Cast:
Dylan McDermott (Sgt. Adam Frantz), Steven Weber (Sfc. Dennis Worcester), Courtney B. Vance (Spc. Abraham 'Doc' Johnson), Don Cheadle (Pvt. Johnny Washburn), Michael Boatman (Pvt. Ray Motown), Anthony Barrile (Pvt. Vincent 'Alphabet' Languilli), Michael Dolan (Pvt. Harry Murphy), Don James (Pvt. Elliott 'Mac' McDaniel), Michael A. Nickles (Pvt. Paul Galvan), Harry O'Reilly (Pvt. Michael Duffy), Daniel O'Shea (Pvt. Frank Gaigin), Tim Quill (Pvt. Joe Beletsky), Tommy Swerdlow (Pvt. Martin Bienstock), Tegan West (Lt. Terry Eden), and Kieu Chinh (Mama San) Directed by John Irvin.
Review:
"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go. Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may not have always. Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own. And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind." - Major Michael Davis O'Donnell
My father shaped my experiences in watching film by the rows of films that were on the shelf collected by him while I grew up as a child. There was a small but significant portion of films that dealt with war in some way, which likely made sense with his service in Vietnam (he did not talk about it much, but the point remains). One of those films that stood firm was Hamburger Hill (1987). Time and time again one needs to look on a war film to see what seems familiar and what seems different from a depiction of a war, whether that means films made during the war itself (like The Green Berets (1968)) or ones made about the war years later (with or without a filmmaker with some war experience involved somewhere). Hamburger Hill came out in the run of the 1980s that depicted the war (with root from real life events or experiences) that ranged from Platoon (1986) to Casualties of War (1989). This was the sixth feature film from John Irvin, who apart from starting his work in television (with his most famous production being the miniseries Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) had done work in Vietnam in documentary filmmaking. The film was written by James Carabatsos (who also served as a co-producer), with this being the third of his six theatrical film efforts revolving around the war (the other two being Heroes (1977) and Heartbreak Ridge (1986)), as he had served in the 1st Air Cavalry Division in 1968; he did years of research in interviews with people of the conflict that took place over "Hill 937" from May 10-20 that is generally referred to as the Battle of Hamburger Hill.
As is the case with a number of war films, this one (produced by RKO Pictures) utilizes an ensemble cast, comprised of fresh faces that would include a few faces later to become familiar for subsequent works (whether involving film, television, or stage). Throughout the 110 minute run-time is a build to its title focus with a little bit of development before making its jump(s) to the battlefield, which generally turn out fine. As a chronicle of combat, it generally will rank well, mostly because it is a satisfactory film with unflinching perspective for the plight that comes with war that make it effective for what is needed. In other words, it's a good movie, sprinkling itself with a few interesting presences that we follow with as they try keep themselves from tearing oneself apart. The head among the cast (which has been listed both alphabetically or rank) falls to McDermott, making his feature debut. He does pretty well here, leading in steel weariness, young but still worthy in presence to lead folks on without being trapped in cliché. Vance (who had starred in the original 1987 Broadway production of Fences before making his film debut) also provides interest as the sense of soul for this group of folks to follow, hardened but still fascinating to view. Others do well in moments apart from warfare, such as with Weber, Boatman, or with Barrile, since one is dealing with a war of keeping one's will intact in a war of attrition and social unrest. By the the time the film makes its move on the hill (which took place over several assaults), the film is generally on its toes about where it wants to go in showing a group of people in a certain view without needless mythmaking or too much statement-making (although a scene jawing at reporters on the hill is certainly...interesting to think about). As a whole, it can certainly prove a harrowing pick for those who find interest in war films, whether for the experiences that come from it or something deeper inside.
Happy Veterans Day, folks.
Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.
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