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Retro Review: Hamburger Hill (1987)


I must confess that I'm not a real big fan of Army movies.  There are exceptions of course:  "Full Metal Jacket" (See Kubrick fans?  I don't hate him), "All Quiet on the Western Front", "Death Before Dishonor", and "Hamburger Hill".

While serving in Vietnam, a platoon of the 101 Airborne Division is sent into the A Shau Valley, and then ordered to reconnoiter Hill 937.  Soon, all of them are embroiled in the struggle just to survive their attempts to get to the top of the enemy entrenched at the the top of the hill... Hamburger Hill...

This is one of those rare war movies that depicts what being in the army during Vietnam was like- without being either "Rah Rah, USA!", or "War is Hell!".  It is simply the story of a group of men depending on each other as they live and die by each others side.  The message is there, for sure- but it's never rubbed in your face as being the overall moral of the film.  Without the threat of being lectured to, a movie viewer can focus on what's important: the characters.

"Hamburger Hill" is a very character driven story.  They push forward the drama, the humour, the action, the tension, the sorrow of what such a situation does to soldiers in a Theatre of Operation like this.  You connect with the characters as the group itself connect and bond with each other.  You chuckle, and growl, and even weep with them.  You relate and empathize with them.  They are all great characters individually- and a group.  Like any great team, each is integral to it, and give this movie such depth and breadth of emotion.

These characters are brought wonderfully to life by a great cast: Dylan McDermott, Courtney B. Vance, Michael Boatman, Don Cheadle, Tim Quill, Daniel O'Shea, Steven Weber, Tegan West, Don James, Harry O'Reilly, Michael Dolan, Michael A. Nickles, Tommy Swerdlow, and Anthony Barriel.  All of them added such texture, and humanity to their roles.  I couldn't help but feel for them, and with them as events unfolded.  Their talent grounded me into the reality they occupied.

Director John Irvin crafted such an amazing look and feel with this film.  From the lighting, to the camera angles, to even carving out the side of a mountain to stage the final push up the hill.  Every little element combined to add a rich texture and feel to what we were watching and experiencing.

"Hamburger Hill is just an amazing piece of cinematic storytelling.  I would put it above "Full Metal Jacket" on my list of war movies I enjoy (sorry Kubrick fans!).  Back when I first watched it, I would've given it a spot in "The Good".  Today?  Yeah, it stands the test of time, and would still sit firmly in "The Good".
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