Moore Inspires Confidence and Courage
By Thomas Bianchi, with comments by Nate Macon
[1] Since Col. Hal Moore and his troopers in the 7th Cavalry were the first American soldiers to engage in a full-scale battle with the Vietnamese Army, a great deal of preparation was necessary. In this scene, which is not in the film’s source and was invented for its dramatic effect and glorification of Moore, Col. Moore delivers a powerful final speech to his soldiers, demonstrating to them and film viewers alike that the American force is rock-solid and extremely confident on the eve of battle. This final address reveals their readiness, for in the air before the speech and beside Moore during it, we can see the attack helicopters that will hold the key to their success and performance, especially under heavy enemy fire.
[2] The group of men we see in this scene make up the 1st Battalion of the 7th Cavalry, a branch of the American military dating back to General George Custer and the 1876 battle of Little Bighorn. Their symbol and logo alike still refer to the past mode of cavalry in battle, but the modern cavalry’s attack helicopter has now replaced the old “warhorse.†Moore’s speech introduces the new, still untested, and thus risky “Air Mobile†technique or strategy. The strategy calls for focused assault landings from helicopters, incredibly complex management of artillery, tactical air support, aerial rocket artillery, and the all-important flow of helicopters into and out of the battle zone. Coordinating these diverse operations is the responsibility of the first “Air Mobile†division created by the military. It is the obligation of Moore and his men to make it all work seamlessly.
[3] Moore’s speech concisely capsules the difference between We Were Soldiers and such previous Vietnam-era movies as Born on the 4th of July (1989) or Platoon (1986), which depicted the war as devastating in its impact on individual soldiers and divisive in its impact on American society. Conversely, in Moore’s ringing and rousing words director Randall Wallace presents a positive picture of American unity and resolve heading into the battle of the Ia Drang Valley, the first major battle of the Vietnam war: “A captain from Ukraine, another from Puerto Rico. We've got Japanese, Chinese, blacks, Hispanics, Cherokee Indians, Jews, and Gentiles. All Americans.†All American united in the fight. The bold and stern force in Moore’s words is designed to make us believe in the war and the patriotic icon of the American soldier. (comment 1 by Nate Macon)
[4] As the speech goes on, Moore tries to connect the positives of the war. He points out that discrimination because of race or creed will disappear once on the battlefield: “The man next to you will watch your back as you watch his.†This is the way American society should function, caring for one another regardless of different names for God. It’s disconcerting to think that possibly the greatest formula for successful relationships and societal behavior should come at such a time at which life is at risk. (comment 2 by Nate Macon) But the projection of this ideal vision of multicultural harmony is clearly another strategy in the film to create a positive feeling about a war that caused so much societal distress.
[5] Col. Moore also brings up a quick focus on the enemy in his speech. He announces that they will be tough and determined. In actuality, paying respects to the enemy is a pivotal approach to properly preparing for battle. This appears to be an underlining theme within the movie as well. In quick glimpses during other scenes, we view the perspective of Lt. Nguyen Huu An, the Vietnamese leader, as he takes on a similar command position as Moore. Therefore, in his final address Moore establishes a very relatable and respectful concern for the enemy.
[6] In his final remarks in this scene, Col. Moore essentially demonstrates his strong will combined with a compassionate character. Moore makes a promise to all the soldiers that he will bring them home, dead or alive, while being the last to step off the battlefield as well. Simply put, this concluding contract, if you will, is a bold rhetorical strategy. It is meant to inspire confidence and courage in his men during the battlefield hell they are about to face. But for the audience the paternal care that Moore portrays for his men provides a “face†for the war quite different than that of Born on the 4th of July’s Ron Kovic or Platoon’s Chris Taylor and establishes him as the living symbol of a re-visioning of the war that is the obvious purpose of We Were Soldiers. (comment 3 by Nate Macon)
Comments
Yes, the film certainly presents a positive picture of American unity and resolve at the military unit level but not at the societal one. If anything, Moore’s ability to unite a group of men from diverse backgrounds merely provides a starker contrast to the deep national divides between black & white and dove & hawk at the time. And, as you mentioned in your issue essay, the film doesn’t address the rationale for the war at all, so to imply that it depicts the war as unifying for the American people doesn’t make good sense to me.
This point is very insightful. It reinforces the concept that some of the tightest bonds between humans are formed in times when their lives are in jeopardy.
I disagree. I don’t think that’s the purpose of the film at all. The political aspects of the war are almost completely absent from the film (which you touched on in your issue essay.) The point of the movie isn’t to justify, re-vision, re-image, or re-conceive the War in Vietnam. It’s not to create a positive feeling about a horrendous and extremely controversial war that we may not have lost, but certainly didn’t win. It’s to express one simple truth: hate war, but love the American warrior. The focus isn’t on creating a better image of Vietnam. It’s on driving home the point that you can (and should when necessary) divorce support for our troops and support for our foreign policy. We made the mistake of lumping the two together for an entire generation of American servicemen and this movie aims to ensure, by showing what makes them great, that that mistake will never be made again.
