When I saw this movie for the first time(I've seen it only once), I watched it because it was next in a long line of Vietnam movies that never depicted the war as it was and I watched them all. This movie did. My family and friends know I am a Vietnam combat veteran and when I recommended this movie as the only movie to see, they did so. The Oliver Stone's of the world will never get it right because they have to make a buck.I carried a "prick" 25 for a year in an infantry squad/platoon and when I got home, I wanted to share my experience with everyone, the good and bad. Unfortunately, to this day, when I talk about Vietnam, everyone reacts as if I'm talking about a death in the family.See this movie! The honesty in the movie production provides the reality of the war.