A Face of War

This is the most accurate depiction of what Marines did in Viet Nam on a day to day basis that I have seen. The closest "commercial" dipection of America's involvement in Southeast Asia was, "Platoon". The U.S. Marines Christmas in "A Face of War" was not only surreal but absolutely real. I know, because I was there in 1967.

Black and white images of Mike Company 3/7, First Mar Div from 1966 when the M-14 was still in use. This is the most realistic film I've ever seen and it is typical of action in the Chu Lai area at that time. That's because it was real and the film crew remained with Mike Company for three months. I saw this when I returned from Viet Nam in 1968 and was surprised to see such reality and never forgot about this film.

Years later I saw it advertised in a magazine and purchased the video but later on loaned it out to a friend and never got it back. If anyone knows where it is possible to purchase it these days please let me know. I've looked but cannot find it anywhere.

Near the end of the film it shows a village being burned and the peasants being forcibly moved from their fields, animals and ancestral burial grounds. This was definitely not the way to win any hearts and minds. I have to wonder if that scene has anything to do with the film being unavailable.

This gritty B&W early footage of a Marine company is some of the most intense war footage I've ever seen. The sometimes dark and erratic footage conveys the confusion of war far better than the overproduced documentaries that followed.

Following a Marine company into an ambush, complete with hectic radio transmissions calling for medivac, there are scenes showing medics treating sick and wounded Vietnamese civilians and helping a young woman give birth. A great dichotomy.

This was filmed when there was still hope for victory, militarily, as well as in the "hearts and minds" of the civilian population.

The film has a genuine surrealistic quality to it; e.g., a flame throwing tank torching an empty village seems not of this world.

This film is an absolute must for anyone interested in the Vietnam War.

Francis Ford Coppola and John Milius saw this documentary when at Film school. They intended to produce a Drama in Vietnam during the war, but decided it was too dangerous. Later Coppola made "Apocalypse Now" based on this, and accounts for the "puppy dog" scene, which is in "A Face of War".

It is not available on DVD probably due to its graphic violence and exposing US war crimes, but is viewable on youtube.

Back in the early 70s, a local TV station showed this film on a hot summer afternoon totally uncut (I remember being surprised by hearing the swearing). I was very young (about 10 or 11) and knew very little about the Vietnam War. This film showed me exactly what happened out there but it wasn't too depressing. In fact I was surprised and pleased at seeing how the soldiers held up under pressure with attacks from the enemy. At that point in time I had no idea what war was really like--this movie showed me what it was. Also there was a beautiful sequence when they help a Vietnamese woman give birth. The shot of the cheerful, happy soldier holding up the little healthy baby has never left me. A truly great film. Sadly, this is totally forgotten--I think it's 20 times better than "Platoon" or "Deer Hunter"