"The Green Berets," released in 1968, holds a unique place as the sole Vietnam War film produced during the war itself. The story centers on an intrepid colonel (played by John Wayne) leading a team of Green Berets tasked with defending a firebase within Viet Cong territory. They are joined by a cynical journalist (David Janssen), and eventually embark on a mission to capture a high-ranking Viet Cong general. A large ensemble cast including Aldo Ray, Raymond St. Jacques, Jim Hutton, George Takei, and Patrick Wayne also appears. The movie is something of an oddity because it champions America’s involvement while simultaneously depicting the brutal realities of war; it's not necessarily a celebration of conflict itself but rather an honest portrayal of the motivations behind U.S. intervention. The events portrayed unfold prior to the 1968 Tet Offensive, and the narrative focuses on Special Forces—highly trained career soldiers—rather than typical conscripts as seen in films like "Platoon" (1986). The film’s style blends elements of 1960s Pacific War movies such as “Ambush Bay” (1966) with touches reminiscent of “The Dirty Dozen” (1967). While "We Were Soldiers" (2002) shares similarities, it's more impactful due to its absence of the older film’s humor and charm. "Go Tell the Spartans" (1978) also evokes a comparable feel. While there is plenty of action—though the blood appears an unrealistic bright red—it takes considerable time for the plot to reach that point. Despite this, the characters are easy to root for, and it’s admirable that the movie prioritizes establishing the setting and introducing the main players. The film's running time is two hours and twenty-two minutes, and filming occurred in Fort Benning & Columbus, Georgia; Ft. McClellen, Alabama; and WB Burbank Studios. Surprisingly, Georgia serves as a suitable stand-in for Southeast Asia, as the region isn’t exclusively tropical—pine trees and deciduous forests are also present there. GRADE: B-

Source on TMDB