check to bring you back to your senses. The sad realities were you didn't get a second chance most of the time to correct your mistake. Not as good as Born on the Fourth, but entertaining enough, despite a few Vietnam stereotypes; the Vietnamese are merely props in this film. The Saigon sequences looked more like Tiahuana than Saigon, but the majority of the film rings true. Worth viewing.