there aren not many movie about the beginning of america involvement in vietnam . it be fortunate that this be one of those film . burt lancaster be perfect a a career army officer who recognize early on that this war will be different from any other . and that american power may not be enough to win it . beastmaster marc singer be wonderful a a shallow young officer so wrap up in the boost vietnam be go to give his career that he be immune to the madness around him . the scene in which lancaster explain to singer why and after three war and a bucket full of medal and he ( lancaster ) be still only a major and be priceless . craig wasson portrayal of an idealistic draftee who progress from care about the vietnamese and to accept the brutality they perpetrate on each other be a chillingly accurate metaphor for the shift in american attitude to come . perhaps the film best performance be by jonathan goldsmith and a a career nco for whom the insanity finally become too much . the haunting score by dick ( blood and sweat and tear ) halligan be a perfect accompaniment .