Introduction
The Vietnam War is among the military conflicts that took thousands of lives on each side. To illuminate what happened and retell the story of those who experienced the horrors of the war firsthand, director Randall Wallace released the film We Were Soldiers in 2002. The film focuses not only on the experiences of the American soldiers but also on those of the Vietnamese army.
Through this approach, the director presented two perspectives, aiming to convey the brutality and chaos of combat while also highlighting the bravery of those in the army. While witnessing their fellow soldiers’ deaths and being thousands of miles away from their families, in the end, the soldiers fought not for the flag or honors but for each other, highlighting their courage and dedication.
Honoring the Sacrifices of the Soldiers
Throughout the film, the central thesis is honoring the sacrifices of the soldiers and their families. As the narrating voice, the one of Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore, says in the beginning, “this story’s a testament to the young Americans who died in the Valley of Death” (Wallace, 2002, 0:54). However, the film is not a one-sided perspective of the conflict, with the story additionally being “a tribute to the young men of the People’s Army of Vietnam who died by [American] hand in that place” (Wallace, 2002, 0:54).
The audience observes the events that take place in Vietnam, with soldiers dying. Through this, the director aimed to portray the psychological and physical struggles of those fighting overseas. As Joe Galloway, the reporter, says, “in the silence of the night, [they] will always hear the screams” (Wallace, 2002, 2:10:13). In the end, the audience sees how Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore is standing in front of the Vietnam War memorial and looks at the names of the deceased soldiers who never came back home. The episode shows the deep appreciation and sorrow one feels toward the young men.
However, men who fought in the war were not the only ones who made sacrifices. The director also praises the strength of the women who persevered and supported one another. As seen at the movie’s beginning, the president announced that 125,000 men were sent to the war, meaning that thousands of wives and children would be left behind (Wallace, 2002).
The efforts of the Lieutenant’s wife, Julie Moore, and her friend were especially emphasized. As the wives started receiving the letter that regretfully informed them of their husbands’ demise, Julie and her friend volunteered to deliver the messages and offer emotional support to the grieving women (Wallace, 2002). Being already stressed and yet agreeing to deliver such bad news to others shows the courage of the women.
Additionally, the efforts of the cab drivers should be mentioned. Before Julie began delivering the letters, she met a cab driver who asked her for directions. After confronting him, the man replied, “I don’t like this job, ma’am. I’m just trying to do it,” which shows the resilience of Americans who did their best to be as helpful as possible (Wallace, 2002, 1:17:10). Therefore, the film shows that at times, the sacrifices of those who stayed home were just as significant as of those who fought overseas.
Portraying the Horrors of War
Delving deeper into the film’s plot, the audience becomes exposed to the horrors of war and countless deaths. Among the first deaths to which the viewers are exposed is that of the young doctor. Being shot by the enemy, the young man’s last words were, “I’m glad I could die for my country” (Wallace, 2002, 53:21). His pupils started to slowly dilate as the camera moved forward, with his face losing any emotions or signs of pain and becoming motionless.
Including such moments in the film was essential to show the men’s morale and boost respect for those who fought in the war. In the early 2000s, instability in Iraq was gradually increasing, leading to the war that persisted till 2011 (Godfroy & Collins, 2020). As a result, when the film was released, the message of the importance of unity in the face of national threats was essential.
Additionally, the director demonstrated the growing tension and unpredictability that affected the troops. As mentioned by one of the generals, “Tomorrow will be worse. If they make it to tomorrow” (Wallace, 2002, 1:11:07). During these moments, the audience understands the devastation to the lives and well-being of the soldiers, who, despite knowing the risks, continued to fight.
One of the moments in the movie shows the unpredictability of war during an attack on the Vietnamese. Being caught in friendly fire, bombs were being thrown from American planes, with soldiers being caught on fire (Wallace, 2002). After this, one can see how all plans could be disrupted and how complicated it can be to regain faith.
Importance of Leadership in Combat
The last point worth considering is how the leadership present during the war helped sustain the faith and courage of the soldiers. One supportive system was Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore, who led his troops into battle. With this character, the director aimed to convey to the audience the importance of leadership, courage, and selflessness in combat situations. First, Moore demonstrates significant dedication to his people, as evidenced by his claim: “I will be the last to step off. And I will leave no one behind” (Wallace, 2002, 34:43). His leadership is exemplified by his prioritization of the lives of his people above his own.
Second, the audience observes his approach to the soldiers. While some superiors believed that a rigid approach should be applied to the men, Moore thought he must treat his people respectfully. When one of the communicators, Charlie, was in shock, Moore told him, “You’re keeping us alive now. You forget about that one, and you keep ’em coming in. You’re doing well, son” (Wallace, 2002, 1:38:36). Being able to calm the person down in the moments of fear shows immense strength and influence.
Nevertheless, the Lieutenant remained a sincere and straightforward person. When speaking to the reporter, he was honest when he said that he “can’t guarantee [his] safety” (Wallace, 2002, 1:09:10). While not forcing him to fight, Moore warned the man of the dangers. As for other soldiers, throughout the war, even in the darkest times, when they were “flat to the boards […], and […] outnumbered,” the man did his best to lighten the mood and motivate his people (Wallace, 2002, 1:08:57). Therefore, such moments show that during conflicts, it is leadership that helps find the strength to persevere and not give up.
Conclusion
Hence, in the end, the men battled not for their nation or glory but for each other, displaying their courage and dedication despite seeing their fellow soldiers die and being thousands of miles from their homes. Honoring the sacrifices made by the warriors and their families is the fundamental premise of the entire movie.
Additionally, the director highlights the resilience of the women, who not only persisted but also helped one another. The audience is exposed to the horrors of war and untold numbers of deaths as the movie’s plot develops. It is clear how plans could fall through and how challenging it can be to rebuild faith. However, the ability to persevere is aided by strong leadership.
References
Godfroy, J., & Collins, L. (2020). Iraq, 2003–2011: Succeeding to fail. In Perspectives on the American way of war (pp. 140-175). Routledge.
Wallace, R. (Director). We were soldiers. Paramount Pictures.