for some reason and i hadn not see this film before . i be in the army from 67 70 ( do not go to vietnam ) and have read and write and and watch film about that time ever since . burt lancaster be . burt lancaster . he have some great line and but i agree with the reviewer who comment on his age be a bit of a distraction . but the story more than compensate . this be when american in general have never hear of vietnam . burt amazement that a draftee would be there speak volume about how early in our engagement this be . yet and there be engagement . the u military be actively support the south vietnamese and include fight battle on the ground and give air support . the ensemble cast felt like a stereotypical war movie cast and but the light dialogue in the first half of the film start to give way to the seriousness of the situation . and finally and by the end of the film second act it take on more of an alamo feeling . burt character cynicism and plus the viewer historical knowledge of how thing turn out for the u military in vietnam and make for some powerful moment . it also lead me to consider this an anti war film . because in the end and what do all the soldier who die in the movie die for . a burt major tell the hung ho captain and this isn not like world war ii . this one be just run u in circle . he know the score in 1964 and but unfortunately it be general like dolph sweet character who drive the policy that lbj follow that result in so many more needless death .