Hamburger Hill

Amazon.com

Because it was released less than a year after Oliver Stone's Platoon and within months of Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket, this exceptionally well-made film about one of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War was largely overshadowed and overlooked. It's a pity, because in some respects this is the best of the Vietnam films of the late 1980s, at least in terms of the everyday authenticity it depicts. Stripped clean of dramatically extraneous narrative, the movie opts instead for a straightforward approach to its day-by-day account of one of the war's costliest victories--a deadly siege on Hill 937 in the Ashau Valley, where soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division engaged the enemy over the course of eleven brutal assaults between May 10th and 20th, 1969. The film specifically follows the 3rd Squad, 1st Platoon, a mixture of "new guys" and battle-weary "short-timers" who fought against terrifying odds and suffered a 70% casualty rate. From first scene to last, Hamburger Hill traces the rise and fall of their battle experience, from the horror of firefights to the camaraderie of men who've faced death and survived. Racial tensions flare and subside, trusts are established, and courage emerges from unexpected places. Through it all, writer Jim Carabatsos and director John Irvin maintain a purity of focus that pays tribute to the soldier's life without promoting false patriotism or gung-ho theatrics. In addition, the film features a cast full of talented and well-known actors in the early stages of their careers, including Dylan McDermott (from the TV series "The Practice") and Don Cheadle, before gaining fame in Devil in a Blue Dress and Boogie Nights. Color accuracy, image clarity, and the explosive soundtrack have been remarkably preserved in a flawless DVD transfer, lending even greater immediacy to this underrated film. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

A necessary movie to see........2007-08-07

I couldn't agree more with the reviewer who said, "Those of us who never fought for our country are especially obligated to learn about their sacrifices." I'm especially appreciative to read the stories of all of the reviewers who have served their country. My heartfelt thanks and respect goes out to each and every one of you, and every person who has ever served or is currently serving, for your honor, your bravery, and your dedication. And thank you to the cast and crew for making a movie that should be required viewing for all civilians.

Much better than "Platoon." On par with "We Were Soldiers.".......2007-08-07

I just watched this excellent movie again. I was very impressed with the way the movie portrayed the soldiers of the 101st; not war mongers or baby killers, but as young men who were basically honorable and who tried to do the right thing, while hating the situation they found themselves caught up in. A MUCH better portrayal of the average infantryman than Platoon.

Watching the movie inspired me to read a little about the actual battle. Several subunits of the 101st were involved in the assault before it was over, but the 3rd Battallion, 187th Infantry was the unit most heavily involved.

The initial helicopter insertion into the A Shau Vally was on May 10, 1969. Contact was first made on Dong Ap Bai (aka Hamburgr Hill) on May 11. Dong Ap Bai was finally secured on May 20. Total U.S. casualties were 70 dead and 372 wounded.

Dong Ap Bai was abandoned on June 5. This caused a stir that reached the halls of the U.S. Congress. The aftermath of the battle changed the way the Vietman War was fought. High casualties would no longer be tolerated to obtain terrain objectives; objectives that were not really leading anyplace in an insurgency.

Four stars instead of five for a few minor glitches like wearing the subdued (green) 101st patch. The 101st wore the white eagle as a matter of honor and tradition, even on green uniforms.

The SECOND BEST movie that truthfully portrays the brutality of Vietnam war........2007-06-16

It's the SECOND BEST movie that truthfully portrays the brutality of Vietnam war.

Many things in this movie look authentic. For example, when a Viet cong soldier hurled a grenade toward the American attackers, he swore in Vietnamese! In most of the other Vietnam war films, the support cast spoke Thailand, Chinese, or Filipino!

The battle was shown as it happened in real life. Men groaning in pain or were cut or blown into pieces by explosives right in front of me. The best thing is director John Irvin did not twist the facts to fit his political point of view like other directors. He just presented the battle as it was.

In the end this picture made me more anti-war in general than I was before. This type of movies influences me more than the fact-twisting ones like Full Metal Jacket because I know in real life, things did not unfold like that.

This DVD is on my list of Best War Movies of All Times. The others are: Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers, the Longest Day, the Lost Battalion, We Were soldiers, Gettysburg and Gods and Generals.

A good way to kill a few hours........2007-04-07

A good story if you like the war dramas of Full Metal Jacket, Thin Red Line, Apocalypse Now. It's just not gripping. I got more involved with the vietnam characters from Forrest Gump.

CAST OF GREATS!!!.......2007-02-27

The box doesnt even describe the cast. Thats amazing since there are a group of great actors in this movie that went on to stardom. Amazing to me watching this film was how real it was, to the point of being uncomfortable. A truly underated motion picture about Viet Nam!

Average customer rating:

A necessary movie to see.
Much better than "Platoon." On par with "We Were Soldiers."
The SECOND BEST movie that truthfully portrays the brutality of Vietnam war.
A good way to kill a few hours.
CAST OF GREATS!!!

Hamburger Hill
Starring: Anthony Barrile , Michael Boatman , Don Cheadle , Michael Dolan , and Don James
Director: John Irvin
Manufacturer: Live / Artisan
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

Vietnam War | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

Anti-War Films | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

ASIN: 0784012148
Release Date: 1999-01-12

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

A necessary movie to see........2007-08-07

Much better than "Platoon." On par with "We Were Soldiers.".......2007-08-07

The SECOND BEST movie that truthfully portrays the brutality of Vietnam war........2007-06-16

A good way to kill a few hours........2007-04-07

A good story if you like the war dramas of Full Metal Jacket, Thin Red Line, Apocalypse Now. It's just not gripping. I got more involved with the vietnam characters from Forrest Gump.

CAST OF GREATS!!!.......2007-02-27

Average customer rating:

Some of the best of W.W.2 & Vietnam
Great WW II yarn!

Hamburger Hill / The Eagle Has Landed
Starring: Anthony Barrile , Michael Boatman , Don Cheadle , Michael Dolan , and Don James
Director: John Irvin , and John Sturges
Manufacturer: Live / Artisan
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00005NX17
Release Date: 2001-10-23

Amazon.com

Hamburger Hill
Because it was released less than a year after Oliver Stone's Platoon and within months of Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket, this exceptionally well-made film about one of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War was largely overshadowed and overlooked. It's a pity, because in some respects this is the best of the Vietnam films of the late 1980s, at least in terms of the everyday authenticity it depicts. Stripped clean of dramatically extraneous narrative, the movie opts instead for a straightforward approach to its day-by-day account of one of the war's costliest victories--a deadly siege on Hill 937 in the Ashau Valley, where soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division engaged the enemy over the course of eleven brutal assaults between May 10th and 20th, 1969. The film specifically follows the 3rd Squad, 1st Platoon, a mixture of "new guys" and battle-weary "short-timers" who fought against terrifying odds and suffered a 70% casualty rate. From first scene to last, Hamburger Hill traces the rise and fall of their battle experience, from the horror of firefights to the camaraderie of men who've faced death and survived. Racial tensions flare and subside, trusts are established, and courage emerges from unexpected places. Through it all, writer Jim Carabatsos and director John Irvin maintain a purity of focus that pays tribute to the soldier's life without promoting false patriotism or gung-ho theatrics. In addition, the film features a cast full of talented and well-known actors in the early stages of their careers, including Dylan McDermott (from the TV series The Practice) and Don Cheadle, before gaining fame in Devil in a Blue Dress and Boogie Nights. --Jeff Shannon

The Eagle Has Landed
This 1976 adventure story set in World War II concerns a Nazi plot to kidnap Churchill from his retreat--or murder him if need be. The large, great cast and a director, John Sturges, who's been down this road of ensemble action before (The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape) make this project exciting if not as memorable as Sturges's more famous works. The weak ending doesn't help. --Tom Keogh

Description

HAMBURGER HILL: Vietnam, 1969. Hill 937. 10 days. 70% casualties. Those are the facts - this is the story.

The men of Bravo Company are facing a battle that's all up hill...up Hamburger Hill. Fourteen war-weary soldiers are battling for a mud-covered mound of earth so named because it chews up soldiers like chopped meat. They are fighting for their country, their fellow soldiers and their lives. War is hell, but this is worse. HAMBURGER HILL tells it the way it was, the way it really was. It's a raw, gritty and totally unrelenting dramatic depiction of one of the fiercest battles of America's bloodiest war. Dodge the gunfire. Get caught behind enemy lines. Go into battle beside the brave young men who fought and died. Feel their desperation and futility. This happened. HAMBURGER HILL - war at its worst, men at their best.

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED: In November 1943, Heinrich Himmler (Donald Pleasance) received a simple message, "The Eagle Has Landed." It meant that a crack force of German paratroopers were safely in England, poised and ready to kidnap the Prime Minister of England, Winston Churchill. The force is under the command of Colonel Kurt Steiner (Michael Caine). All goes smoothly as the German force, disguised in Polish uniforms, is accepted by the villagers. But one of the men is killed while rescuing a little girl, and his German uniform is discovered. The entire village has to be taken hostage and hidden in the town church.

Agents and counteragents work desperately to keep the scheme alive. Steiner himself takes a dangerous gamble. He overpowers an American ranger, commandeers his jeep and uniform and drives to the mansion where Churchill is relaxing.

The action and suspense are nonstop in this World War II thriller which also stars Treat Williams, Larry Hagman, Anthony Quayle and Jean Marsh.

Customer Reviews:

Some of the best of W.W.2 & Vietnam.......2004-08-23

Both of these movies are very true to what actually happened. I enjoyed them very much.

Great WW II yarn!.......2004-08-22

The Eagle Has Landed is a good movie,especially for those who like historically based action/thriller yarns. This is based on the premise of a crack SS unit landing in England dressed as Free Polish paratroopers in an attempt to kidnap Winston Churchill and return with him to Germany to broker a negotiated peace. An all star cast that is well acted and a story that moves along quite well.

Average customer rating:

Hamburger Hill
Starring: Hamburger Hill
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Average customer rating:

A necessary movie to see.
Much better than "Platoon." On par with "We Were Soldiers."
The SECOND BEST movie that truthfully portrays the brutality of Vietnam war.
A good way to kill a few hours.
CAST OF GREATS!!!

Hamburger Hill [Region 2]
Starring: Anthony Barrile , Michael Boatman , Don Cheadle , Michael Dolan , and Don James
Director: John Irvin
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00005AVV2

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

A necessary movie to see........2007-08-07

Much better than "Platoon." On par with "We Were Soldiers.".......2007-08-07

The SECOND BEST movie that truthfully portrays the brutality of Vietnam war........2007-06-16

A good way to kill a few hours........2007-04-07

A good story if you like the war dramas of Full Metal Jacket, Thin Red Line, Apocalypse Now. It's just not gripping. I got more involved with the vietnam characters from Forrest Gump.

CAST OF GREATS!!!.......2007-02-27

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