We Were Soldiers

Name: We Were Soldiers
Genre: Action, History, War
Released: March 1, 2002
Duration: 138 min
Rating: 65
Cast: Mel Gibson

2002

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 37 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 111 Ratings

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6.7

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6.7	Your Score
6.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 111 Ratings

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We Were Soldiers

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: March 1, 2002 | R

Starring: Mel Gibson

Summary: Based on the best-selling book which details the events of the battle of LZ X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley. (Paramount)

Director: Randall Wallace

Genre(s): Action, History, War

Rating: R

Runtime: 138 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Mick LaSalle

One of the best war movies of the past 20 years. Read full review

Ted Mahar

The film's soldiers are more the mom-and-apple-pie, God-fearing lads of World War II movies than the cynical grunts of "Platoon" (1986) and "Full Metal Jacket" (1987). Read full review

New Times (L.A.) Robert Wilonsky

It succeeds where its recent predecessor miserably fails because it demands that you suffer the dreadfulness of war from both sides. That might not make it a milestone, but it's a hell of an improvement. Read full review

Todd McCarthy

Gibson has the closest thing to a John Wayne part that anyone's played since the Duke himself rode into the sunset, and he plays it damn well. Read full review

Liam Lacey

If the action is graphic and immediate, other aspects of the movie are inexcusably bad. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

While the movie is dreadfully clumsy or sentimental around the edges, there's no denying the strength of Mr. Gibson's performance or the power of the savage combat, a 90-minute sequence that's even more graphic than the horrific firefight in Somalia in "Black Hawk Down."

David Sterritt

Rarely have Gibson's tears seemed more fictional than in this supposedly authentic account of a historical event that's far too tragic to merit such superficial treatment. Read full review

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User Reviews

clockworkangels

Oct 31, 2021

Absolutely a highly underrated materpiece, Gibson at or near his best. Incredible ensemble cast.

0 of 6 users found this helpful06

MrThehammer171

May 16, 2013

an amazing story that is my second favorite movie of all time everything was realistic and is the best army movie ever i have watched it like 20 times get it

0 of 7 users found this helpful07

Anitio

Oct 28, 2014

This movie is a strong and powerful to see. If you like war movies then you shod see movie. It is build from a best selling book that is not far from what really happened during that part of the war. Mel Gibson does this part extremely good. This is 1 of my favorite movies.

0 of 7 users found this helpful07

johnh

Oct 28, 2005

Well done & affecting, without major flaws.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

homer4president

Mar 28, 2015

Stirring drama depicts, in graphic and heart-wrenching detail, what became the first major encounter between the soldiers of North Vietnam and the United States.
Mel Gibson credibly conveys the tortured nobility of a leader who recognizes the heavy responsibility of charisma. TheStirring drama depicts, in graphic and heart-wrenching detail, what became the first major encounter between the soldiers of North Vietnam and the United States.
Mel Gibson credibly conveys the tortured nobility of a leader who recognizes the heavy responsibility of charisma. The storytelling here is powerful and unforgettable, the tone Shakespearean… Expand

0 of 6 users found this helpful06

actinium

Oct 6, 2020

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0 of 6 users found this helpful06

PvtJackson

Jun 18, 2014

Randall Wallace's "We Were Soldiers" is an unpardonable insult to young Vietnamese soldiers who sacrificed themselves for the independence of their homeland, completely contradicting what the story was supposed to do - honor them. In terms of history, The Battle Of La Drang Valley ended withRandall Wallace's "We Were Soldiers" is an unpardonable insult to young Vietnamese soldiers who sacrificed themselves for the independence of their homeland, completely contradicting what the story was supposed to do - honor them. In terms of history, The Battle Of La Drang Valley ended with American troops' retreat after sustaining heavy casualties from the ambushing Viet Minh army, instead of a "spectacular counterattack which annihilated the entire Vietnamese battle forces" like what happend in the end of the movie. As regards to direction, performance and storytelling, this film is a rather dull, boring war drama compared to Black Hawk Down or Saving Private Ryan; accompanied by a predictable plot, mediocre battle scenes that can be matched only by Michael Bay's "Pearl Harbor", I have but one word to honor this movie: CRAP… Expand

6 of 7 users found this helpful61

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58	#58 Most Discussed Movie of 2002
27	#27 Most Shared Movie of 2002