Hamburger Hill (1987)

R   |    |  Action, Drama, Thriller

Hamburger Hill (1987) Poster

A very realistic interpretation of one of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War.

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6.7/10
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64 Metascore

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  • Dylan McDermott and Anthony Barrile in Hamburger Hill (1987)
  • John Irvin in Hamburger Hill (1987)
  • Hamburger Hill (1987)
  • Hamburger Hill (1987)
  • Steven Weber in Hamburger Hill (1987)
  • Dylan McDermott in Hamburger Hill (1987)

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Cast & Crew

Top Billed Cast

Director:

John Irvin

Writer:

James Carabatsos
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Reviews & Commentary

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User Reviews
22 May 2015 | Spikeopath
8
| The meat grinder effect.
Unfairly forgotten and left in the slipstream of critical darlings Platoon and Full Metal Jacket, Hamburger Hill can proudly fly its own worthwhile flag. There's nothing preachy or political here, director John Irvin and writer James Carabatsos approach the subject with a refreshing humane honesty, making us viewers privy to the American soldiers mindset as they cope with life in Vietnam before an assault on some turd pile strategic hill, a battle that the survivors of that particular bloody conflict would call Hamburger Hill.

No matter what one feels about the war, the politics of such etc, the fact that quite often Vietnam films zoom in on the misdemeanours and egotistical sides of the American presence in Vietnam, tends to detract from the bravery of men and boys who were doing the job their government decreed they should do. Hamburger Hill addresses this, proudly so. Pace is deliberate and literate, building up to the assault on Hill 937, with little slices of kinetic action inserted along the way to tantalise and torment in equal measure.

Not all the acting is smart, there's a cast of up and coming thesps on show that features some who have gone on to be "name" actors, while others that were out of their depth subsequently found a level more befitting their abilities. Yet this is also a cunning tactic in the film's favour, no stars needed here, young adult actors without baggage or headlines kind of feels appropriate for this portrayal of soldiers in an alien world, many of whom would lay their shattered bodies down in the mud at Hamburger Hill. 8/10

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Did You Know?

Trivia

An electrician was electrocuted and killed in front of the cast and crew. Production was almost shut down but eventually continued after a memorial service.

Quotes

Worcester: We had a short-timer once. Johnny I-forget-his-name. He wore a flak jacket, two helmets and armor underwear. Ashau Valley... your time's up, your time *is* up.

Goofs

Late in the movie after an US soldier hits a Vietnamese soldier with his helmet, he falls down and his hand crushes the helmet revealing it to be made out of foam or some other soft material.

Crazy Credits

The following poem is shown at the beginning of the credits: If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go. Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own. And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind. Major Michael Davis O'Donnell 1 January 1970 Dak To, Vietnam

Alternate Versions

The Magna Pacific DVD Release: Sep 18, 2002 UPC: 9-315841-999491 is cut as when Duffy kills an NVA soldier with his M-60 the body explodes in gore and when Duffy is then killed by another NVA soldier that soldier is then shot in the back of the head and blood spurts out.

Soundtracks

I Wish It Would Rain
Written by Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield and Rodger Penzabene Sr. (uncredited)
Performed by The Temptations

Storyline

Plot Summary

Synopsis (WARNING: Spoilers)

Genres

Action | Drama | Thriller | War

Details

Release Date:

28 August 1987

Language

English, French

Country of Origin

USA

Filming Locations

Philippines

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,360,705 30 August 1987

Gross USA:

$13,839,404

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$13,839,404

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