Product Details

• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Format: NTSC
• Original language: English, Vietnamese

Amazon.com
Sometimes a B movie can rise above its big-budget brethren. The Siege of Firebase Gloria is a lean, straightforward film about a troupe of Marines defending an isolated outpost in Vietnam. While on reconnaissance, Sergeant-Major Hafner (R. Lee Ermey) gets a glimmering of the impending Tet offensive when he comes across a massacred village. When the patrol arrives at Firebase Gloria, Hafner takes command from the addled commanding officer and desperately tries to prepare the disorganized base for the coming assault. There's nothing remarkable about the story--this is a war movie--but it's not only told with efficient skill, it's strikingly clear-eyed about the brutalities committed by both sides of the war. The Viet Cong are depicted with as much sympathy as the Americans; in fact, through smart juxtapositions, the perspective of the native soldiers becomes increasingly clear and compelling, even though their dialogue is never translated. With clearly drawn yet realistic characters, a decent script, and unfancy but effective camerawork, Firebase Gloria paints a more vivid and unsettling portrait of the Vietnam experience than far more high-minded movies like Full Metal Jacket. Ermey gives a grounded, genuine performance, and straight-to-video star Wings Hauser is both scary and sad as a ruthless, alienated corporal. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews

Second only to BOYS IN COMPANY C-This one's GREAT!
As a pointman with 5th Rangers, I spent 2 tours in 'Nam and this one's right on the money! Lee Ermey is is absolutely fantastic; Wings Hauser, for a civilian, also does a first-rate job, and the clown who portrays Moran, the chopper pilot (my favorite) was the best! This one took me ALL THE WAY BACK to the 27 months I spent slogging through the jungle as a pointman with the 46th infantry, and I now have nightmares for days after I watch it (several times a year) but it's just so good that I just pop a few cool ones, kick back, and go with the flow after a viewing it. Even the filipino actors did a great job potraying the zipperheads, especially the officer. The only flaw, as counless others have already mentioned, is the missing subtitles for the dinks, but as I still remember most of the vietnamese I learned, I translate for my 17-year old son, and he loves it.
This is a first class film, and as soon as it comes out on DVD - I'm there! From Amazon, of course!

Brutal, in your face depiction of a true incident in 'Nam
This film will not likely win the hearts and minds of the average film-goer. But it ranks right up there with "Platoon" and "Go Tell the Spartans" as among the very best of the Vietnam war films.

It pulls few punches in its depiction of that war's brutality. It is totally stripped of all sentimentality. Importantly, it sympathetically portrays both Vietcong and American humanity, feelings and attitudes at the infantry level.

A plus to this film is R. Lee Ermey's (also see "Full Metal Jacket" and "The Boys in Company C.") portrail of Marine Sgt Major Bill Haffner who, at the beginning of the film, is in command of a small recon squad. Later, upon "relieving" an inept dope-smoking Army captain of command, is ultimately in charge of shaping up an entire company of near misfit GI's at Firebase Gloria. He job is to fortify the base and defend it from an impending Vietcong attack. The ensuing battle sequences are as harrowingly realistic as any you'll see anywhere. Real life ex-marine Ermey is completely convincing, funny and entertaining even though, at times, he appears slightly uncomfortable in the lead role.

Some viewers may take exception to Sgt Haffner's unprovoked beratement of Nurse Capt. Flanagan. Under the circumstances, one would think her and her nurses presence would be greatly appreciated. It's my only gripe with the film.

Australian director, Brian Trenchard-Smith has stuck his neck out and made a remarkable, sleeper of a war film. Any war film fan who hasn't seen this film is in for a pleasant (or unpleasant, depending on your viewpoint) surprise. Others should view it for a reality check. At the current price, it is an unbelievable bargain. Don't miss it!

Brilliant
I have just watched this film and I thought that it was the best Vietnam War film I have evey seen. After watching Full Metal Jacket, Platoon and Hamburger Hill I find 'Siege of Fire Base Gloria' refreshing and hard hitting. War at the best of times is harrowing and usless but this film brought home the comradeship and closeness one finds in the services and during times of conflict. It was well directed and very well acted and showed a true representation of war you would not find other wise by actually being there. Its a shame you only have five stars because this film and its actors deservse 10+