Go Tell the Spartans
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Movie Reviews of Go Tell the Spartans
Movie Review: A Grunt's Eye View
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an exceptionally good movie on the absurdity of the Military trying to fulfill a mission, but unfortunately the politicians, bureaucrats, and "Career Soldiers" [not Professional Soldiers]ran the show from 8,000 miles away in Washington D.C. This happens more than people will believe; that local commanders are not free to use their initiative to carry out the missions. Civilians should give the military a mission, then get the hell out of the way. This was especially true in Vietnam under L.B.J. and Mr. McNamara, who literally ran the war out of the Oval Office daily on an hourly basis. The absurdity of the war can be shown with the Easter Offensive and Linebacker-2, in 1972 when President Nixon declared ALL of North Vietnam a target. To get the North back to the peace talks from their new Offensive against South Vietnam, he sent wave after wave of B-52's North dropping bombs which brought the North to the edge of total collapse. This could have been done in 1966, and think of all of the lives on both sides that could have been spared. Instead, they were busy "sending messages" about what America could do, but was 'beneficent' in holding back.
This movie is based on a true story, but not one likely to go down in the annals of greatness of the US Army. And it was absolutely an omen of how things would go in that war. We could not win in the manner in which the war was fought.
The movie also shows the camaraderie, and the willingness of the soldiers to carry out the mission, regardless of how hopeless-take it from a Scout with the 1St Cavalry Division who knows.
One of the two best movies on Vietnam, the other being, "A Rumor of War."
Movie Review: A Compelling Piece of the Larger Picture That Was Vietnam
Summary: 5 Stars
I was too young to remember the Vietnam conflict firsthand so I do not have strong passions one way or the other. I do, however, hope that any portrayal of the war treat the men who fought there fairly and honorably. On this count "Go Tell the Spartans" does so. The setting of the film is in the rural outskirts of South Vietnam where a few American advisors are posted with a few ARVN regulars under their command. Their assignment is to protect a seemingly insignificant village outpost. It wouldn't seem that this would be a target of Vietcong activity but little in this war made sense conventionally. What the makers of this film are trying to convey is that this skirmish is a microcosm of the larger battle that was to come. They wait until the end of the picture to announce to powerful effect that it is 1964, the year prior to the escalation of the war. The battle of Muc Wa is a small piece of a big puzzle but it is a harbinger of the ominous things to come. Burt Lancaster is effectively worldweary as Major Barker, a man who fought honorably in two prior conflicts but has the foresight to see his current assignment as a sucker's deal. The largely unknown cast, both American and Asian, are effectively utilized here. Standouts are Craig Wasson as a soldier who idealistically volunteers for Vietnam only to have his illusions shattered and Jonathan Goldsmith as a sergeant whose been in Vietnam too long. The Vietnam conflict has produced many compelling films and "Go Tell the Spartans" can be honorably mentioned in this impressive canon of films.Movie Review: Was it worth it?
Summary: 5 Stars
That's the question that this well-made Lancaster-Singer classic asks above all.
Yes, if you are fighting a courageous rearguard action so that the bulk of your forces can either escape or regroup, it is a necessary and noble sacrifice.
If you are just struggling to keep an all-pervasive Enemy at bay without adequate logistical support and all overseen by a US Government 12,000 miles away that never established a clear Win Scenario or even initiated a single strategic air offensive against the North until December 1972, the phrase 'worth it' becomes a hard thing to assess.
Even during the Advisor Period, it was clear that only by launching a 'parking lot' approach to the supply base areas, factories, ports, docks, airfields, SAM sites, you name it, in the North, could the countless tactical victories of US troops in the South ever be consolidated.
"Charlie... I'm going home now... if they'll let me..." so said the mighty Marc Singer after one of the best performances of his career.
No, the US troops didn't lose in Vietnam, it's just that Winning was never an option...
Movie Review: One of A Kind
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the one movie that covers this period of the Viet Nam war adequately.
First, you must get past the haircuts...minor. Then you must get past the poor quality of the DVD. It seems to be a direct transfer from the VHS version. As a member of one of these advisory teams, I found this movie to provide the most accurate portrayal of the Advisor's frustrations.
The characters were people I knew. The experienced WWII, Korean war Vet who also served as liaison with the British in Malayian insurrection, who lived to fight. The old sergeant who was essentially a expatriate who never wanted to go back to the stateside peacetime army, The young guy who was good at what he did, and wanted to see what war was all about. The Captain who had to be there to get his ticket punched, afraid that it would all be over before he could get his Combat Infantryman's Badge.
The surprise at seeing a 2d lieutenant sent to a place where experience was needed more than "just a body". , however, the "Idealistic West Pointer" was missing.
If you want to know what it was like...watch this movie.
Movie Review: WE WERE SOLDIERS;IN THE SPIRIT OF SPARTANS:Corpus Christi, TX
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one excellent movie. Brings back alot of memories. It is believable because that's how it was in the early years of the war. And sad to say, for the duration. But we were picking up the mantle from the Greatest Generation, as they did from those who fought in the Great War. And let's not forget Korea. Forget all the one star reviewers! They don't know dung! Personally, I did my part in fighting for America. Protecting our freedom! That's how I saw it. I think about my friend Jose Torres who was the first one killed in'65 from our little town of Sinton. I enlisted in'67 with about six close friends. One of my closest friends Edward Gonzalez was also KIA. We grew up together, as altar boys, Boy Scouts, etc. The memories are still there, and I cherish them. This is the only movie, other than "WE Were Soldiers", about VietNam, that is in my collection! I was with the 1st Marine Division, 1st Shore Party Battalion from Dec '67 thru Jun "69. Oooorah!
PS: Good title for a movie. Go Tell The Spartans*****