We Were Soldiers was so close to being a great Vietnam war film. It had intense and visceral combat sequences, strong humanistic and emotionally-driven dimensions, good acting, and a satisfying conclusion. It did also attempt to humanise the enemy, not by a lot, but more than 90% of war films.

But my god did it pile on the Hollywood cheese and clichés. Slow-mos, excessive angelic music, rousing speeches - you name it, We Were Soldiers used it. All this added up, and really detracted from what was underneath.