- Band of Brothers (2001)
- A World War II mini-series also released in 2001 based on a nonfiction book by historian Stephen Ambrose. The story follows a US Army rifle company that parachutes into France on D-Day. Like We Were Soldiers, it focuses on the strong brotherhood and bonds that are created among soldiers through the intense dynamics of war. This is a great film comparison for understanding the personal struggles that men in battle undergo and how they dedicate themselves to their fellow brothers in arms to cope and manage. Despite the differences in time and place, the themes are remarkably similar in each movie. The issues of soldiers' struggles with war and the bonds between warriors are key aspects to both films.
- Black Hawk Down (2001)
- Black Hawk Down is an action-packed recounting of the Battle of Mogadishu on October 3, 1993. Like We Were Soldiers, this film is based upon a highly regarded book. Civil war had broken out in Somalia, and the conflict turned international when the United Nations intervened in 1992 to alleviate widespread starvation. Black Hawk Down serves as a great comparison for understanding U.S. missions in which troops are deployed with straightforward objectives via attack helicopter. The troops are ordered to capture two of the warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid’s lieutenants, while in We Were Soldiers troops are ordered to find and kill the enemy. In both movies things go horribly wrong when helicopters are shot down. With similar rescue missions as well, the brotherhood among American soldiers forms the foundation and core for each movie. The soldiers are determined to "Leave no man behind.â€
- Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
- Born on the Fourth of July is a Vietnam War movie wholly based on a disgruntled veteran’s life after multiple gunshot wounds leave him paralyzed from the waist down. The movie depicts Ron Kovic’s frustration as he re-enters American society and strives to overcome his physical and social barriers. In opposition to We Were Soldiers’ support of the war through its heroic combatants, Born on the Fourth of July focuses primarily on Kovic’s opposition to the war, culminating in his determination to end it through antiwar protest movements. The two movies complement each other, creating a complete picture of Vietnam-era attitudes toward the war.
See Also
The Siege of Firebase Gloria (1989)
