This list comprises most of the movies about the war in Vietnam that made a large cinematic and cultural impact, as well as movies that are my personal favorites.
There will be comments on why this and that movie are not on the list, and let me tell right away that the main criteria maintained during the making of this list is the critical and public acceptance of the films, their impact on cinematography and did I mention my personal taste ? :) So, even though "Forest Gump" is one of my favorite movies of all time, in any category, and they did take long walks throughout Vietnamese countryside "...and we was always looking for a guy named 'Charlie'", there is no place for Forest on this list simply because the story does not revolve around the war or the consequences of it, it just uses it as a background.
So, without further ado, here's my list of the greatest movies about the war in Vietnam, in no particular order.
We Were Soldiers (2002)
It's a story of the first direct conflict between the American and the North Vietnamese armies and how the soldiers on both sides and their families went through it.
Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)
A new DJ, Adrian Cronauer, is sent in Saigon to work in the Army Forces Radio Service. His approach is unorthodox and completely opposite than that of his predecessors, with using humor, playing tunes that have not been officially sanctioned by the authorities, and his trade mark - announcing every broadcast with loud "Goooooood morning, Vietnaaaaam", which quickly brings him popularity among the listeners, but also troubles with superiors.
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Hamburger Hill (1987)
This is one of the most realistic interpretations of one bloodiest battles fought in the Vietnam. The movie is about a platoon fighting in the battle over Hill 937 aka Hamburger Hill. During the battle both sides incur heavy losses. Even though that the director Irvin did not had big budget as Coppola had for Apocalypse Now it still did a great job. The movie was well received both with the audience as well as with the critics. Fans of Vietnam war movies will have a great time with it.
Platoon (1986)
The first installment of Oliver Stone's so called 'Vietnam Trilogy'. It tells the story of Chris Taylor, a young student who drops out of college so he can volunteer for combat in Vietnam. He is assigned to Bravo Company, a colorful group of people led by two officers with completely opposite characters - the ill tempered and corrupted Sgt. Barnes and the calm Sgt. Elias. Taylor is soon faced with all the dreadfulness of war and man.
Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
The second movie in Stone's 'Vietnam Trilogy'. It's a story of a small-town athlete, Ron Kovic, who enlists with the Marine Core to fight in Vietnam. His patriotic enthusiasm runs out after he accidentally kills one of his own men and then he too is shot and left paralyzed. After returning home, the downward spiral in his life goes on, but ultimately he comes out of the abyss and becomes an anti-war activist.
Casualties of War (1989)
I see this movie as the younger twin of Platoon. I can never decide which one is better - Casualties... for the better storytelling or the Platoon for the cooler, stoner-like characters. The movie is based upon a real event that took place in the deepest jungles of Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. A young Vietnamese girl is been kidnapped by an American squadron in an act of revenge for the loss of their comrade and is being repeatedly tortured and rapped by the soldiers. Max Eriksson is the only one who refuses to participate in these actions and tries to see that justice is done.
The Deer Hunter (1978)
An epic heartbreaking portrayal of the Vietnam War impact on the American working class citizen. Young steel workers from a small industrial town in Pennsylvania, Michael, Steven and Nick, enlist to fight in the Vietnam War. Just before they are shipped off to South East Asia, Steven is having a wedding which is also a farewell party for the three of them. Once in Vietnam, they go through rel hell when they are captured by the Vietcong and kept in a prison camp where they are forced to play Russian roulette against each other.
Apocalypse Now (1979)
U.S. Army Captain Benjamin Willard is sent in a black non-official operation to find veteran colonel Kurtz who is believed to be gone rogue. Col. Kurtz is thought to be hiding deep into the jungle, across the Vietnam-Cambodian border, where he has established himself as a god upon the local tribes. Willard's mission is to find and assassinate Kurtz, but along his way he encounters many bizarre people and situations.
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
The story follows U.S. Marines during the height of the Vietnam War, from their ruthless training in boot camp to the battlefield in Vietnam. the first part of the movie is set in Parris Island training camp where young recruits get their first lessons in warfare from the unforgiving drill Sergeant Hartman. The second part shows the viewer the bloody conflict in Vietnam, seen through the eyes of now completely indoctrinated marines.
Honorable mention:
Rescue Dawn (2006)
The Siege of Firebase Gloria (1989)
Eastern Condors (1987)
Bat*21 (1988)
Well, that's my list, and like it or not, that's all I have to say about the war in Vietnam (pun intended :) ).
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