ChicDragon
It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.
KnotStronger
This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.
Ogosmith
Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.
Ginger
Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.
Karl Adrian
I do not really understand the negative reviews and complaints. This is a 1968 movie, and you can't hold it against today's standards. I've seen war movies of later date that I couldn't even finish or were filled with impossible feats, turning it into a fantasy instead. Not so with this movie. So if you are one of those that only care about pretty girls and superhuman feats, I suggest don't bother watching. But if you like to see a old war movie with a honest script, then I say go watch it.Minus 2 stars for overly abrupt scene endings and starts, and minus 1 star for overall acting, I gave it 7 stars. The storyline pulls you in and doesn't let go until the last scene. I loved the "Ballad of the Green Berets" at the start and end. The movie definitely made a memorable impact on me, and even though it isn't perfect, I would watch it again. To me that's a good sign, and I'm inclined to call this a good "B" movie.And I have to mention the great performance of Craig Jue, "the little boy".---Points in other reviews:Critiques about 1968 special effects is idiotic.Comments about the rain scenes and seeing wet and dry areas on the ground with other people walking in sunlight not bothered by the rain is total nonsense. Just look at the sky and you'll see rain clouds everywhere. So even if the rain was artificial it looked okay to me.It was mentioned that the sun was setting in the east in the last scene. But who told you that was the east? Have you looked at Vietnam on a map? The south point has a coastline facing east, south, west and even north. Aside from that, the east coast is littered with bays facing all kinds of directions. The one at Vung Tau is almost about 20 miles across facing west. Studies have proved that the average human can only see up to 3 miles across the ocean while standing on the beach at an eye height of about 5-6 feet.And pro Vietnam war? How so? You mean to say that soldiers should simply refuse to follow orders whenever they see fit? How would you feel if your military would refuse orders to defend your country. Soldiers go where they're told, no matter what. If not, they wouldn't be of any use. Politicians carry the responsibility of an unjust war!
classicsoncall
It's almost impossible to keep politics out of a discussion of this movie, though I found that John Wayne as director at least allowed the liberal view their take on things by questioning the legitimacy of the war. Perhaps the movie's biggest problem in hindsight is the fact that it was made while the Viet Nam War was still being waged. 1979's "Apocalypse Now" presented the viewer with an inability to filter any kind of rationality out of insane circumstances and challenged one's perception about war and it's consequences. In 1986, "Platoon" examined the utter insanity that drives men to do the kinds of things they would never even consider in 'ordinary' life. "The Green Berets" delivers a proactive message about America's involvement in the War as a force for good against the Communist threat posed by Russia, China and the Viet Cong. That man has to pay a price for freedom is a recurring theme, with the character of Chronicle Herald reporter Beckworth (David Janssen) gradually coming to realize that all is not black or white when serving in a combat zone. However viewed today, the film appears to be laden with clichéd characters and situations and doesn't convey the kind of mind numbing angst that warriors in combat are faced with when fighting the enemy. With all that's been said and written about the Viet Nam War, the movie's principal value lies in presenting a view of the conflict that's generally not seen or understood by those who never lived through the era.
stackja
I see negative reviews.Probably not politically correct for some it seems.John Wayne made a statement.At the same time, John Wayne knew a movie had to engage the audience.The politics at the time were divided.It seems again that reviews were and are divided.Movies of an earlier war were accepted.These movies even today are accepted.The opponents of that earlier war were not well received.Again it seems some wars are not acceptable.Even if war aims are well meant.
dlbach1
To begin with I do not watch this movie because I am a John Wayne fan. I am not a fan of his work. However, I do enjoy some of his movies as they tend to have some guts to them and at times backbone.This movie was big in the box office because John Wayne was the star. However, I feel that they should have enlisted a more age appropriate actor to play the role since Mr. Wayne was clearly too old for the part.The Green Berets was made during the time of the Vietnam war not as an after thought to bring it's pain back after the conclusion. The sets were clearly American Hollywood and not location, but made for close-ups with very real resemblance.The bits of humor added in at the beginning leave me to feel that they were inserted to help soften the blow of what was to come - the very real perils of war. However, like most war movies of the era, it cannot even compare with what actually happened in Vietnam.It is my opinion that this movie was more to introduce the nation to a relatively new force unit of the United States Army. The Green Berets were established in 1952 and by this time they were well integrated into the Army as a whole and the current war. The Green Berets is much of a formal introduction of these brave men.The deaths of some key characters (while some may believe them to be pointless) display in a tangible manner the pointless deaths that did occur during this war.There is no real plot except American soldiers with special training going into the Vietnam war and what ensues. There are several smaller plots embedded such as the end plot of kidnapping the new leader of the Viet Cong. During this they utilized a civilian woman related to the Vietnamese colonel.If you enjoy war movies, then you will perhaps enjoy this one. If you are a history buff who prefers historical accuracy, you should move on. If you are a fan of John Wayne, well you have already seen this movie many times. Overall, it is a good movie.