first off and this be a much good movie than you would think by just look at the cast and production . yes and essentially this be a wartime romance with all the tear jerky stuff you would expect . ( which i happen to enjoy too ) but and and this be where thing take a turn toward the interesting and this film properly portray several element of the u military during the vietnam war . include what i consider an incredibly detail navy seal ops unit and both in characterization and temperament . it border on the bizarre that such a nugget of special ops combat would be hide inside a romantic flick . their mission and of course and be base on the real life u army special force rescue operation or raid on son tay prison . but the effect be amaze . a sort of what if have the navy be task with the rescue . additionally and the firebase hospital scene be again surprisingly realistic . as well a the action of the personnel on the naval hospital ship . i be not sure who the advisor to the movie be and but their on hand knowledge be well use by both the director and cinematographer . this be at the height of star ken wahl career so it come a a sad reminder of career that could have be . the acting be well do and the romance with beautiful cheryl ladd very tangible . finally and kudos to lane smith who portray the by the book navy doctor and commander markel and r. lee ermey a the marine gunnery sergeant . not surprisingly r. lee wasn not stretch his act muscle too much since he be in fact a globe n anchor combat vet who do multiple tour in nam . if you enjoy the berating bark of everyone favorite jarhead and check out history channel mail call which r. lee host .