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Richard,
For me, the scene that did the best to capture the Vietnam Conflict, was a scene in "The Green Berets". I freely admit that this was a gung-ho pro war flick, and it didn't have many redeeming qualities (including a Sunset over the Ocean in Vietnam ? !!) but there was one scene that hit home.
Do you recall the young Vietnamese house boy who runs to each helicopter in turn, searching for "Peterson" ?
In the end he stands there with tears in his eyes, and realizes that his "Peterson" has died.
People I knew died over there, including an Uncle. There were too many "Peterson's" in that war, and too many children on both sides that lost their own "Peterson".
I'll agree that the bridge scene in Apocalypse Now is cinematically intense, and it looks very pretty, but it lacks the visceral Ooomph of a sharp blow to the sternum. Fotunately I had a good number, and I didn't get selected, so I don't know what scene in which movie comes closest to the true reality of the Vietnam Conflict. I just know that the Peterson scene fits my IMPRESSIONS of that conflict much better.
your howling buddy
Wolfman
PS : A Vietnam vet friend of mind felt that PLATOON was more realistic, but still overdone.
Any veterans out there care to comment ? You know best...
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