This Vietnam War Film Isn’t Realistic. It’s Real! You Will Feel What The Marines Felt. Terrifying.

I believe this to be the most authentic, real documentary film made during the Vietnam War. The crew that filmed it in 1966 spent 97 days with Mike Company, a part of the 7th Marine Regiment also known as the “Magnificent director/cameraman was injured several times. Director Francis Ford Coppola said that this documentary was one of the main influences that caused him to create Apocalypse Now. The documentary was directed by Eugene S. Jones. It presents a direct, unflinching look at the lives of American soldiers serving in the War. It is a candid portrayal of the war and the soldiers’ experiences, free from the editorial commentary or political viewpoint often found in many war documentaries. The result is a raw, visceral depiction of war that showcases the brutal reality soldiers faced, including combat scenes, wounded soldiers, and the overall hardship of war. The film was well-received and lauded for its realistic depiction of war. It’s regarded as one of the great war documentaries for its intimate and unflinching portrayal of the American soldiers’ experience in Vietnam. 1966 was a year that saw increasing involvement from U.S. troops including Marines. The Binh Son district where this was filmed was a hotbed of Viet Cong activity and a site of many engagements during the War. U.S. Marines trying to pacify the region, protecting the local population and eliminating the Viet Cong presence. These operations included search-and-destroy missions and defensive efforts to secure strategic locations and protect key infrastructure. The Marines often had to contend with guerrilla warfare tactics used by the Viet Cong including ambushes, booby traps, and tunnel systems. This operation, like many during this time featured intense firefights and ambushes. There is one more thing that I need to share regarding this video. I have eliminated parts of the film where you can see wounded Marines. YouTube would not allow those scenes to be shown without restricting the film. So I cut them out. But trust me, many men were wounded and some killed during these missions and it was hard for me to watch. I felt for the Marines, many of whom were my age at the time.