American soldiers are massacred after invading in guerilla warfare Vietnam war | MOVIE RECAP

Summary

In 'We Were Soldiers,' a 2002 war action film, the brutal reality of the Vietnam War unfolds through the eyes of Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore and his men. The movie recounts the first major battle between the US and North Vietnamese forces in the Ia Drang Valley in 1965. Amidst the chaos of battle, Moore's leadership is tested as he grapples with the loss of soldiers, the resilience of the enemy, and the harsh truth of war. Journalist Joseph Galloway's presence adds a layer of authenticity, capturing the raw emotions and sacrifices of those involved.

Takeaways

• 🎥 The film 'We Were Soldiers' is a 2002 war action movie that pays tribute to the soldiers who fought and died in the Ia Drang Valley in 1965.
• 🏞 The movie depicts the challenging terrain of Vietnam, where French troops were previously wiped out, and how American generals planned to use helicopters for mobility in battle.
• 👨‍✈️ Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore is selected for the mission due to his experience with experimental parachutes, and he, along with Major Bruce Crandall, prepares for the intense battle ahead.
• 🏠 Colonel Moore's personal life is shown, including his family and the support he receives from his wife, as well as the camaraderie among the soldiers and their families.
• 🛫 The use of helicopters as 'horses' in battle is a significant theme, highlighting the innovative tactics employed by the American forces in the Vietnam War.
• 🔫 Intense leadership is portrayed through characters like Sergeant Major Plumley and Lieutenant Jack Gagan, who lead their men through difficult and close-quarters combat.
• 👶 The human side of war is explored through personal stories, such as Gagan's fear of leaving his newborn daughter an orphan and the emotional impact on the families back home.
• 📺 The film includes a portrayal of President Johnson's speech ordering the deployment of Colonel Moore's division to Vietnam, setting the stage for the battle.
• 🌄 The battle in the Ia Drang Valley is depicted with its initial contact, the struggle of the 'Lost Platoon,' and the desperate attempts to hold positions against overwhelming enemy forces.
• 🚁 Helicopter pilot 'Snake' plays a crucial role in evacuating the wounded and providing air support, showcasing the bravery and dedication of the aircrews.
• ✈️ The use of the code name 'Broken Arrow' signifies the dire situation of the American troops, leading to massive air support that turns the tide of the battle.
• 🏆 Despite the heavy losses, Colonel Moore's determination to find and not leave behind any of his men is a testament to his leadership and the film's message of camaraderie and sacrifice.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the movie 'We Were Soldiers' as explained by Joseph Galloway?

The movie 'We Were Soldiers' serves as a testament to the soldiers who died in The Ia Drang Valley in November of 1965.

What historical event does the movie begin with?

The movie begins with the ambush and complete wipeout of French troops by Vietnamese soldiers in the central Highlands of Vietnam in June of 1954.

Why is Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore chosen for the mission in Vietnam?

Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore is chosen for the mission because of his past experience and expertise in testing experimental parachutes.

How does Colonel Moore prepare for the mission once he moves into his new home?

Colonel Moore researches the capabilities of the new fast helicopters and discusses the importance of helicopters in battle with Major Bruce Crandall.

What unique strategy is planned to overcome the challenging terrain of Vietnam?

The strategy involves using helicopters to leap in and out of battle, providing mobility and rapid deployment in the difficult jungle terrain.

How does Colonel Moore emphasize the importance of leadership and preparation to his men?

Colonel Moore stresses the importance of knowing the roles of the person ranked above and below each soldier, and he highlights the leadership skills of Lieutenant Jack Gagan and Sergeant Savage.

What emotional moments are shown involving Colonel Moore's family before he leaves for Vietnam?

Colonel Moore shares a prayer with his children, thanks his wife for her support, and explains to his daughter the seriousness of war while reassuring her that he will do his best to stay safe.

What challenges do the soldiers face upon arriving in the Ia Drang Valley?

The soldiers face immediate engagement with the North Vietnamese forces, leading to intense combat and significant casualties, including the loss of the platoon commander and other leaders.

How does journalist Joseph Galloway become involved in the battle?

Journalist Joseph Galloway decides to take the next helicopter into the battle to better understand the war and document it, despite the risks.

What critical decision does Colonel Moore make during the intense combat to save his men?

Colonel Moore calls in a Broken Arrow, requesting the strongest air support from the U.S., which results in heavy bombardment that turns the tide of the battle, though it also causes friendly fire casualties.

How does the movie 'We Were Soldiers' conclude?

The movie concludes with Colonel Moore returning home to his family, honoring his fallen men, and journalist Galloway beginning to write the book 'We Were Soldiers Once and Young' to document the battle and its aftermath.

Outlines

00:00

🎬 Introduction and Historical Context

The video begins with a welcome to 'Creative Movies Recapped' and a warning about spoilers for the 2002 war action film 'We Were Soldiers.' The narrator introduces the film's purpose as a testament to soldiers who died in the Ia Drang Valley in November 1965. It then describes the historical context of the French troops' defeat in Vietnam in 1954 and introduces American plans to use helicopters for combat. Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore is chosen to lead the mission due to his experience.

05:01

🏡 Colonel Moore's Preparation

Colonel Moore and his family move to a new home, where neighbors discuss his military background. Moore researches helicopter capabilities while Major Bruce Crandall, a helicopter pilot, plays baseball. Moore emphasizes the importance of Crandall's flying skills. Sergeant Major Plumley, known for his intense demeanor, is introduced. Moore addresses his men, highlighting the significance of helicopters in battle, and stresses understanding roles in the chain of command. Moore prays with his children and expresses gratitude for his wife. Plumley insists on using his pistol for close combat. Moore learns from a radio operator about the struggles of an advisor in Vietnam.

10:02

🚁 Training and Departure

Colonel Moore praises Lieutenant Jack Gagan's leadership and the soldiers train for unpredictable combat. Meanwhile, the soldiers' wives, led by Julie Moore, bond over common interests. Barbara Gagan gives birth, and Jack Gagan worries about leaving his daughter fatherless. Moore prays for his men's safety and asks God to ignore the enemy's prayers. Moore explains war to his daughter and spends time with his family before deploying. President Johnson orders the division to Vietnam, and Moore fills out his will. He delivers a powerful speech promising to leave no man behind and spends his last night with his family. The soldiers depart for Vietnam.

🔥 First Contact and Battle Begins

The soldiers arrive in South Vietnam, where Moore is briefed on the war. They head to the Ia Drang Valley, encountering Vietnamese soldiers for the first time. A lost platoon is ambushed and hides in the grass after losing their commanding officer. Sergeant Ernie Savage takes charge. Moore remains calm, calling for air support and strategizing to secure positions. More American troops arrive, but the battle intensifies with heavy casualties on both sides. Moore and Plumley carve out a new landing zone under heavy fire, and Moore saves Snake's life during the chaos.

📸 Journalist Galloway Joins the Battle

Journalist Joseph Galloway joins the battle, seeking to understand and document the war. He narrowly escapes death and receives an M16 rifle from Plumley. Moore orders mortars to be cooled with urine for immediate use. Galloway helps the soldiers as they are attacked. Moore calls for 'Broken Arrow,' indicating a dire need for air support. The airstrike mistakenly hits American positions, causing more casualties. Despite the chaos, Moore refuses to leave, determined to find and protect his men.

⚔️ Final Assault and Aftermath

As the battle continues, Moore orders his men to prepare for a final assault. Both sides suffer heavy losses. Moore's men secure a ridge, but face a large enemy force. Snake's helicopter assault turns the tide, forcing the Vietnamese to retreat. The battle ends with the Americans gathering their dead and wounded. Journalists arrive, and Moore expresses his regret over the loss of his men. He instructs Galloway to share the true story of the battle. Moore returns home, reuniting with his family, but many soldiers did not survive. Moore honors his fallen comrades and Galloway begins writing his book, 'We Were Soldiers Once...and Young.'

Keywords

💡Ia Drang Valley

The Ia Drang Valley is a significant battlefield in Vietnam where a major conflict between American and North Vietnamese forces occurred in November 1965. It is referred to as 'the Valley of the Shadow of Death' in the script, symbolizing the intense and deadly nature of the battle fought there. The movie 'We Were Soldiers' centers around this battle, highlighting the experiences and sacrifices of the soldiers involved.

💡Colonel Hal Moore

Colonel Hal Moore is a central figure in the film, chosen to lead the first air mobile division into battle in Vietnam. His character is portrayed as a dedicated and strategic leader who cares deeply for his men. The script details his preparations, his leadership style, and his personal life, emphasizing his role in the battle and his commitment to his soldiers' well-being.

💡Helicopters

Helicopters play a crucial role in the battle strategies depicted in the film. They are used for rapid deployment and extraction of troops in the challenging terrain of Vietnam. The script highlights their importance in the military tactics of the time and how they were utilized by Colonel Moore and his team to gain a tactical advantage in the battlefield.

💡Sergeant Major Plumley

Sergeant Major Plumley is depicted as a tough and intense figure who assists Colonel Moore. His character is introduced as someone who prefers close combat, reflecting his experience and mindset. Plumley's intense nature and methods are showcased throughout the script, highlighting his role in training and preparing the soldiers for the unpredictable nature of war.

💡Joseph Galloway

Joseph Galloway is a journalist who documents the battle and provides a civilian perspective on the war. His character serves to convey the story to the audience and illustrate the horrors of war through his experiences. Galloway's interactions with the soldiers and his role in capturing the events on film are significant in understanding the broader impact of the battle.

💡Leadership

Leadership is a recurring theme in the script, particularly exemplified by Colonel Moore and his approach to leading his men. The script highlights Moore's emphasis on knowing the roles of those above and below in rank, his final speech about leaving no man behind, and his personal struggles with the responsibility of leadership. This theme underscores the challenges and burdens of commanding in wartime.

💡Vietnam War

The Vietnam War is the overarching context for the events depicted in the film. The script references the involvement of various nations, the challenging terrain, and the political backdrop of the conflict. It sets the stage for the personal stories and battles that unfold, providing historical context to the soldiers' experiences and the strategies employed.

💡Battle Strategy

Battle strategy is a key concept in the film, detailing how Colonel Moore and his team plan and execute their military tactics. The script discusses the use of air support, flanking maneuvers, and the strategic significance of holding positions. These elements are critical to understanding the military decisions and actions taken during the battle.

💡Casualties

Casualties are a poignant and recurring aspect of the film, reflecting the high human cost of the battle. The script details the deaths and injuries of soldiers on both sides, including the emotional impact on the families back home. This theme highlights the brutality of war and the personal losses suffered by those involved.

💡Medevac

Medevac, or medical evacuation, is crucial in the battle, as depicted in the film. The script includes scenes of helicopters evacuating wounded soldiers under heavy fire, illustrating the risks and urgency involved in saving lives. This concept underscores the importance of medical support and the bravery of those who carry out these dangerous missions.

Highlights

Journalist Joseph Galloway explains the purpose of the movie as a testament to the soldiers who died in The Ia Drang Valley in November of 1965.

In June of 1954, French troops move into the central Highlands of Vietnam and are ambushed and wiped out by Vietnamese soldiers.

Two American generals discuss the challenging terrain of Vietnam jungles and plan on using helicopters to leap in and out of battle.

Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore is chosen for the job due to his experience testing experimental parachutes.

Colonel Moore and his family move into their new home while neighbors discuss his past resume.

Colonel Moore researches the capabilities of the new fast helicopters and stresses the importance of the helicopter pilots' roles in battle.

Sergeant Major Plumley's intense nature is introduced, and he is shown to be a strict and focused leader.

Colonel Moore addresses his men, emphasizing the importance of knowing the roles of the person ranked above and below them.

Colonel Moore shares a prayer with his five children, expressing his gratitude for his wife.

President Johnson's speech orders Colonel Moore's first air mobile division to Vietnam, capturing the moment on TV.

Colonel Moore delivers a powerful final speech, promising to be the first to step on the field and the last to step off, leaving no man behind.

The soldiers arrive in South Vietnam at a base camp, preparing for battle against the North Vietnamese supported by the Soviet Union and China.

Colonel Moore and his troops arrive for battle in the Ia Drang River Valley in 1965, marking the first major conflict between North Vietnamese and American soldiers.

Colonel Moore orders air support to aid his men, highlighting the intensity and chaos of the battle.

Colonel Moore calls in Broken Arrow, a sign that they are almost defeated and need America's strongest air support, resulting in heavy casualties for both sides.

Colonel Moore refuses to leave the battlefield despite orders, determined to find all his men.

The battle ends with a deadly helicopter assault led by Snake, resulting in hundreds of Vietnamese deaths and a retreat.

Colonel Moore returns home to his family, shedding joyous tears, but he is haunted by the loss of so many soldiers.

Colonel Moore honors his lost men at the memorial, and Galloway begins writing the book 'We Were Soldiers Once...and Young.'

Transcripts

hi welcome to creative movies recapped

today's recap is a 2002 War action film

called We Were Soldiers

watch out for spoilers ahead before we

continue please subscribe to support our

Channel

journalist Joseph Galloway explains the

purpose of the movie it is a testament

to the soldiers who died in The ladrang

Valley in November of 1965. the Valley

of the shadow of death

in June of 1954 French troops move into

the central Highlands of Vietnam they

get ambushed and completely wiped out a

Vietnamese Soldier is ordered to kill

the remaining living French troops and

they will stop sending more in Georgia

two American generals are discussing the

challenging terrain of Vietnam jungles

they plan on using helicopters to LEAP

in and out of battle

Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore is chosen

for the job because of his past resume

testing experimental parachutes Colonel

Moore and his family move into their new

home while neighbors discuss his past

resume

helicopters fly overhead while Colonel

Moore moves in on the first night at

home Colonel Moore researches the

capabilities of the new Fast helicopters

major Bruce Crandall and other

helicopter Pilots are playing baseball

on their break

Crandall is at the plate and gets thrown

out at home by Colonel Moore he then

meets two tall Crandall's co-pilot

Colonel Moore explains to Crandall also

known as snake [ __ ] that because of how

low he flies he is the solution to his

problem

he stresses how important his job will

be in battle sergeant major plumley's

extremely intense nature is introduced

Colonel Moore formally addresses his men

as well as introduces them to Plumley

he tells them that their horses in the

battle for the first time will be

helicopters the soldiers train and

prepare for the unpredictable nature of

the battle

Colonel Moore stresses the importance of

knowing the role of the person ranked

above and below

Colonel Moore shares a prayer with his

five children after that he explains to

his wife how he thanks God for her every

time he prays

plumly with his intense method of

thinking tells Colonel Moore he will

stick to his pistol because of how close

the enemy will be in battle

Colonel Moore's radio operator picks up

a signal from the active and struggling

advisor serving in Vietnam

Colonel Moore then goes on to explain

how each other is all they are going to

have Colonel Moore points out the fine

leadership skills of Lieutenant Jack

gagan while he takes control of his men

by carefully checking for blisters

Plumley also points out Sergeant

salvage's intense leadership skills led

by Julie Moore the women whose husbands

have recently been admitted to the post

meet and discuss common interests while

they get to know each other better

Barbara gagan's water breaks she gives

birth to a baby girl jack gagan then

goes to church where he meets Colonel

Moore Colonel Moore gives gagan advice

on being a father and Soldier gagan is

afraid to make his daughter an orphan if

he doesn't make it out of the battle

Colonel Moore prays to keep gagan and

his other men safe during battle

he also prays for the Lord to ignore the

enemy's prayers Colonel Moore's daughter

innocently asks him what a war is and he

responds by telling her that they are

going to try to take his life away but

he is not going to let them Colonel

Moore wakes up in the middle of the

night and does more research

his wife Julie finds him and assures him

he's the perfect man to lead his young

soldiers

President Johnson's speech when he

orders Colonel Moore's first air mobile

division to Vietnam as captured on TV

Colonel Moore and his men celebrate and

share quality time with their loved ones

before they leave the following day

Colonel Moore also finds out here that

he will be going into battle under

strength losing one-third of his already

trained men he is reminded of the

previous efforts of the first Battalion

of seventh Cavalry the same regiment as

General Custer who were all wiped by the

Vietnamese he goes home and fills out

his final will Colonel Moore delivers a

powerful final speech stating that he

will be the first to step on the field

and last to step off while leaving no

man dead or alive behind

back in his house Colonel Moore tucks

each of his children into bed and spends

his last night home with his wife few

hours later gagan leaves his wife and

newborn baby behind the soldiers gather

to leave the soldiers arrive in South

Vietnam at a base camp in helicopters

the war is between the North Vietnamese

who are supported by the Soviet Union

China and other communist allies and the

South Vietnamese who are supported by

the United States and other

anti-communist allies

Colonel Moore is briefed on where the

war has reached and is told to find the

enemy and kill them he has 395 American

soldiers Ready for War Colonel Moore and

Plumley Have a Cigar while they talk

strategy the soldiers board the

helicopters and take off to the enemy

grounds

they arrive for battle in the Ia Drang

River Valley it is in the year 1965 and

the first time the North Vietnamese

soldiers are meeting with the American

soldiers

the North Vietnamese find out about

their arrival and prepare Colonel Moore

is the first to land the soldiers all

fire in caution a platoon begins a Chase

into the jungles after a scout Colonel

Moore and Plumley talked to another

Scout using the help of a southern

Vietnamese As an interpreter

he reveals they are nearby an enemy base

camp with 4 000 men

Colonel Moore orders all troops to hold

positions but not in time to prevent the

platoon from pursuing an enemy Scout

the Lost platoon then attempts to

retreat while losing the lives of many

soldiers the Lost platoon resorts to

hiding in the grass after losing their

commanding officer and multiple others

who try to lead Sergeant Ernie Savage

takes over and orders everyone to remain

lying down

Colonel Moore remains calm while

explaining to the radio advisor to call

an air support at the Landing zone for

the rest of his men to arrive Lieutenant

Colonel nguyenhu and orders a strategy

to flank Colonel Moore and his troops at

the Landing Zone

Colonel Moore realizes this the

commanding officer of the Lost platoon

dies eventually from leading his men

after the scout

Sergeant Savage is now in charge Colonel

nguyenhu and plans to overwhelm The

Landing zones to choke Supply and Escape

Routes

he calls for more soldiers more American

troops rapidly arrive on the scene at a

hot Landing Zone

Colonel Moore bravely gives out orders

Colonel Moore realizes Colonel Nguyen

who and will use the creek bed to try to

flank

he orders them to secure it before they

do war on the ground continues as

Colonel Moore gives orders to his men on

the radio

many Vietnamese soldiers and American

soldiers die Colonel Moore orders His

Radio assistant to call air support and

bomb the enemy spots

snake in another helicopter pilot escort

in Medevac helicopters one gets shot

down so snake decides to stay longer and

help Evacuate the wounded under heavy

fire

because of the hot LZ Plumley carves out

a new LZ by blowing down trees and

creating a clearing

Colonel Moore's informed headquarters

wants him out that doesn't make any

sense to him the generals at the

headquarters think that it is a massacre

of the American soldiers and that they

have already lost

Colonel Moore saves snake's life as he

lands at the LZ to bring armor to the

soldiers

the wounded soldiers are being put on

board a wounded soldier volunteers to

let another evacuate before he does he

gets shot and his body falls on the pile

as the helicopter ascends the Lost

platoon is out of water and is losing

more men

a lot of men from both parties die and

some are wounded badly

gagan arrives in a chopper with other

men but are attacked by the Vietnamese a

few of them escaping some soldiers

decide to reinforce the Lost platoon but

are all gunned down

at night journalist Joseph Galloway

decides to take the next helicopter into

the battle

snake allows him into his Chopper he

meets Colonel Moore he tells Galloway

that he cannot guarantee his safety and

that he should be careful else he'll die

snake finally lands his helicopter at

the base and gets yelled out by a senior

officer for leaving his men behind

he responds with anger and pulls out his

handgun telling him to go fight the real

enemies for he had to transport the

wounded first and leave the other

soldiers to fight Sergeant Savage and

the lost platoon are still fighting for

their lives the rescuing platoon

notifies them they will not make it

there before the night is over gagan and

his troops secure the ridge without

getting much sleep Colonel Moore

Comforts them soon a large enemy Force

attacks a rapid change of mood to life

back home shows a cab driver delivering

a telegram to notify Kathy her husband

has been killed Julie Moore Comforts her

she freaks out on the cab driver for

scaring her to think her husband may

have been killed the cab driver tells

her that she only needs Direction and

she apologizes telling him she will do

the job for him

Barbara gagan helps her along when many

more appear

they spread the telegrams to the widows

and all emotionally break down in tears

mourning their husbands

Colonel Moore prays over the Dead from

the first day of battle

Galloway shares his purpose in Vietnam

with Colonel Moore he tells Colonel

Moore that most of his ancestors were in

the Army and he is a journalist wanted

to understand the war better by shooting

pictures and videos and also make the

rest of the world understand the war

Colonel nguin who and congratulates his

men on the day's battle and notes their

accomplishments Sergeant Savage and the

rest of his platoon are hiding in the

grass with Vietnam patrols directly on

top of them they spot them and they get

into a rapid fight Vietnamese soldiers

at the spot are all killed and a few

American soldiers remain alive Colonel

Nguyen who and prays for the dead

soldiers he lost on the battlefield

Colonel Moore orders every Soldier to

fire three rounds at anything that looks

suspicious

after they shoot Vietnam Troops charge

at them soldiers from both parties use

heavy gun machines on each other

resulting in more deaths gagan goes out

of his way to rescue a downed Soldier he

gets shot and killed a Vietnam soldier

tries to sneak and attack Colonel Moore

from behind

Colonel Moore sees and shoots him down

Galloway is almost shot down taking

pictures but is rescued by Plumley

Galloway meets Jimmy nakiyama Plumley

then forcefully hands Galloway an M16

rifle Colonel Moore tells the mortar

team to urinate on the mortars to cool

them off for immediate use

Galloway joins the soldiers while they

are attacked by a group of enemy

soldiers who aggressively charge at them

Colonel Moore Paces around each side of

the battlefield and realizes they have

been overrun

he calls in every means of air support

through the code name Broken Arrow which

is familiar to the generals in America

as a sign that they are almost getting

defeated and that they need America's

strongest Air Support

they kill the Vietnamese in masses until

the air support operator mistakenly

calls in support too close to the

American position

it takes out American troops as well as

Jimmy nakiyama Galloway tries to hold

him on the legs to carry him but his

flesh tears off from the bomb fire burn

he carries him to the Medevac Jimmy

nakiyama cries as the helicopter

airlifts him leaving Galloway behind

after the fire support a squad goes into

the jungle to rescue the Lost platoon

after 40 men have been killed in battle

a group of new soldiers arrive and take

their place on the radio General

Westmoreland orders Colonel Moore to

leave but he refuses and continues to

fight and find all of his men

he finds gagan's dead body Julie Moore

gets the news gagan was killed and goes

to tell Barbara gagan Colonel Moore is

distraught about his death

Colonel Moore denies pulling out even

though all have been ordered to leave

Sergeant Savage and Gary Owens rejoined

the lines they all prepare for a final

battle Colonel nguyenhu and reveals

orders to his men they prepare for a

final battle it is the third and last

day of battle the Vietnamese are ready

and the American soldiers are ready as

well

Colonel Moore orders his men to fix

their bayonets they all start shooting

each other with most Vietnamese losing

to the Americans

just before the American troops reached

the top of a hill a large enemy force is

awaiting their arrival

snake saves their lives with a deadly

helicopter assault hundreds of

Vietnamese die as the American troops

watch the soldiers break through the

Vietnam lines Colonel Nguyen who and has

no choice but to pack up and retreat the

battle is finally over and the Americans

clean up and gather all the dead bodies

Colonel Moore is not content and no one

is celebrating journalists arrive after

the conclusion of the battle and stick

out like a sore thumb

they try to question Galloway and

Colonel Moore but they refused to answer

them they don't understand Colonel Moore

expresses to Galloway how he will never

forgive himself for having so many of

his soldiers killed he then tells

Galloway that he has to let the American

people know what happened in the Battle

Colonel Moore is the last one to step

off the battlefield they go back to

America Colonel nguyenhu and expresses

his frustration at the Battle he

explains how the ending of the war will

be the same no matter how many soldiers

die

Colonel Moore returns home to his family

they celebrate his arrival as he hugs

them shedding joyous tears not all

soldiers have this privilege Colonel

Moore returns Jack gagan's bracelet to

his wife and writes a letter to her

expressing his condolences Galloway

cannot control his emotions as he starts

writing the book We Were Soldiers once

and young Colonel Moore goes to the

memorial to honor his lost men

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