[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

It's been ages since I saw Hamburger Hill, one I reviewed many years ago. My conclusion was:

Hamburger Hill is a fine film, showing how bloody and destructive war can be and comments subtly on the growing anti-war sentiment in America. It is not as intelligent as Platoon, nor as memorable as Full Metal Jacket, films that have always overshadowed it. However, this is not to say it’s a bad film – far from it. John Irvin’s direction keeps the story moving whilst allowing you to get to know and care about the characters. Ultimately though, it’s a film about anonymity – I watched it twice and could only name two of the characters – even the hill is called a number based on its height.

Hamburger Hill may be on the second tier of Vietnam War films, but it’s still very accomplished and authentic, written as it is by a Vietnam Veteran and this DVD is a good package, far superior to the previous R2 release.