Going Back (2001) - full transcript
USMC captain Ramsey is part of a group of US veterans and war victim's son Brad Jordan, invited in the post-Col War age by the Vietnam government to revisit their battle grounds now international relations are friendly. Initially he refuses to face his unit's darkest, most traumatic memory, but after an affair with a guide accepts. The violent past is slowly reconstructed trough site-stimulated flash-backs and finds a way to catch up and spark another drama.
[helicopter blades whirring]
[man over radio]
Echo six,
Airhose Tac One, over.
(man)
Copy.
CHECK HEDGEROW,
NORTHWEST PADDY.
GET DOWN!
GET DOWN!
FUCKIN' CHOPPER REPORTS
THERE'S N.V.A. AT THE TREE LINE.
OUR BOYS ARE WALKING RIGHT
INTO A FUCKIN' AMBUSH, N.V.A.
THEY'RE WALKING INTO AN AMBUSH
RIGHT IN THE FUCKING TREE LINE.
COMPANY, HALT!
BAMA, BAMA.
GET UP THERE
WITH JIMMY JOE.
YOU DIPSHIT STUPID FUCKS!
FUCK.
GODDAMN IT!
YOU'RE WALKING
INTO A FUCKIN' AMBUSH.
Return to your P.O.S. and
sweep Charlie with sidewinders.
GET TURF CLUB.
I NEED A FIRE MISSION.
SIR,
TURF CLUB, TURF CLUB,
THIS IS ECHO SIX, OVER.
INCOMING!
[explosions rumbling]
NO!
NO, STOP!
CHECK YOUR FIRE!
CEASE FUCKING FIRE!
[explosions]
[men screaming]
STOP!
HOLY FUCK!
YOU SON OF A BITCH.
YOU FUCKIN' SON OF A BITCH.
YOU SEE WHAT HE FUCKIN' DID?
HE SENT ARTILLERY
ON HIS FUCKIN' OWN MEN!
FOR DISOBEYING
A GODDAMN FUCKIN' ORDER.
I'LL FUCKIN' KILL HIM.
FUCKIN' KILL HIM.
LET ME GO.
YOU SON OF A BITCH, RAMSEY.
YOU ARE THE ENEMY.
[woman singing in Vietnamese]
HI, HELLO.
HOW ARE YOU?
FINE.
WELCOME TO VIETNAM.
ONE, TWO, THREE,
TESTING.
WE'RE GOOD.
WE'RE GOOD?
SOUNDS GREAT.
ALL RIGHT.
STILL 200% HUMIDITY.
(woman)
DURING THE WAR,
THIS NETWORK
HELD A SERIES
OF NIGHTLY VISITS
WITH THE MARINES
OF ECHO COMPANY.
A LITTLE ASIAN HONEY
GONE UP A QUARTER
SINCE WE'VE
BEEN AROUND.
NOW WE'RE BRINGING BACK
THE REMNANTS OF WHAT CAME TO BE
ONE OF THE HARDEST HIT COMPANIES
OF THE VIETNAM WAR.
WE'LL WALK BESIDE THEM,
AND SO WILL YOU
ON THIS, THEIR FIRST VISIT
BACK TO VIETNAM SINCE THE WAR.
I'M KATHLEEN MARTIN,
AND THE MEN OF ECHO COMPANY
ARE TEX ATKINS,
NOW A CAR DEALER IN EL PASO;
RED FUENTES,
LEADER OF FOLSOM PRISON'S
TACTICAL SQUAD;
PROFESSOR OF ORIENTAL LANGUAGES
AT STANFORD;
JIMMY JOE COLTER,
FREELANCE SECURITY CONSULTANT;
RAY SHEPARD,
PASTOR OF THE LIGHT OF LOVE
MISSION CHURCH.
KEEP GOING BACK.
KEEP GOING.
KEEP PULLING BACK.
GOOD JOB.
MAN, OH, MAN,
OH, MAN ALIVE.
AND CUT.
GREAT, GUYS.
SO I GUESS
YOU GUYS HEARD
RAMSEY DIDN'T SHOW UP
AT THE AIRPORT.
YEAH, I'VE BEEN TRYING TO
REACH HIM ON MY CELL PHONE.
(Ray)
OH, AND HE
LET YOU DOWN TOO, HUH?
CHICKEN SHIT
MOTHERFUCKER, MAN.
THIS IS OUR RIDE,
GENTLEMEN,
SO LET'S GET
ON THE BUS.
(Tex)
SADDLE UP, BOYS.
(man)
THIS WAY, PLEASE.
(Kathleen)
WHAT'S GOING THROUGH
EVERYBODY'S MIND RIGHT NOW?
UNCENSORED.
(Eric)
IT'S LIKE VISITING
YOUR OWN TOMBSTONE IN A WAY,
SEEING THAT PART OF YOU
THAT NEVER CAME BACK.
(Red)
BUFFALO SHITTIN' HUMIDITY.
DEFINITELY THE 'NAM.
(Tex)
I WAS JUST THINKIN'
HOW MANY FINE USED CARS
I COULD
DUPE THESE FUCKERS
INTO BUYING.
[chuckling]
LAST TIME WE WERE HERE,
I WAS KILLING THESE PEOPLE.
UH-HUH.
RAY?
Y'ALL REMEMBER RAMSEY'S DAY ONE?
(Jimmy Joe)
WHAT A DAY THAT WAS.
YEAH.
(man)
Hey, Butterfly Niner,
y'all clear for approach.
Just watch
the red smoke marker.
Watch the tree line
northeast of the L.Z.
Got y'all in our sights.
You can start
your descent now.
Ain't no sign of Charlie.
We'd like to welcome you
to Echo Six,
the best of the best.
LET ME GET THAT,
SKIPPER.
I GOT IT.
THIS WAY, SKIPPER.
GOOD TO HAVE YOU ABOARD.
MEN HAVE BEEN A BIT EDGY
SINCE CAPTAIN McKENNA
GOT HIS HEAD BLOWN OFF.
WELCOME ABOARD, SKIP.
I'M TOM TAYLOR.
THAT THERE'S GUNNY BILLY.
THIS IS LIEUTENANT FOX.
DA NANG GOT HIT HARD
LAST NIGHT, SIR.
US THREE MADE IT BACK,
CHOPPERS TOO.
GOT TO DO AN IMMEDIATE EVAC,
FOX TROT'S WOUNDED ON WHEELS.
WHAT'S THE BAD NEWS, TOM?
WELL, SKIPPER, YOU MAY WANT
TO SUBDUE THIS RANK.
I DON'T WANT TO LOSE
ANOTHER CAPTAIN.
(Tom)
LET'S GET ON WITH IT.
(Ray)
ANOTHER FUCKIN' CHERRY
FOR ME TO BAG
AND SEND HOME TO MAMA.
(Red)
CHECK OUT THOSE BARS.
LOOKS LIKE HE'S BEEN IN
THE BUSH ALL OF FIVE MINUTES.
HE'S NOT EXACTLY
GENERAL PATTON, IS HE?
WHAT SHOULD WE CALL HIM?
HOW ABOUT CAPTAIN BRUSH CUT?
(Jimmy Joe)
JESUS CHRIST,
LOOKS LIKE A GODDAMN MODEL.
LOOKS LIKE HE'S GOT
SOMETHING UP HIS ASS.
HE'S JUST CLIMBING
UP THE LADDER.
(Fox)
LISTEN UP.
THIS IS YOUR NEW SKIPPER.
AT EASE.
I'M CAPTAIN RAMSEY.
I CONSIDER MYSELF A MARINE FIRST
AND AN OFFICER SECOND.
MARINE TO MARINE,
MY PRIMARY MISSION HERE
IS TO GET ALL YOUR SORRY ASSES
BACK INTACT.
(Eric)
SO YOU AIN'T NO GUNG-HO
MOTHERFUCKER
OVER THE BODIES
OF HIS DEAD GRUNTS, HUH, SIR?
(Fox)
YOU FIXING TO GET YOUR ASS
BUSTED AGAIN, NUMB-NUTS?
JUST ASKIN'.
SAVE IT.
(Ramsey)
WHEN YOU CALL FOR ME,
I'LL COME FOR YOU,
NO MATTER WHAT.
I EXPECT YOU TO DO
THE SAME FOR ME.
FAIR ENOUGH?
(men)
YES, SIR.
I'VE NEVER SEEN A CHAPLAIN
HUMPING IN THE BUSH BEFORE.
FATHER...
BRYZYNSKI, SIR.
AREN'T YOU ASSIGNED
TO BATTALION HEADQUARTERS
TO ONLY COME OUT
AS NEEDED?
WELL, I WAS NEEDED.
CASUALTIES WERE SO HEAVY.
(Fox)
CORPORAL, LOAD 'EM UP.
WE'RE MOVIN' OUT.
UNDERSTOOD.
WHAT'S YOUR BLOOD TYPE?
(Ramsey)
"A" POSITIVE,
CORPSMAN.
YEAH, HE'S GOING
TO HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL
RIGHT AFTER THE WAR.
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT,
BUT SOMETHING.
SOON AS HE FINISHES
HIGH SCHOOL.
[all laughing]
THAT'S VERY CUTE.
THANK YOU.
(Tex)
WHERE'D YOU
COME OVER FROM, SIR, HUH?
QUANTICO.
(Tex)
QUANTICO, HUH?
WHAT'D YOU DO THERE, SIR?
INSTRUCTOR.
IN--IN WHAT?
ADVANCED MILITARY TACTICS.
(Eric)
RAY STUDIED ADVANCED
MILITARY TACTICS AT HARLEM.
YEAH, I RAN RECON
FROM 125th STREET TO 109th
EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT.
[all laughing]
(Gunny)
ALL RIGHT, MEN,
HEADS ON A SWIVEL.
THIS IS THE PICKUP POINT.
PREPARE TO DISMOUNT.
I WANT PIGS AT EACH POINT
OF THE COMPASS.
(Jimmy Joe)
OKAY, GUYS, YOU HEARD GUNNY.
MOVE IT; MOVE IT.
[all talking at once]
(man)
GO, GO, GO!
(Gunny)
WHEN WE SPOT THE WOUNDED,
I WANT TWO TO FIRE
AND ONE GETTING A MEDIC.
(man)
COPY, OVER.
[screaming]
(Gunny)
ON THE DOUBLE,
TURN HIM AROUND.
(man)
ECHO IN POSITION!
(Gunny)
WE ARE DEFINITELY
IN INDIAN COUNTRY.
I COULD NOT DESIGN
A BETTER PLACE FOR AN AMBUSH.
WHAT IDIOT IN DA NANG
POINTED TO A MAP
AND DECLARED THIS
A PICKUP POINT, SIR?
(Tom)
SIR, NOTHING BACK
FROM TACAIR OR ARTY FIRE.
(Gunny)
LISTEN UP.
WE GOT FRIENDLIES COMING IN.
DOC.
BRING HIM IN.
CHECK THE PERIMETER.
COME ON.
ANSON, GET TO THE REAR.
(Gunny)
SERGEANT, BRING 'EM IN.
I DON'T WANNA BE HERE
ANY LONGER THAN I HAVE TO.
(man)
I NEED HELP.
GET THE WOUNDED
ON THE VEHICLES.
(Ray)
MOVE!
(Ramsey)
MOVE 'EM!
COME ON!
LET'S GET THE FUCK
OUTTA HERE!
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
MOVE THAT ASS.
MOVE THAT ASS.
COME ON NOW.
GO, GO, GO.
[man speaking Vietnamese]
[explosion rumbling]
REACTION SQUAD, CLEAR
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER.
AND, GUNNY,
GET 'EM OUTTA HERE.
GET THOSE WOUNDED LOADED NOW!
(Gunny)
ABANDON THESE VEHICLES.
EVERYONE, ON FOOT
ACROSS THE RIVER.
CARRY THE WOUNDED.
BRING UP
OUR RESERVE ELEMENT.
MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!
[gunfire]
[explosions rumbling]
(man)
I GOT YOU.
WE GOT YOU.
(Ramsey)
GET THOSE WOUNDED LOADED
ON THE VEHICLES!
JESUS, WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?
THAT'S CORPORAL AUSTIN.
HE'S BEEN GETTING US
ON THE NEWS BACK HOME.
(Ray)
MOVE, MOVE, MOVE.
GET THAT FUCKIN' CAMERA
OUT OF HERE.
LET'S GO; LET'S GO!
COME ON!
(Tex)
LET'S GO, LET'S GO, LET'S GO!
(Ramsey)
THEY ARE RIGHT ON OUR ASS.
(Red)
HOLY SHIT, GRENADE!
[all shouting at once]
JESUS CHRIST.
[grunts]
[explosion rumbles]
(Ray)
GET ON THE TRUCKS NOW!
(Ramsey)
GET THESE VEHICLES MOVING!
[explosions]
[machine gun fire]
TAKE COVER.
GET ME TACAIR.
[engine thrumming]
[man over radio]
Sorry, Captain,
dropped my bombs off,
even my gun bag.
Got nothing left to give you.
(Ramsey)
YOU GOT
A SPARE FUEL POD, RIGHT?
I WANT YOU
TO DROP THAT POD
ON AN N.V.A. TANK
NORTHWEST OF MY GREEN SMOKE.
YOU GOT GREEN SMOKE?
YES, SIR.
Crash of the impact
ain't gonna explode it.
THAT'S MY PROBLEM.
JUST DROP THE FUCKER.
You got it.
PIGS UP.
PREPARE TO FIRE ON MY COMMAND.
SMOKE'S READY, SIR.
COMING IN, SIR.
(Ramsey)
FIRE ON MY COMMAND.
(Ray)
I HEAR IT,
WHERE IT'S COMING FROM.
WE SEE YOU.
(Ramsey)
JUST HOLD IT.
HOLD IT.
NOW, SIR?
(Ramsey)
NO!
HE'S APPROACHING.
HE'S DROPPED THE POD, SIR!
[machine gun fire]
[explosion]
[men cheering]
(Ramsey)
THANKS FOR THE HELP,
SKY RAIDER.
[all cheering]
IT WAS A HELL
OF A BAPTISM, HUH?
LOOKED LIKE WE HAD OURSELVES
AN A.J. SQUARED-AWAY GUY.
(Kathleen)
SO THE CAPTAIN DID OKAY IT
BY YOU THAT DAY?
NO, HE WASN'T JUST OKAY.
HE WAS EXCEPTIONAL.
THAT IS WHY WHAT HAPPENED LATER
WAS SO DEVASTATING.
THAT'S WHY IT CUT SO DEEP.
(Ray)
HEY, LOOK AT THAT.
EVERYBODY GETS A RIDE.
(Kathleen)
WHEN YOU GET THIS MESSAGE,
CAPTAIN,
I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW
ONE THING.
YOU REALLY FUCKED EVERYTHING UP.
COME WITH ME, PLEASE.
WELCOME TO THE NEW VIETNAM.
[applause]
THIS WAY, PLEASE.
(man)
THE PEOPLE OF VIETNAM
WELCOME
THE RETURNING AMERICANS.
[applause]
(man)
FOR LIFE,
FOR PEACE,
FOR THE FUTURE,
WE MUST TRY TO FORGET THE PAST
AND GREET EACH OTHER
WITH OPEN ARMS.
[applause]
YOUR RANKING SOLDIER,
PLEASE COME.
[applause]
(Ray)
UM--
[footsteps approaching]
CAPTAIN RAMSEY,
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS,
RETIRED.
OH, CAPTAIN NGUYEN BENDONG,
PEOPLE'S VIETNAMESE ARMY,
RETIRED.
I JUST WANT ONE THING:
PEACE.
WAR DESTROYS EVERYTHING.
[applause]
LOOKING FOR
A PHOTO OP, HUH?
WELL, IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN
IN FRONT OF THAT GODDAMN CAMERA,
NO FUCKING WAY.
FUCK THAT.
YOUR CALL, GUYS.
I DIDN'T COME HERE TO BEG.
NICE TO MEET YOU.
[applause]
COME ON.
LET'S GET UP.
I WANT A CLOSE-UP.
BACK OFF.
HI.
I'M KATHLEEN MARTIN.
IT'S AN HONOR
TO FINALLY MEET YOU.
THANKS.
[bluesy music]
[dance music]
[laughing]
DON'T WORRY, HONEY.
I THINK YOU LOOK GREAT.
REALLY?
YEAH.
ECHO COMPANY.
AT LAST WE MEET IN THE FLESH.
BRAD.
[together]
BRAD, HEY!
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT.
IT'S GREAT TO MEET YOU,
DOCTOR.
JIMMY JOE.
LOOK HE'S GOT
HIS DADDY'S EYES.
[all talking at once]
EXCUSE ME.
WHO ARE YOU?
I'M BRAD JORDAN,
SON OF PETE JORDAN.
DOC JORDAN,
THE CORPSMAN
WHO'S STILL M.I.A.
YOU FLEW ALL THE WAY HERE
TO MEET US?
I'VE BEEN IN SAIGON
FOR TWO YEARS NOW
PUTTING DEALS TOGETHER.
(Tex)
OOH, MONEY BAGS, MAYBE I CAN
HIT HIM UP FOR A LOAN.
I'M GLAD YOU MADE IT, SIR.
WELCOME ABOARD, BRAD.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
BRAD, COME ON.
JOIN US.
NO, NO, NO.
BRADLEY, HEY.
YOU GUYS,
IF I COULD JUST HAVE
EVERYBODY'S ATTENTION
FOR A MINUTE.
I THINK THERE'S SOMETHING
WE SHOULD DISCUSS
(Tex)
WHAT'S THAT?
I'VE BEEN LOOKING
AT THE OLD FOOTAGE.
SOMEHOW,
WE HAVE GOT TO FIND OUT
WHAT HAPPENED AT THE VILLAGE.
(Jimmy Joe)
SOME BRAVE MARINES GOT KILLED.
OTHERS GOT LIMBS
CRACKED OPEN.
THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.
I THOUGHT WE WERE HERE
TO HEAL OLD WOUNDS,
NOT RIP THEM OPEN AGAIN.
(Kathleen)
THE RESULTS
OF THE COURT-MARTIAL
WERE INCONCLUSIVE, CAPTAIN.
THAT'S WHY I THINK
THERE'S ONLY ONE THING TO DO.
WHAT'S THAT?
WHAT?
STAGE A REENACTMENT.
WHATEVER HAPPENED,
WHOEVER DID WHAT TO WHO,
IT IS OVER.
(Jimmy Joe)
NO.
UH-UH, NO,
IT'S NOT.
NOT BY A FUCKIN' LONG SHOT.
(Jimmy Joe)
LET'S GET IT DONE,
KATHLEEN.
YEAH.
(Ray)
LET'S DO IT.
SUIT YOURSELF.
(Jimmy Joe)
SEE?
LOOK AT THAT.
KEEP RUNNIN'.
KEEP GOING.
(Tex)
THAT'S IT,
ALL RIGHT?
THE TRUTH, YOU CAN JUST TELL
OUR SIDE OF IT NOW.
THAT'S ALL YOU NEED
IS THE TRUTH.
THE TRUTH, JUST CLEAR THE RECORD
FOR US, KATHLEEN, ALL RIGHT?
PLEASE?
ALL RIGHT,
WITH OR WITHOUT HIM,
WE GO.
YES!
TO THE VILLAGE!
(Brad)
LET ME INTRO YOU
TO THE NIGHTLIFE
IN THE NEW VIETNAM.
FREE TOUR OF THE NEW
AND IMPROVED BEER STREET.
(all)
ALL RIGHT.
YOU'RE COMING WITH US.
DON'T GET IN
TOO MUCH TROUBLE, BOYS.
(Tex)
SEE YOU NICE AND EARLY
AT 8:00 A.M. THERE, FREDDY.
(man)
WELL, COME ON ALL OF YOU
BIG STRONG MEN,
UNCLE SAM NEEDS
YOUR HELP AGAIN.
HE'S GOT HIMSELF
IN A TERRIBLE JAM
WAY DOWN YONDER
IN VIETNAM
SO PUT DOWN YOUR BOOKS
AND PICK UP A GUN.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE
A WHOLE LOTTA FUN.
AND IT'S ONE, TWO, THREE,
WHAT ARE WE FIGHTING FOR?
DON'T ASK ME.
I DON'T GIVE A DAMN.
NEXT STOP IS VIETNAM.
AND IT'S FIVE, SIX, SEVEN,
OPEN UP THE PEARLY GATES.
WELL, THERE AIN'T NO TIME
TO WONDER WHY.
WHOOPEE!
WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE.
(Fred)
COME ON,
LET'S DO SOMETHING FUN.
LET'S PLAY.
NO MORE WORK.
DARLIN', I CAN'T.
I COMMITTED TONIGHT.
COME ON.
WITHOUT RAMSEY
AT THE VILLAGE--
WE NEED HIM.
YEAH, WE NEED HIM.
I GOT BIG HOLES
IN THE REENACTMENT.
THIS WHOLE THING
HINGES ON HIM.
Zero, niner, one, zero,
repeat.
What?
Zero, niner, one, zero,
repeat.
Zero, niner, one, zero!
ALL RIGHT?
GOOD NIGHT.
[explosion]
[groans]
[slow guitar music]
THERE'S SOMETHING
HAPPENING HERE.
WHAT IT IS
AIN'T EXACTLY CLEAR.
THERE'S A MAN
WITH A GUN OVER THERE
TELLING ME I GOT TO BEWARE.
I THINK IT'S TIME
WE STOP, CHILDREN.
WHAT'S THAT SOUND?
EVERYBODY LOOK
WHAT'S GOING DOWN.
THERE'S BATTLE LINES
BEING DRAWN.
NOBODY'S RIGHT
IF EVERYBODY'S WRONG.
YOUNG PEOPLE
SPEAKING THEIR MINDS
GETTING SO MUCH RESISTANCE
FROM BEHIND.
IT'S TIME WE STOP.
HEY, WHAT'S THAT SOUND?
EVERYBODY LOOK
WHAT'S GOING DOWN.
WHAT A FIELD DAY
FOR THE HEAT.
A THOUSAND PEOPLE
IN THE STREET
(man)
HEY, GOOD MORNING,
CAPTAIN.
DO WE KNOW EACH OTHER?
OH, NOT YET.
SO HOW'D YOU KNOW
I WAS A CAPTAIN?
ONCE A CAPTAIN,
ALWAYS A CAPTAIN.
YOU NEED RIDE?
YEAH, SURE.
OKAY.
HERE YOU GO.
WHOO.
[bells ringing]
(Kathleen)
WELL, FANCY MEETING YOU HERE.
LOOK, I REALLY JUST WANTED US
TO HAVE A CHANCE TO TALK.
SAVE IT.
THE ANSWER'S NO.
WELL, DO YOU MIND
IF I JUST TAG ALONG?
DO I HAVE A CHOICE?
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS,
DARLIN'.
THANKS.
(man)
IT WAS A GREAT HONOR.
HERE.
THANK YOU.
LINE OF DUTY,
CAPTAIN.
GOT YOUR PHONE MESSAGE.
I'M SORRY.
I APOLOGIZE.
OBVIOUSLY, I WAS WRONG.
JUST TELL THE TRUTH.
IT'S ALL I WANT.
IT'S WHAT I WANT TOO.
COME ON.
LET'S COLLECT THE TROOPS.
(Bendong)
ONE OF MANY COMPLEXES
CONNECTED BY TUNNELS
THREE OR FOUR MILES LONG.
GENTLEMEN,
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE
WHERE WE SPENT
MOST OF OUR LIVES?
PLEASE, EXCUSE MY GLASSES,
CAPTAIN.
I SPENT MANY YEARS
IN THESE TUNNELS.
THE LACK OF LIGHT
AFFECTS ME TO THIS DAY.
I HAD ONLY THREE SURVIVORS HERE.
AND I COMMANDED A BATTALION.
AH.
ONE OF MY THREE SURVIVORS.
LIEUTENANT TESAI.
[speaking Vietnamese]
I KNOW YOU.
(Chicago)
AW, SHIT.
FUCK THAT, MAN.
FUCK THAT.
I AIN'T GETTING
MY BLACK ASS WASTED
FOR NO HONKY MOTHERFUCKERS.
[grunts]
THIS IS THE BUSH,
BITCH,
AND IN THE BUSH,
YOU AIN'T WHITE, BLACK,
OR NOTHIN',
JUST GREEN, BABY.
YOU GOT THAT?
YES, SERGEANT.
GET UP, CHICAGO.
I'LL TAKE POINT.
DRINKS FOR THE POOR.
KOOL-AID.
HEY, THANKS, PADRE.
HEY, FATHER,
CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION?
SURE.
WERE YOU DRAFTED?
THEY DON'T DRAFT PRIESTS.
WELL, WHAT THE FUCK
ARE YOU DOIN'--
SORRY.
ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT.
[explosion rumbling]
POINT.
(Gunny)
REACTION SQUAD,
ON ME.
HOLD UP.
GODDAMN IT.
(Gunny)
CORPORAL COLTER,
TAKE TWO MEN.
SET UP YOUR 60
20 METERS TO MY FRONT.
RED, ERIC, COME WITH ME.
GOT IT.
ROGER.
COME ON, MOVE IT, RED.
ERIC, LET'S GO.
WHAT HAPPENED HERE?
CHICAGO?
(Chicago)
TRIPPED A BOOBY TRAP, SIR.
THINK IT WAS A SHELL
OR SOMETHING.
FIRES CAME OUT
OF BOTH SIDES, CAPTAIN.
YOU'LL BE OKAY.
WHERE'S RAY?
I DON'T KNOW, CAPTAIN.
(Jimmy Joe)
SKIPPER!
SKIPPER.
OVER HERE.
(Ramsey)
WHAT DO YOU GOT?
THAT'S RAY'S HELMET, SIR.
THEY GOT HIM.
SHIT!
Shit.
WAY TO GO, SKIPPER.
Careful,
careful.
I NEED VOLUNTEERS.
SIR, THEY GOT RAY,
AND THERE AIN'T A DAMN THING
WE CAN DO ABOUT IT NOW.
MY MEN WOULDN'T LEAVE ME.
IT'S MY MAN,
MY RESPONSIBILITY.
THEY GOT HIM.
IF I GOTTA CRAWL DOWN TO HELL
TO GET HIM, THEN SO BE IT.
BETTER GET STARTED.
SIR, I COULD TAKE
A BULLET FOR YOU,
BUT I COULD NOT
TAKE THAT, NO, SIR.
SPACE THAT TIGHT,
I WILL LOSE IT,
GET US BOTH WASTED.
(Doc)
NO, I'LL GO.
I'LL GO.
I MEAN, SHIT,
RAY'S GOTTA BE HURT,
AND IN TIGHT SPOTS,
I CAN HANDLE HIM.
I MEAN, MY MOM
USED TO LOCK ME IN THE CLOSET
I W--I WAS SORT OF A WILD KID,
YOU KNOW?
YOU, DOC?
I CAN HANDLE IT, MAN.
(Ramsey)
ALL RIGHT, MAN.
GET YOUR SHIRT OFF.
GET ALL YOUR GEAR DOWN.
YOU WANT TO STRIP DOWN
TO NECESSITIES.
(Tex)
GO GET HIM, DOC.
MAKE YOUR MOM PROUD, DOC.
GOOD LUCK.
GO GET RAY.
BRING HIM HOME.
(Ramsey)
SEMPER FI.
(Red)
WATCH YOUR BACK.
GOOD LUCK.
(Tex)
GIVE 'EM HELL.
LET'S DO IT.
MAKE TEXAS PROUD, DOC.
(Eric)
YOU'RE NOT
A KID ANYMORE, DOC.
GET IN THERE,
YOU SKINNY MOTHERFUCKER.
GO GET HIM, DOC.
WE GOT YOUR BACK, OKAY?
(Fox)
DOC, DON'T COME BACK
WITHOUT MY SKIPPER.
GO GET RAY.
(Fox)
ALL RIGHT, STAY FROSTY.
ALL THESE TUNNELS LINK UP.
(Jimmy Joe)
BE CAREFUL, DOC.
HEY, YOU SEE ANYTHING?
[machine gun fire]
[gunshots]
AHHH!
[gunshots]
[grunts]
[screaming]
[explosion]
WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?
SHIT.
HOLY SHIT.
[explosions rumbling]
SHIT.
JIMMY JOE,
JIMMY JOE.
YES, SIR.
TAKE YOUR SQUAD.
FIND THOSE MORTARS.
CORPORAL, YOU BUCKIN'
FOR AN EMMY OR PURPLE HEART?
COME WITH ME.
GOTTA DO THIS.
JIMMY, I GOT YOUR COVER.
JIM! FUCK!
FUCK!
MOVE!
FUCK!
MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!
[explosion]
GODDAMN
MOTHERFUCKERS.
YOU ALL RIGHT?
YOU OKAY?
FUCK.
THERE'S A SNIPER.
[speaking Vietnamese]
HEY, WHOOP 'EM, TEX.
(Tex)
ALL RIGHT.
(Red)
ALL RIGHT, TEX.
OH, OKAY.
TEX!
THEY'RE EVERYWHERE, MAN!
YOU OKAY?
YEAH.
YOU COME UP.
COME ON.
RIGHT BEHIND YOU, TEX.
[screaming]
STAND RIGHT BESIDE
THE PALM TREE.
2 O'CLOCK.
2 O'CLOCK.
(Tex)
BY THE PALM TREE
AT 2 O'CLOCK?
YEAH, YOU SCARED?
YEAH.
YEAH.
SCARED?
MOTHERFUCKER.
LET'S GO.
COME ON, OKAY?
OKAY, 2 O'CLOCK.
OKAY, ON THREE, OKAY?
ONE, TWO...
(both)
THREE!
[machine gun fire]
[screaming]
[men speaking indistinctly]
[gunshot]
FIRE, DOC.
FIRE!
[gunshots]
THERE'S MORE AND MORE.
[all yelling at once]
[man and woman
speaking Vietnamese]
[gunshots]
TAKE IT EASY.
[speaking Vietnamese]
(man)
DON'T SHOOT.
DI DI MAU.
DI DI MAU.
ERIC, 3 O'CLOCK.
[screams]
JIMMY JOE!
NO!
[explosion]
Clear.
COME ON, DOC.
GUNNY, WE GOT NOISE.
(Ray)
HOLD YOUR FIRE,
YOU JIVE-ASS, TACO-BENDING,
PORK-FUCKING PECKERWOODS!
CHARLIE CAN'T FAKE IT THAT GOOD.
GOTTA BE A MARINE.
MARINE!
MARINE, SOUND OFF!
CAPTAIN RAMSEY.
SERGEANT SHEPARD.
COME.
HOLD YOUR FIRE.
STAND-DOWN.
STAND-DOWN.
WHOA, WHOA, WHOA.
Hey, Eric.
Eric.
WHAT?
EASY, EASY.
COME ON, MAN.
WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DO--
WHAT THE FUCK?
I THOUGHT YOU
WERE DEAD, MAN.
I THOUGHT YOU WERE
A FUCKING GHOST.
GET DOWN.
JESUS.
KEEP MOVING.
GO, GO, GO!
(Ray)
CAN WE PULL BACK TO THE RIVER?
[explosions]
[speaking Vietnamese]
WATCH IT!
SPIDER HOLE.
GO!
(Jimmy Joe)
JESUS CHRIST,
WHAT HAVE WE DONE?
OH, MY GOD.
THEY'RE JUST GIRLS.
OH, MY GOD.
JESUS.
OH, SHIT.
THEY'RE ALL WOMEN, MAN.
THEY'RE ALL FUCKIN' WOMEN.
(Jimmy Joe)
USUALLY JUST GUYS.
I MEAN, THESE GUYS
ARE USUALLY GUYS.
THEY'RE NOT USUALLY LIKE THIS.
THEY'RE NOT USUALLY GIRLS.
(Tex)
THIS IS FUCKIN' WRONG.
THERE'S ONE ALIVE
DOWN THERE.
(Jimmy Joe)
ERIC, GO CHECK HER OUT.
(Tex)
COME ON.
COME ON.
OH, MAN.
(Eric)
IT'S OKAY.
IT'S OKAY.
WE'RE NOT GONNA HURT YOU.
WE'RE GONNA TAKE CARE
OF YOU.
(Tex)
FUCKIN' WRONG,
THIS AIN'T RIGHT.
IT'S NOT FUCKIN' RIGHT, MAN.
THEY'RE KIDS.
(Eric)
SHE'S JUST
A LITTLE GIRL.
FUCK!
YOU FUCKIN' CHERRIES
SCRAPE YOUR DICK GETTIN' SOME?
WE'RE NOT HERE
TO BUTCHER CHILDREN!
SHUT THE FUCK UP!
THEY'RE JUST GIRLS, SARGE.
SHUT THE FUCK UP.
SHUT THE FUCK UP.
YOU STILL TALKIN'?
JU--THEY'RE FUCKING GIRLS.
THEIR MOTHERS PUT THEM HERE.
THEIR FATHERS PUT THEM HERE.
FUCK 'EM.
YOU BELIEVE
THESE FUCKIN' PUSSIES?
THIS IS THE FUCKIN' FACE
OF THE ENEMY!
CORPORAL COLTER,
GET THESE FUCKIN' PUSSIES,
AND YOU TAKE 'EM TO BAG
THEIR FUCKIN' BROTHERS,
SIX OF 'EM LAYING DOWN
OVER THERE!
GET YOUR ASS OUT
OF THAT FUCKIN' HOLE.
WHAT ABOUT THESE GIRLS, SARGE?
ARE YOU STILL HERE,
CORPORAL COLTER?
ERIC,
RED, TEX,
LET'S GO.
(Ray)
SAVE YOUR FUCKIN' TEARS
FOR YOUR--
I AIN'T NO FUCKIN' PUSSY,
SARGE.
SAVE YOUR TEARS FOR
YOUR FUCKIN' SLEEP, CORPORAL.
YOU STILL STANDING HERE?
GET YOUR ASS OVER THERE
AND GO LOOK AT YOUR BROTHER.
CRY FOR HIM,
GODDAMN IT.
THEY WERE JUST KIDS, SARGE.
I JUST LOST FOUR OF MINE,
GODDAMN IT.
NOW, YOU TAKE AND PUT 'EM
IN FUCKIN' BODY BAGS.
FUCKIN' BOYS,
FUCKIN' PUSSIES.
GET THE FUCK OUTTA HERE.
ARE YOU STILL
FUCKIN' HERE?
THAT'S THE FUCKIN' FACE
OF THE ENEMY.
YOU UNDERSTAND?
ARE YOU CONFUSED ABOUT IT?
[women sobbing]
[whimpering]
It's all right.
It's okay.
YOU SPARE ME,
PATCH ME HERE,
HERE.
THANK YOU.
[crying]
THE WAR HIDES MANY COLORS.
ONE COLOR WAS HONOR,
A COLOR OFTEN OBSCURED,
BUT NOT HERE
ON THAT DAY.
WE SALUTE YOU.
I salute you, sir.
JUST WISH I'D KNOWN HIM.
YOU KIND OF BRING HIM ALIVE.
THANKS, CAPTAIN.
OKAY, I'M ON BOARD.
THE VILLAGE.
[Ramsey over TV]
Mutiny!
Get your asses back in line.
It's mutiny!
Mutiny!
Stand-down!
Get back here, marines!
HELLO.
[speaking Vietnamese]
[bottle shattering]
[all sobbing]
(Red)
ALL RIGHT, BOYS,
LET'S GO.
HEY, WHERE'S BRAD?
WHERE IS HE?
(Tex)
HE SAID HE
WAS GONNA BE HERE.
(Tex)
HEY, MAYBE HE'S GETTIN' HIMSELF
SOME OF THAT FINE ASIAN HONEY.
THAT COULD BE.
THERE'S SO MANY DAYS
THAT I JUST FELT THIS WAR
WAS A CONTEST
OF BEASTLINESS.
WHAT WAS THE WORST THING
YOU SAW?
ONE OF THE UGLIER THINGS WAS
ORDERED BY A BATTALION COMMANDER
AFTER A FIREFIGHT
WITH THE VIETCONG TROOPS
NEAR THIS VILLAGE,
A VILLAGE
THIS LIEUTENANT COLONEL
FOUND GUILTY OF AIDING THE V.C.
WITHOUT A SHRED
OF GODDAMN PROOF.
(Jimmy Joe)
HELO COMIN' IN
AT 6 O'CLOCK.
(Ray)
KEEP YOUR DAMN EYES FORWARD.
(Jimmy Joe)
WHAT THE FUCK THEY GOT
IN THERE?
BUNCH OF DEAD FUCKING' GOOKS.
(Ray)
WATCH YOUR AMMO
UP THERE.
GOD IS DEAD,
ISN'T SHE?
[helicopter blades whirring]
HEY, CAPTAIN, WHAT THE FUCK
ARE THEY DOIN'?
[people screaming]
THE SON OF A BITCH DROPPED
40 DEAD V.C. BODIES
ON THE VILLAGE.
THE BODIES BECAME BOMBS.
BOMBS KILL.
(Doc)
I NEED FIELD DRESSINGS.
THIS WOMAN'S DEAD.
GET THIS WOMAN OUTTA HERE.
[woman screaming]
I FILED CHARGES
WITH HIGH COMMAND.
THEY DROPPED THEM.
COLONEL HAD TIES
TO THE GRANDMASTER
OF DESTRUCTION HIMSELF,
L.B. FUCKIN' J.
(Brad)
RAY, WAIT UP.
FORGIVE US
FOR OUR SINS?
RAY,
YOU'RE A DIFFERENT MAN NOW.
I CAME TO VIETNAM
FOR REDEMPTION.
BUT I'M NOT WORTHY OF IT.
HEY, RAY,
THAT'S NOT TRUE.
RAY!
COME ON.
(Jimmy Joe)
HOLY SHIT,
WHOEVER THOUGHT WE'D BE
COMING BACK HERE TO GO FISHING?
THIS BEACH IS HALLOWED GROUND,
FREDDY, HALLOWED GROUND.
HALLOWED GROUND.
FREDDY, DID YOU HEAR?
(Tex)
OUR ASSES WERE
IN A SLING HERE, BOY.
THIS IS IT.
(Jimmy Joe)
IT'S BEEN A LONG
MOTHERFUCKIN' TIME.
WHOO!
YEAH, BABY.
AT LAST,
I CAN GODDAMN BREATHE, SHIT.
WHAT A HORROR SHOW.
MOVE, MOVE!
GET YOUR ASS GOIN'!
[explosions]
[yelling]
[screams]
I'M HIT!
I'M HIT!
[machine gun fire]
I GOT YOU, BUDDY.
HANG ON.
IT'S ALL RIGHT!
HANG ON, BUDDY!
I DON'T WANT TO DIE!
I DON'T WANT
TO DIE!
WHAT DO I FUCKIN' DO, DOC?
[screaming]
KEEP HIM STILL.
IT'S ALL RIGHT, BUDDY.
HANG ON.
[helicopter blades whirring]
TELL ME
ABOUT THE DIARY, CAPTAIN.
BOXED IT UP
IN MY WAR GEAR.
WHOSE WAS IT?
AN N.V.A. CAPTAIN,
A POLITICAL OFFICER
IN CHARGE OF MORALE,
BUT THIS IS FILLED WITH POETRY,
NOT PROPAGANDA.
SOME TO HIS WIFE,
SOME TO HIS TROOPS.
OH, BEAUTIFUL.
LOOK AT THOSE FISH PONDS.
THOSE FISH PONDS
ARE CRATERS
FROM 500-POUND BOMBS
DROPPED FROM B-52s.
AFTER ALL THESE YEARS?
GOD.
THE B-52 WAS
THE MOST FEARED WEAPON.
THE N.V.A. NEVER SAW
OR HEARD THEM
UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE.
[mimicking bird whistle]
ARC LIGHT MISSIONS,
WE CALLED THEM.
BOMBS WERE SO HUGE,
SO TIGHTLY CLUSTERED,
THEY'D CREATE
AN ELECTRICAL STORM.
TURNED DAY INTO NIGHT
AND NIGHT INTO DAY.
THE CONCUSSION CRUSHED ORGANS,
STOPPED HEARTS,
LEFT NO OXYGEN IN THE AIR
TO BREATHE--
NONE.
THEY SMOTHERED.
WHEN I FOUND OUT
HIS WIFE WAS STILL ALIVE,
I THOUGHT THIS MIGHT GIVE HER
SOME COMFORT
TO KNOW THAT SHE WAS ALWAYS
IN HER HUSBAND'S THOUGHTS,
EVEN THOUGH,
ACCORDING TO THIS,
THEY'D BEEN SEPARATED
FOR FIVE YEARS.
MAYBE IT'LL GIVE ME
PEACE TOO.
[crying]
[speaking Vietnamese]
SHE THANKS YOU
FOR THIS GREAT GIFT, CAPTAIN.
SHE HAD ALWAYS HOPED
THAT HER HUSBAND
KEPT HER MEMORY
CLOSE TO HIS HEART.
NOW SHE KNOWS
SHE WAS NOT FORGOTTEN.
THIS SEEMS SO IRONIC
TO HER.
HIS LAST LETTER SPOKE
OF HOW HE WAS WOUNDED
AND HAD TO SPEND
FIVE WEEKS
IN AN UNDERGROUND HOSPITAL
TO RECOVER.
ABOVE THE GROUND,
IT WAS
TOO HEAVILY PATROLLED
BY AMERICAN SOLDIERS.
SHE SAYS HE LONGED
TO SEE THE SUN AGAIN.
AND NOW WE TELL HER
HE DIED IN A FLASH OF LIGHT.
SHE SAYS HIS NEXT LIFE
WILL BE VERY FINE INDEED.
SHE SEES
THAT YOU DOUBT THIS,
BUT THEY ARE BUDDHISTS.
THAT'S WHAT THEY BELIEVE.
THAT'S HOW THEY PREVAILED.
THEY COULD ENDURE ANYTHING.
IF THE AMERICANS BLEW UP
A BRIDGE,
THEY TORE DOWN THEIR HOMES
AND USED THE TIMBER
TO REBUILD THAT BRIDGE.
NO SACRIFICE WAS TOO GREAT,
NOT EVEN HERS.
[Eric speaking Vietnamese]
I TOLD HER
HOW I WAS STRUCK
BY THE BEAUTY
OF HER HUSBAND'S POETRY.
HE INSPIRED HIS MEN
TO FIGHT FOR LOVE OF COUNTRY,
LOVE OF FAMILY,
ALWAYS FOR LOVE.
WHEREAS FOR US, HATE,
HATE FOR THE ENEMY
WAS WHAT MADE US FIGHT.
IT STARTED IN BOOT CAMP.
D.I.s TAUGHT US TO HATE JODY.
JODY WAS ANY GUY
WHO DIDN'T ENLIST,
SOME PUSSY
WHO STAYED HOME
AND STOLE THE GIRLS
OF THE REAL MEN,
THE MARINES.
ONCE WE GOT TO 'NAM,
JODY BECAME CHARLIE.
HATE CARRIED RIGHT ON OVER
TO THE NEW ENEMY: HER.
THE GOOK.
[speaking Vietnamese]
SHE SAYS SHE GREW OLD
WAITING FOR HER HUSBAND.
THEY HAD NO CHILDREN.
NOW SHE'S TOO OLD
TO REMARRY.
BESIDES, WHO COULD LOVE A FACE
AS SCARRED AS HERS?
[Eric speaking Vietnamese]
IT'S OUR WHITE PHOSPHORUS.
JESUS.
[speaking Vietnamese]
COME ON, SHE SAYS.
SHE HAS SOMETHING TO SHOW US.
[speaking Vietnamese]
I HAVE NOTHING TO GIVE YOU,
BUT I WILL SING YOU A SONG
TO BLESS YOU
AND YOUR SWEETHEART.
[laughs]
TO A SOLDIER
WHO'S LOST HIS WAY.
[woman singing in Vietnamese]
WELL, THIS IS IT,
CAPTAIN,
YOUR VILLAGE.
NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED
SINCE THAT DAY, HAS IT?
CAPTAIN, JUST A COUPLE
OF QUESTIONS,
SINCE TOMORROW'S HUE CITY.
AT THE COURT-MARTIAL,
ERIC'S TESTIMONY WAS THAT
YOUR MENTAL STATE
AT THE VILLAGE
WAS SOMETHING LESS
THAN STABLE.
ANY COMMENT?
IN HIS STATEMENT,
ERIC MADE REFERENCES
TO WHAT HAPPENED AT HUE
AS SOMEHOW BREAKING
THE BONDS
BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR MEN.
CAN YOU FILL IN THE BLANKS
SO THAT I'M PREPPED
FOR HUE CITY?
CAPTAIN,
IT'S MY JOB
TO ASK QUESTIONS,
MY DUTY.
I'M SORRY.
I HOPE YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THAT.
[helicopter blades whirring]
[explosions and gunfire]
YEAH.
DUTY'S THE NAME
OF THE GAME.
(Jimmy Joe)
HOW COME YOU DON'T EVEN WANT
TO GO BACK THERE TO HUE?
SHIT, I CAN'T FUCKING WAIT.
(Red)
HUE CITY.
FUCK ME, MAN.
I'VE BEEN LIVING IN HELL
EVER SINCE.
HEY, FREDDY, FREDDY.
SIT DOWN, MAN.
TURN THAT OFF.
COME ON, MAN,
SIT DOWN.
JOIN US FOR A BEER.
SIT DOWN.
DRINK BEER.
KATHLEEN'S GONE.
TOMORROW'S A BIG DAY.
YOU OKAY?
I'M OKAY.
GOOD NIGHT.
(Kathleen)
GOOD NIGHT.
(Ramsey)
GOOD NIGHT.
THANKS.
ALONE AT LAST.
MAN OF GOD.
WHAT A FRAUD.
I MEAN, WHO AM I
TO PREACH TO ANYBODY
ABOUT ANYTHING?
I KILLED,
I MAIMED GOD KNOWS HOW MANY
OF THESE PEOPLE.
I WISH TO HELL
I'D NEVER SEEN
THIS GODDAMN
FUCKING COUNTRY.
(Jimmy Joe)
AMEN, TEX.
FUCKIN' AMEN.
FUCK IT.
(Red)
WHAT?
GO AHEAD.
FREDDY, YOU GOT SOMETHING
TO SAY?
YOU GUYS
ARE HEROES, MAN.
I THINK NOT.
NO, YOU'RE
HEROES, MAN.
WHATEVER HAPPENED
BACK THEN,
WHAT YOU DID,
WHAT YOU DIDN'T DO,
GOOD, BAD,
FUCK IT.
YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY,
JIMMY JOE?
BECAUSE IT TAKES GUTS;
YOU GOTTA WANT IT.
YOU GOTTA WANT IT,
JIMMY JOE.
YOU WEREN'T THERE.
YOU GOTTA LET IT GO.
YOU HAVE THE GUTS,
JIMMY JOE?
YOU WEREN'T THERE, FRIEND,
SO YOU DON'T KNOW SHIT
ABOUT SHIT!
THERE AIN'T ONE GODDAMN DAY
THAT GOES BY
THAT THE 'NAM
AIN'T ALIVE AND WELL
AND FUCKING WITH ME IN HERE,
NOT ONE.
SO MANY BOYS DIED
FOLLOWING MY ORDERS,
AND FOR WHAT?
BIG BLACK WONG V.C.?
THAT'S IT.
THAT'S ALL THE RECALL
I CAN STOMACH
FOR ONE NIGHT.
YOU WANT TO WALK IT OFF?
HOW ABOUT A DRINK?
HOW ABOUT A RUN?
[Ramsey panting]
YOU STILL WANT
THAT DRINK?
TODAY WE'RE HEADING
TO HUE CITY,
SCENE OF SOME
OF THE BLOODIEST FIGHTING
OF THE VIETNAM WAR.
THE MARINES WERE UP AGAINST
A HEAVILY ARMED
AND WELL DUG-IN FORCE
OF N.V.A. REGULARS.
[whispering]
Move.
Go on.
I, UM,
I HAD THE WILDEST DREAM
LAST NIGHT.
SAME HERE.
(Eric)
THIS IS HUE...
THE IMPERIAL CITY
BUILT IN 1804.
HUE WAS THE CAPITAL OF VIETNAM
FOR 140 YEARS.
IT WAS THE SEAT
OF THE LAST KINGS
OF THE NGUYEN DYNASTY,
THE CITY WHERE HO CHI MINH
HIMSELF WAS RAISED.
I MEAN, BESIDES HIS 30 YEARS
SELF-EDUCATION
IN PARIS, LONDON, MOSCOW,
CANTON, SIAM,
AND, HEY, HARLEM.
WHAT'D HE DO,
PLAY WITH THE GLOBETROTTERS?
(Eric)
HUE WAS THE CITY
WHERE EAST MET WEST.
IT WAS TOTALLY UNTOUCHED
BY THE WAR.
UNTIL TET.
TET, WASN'T THAT A PARTY?
LIKE CHRISTMAS, FOURTH OF JULY,
AND NEW YEAR'S
THIS WHOLE COUNTRY
JUST WENT INTO PARTY MODE,
AND EVERYONE HERE
JUST WENT APE-SHIT.
[all cheering]
RUSSIA WAS LEANING HEAVILY
ON THE NORTH
FOR A NEGOTIATED END
TO THE WAR.
THE SOUTH VIETNAMESE
COMMUNIST PARTY
WAS IN PRE-NEGOTIATION
PEACE TALKS WITH US.
THE WRITING WAS ON THE WALL.
THE NORTH HAD TO DO SOMETHING.
HENCE RESOLUTION 13,
THE GENERAL OFFENSIVE:
ATTACK EVERY MAJOR CITY
AND EVERY POLITICAL CENTER
AT ONCE,
SCORE A DECISIVE,
NATIONWIDE MILITARY VICTORY.
HUE WAS THE JEWEL
IN THE CROWN OF THAT
TET OFFENSIVE.
LET'S FORGET ABOUT IT
FOR A--SHIT.
(Kathleen)
SHUT IT OFF, FRED.
SO, CAPTAIN,
WHAT HAPPENED HERE?
5,000 CRACK N.V.A.s
SLAMMED INTO HUE CITY,
NIGHT OF JANUARY THE 30th,
SEIZED EVERYTHING,
DUG IN,
AND WAITED FOR US.
[gunfire]
GET GUNNY ON THE HORN.
THERE'S A LOT
OF STATIC, SKIP.
FUCK, WHERE'S GUNNY
WITH THE RECOILLESS?
(Jimmy Joe)
CAPTAIN, WE CAN'T
SIT HERE FOREVER.
(Ramsey)
GET ME GUNNY.
(Tex)
SON OF A BITCH.
SHIT!
(Ramsey)
FIND HIM, AND FIND HIM NOW!
(Tex)
GODDAMN STATIC
ON THE--
(Red)
FUCK,
THEY'RE EVERYWHERE!
(Jimmy Joe)
FUCK YOU, GOOKS!
(Ramsey)
I'M TYING DOWN 51.
(Jimmy Joe)
CAPTAIN, LET ME TAKE SOME GUYS,
HELP FIND GUNNY!
(Ramsey)
NOBODY'S MOVING UNLESS
IT'S ON MY COMMAND, CORPORAL.
(Ray)
HOLD TIGHT, GODDAMN IT.
(Tex)
GET IN RANGE, CAPTAIN.
SKIPPER,
GUNNY'S ON THE HORN.
[explosions]
GUNNY, THIS IS SIX.
(Gunny)
CAP, I LOCATED
A RECOILLESS RIFLE,
BUT I'M TAKING HEAVY FIRE.
I'M GONNA NEED SOME HELP
TO GET UP TO YOU--OVER.
(Ramsey)
GUNNY,
YOUR LOCATION--
OVER.
I'M ALONG THE WEST WALL
OF THE CITADEL--OVER.
FIVE, THIS IS SIX.
UNDERSTOOD.
HANG IN THERE, GUNNY.
SENDING SUPPORT YOUR WAY.
SIX OUT.
REACTION SQUAD,
SERGEANT SHEPARD.
YES, SIR.
GUNNY'S UNDER HEAVY FIRE
AT THE WEST WALL.
GET HIM THE HELL
OUT OF THERE,
AND GET ME THAT RECOILLESS.
ALL RIGHT,
LET'S GO, COME ON.
LET'S GO.
(Tex)
YEE-HAW, BOYS, LET'S GO!
GET DOWN!
[all shouting]
[screaming]
WE'RE COMING, GUNNY!
[explosion]
HELP!
HELP!
LET'S TAKE 'EM!
GET THESE FUCKERS!
RUN, JOHNNY, RUN!
MOTHERFUCKING GOOKS!
(Ray)
ROLL, YOU BITCHES!
GRENADE!
GET DOWN.
OH, SHIT!
FUCK!
GO, CHECK HIM OUT,
ERIC.
(Eric)
YOU'RE HALFWAY TO HAWAII,
GUNNY!
(Ray)
GET HIM UP.
LET'S GO.
GUNNY!
IS HE ALL RIGHT?
LET'S GO!
GUNNY, YOU ALL RIGHT?
LET'S GET THAT RECOILLESS
TO THE CAPTAIN.
(Ray)
LOAD HIM UP.
LET'S GO.
ALL RIGHT, RAY-RAY,
TAKE THE RIGHT!
FLIP 'EM, TEX.
RED, KEEP YOUR EYES UP!
11 O'CLOCK, SARGE.
11 O'CLOCK.
(Red)
WE GOT TWO ROUNDS,
SO MAKE 'EM COUNT.
(Ray)
JIMMY JOE,
KEEP THAT PIG WORKIN'!
(Jimmy Joe)
RAY-RAY, UP TOP!
CRANK IT UP.
(Eric)
WATCH THAT GOOK.
WATCH THAT GOOK.
MOVE HIM.
MOVE HIM.
(Ramsey)
COVER ME, RAY-RAY!
BRING IT AROUND!
BRING IT AROUND!
11 O'CLOCK!
COME ON, GO, GO!
GET IT UP!
COME ON, GODDAMN IT!
(Tex)
LET'S GO!
FIRE AT WILL!
FIRE!
YEAH, MOTHERFUCKERS!
GO, GO, GO!
LET'S GO.
DOC, GET IN THERE!
CLEAN IT UP.
[shouting and gunfire]
I WANT IT TERMINATED!
GUNNY, HOW MANY TIMES
YOU BEEN WOUNDED?
TODAY?
[men shouting and gunfire]
LET'S GO.
LET'S GO.
(Ramsey)
HEY, GUNNY.
GUNNY.
GUNNY.
YOU MOTHERFUCKERS!
BITCHES, GO!
MOVE IN.
(Ray)
IN, IN, IN, IN.
LET'S GO.
I WANT YOU TO STAY AWAKE
WITH ME, OKAY?
'CAUSE IF YOU FALL ASLEEP,
YOU MIGHT NOT WAKE UP.
NOW, LISTEN TO ME.
I WANT YOU TO ALL SING ALONG
WITH ME A SONG, OKAY?
I LEARNED IT WHEN I WAS A KID,
ALL RIGHT?
[gunfire]
YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE,
MY ONLY SUNSHINE.
[gunfire]
YOU MAKE ME HAPPY
WHEN SKIES ARE GRAY.
COME ON.
YOU'LL NEVER KNOW, DEAR,
HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU.
GET IN THERE,
GODDAMN IT.
GO, GO!
COME ON, EVERYBODY,
LET'S GO.
(Ray)
GET IN THERE.
LET'S GO.
[men speaking Vietnamese]
[explosion]
[man screaming]
[shouting and gunfire]
CLEAR.
CLEAR.
CLEAR.
CLEAR.
LADDER UP.
CLIMB UP THERE.
(man)
COME, MY CHILDREN.
COME, COME.
COME, COME.
I WILL LEAD YOU TO GOD'S SAFETY.
COME OVER HERE.
YES, YES, OVER HERE.
(Red)
CHECK 'EM.
THEY MIGHT BE BOOBY-TRAPPED.
(Tex)
KEEP YOUR HEADS UP!
(Eric)
IT'S ALL CLEAR HERE, SARGE.
WAIT TILL GUNNY
HEARS ABOUT THIS.
YEAH.
YEAH.
GUNNY'S DEAD.
CHICO, COVER THE ROAD.
SERGEANT SHEPARD.
(Ray)
SIR.
(Ramsey)
MAKE SURE YOUR MEN HAVE AMMO
AND GET 'EM DOWNSTAIRS.
(Ray)
BIG DOGS.
Shit, man.
(Ray)
CHECK YOUR SHIT.
ON ME.
GODDAMN IT.
(Tom)
WELL, BOYS,
YOU'D HAVE MADE
GUNNY PROUD.
THANKS, TOM.
[gunfire]
WHAT THE FUCK?
(Tex)
THAT SON OF A BITCH
GOT GUNNY.
LET'S GO, BOYS.
GET THAT FUCKER!
WE NEED TO KEEP
THE LIGHT SHINING.
WE MUST REMEMBER TO STAY
CONNECTED TO FAITH.
THESE ARE INNOCENTS.
[gunfire]
THERE HE IS.
FIND HIS ASS.
[women and children screaming]
DON'T LET HIM GET AWAY.
GET OUT THERE.
GO, GO!
GODDAMN IT!
(Ray)
MAKE IT CLEAR.
MAKE IT CLEAR.
(Tex)
FIRE ON THAT FUCKER!
GET HIM!
NO!
[gunfire]
[women and children sobbing]
(Ramsey)
IT WAS A MASSACRE.
I SURRENDER MYSELF
FOR A COURT-MARTIAL, SIR.
CAPTAIN RAMSEY,
I'LL BE GODDAMNED
IF I'M GONNA FILE CHARGES
AGAINST YOU OR YOUR MEN.
NOW, THOSE STREETS
OUT THERE,
GODDAMN IT, THEY'RE FULL
OF CIVILIANS
WHO GOT CAUGHT IN CROSSFIRE,
THOUSANDS OF 'EM.
I CANNOT LEAD THOSE MEN,
NOT AFTER TODAY.
REQUEST DENIED, CAPTAIN.
CAPTAIN, IF YOU CAN DESERT
YOUR TROOPS NOW,
YOU ARE ONE PISS-POOR EXCUSE
FOR A LEADER OF MEN.
GO ON.
GO ON R&R.
GET OUT OF MY SIGHT.
GO.
YOU GET YOUR ASS
BACK TO YOUR COMPANY,
AND YOU LEAD THOSE BOYS OF YOURS
OUT OF THIS FUCKING HELLHOLE
FOR THE GOOD OF THE CORPS
AND THE STARS AND THE STRIPES,
AND THAT'S AN ORDER, CAPTAIN.
STARS AND STRIPES LOST
SOME OF THEIR LUSTER THAT DAY.
(Kathleen)
CAPTAIN.
WHAT HAPPENED
TO ECHO COMPANY?
I LED THEM OUT,
WHAT WAS LEFT,
A FEW SQUADS,
FOUR WEEKS LATER.
(Ramsey)
I LOST 68 MEN IN HUE.
FROM THAT DAY ON, IT WAS LIKE
THIS SON OF A BITCH
WAS JUST WAITIN' FOR US
TO FALL ON OUR GODDAMN SWORDS.
THEN THAT DAY AT THE VILL,
HE JUST STOPPED WAITIN'.
(Tex)
HE WALKED AWAY
FROM THE WHOLE GODDAMN THING,
BODIES AND ALL,
CLEAN AND SUPPOSEDLY
FUCKING CLEAR.
THOSE WERE NOT
MY COORDINATES.
THAT'S THE LIE YOU USED
TO GET YOUR ASS OUT OF THE BRIG
FOR PLAYING GOD
WITH YOUR MEN.
THEY DISOBEYED A DIRECT ORDER.
RIGHT IN YOUR CAMERA,
YOU SAW THE FOOTAGE.
TOO MUCH FOR HIM.
(Ray)
AND GOD CALLED FORTH
HIS VENGEANCE,
EYE FOR AN EYE,
[together]
LIFE FOR LIFE.
THAT'S NOT THE WAY IT WENT.
IT'S ALL UP HERE, RAY.
ALWAYS HAS BEEN.
OH, YEAH, IT'S RIGHT HERE
IN THE 3-D WORLD, MAN,
LITTLE BITS AND PIECES
OF SHRAPNEL
IN ME AND RED AND RAY.
(Red)
AND THE ASHES
OF OUR DEAD BROTHERS.
(Eric)
THAT'S WHAT WE
FOUGHT FOR IN HUE.
NOT FOR THE STREET CORNERS,
NOT FOR THE CITADEL, GODDAMN IT.
WE FOUGHT FOR
EACH OTHER, US.
(Red)
WE ALL DIED THERE THAT DAY.
THAT WAS A WAR CRIME.
YOU BEAT IT.
I BEAT IT.
(Ray)
WAR WAS THE CRIME,
THE CRIME WE ALL TOOK PART IN,
DAY AFTER DAY.
(Red)
AND, LISTEN,
2,000 CIVILIANS DIED
IN HUE.
IT HAPPENED!
THEY WERE INNOCENTS!
YOU WERE THE BEST SHOTS
IN THE COMPANY.
YOU COULD'VE TAKEN
THE N.V. OUT
WITHOUT KILLING
ALL THOSE CIVILIANS.
IF YOU HAD WANTED TO.
(Eric)
NOT WITH THE FATHER
BLASTED ON THE FLOOR
IN FRONT OF US, YOU FUCK!
(Tex)
THE MAN WAS A SAINT.
CHUNKS OF MEAT, RED MEAT,
LAYIN' ON THE GROUND.
YOU GOT THE BALLS TO BITCH
ABOUT OUR MARKSMANSHIP?
FUCK YOU!
TELL YOURSELVES
WHATEVER YOU WANT.
I SAW WHAT I SAW.
[all shouting]
WHAT WAS THAT?
TELL US.
WHAT WAS THAT?
A GOOK WAS A GOOK TO YOU,
ALL OF YOU!
YOU DIDN'T GIVE TWO SHITS
WHO WAS WEARING A UNIFORM.
YOU KNEW IT.
I KNOW IT.
AND A LOT OF DEAD CIVILIANS
KNOW IT.
BUT I WAS YOUR COMMANDER.
SO IT'S MY FAILURE.
I FAILED EVERYONE.
WE LOOKED EVERYWHERE
FOR DOC, BRAD,
BUT WE COULDN'T FIND HIM.
(Ray)
FUCK.
(Tex)
RAY, HEY!
NO, NO!
GODDAMN IT,
COME ON.
(Ray)
FUCK NO.
(Tex)
RAY!
NO!
COME ON, RAY!
RAY!
[grunts]
(Jimmy Joe)
WE LOST CLOSE TO 500 MEN HERE.
N.V.A. LOST THOUSANDS.
SHIT, WE WERE--
WE WERE PILIN' UP
THE GODDAMN BODIES
IN GODDAMN SOCCER STADIUMS.
(Eric)
I DAMN NEAR IDOLIZED RAMSEY.
WE ALL DID.
WE ALL DID.
HE CUT US OFF.
HE LEFT US ALONE
IN A WORLD OF SHIT.
(Jimmy Joe)
SHOWTIME IS OVER,
GODDAMN IT.
TURN THAT FUCKING THING OFF,
FRED.
EASY, JIMMY JOE.
OVER THERE.
HEY.
HI.
THIS IS IT.
GROUND ZERO.
I THINK WE NEED TO CANCEL OUT
THE VILLAGE.
NO.
NOT A CHANCE.
WHY NOT?
JUST TELL ME WHY.
ALL THESE YEARS, AND I STILL
DON'T KNOW THE TRUTH.
'NAM IS PLAYING SO MANY GAMES
IN MY MIND RIGHT NOW.
MAYBE IT DID
BACK THEN TOO.
MAYBE WAY DOWN DEEP INSIDE,
I--I WANTED THEM TO PAY
FOR WHAT THEY DID IN HUE.
I NEED TO KNOW.
I DON'T WANT ANYONE HURT.
JUST DO YOUR JOB
AND LET THE CHIPS FALL.
[sighs]
WE'LL DO IT.
[snake hissing]
I FUCKIN' HATE SNAKES.
YEAH.
WHAT YOU GOT THERE, TEX?
JESUS, BE CAREFUL.
LOOK AT THAT SUCKER.
[both chuckling]
LET'S GO, MAN.
NICE SNAKE.
(Jimmy Joe)
EXCUSE ME.
[speaking Vietnamese]
[whispering inaudibly]
BE RIGHT BACK.
FOLLOW ME.
(Tex)
I KNOW IT!
I KNOW IT!
I KNOW!
FUCK THAT,
FUCKING GUY.
FUCKING GUY.
(Red)
HEY, TEX,
YOU REALLY GONNA
BUY THAT?
[spits]
[laughing]
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS SYNDROME?
I DON'T FUCKIN' BUY THAT.
FUCKIN' BUY IT FOR A DOLLAR,
I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE IT.
FUCK, YEAH.
I WANNA BE ABLE TO LOOK
ALL MY DEAD BROTHERS IN THE EYES
AND SAY, "HEY, GUYS,
JUSTICE FUCKING RULES."
RULES!
REST IN PEACE.
[together]
TO OUR BROTHERS.
BROTHERS IN ARMS.
(Eric)
I HAVEN'T SENT ANYTHING
BECAUSE I HAVEN'T
WRITTEN ANYTHING,
AND I'M NOT GONNA WRITE
ANYTHING.
HERB, HERB.
I JUST GOTTA GET THROUGH
TOMORROW.
I FED THE HUNGRY.
I CLOTHED THE NAKED,
IN THY NAME.
WHY?
WHY, FATHER,
WHY DID YOU FORSAKE ME?
WHY?
THOUGH I WALK
THROUGH THE VALLEY
OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH,
I SHALL FEAR NO EVIL.
YEAH, I SAID,
I'LL FEAR NO EVIL
BECAUSE--
I SAID, BECAUSE--
[whispering]
because I'm the meanest,
meanest motherfucker
in the valley.
[explosions]
SO THE QUESTION WE'RE HERE
TO ANSWER IS...
WHAT HAPPENED?
ROGER THAT.
RIGHT BACK AT YOU, SIR.
ECHO SIX OUT.
[women yelling in Vietnamese]
HOLD YOUR ASS.
[speaking Vietnamese]
SHE SAYS THEIR DAUGHTERS
ARE BEING TORTURED
IN THE VILLAGE
OVER THERE.
OKAY!
OKAY!
[girls screaming]
WHAT THE HELL'S GOING ON?
GET OUT!
I'M IN CHARGE HERE.
DON'T DO THAT.
THIS GIRL HAS BEEN LYING.
SEE?
THEY HAVE NO CALLUSES.
THEY'RE NOT FARMERS.
THEY ARE V.C.
TALK TO THEM IF YOU WANT,
BUT NOT LIKE THIS.
DU MI AMI.
MORE OR LESS,
"FUCK YOU, G.I. JOE."
I LOST 2/3 OF MY MEN
AT HUE.
AND THOSE GOOD MARINES
DIDN'T DIE FOR THIS SHIT.
RELEASE THE GIRLS.
YOU DON'T HAVE COMMAND.
MARINES HAVE NO AUTHORITY
OVER R.V.N.s.
SEPARATION OF FORCES.
[gun clicks]
(man)
FREEZE, MOTHERFUCKER!
(Ramsey)
SEPARATION OF FORCES?
I'M GONNA SEPARATE
YOUR GODDAMN HEAD FROM YOUR NECK
AND SHIT DOWN YOUR THROAT.
THAT ENOUGH SEPARATION
FOR YOU?
NOW, THESE GIRLS
ARE COMING WITH ME, OKAY?
O--OKAY.
OKAY.
CHICO.
YEAH, SKIPPER.
UNTIE THESE GIRLS.
THEY'RE GOING TO S-2.
UNTIE THEM.
UNTIE THEM!
(Ramsey)
EVERYTHING WAS UNRAVELING
AFTER HUE.
UNTIE THEM!
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?
FIRST SOUNDS OF BATTLE CAME
FROM THERE.
[distant explosions]
S-3, ROGER, INBOUND.
ECHO SIX OUT.
SERGEANT!
MOVE 'EM OUT
DOWN THE ROAD!
(Jimmy Joe)
NO FUCKIN' WAY.
(Ramsey)
WHAT'S THAT, CORPORAL?
(Jimmy Joe)
NO FUCKIN' WAY, SIR!
THAT ROAD IS PROBABLY PEPPERED
WITH COMMAND-DETONATED MINES,
AND I AIN'T GONNA MAKE YOUR DAY
BY COMMITTING SUICIDE FOR YOU.
SORRY.
FUCK THE ROAD.
I'M CUTTIN' ACROSS THAT PADDY.
YOU GUYS COMIN'?
FALL IN, CORPORAL,
OR IT'S YOUR ASS.
COURT-MARTIAL ME.
I DON'T GIVE A GODDAMN SHIT!
ALL RIGHT?
I AIN'T GOIN'.
YOU'RE RELIEVED.
SERGEANT,
DISARM THIS MAN.
(Ray)
NO, SIR.
IT'S BETTER TO GET
COURT-MARTIALED
THAN TO GET YOUR ASS
BLOWN AWAY...
SIR.
DISOBEYING A DIRECT ORDER,
SERGEANT.
IT IS MY DUTY TO DISREGARD
ANY UNLAWFUL ORDER, SIR!
I WILL NOT LEAD MY MEN
INTO HARM'S WAY
UNNECESSARILY, SIR!
SERGEANT,
YOU'RE RELIEVED.
STAND-DOWN.
SHIT BIRDS,
THAT'S ALL WE'VE BEEN TO HIM
SINCE HUE.
FUCK YOU.
I'M FIXIN' TO DI DI.
YOU'RE COMIN' WITH ME,
MONA.
DICKS IN THE WIND.
(Jimmy Joe)
I AIN'T LISTENIN' TO HIS ASS
NO MORE, MAN.
MUTINY!
MUTINY!
SORRY, SIR.
NOTHIN' PERSONAL.
(Ramsey)
MUTINY!
(Red)
I AIN'T GOING HOME
IN NO BODY BAG, ALL RIGHT?
(Ramsey)
THIS IS MUTINY!
STAND-DOWN!
GET BACK HERE, MARINES!
IT IS A CRIME PUNISHABLE
BY DEATH IN TIMES OF WAR!
YOU LOST IT,
CAPTAIN.
(Jimmy Joe)
COME ON,
MOVE IT, RAY-RAY.
FUCK YOU...
CAPTAIN.
(Ramsey)
RED, GET BACK HERE,
PRIVATE!
GET YOUR ASS BACK IN LINE!
GET YOUR ASSES BACK HERE!
I WILL COURT-MARTIAL
ALL YOUR ASSES!
IT IS A PUNISHMENT
PUNISHED BY DEATH!
MARINES DANNY, ANSON, RAY, RED,
JIMMY JOE, CHICO, BAMA!
GET YOUR ASSES BACK HERE!
MARINES!
GET BACK HERE NOW!
MARINES!
GET UP.
WE'RE MOVING OUT.
CORPORAL, GO!
MOVE 'EM OUT!
LET'S GO!
NOW!
AT THE READY!
AT THE READY!
AT THE READY,
LANCE CORPORAL.
GET THAT WEAPON UP.
YOU'RE A DISGRACE
TO THE CORPS.
I LED MY GUYS OUT THIS WAY.
WE WERE BROTHERS ONCE.
YOU DON'T QUIT ON YOUR BROTHER,
NO MATTER HOW BAD HE FUCKS UP.
YOU DON'T QUIT
ON HIM.
YOU DON'T FUCKIN' QUIT
ON YOUR BROTHER.
[helicopter blades whirring]
ECHO SIX,
AIRHOSE TAC ONE, OVER.
(man)
You've got movement
in the tree line.
CHECK HEDGEROW,
northwest paddy.
(Tex)
NORTHWEST PADDY?
[man speaking Vietnamese]
(man)
Charlie's camped out.
Charlie's camped out.
Your traffic's heading
into N.V.A. ambush.
REPEAT,
CHARLIE HOLDS THE TREE LINE.
(Tex)
CAPTAIN!
CAPTAIN!
FUCKIN' CHOPPER REPORTS
THERE'S N.V.A. AT THE TREE LINE.
OUR BOYS ARE WALKING
RIGHT INTO A FUCKIN' AMBUSH.
N.V.A.--THEY'RE WALKING
INTO AN AMBUSH
RIGHT IN
THE FUCKIN' TREE LINE.
(Ramsey)
COMPANY!
HALT!
BAMA, BAMA, BAMA.
GET UP THERE
WITH JIMMY JOE.
YOU DIPSHIT STUPID FUCKS!
FUCK.
GODDAMN IT.
YOU'RE WALKING
INTO A FUCKING AMBUSH.
HALT, BAMA!
[speaking indistinctly]
FUCKIN' HALT!
(Ramsey)
THERE WAS STILL TIME
TO MANEUVER.
MY MEN WERE STILL WAY OUT
OF RIFLE RANGE AND R.P.G. FIRE.
(man)
L.Z. is hot,
and I am due now.
WILL RETURN TO LOOK
FOR WOUNDED TO YOUR P.O.S.
and sweep Charlie
with sidewinders.
Suggest you call
arty fire meantime.
AIRHOSE TAC ONE, OVER.
(Tex)
SARGE!
SARGE!
SARGE!
GET YOUR ASSES
BACK HERE!
GET TURF CLUB.
I NEED A FIRE MISSION.
SIR.
TURF CLUB, TURF CLUB.
THIS IS ECHO SIX, OVER.
TURF CLUB, TURF CLUB,
THIS IS ECHO SIX, OVER.
I CAN'T GET 'EM
ON THE FUCKING HORN, SIR.
TURF CLUB, TURF CLUB,
THIS IS ECHO SIX, OVER.
TURF CLUB--
I GOT 'EM.
I GOT 'EM, SIR.
[people clamoring]
[man speaking Vietnamese]
THREE AT SEVEN, NINER, FOUR,
THREE, ONE, ZERO.
THREE AT SEVEN, NINER, FOUR,
THREE, ONE, ZERO.
[explosion]
LOOK OUT!
FUCK!
WHAT THE FUCK?
[people screaming]
[screaming]
NO!
NO.
(Ramsey)
DIRECTION:
ZERO, NINER, ONE, ZERO.
UNFUCK YOURSELF!
ZERO, NINER, ONE, ZERO!
REPEAT!
ZERO, NINER...
ONE, ZERO.
FIRE FOR EFFECT.
(Tex)
DIRECTION:
ZERO, NINER--
TURF CLUB.
DIRECTION:
ZERO, NINER...
ZERO, ONE.
FIRE!
(Ray)
DOESN'T MATTER WHAT HE DID.
STILL LEAVES US WITH THE FACT,
I WAS A SERGEANT.
I'M THE ONE WITH THE STRIPES.
I SHOULD'VE NEVER LED
YOU GUYS OUT HERE.
(Jimmy Joe)
IT WASN'T
YOUR FAULT, RAY.
WHO'S FAULT WAS IT, RAMSEY?
YOU TELL ME THAT.
TELL ME THAT, RAMSEY.
YOU COULD SEE US
OUT HERE, RAMSEY.
MY BOYS DIED HERE.
(Jimmy Joe)
YOU COULD SEE US IN THE FIELD.
FOR WHAT?
(Jimmy Joe)
BETRAYED YOUR OWN MEN,
RAMSEY.
WE'RE RIGHT HERE.
FOR NOTHIN'.
BECAUSE OF ME.
I'M SORRY, CHICAGO.
I'M SORRY, BAMA.
CHICO.
I'M SORRY, GUYS.
FORGIVE ME.
[sobbing]
FORGIVE ME.
INCOMING!
[explosions]
NO!
NO, STOP!
NO!
CHECK YOUR FIRE!
CEASE-FIRE!
CEASE FUCKING FIRE!
NO!
CHECK YOUR FIRE,
GODDAMN IT!
CHECK YOUR FUCKIN' FIRE!
RAY!
STOP!
STOP!
HOLY FUCK!
[machine gun fire]
(Ray)
GET UP.
GET UP!
GODDAMN IT,
GET UP.
[weakly]
SIR.
JACOB!
[gunfire]
NO!
GODDAMN IT!
(Ramsey)
LAY DOWN SUPPRESSIVE FIRE
ON THE TREE LINE.
YOU SON OF A BITCH.
[grunts]
YOU FUCKING SON OF A BITCH.
YOU SEE WHAT HE FUCKIN' DID?
HE SENT ARTILLERY
ON HIS FUCKIN' OWN MEN.
FOR DISOBEYING
A GODDAMN FUCKIN' ORDER.
I'LL KILL HIM.
I'LL SEE TO IT THAT YOU
ARE COURT-MARTIALED FOR MURDER.
AS OF THIS MOMENT,
YOU ARE RELIEVED
OF YOUR COMMAND.
YOU ARE THE ENEMY.
[yelling]
YOU MOTHERFUCKER!
YOU SON OF A BITCH, RAMSEY!
SARGE, COME ON!
FUCK, COME ON!
SAVE THOSE MARINES.
YOU NEVER MISS.
YOU NEVER MISS!
INCOMING!
INCOMING!
RED!
RAY!
NO!
GET DOWN!
NO!
THERE'S INCOMING!
ZERO, NINER, ONE, ZERO,
THOSE WERE MY COORDINATES.
THAT'S NOT WHERE
THE SHELLS LANDED, GODDAMN IT!
FUCK YOU, RAMSEY.
NO!
IT WAS YOU!
NO!
NO!
THIS AIN'T RIGHT,
ERIC.
THIS IS NOT RIGHT.
TEX, DON'T.
YOU GOTTA GET IT RIGHT.
YOU GOTTA MAKE IT RIGHT!
RED!
YOU NEED A HAND
RIGHT FUCKIN' THERE.
AND YOU NEED AN ARM--
AN ARM RIGHT FUCKIN THERE.
YOU NEED IT RIGHT FUCKIN' THERE.
ZERO, NINER--
ZERO, NINER--
FIRE!
ZERO, NINER.
ZERO, NINER...
ONE, ZERO.
ZERO, ONE.
ZERO, NINER...
ZERO, ONE.
WHAT'S HE TALKING ABOUT?
(Red)
SERGEANT.
(Jimmy Joe)
I GOT YOU COVERED, RED.
FUCKER, HE--
FUCK, YOU KILLED MY BROTHERS!
IT'S OKAY.
WE'RE STILL BROTHERS NOW.
NO, JIMMY JOE.
INCOMING, RED.
INCOMING.
JIMMY JOE,
PUT THAT WEAPON DOWN!
NO!
JIMMY JOE, NO!
PUT IT DOWN, RED!
NO!
NO, RED, NO!
STOP!
JIMMY JOE!
NO!
PUT IT DOWN!
STAND-DOWN, COLTER.
STAND-DOWN, MARINE!
(Ray)
NO, STOP!
RED, WEAPONS DOWN!
JIMMY!
[all screaming]
IT'S NOT WORTH IT,
RED.
NO!
[gunshot]
NO!
NO! NO!
DON'T DO IT!
[all yelling]
[gunshot]
[gunshots]
KILL ME!
RAY!
KILL ME!
IT'S MY FAULT!
(Kathleen)
SOMEBODY GET HELP!
CEASE FUCKIN' FIRE!
GET HIM HELP!
NO!
JIMMY JOE, IT'S OVER.
IT'S OVER.
NO!
CEASE-FIRE!
RAMSEY WAS RIGHT!
I FUCKED UP THE COORDINATES.
IT WAS ME.
I FUCKED IT UP.
I KILLED 'EM ALL.
I KILLED 'EM ALL.
[Tex wailing]
(Kathleen)
TELL 'EM TO CALL
FOR AN AIR AMBULANCE.
GET A FUCKING CHOPPER
OVER HERE NOW!
IT'S OVER, JIMMY JOE.
THAT'S ENOUGH.
JIMMY JOE,
PUT IT DOWN.
[grunting]
[gun clicks]
[gunshot]
STOP!
RED!
RED!
HELP!
HELP US!
OH, MY GOD.
(Tex)
JIMMY JOE!
OH, NO!
[all shouting at once]
[speaking Vietnamese]
[wailing]
TEX!
GET UP HERE!
IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT!
MY FAULT!
GET OVER HERE, MARINE!
YOU BETTER UNFUCK YOURSELF,
MARINE.
GET YOUR ASS UP NOW!
WE HAVE A MARINE DOWN!
GET UP!
GET UP, MAGGOT!
GET OVER HERE!
GET UP, YOU MAGGOT.
GET OVER HERE.
GET OVER HERE.
NOW!
GET UP HERE.
GET UP HERE NOW.
GET OVER HERE.
ON THE DOUBLE, MARINE.
NOW!
GET OVER HERE.
GET UP!
COME ON!
WHERE'S THE CHOPPER?
WHERE'S THE CHOPPER?
(Tex)
CHICAGO, BAMA,
ANSON--
[sniffles]
I KILLED THEM, MAN.
OUT IN THAT GODDAMN
RICE PADDY.
I WASTED OUR BROTHERS.
[sobbing]
AND NOW--
NOW RAY'S GONNA DIE
BECAUSE OF THE FUCK-UP OF A MAN
I'VE BECOME.
AIN'T YOUR FAULT
RAY'S IN THERE.
TEX, THAT'S ON ME.
ALL RIGHT?
FUCKIN' I'M SPINNIN' AWAY
A LIFE FOR ME FOR SO LONG.
IT'S ALL IN, THOUGH.
I'M SO FUCKIN' LOST, MAN, OH.
I'M SO LOST.
(Ramsey)
WE ALL DID OUR BEST
IN THE 'NAM.
WE ALL FUCKED UP
IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
SO WHAT?
RAY WAS RIGHT.
[sobbing]
BROTHERS DON'T QUIT
ON EACH OTHER.
NO.
[sobs]
(woman)
YOUR EFFORTS TO REVIVE HIM
WERE NOT IN VAIN.
THERE IS NO BRAIN DAMAGE.
HE WILL LIVE.
[all sobbing]
I HEAR YOU WOULD'VE MADE
ONE HELL OF A CORPSMAN.
LIKE FATHER,
LIKE SON, HUH?
THE BEST
OF THE BEST.
LET'S TRY
TO STAY CONNECTED, OKAY?
SURE.
COME HERE.
WELL, THIS THING
WON'T BE FINISHED
TILL I DO
MY TRIAL IN THE STATES.
GOD KNOWS YOU GOT EVERYTHING
YOU NEED FOR A CONVICTION, SO...
GUESS THIS IS GONNA BE, LIKE,
MY LAST GASP OF FREEDOM.
HOLD UP.
YOU JUST TELL THE TRUTH.
I DROVE JIMMY INTO IT.
LET THEM CHIPS FALL
ON MY HEAD TOO.
DON'T BE STUPID, GUYS.
THERE WON'T BE ANY TRIAL.
NOW, NOW,
WE WERE HIT BY STRAY BULLETS,
DAMNDEST THING.
WHAT'D YOU EXPECT
FROM THE 'NAM, MAN?
FRED PUT THE TAPE
RIGHT ON A MAGNET.
WE LOST THE WHOLE LAST HOUR
OF THAT DAY.
(Fred)
SEMPER FI, FELLAS.
HEY.
WAY TO GO.
SEMPER FI.
(Jimmy Joe)
YEAH, GENTLEMEN.
KEEP THE FAITH, FREDDY.
SIR.
(Eric)
HAVE A NICE LIFE.
THANKS, CAP.
CAPTAIN.
SERGEANT.
[chuckling]
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF,
ALL RIGHT?
YOU TOO.
THANKS.
GENTLEMEN, WE MUST HURRY,
OR ELSE WE MISS YOUR FLIGHT.
COME WITH ME, PLEASE.
MARINES!
READY?
READY?
UP.
UP, OH.
[all chuckling]
(Tex)
SEE YA, CAP.
ADIOS.
GET THAT OFF ME.
Captioning provided by
Screen Media Ventures, LLC.
LANCE CORPORAL
RICK FYMAN.
SERGEANT KEVIN FORRESTER.
P.F.C. BRIDGET GARNET.
PRIVATE JOHN GARRISON.
PRIVATE TOM GLEASON.
PRIVATE BOB GLOVER.
P.F.C. PHILIP GREER.
LANCE CORPORAL
PHIL GREEN.
SERGEANT LAMAR WASHINGTON.
FIRST LIEUTENANT
SOLOMON FINGER.
(man)
TOUCH DOWN
IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT.
ANOTHER DARK
AND HELLISH PLACE.
WE FOUGHT HARD
TO THE END OF THE DAY
AND FOUGHT THROUGH THE NIGHT
WHILE WE PRAYED.
WE WERE YOUNG.
WE WERE BRAVE.
WE WERE STRONG
WITH OUR PRIDE.
WE WOULD KILL
FOR THE FREEDOM
OF OUR MOTHERS
AND OUR SISTERS
AND SOMEHOW
MAKE IT OUT ALIVE,
'CAUSE WE'RE ALL HEROES
IN THE LETTERS FROM HOME.
(man)
I BAPTIZE YOU IN THE NAME
OF THE FATHER.
CRAWLING THROUGH
THE SMOKE AND ASHES.
AMEN, BROTHER.
HALLELUJAH!
AND SCRAPE THE BLOOD
FROM MY BRAIN.
AND AS WE HEAD INTO SAIGON,
OUR SOULS WERE SCARED
AND SHAKEN,
SOMEHOW WE HELD ONTO
OUR FAITH.
YOU TELL US WE'RE ALL HEROES
IN THIS GOD-FORSAKEN PLACE.
WHERE THE HELL IS JESUS?
CAN HE SEE MY BLOODY FACE?
THE DUST SITS IN HONOR,
AND THERE
AIN'T NO BETTER WAY.
SO WE KEEP IT ALL TOGETHER,
'CAUSE WE'RE HEROES
IN THE LETTERS FROM HOME.
KEEP IT ALL TOGETHER,
WE'RE HEROES
IN THE LETTERS FROM HOME.
YOU TAKE AWAY MY BROTHER.
YOU TAKE AWAY MY SON.
SHIPPING US OFF TO WAR,
WE TRY
TO FIGHT FOR NUMBER ONE.
AND WE KEEP IT
ALL TOGETHER,
'CAUSE WE'RE HEROES
IN THE LETTERS FROM HOME.
MAY GOD HELP ME,
WHEN THIS WAR ENDS--
AND TRUST ME,
THEY ALL DO END--
I TRULY FEEL
A PART OF ME WILL DIE.
[man over radio]
Echo six,
Airhose Tac One, over.
(man)
Copy.
CHECK HEDGEROW,
NORTHWEST PADDY.
GET DOWN!
GET DOWN!
FUCKIN' CHOPPER REPORTS
THERE'S N.V.A. AT THE TREE LINE.
OUR BOYS ARE WALKING RIGHT
INTO A FUCKIN' AMBUSH, N.V.A.
THEY'RE WALKING INTO AN AMBUSH
RIGHT IN THE FUCKING TREE LINE.
COMPANY, HALT!
BAMA, BAMA.
GET UP THERE
WITH JIMMY JOE.
YOU DIPSHIT STUPID FUCKS!
FUCK.
GODDAMN IT!
YOU'RE WALKING
INTO A FUCKIN' AMBUSH.
Return to your P.O.S. and
sweep Charlie with sidewinders.
GET TURF CLUB.
I NEED A FIRE MISSION.
SIR,
TURF CLUB, TURF CLUB,
THIS IS ECHO SIX, OVER.
INCOMING!
[explosions rumbling]
NO!
NO, STOP!
CHECK YOUR FIRE!
CEASE FUCKING FIRE!
[explosions]
[men screaming]
STOP!
HOLY FUCK!
YOU SON OF A BITCH.
YOU FUCKIN' SON OF A BITCH.
YOU SEE WHAT HE FUCKIN' DID?
HE SENT ARTILLERY
ON HIS FUCKIN' OWN MEN!
FOR DISOBEYING
A GODDAMN FUCKIN' ORDER.
I'LL FUCKIN' KILL HIM.
FUCKIN' KILL HIM.
LET ME GO.
YOU SON OF A BITCH, RAMSEY.
YOU ARE THE ENEMY.
[woman singing in Vietnamese]
HI, HELLO.
HOW ARE YOU?
FINE.
WELCOME TO VIETNAM.
ONE, TWO, THREE,
TESTING.
WE'RE GOOD.
WE'RE GOOD?
SOUNDS GREAT.
ALL RIGHT.
STILL 200% HUMIDITY.
(woman)
DURING THE WAR,
THIS NETWORK
HELD A SERIES
OF NIGHTLY VISITS
WITH THE MARINES
OF ECHO COMPANY.
A LITTLE ASIAN HONEY
GONE UP A QUARTER
SINCE WE'VE
BEEN AROUND.
NOW WE'RE BRINGING BACK
THE REMNANTS OF WHAT CAME TO BE
ONE OF THE HARDEST HIT COMPANIES
OF THE VIETNAM WAR.
WE'LL WALK BESIDE THEM,
AND SO WILL YOU
ON THIS, THEIR FIRST VISIT
BACK TO VIETNAM SINCE THE WAR.
I'M KATHLEEN MARTIN,
AND THE MEN OF ECHO COMPANY
ARE TEX ATKINS,
NOW A CAR DEALER IN EL PASO;
RED FUENTES,
LEADER OF FOLSOM PRISON'S
TACTICAL SQUAD;
PROFESSOR OF ORIENTAL LANGUAGES
AT STANFORD;
JIMMY JOE COLTER,
FREELANCE SECURITY CONSULTANT;
RAY SHEPARD,
PASTOR OF THE LIGHT OF LOVE
MISSION CHURCH.
KEEP GOING BACK.
KEEP GOING.
KEEP PULLING BACK.
GOOD JOB.
MAN, OH, MAN,
OH, MAN ALIVE.
AND CUT.
GREAT, GUYS.
SO I GUESS
YOU GUYS HEARD
RAMSEY DIDN'T SHOW UP
AT THE AIRPORT.
YEAH, I'VE BEEN TRYING TO
REACH HIM ON MY CELL PHONE.
(Ray)
OH, AND HE
LET YOU DOWN TOO, HUH?
CHICKEN SHIT
MOTHERFUCKER, MAN.
THIS IS OUR RIDE,
GENTLEMEN,
SO LET'S GET
ON THE BUS.
(Tex)
SADDLE UP, BOYS.
(man)
THIS WAY, PLEASE.
(Kathleen)
WHAT'S GOING THROUGH
EVERYBODY'S MIND RIGHT NOW?
UNCENSORED.
(Eric)
IT'S LIKE VISITING
YOUR OWN TOMBSTONE IN A WAY,
SEEING THAT PART OF YOU
THAT NEVER CAME BACK.
(Red)
BUFFALO SHITTIN' HUMIDITY.
DEFINITELY THE 'NAM.
(Tex)
I WAS JUST THINKIN'
HOW MANY FINE USED CARS
I COULD
DUPE THESE FUCKERS
INTO BUYING.
[chuckling]
LAST TIME WE WERE HERE,
I WAS KILLING THESE PEOPLE.
UH-HUH.
RAY?
Y'ALL REMEMBER RAMSEY'S DAY ONE?
(Jimmy Joe)
WHAT A DAY THAT WAS.
YEAH.
(man)
Hey, Butterfly Niner,
y'all clear for approach.
Just watch
the red smoke marker.
Watch the tree line
northeast of the L.Z.
Got y'all in our sights.
You can start
your descent now.
Ain't no sign of Charlie.
We'd like to welcome you
to Echo Six,
the best of the best.
LET ME GET THAT,
SKIPPER.
I GOT IT.
THIS WAY, SKIPPER.
GOOD TO HAVE YOU ABOARD.
MEN HAVE BEEN A BIT EDGY
SINCE CAPTAIN McKENNA
GOT HIS HEAD BLOWN OFF.
WELCOME ABOARD, SKIP.
I'M TOM TAYLOR.
THAT THERE'S GUNNY BILLY.
THIS IS LIEUTENANT FOX.
DA NANG GOT HIT HARD
LAST NIGHT, SIR.
US THREE MADE IT BACK,
CHOPPERS TOO.
GOT TO DO AN IMMEDIATE EVAC,
FOX TROT'S WOUNDED ON WHEELS.
WHAT'S THE BAD NEWS, TOM?
WELL, SKIPPER, YOU MAY WANT
TO SUBDUE THIS RANK.
I DON'T WANT TO LOSE
ANOTHER CAPTAIN.
(Tom)
LET'S GET ON WITH IT.
(Ray)
ANOTHER FUCKIN' CHERRY
FOR ME TO BAG
AND SEND HOME TO MAMA.
(Red)
CHECK OUT THOSE BARS.
LOOKS LIKE HE'S BEEN IN
THE BUSH ALL OF FIVE MINUTES.
HE'S NOT EXACTLY
GENERAL PATTON, IS HE?
WHAT SHOULD WE CALL HIM?
HOW ABOUT CAPTAIN BRUSH CUT?
(Jimmy Joe)
JESUS CHRIST,
LOOKS LIKE A GODDAMN MODEL.
LOOKS LIKE HE'S GOT
SOMETHING UP HIS ASS.
HE'S JUST CLIMBING
UP THE LADDER.
(Fox)
LISTEN UP.
THIS IS YOUR NEW SKIPPER.
AT EASE.
I'M CAPTAIN RAMSEY.
I CONSIDER MYSELF A MARINE FIRST
AND AN OFFICER SECOND.
MARINE TO MARINE,
MY PRIMARY MISSION HERE
IS TO GET ALL YOUR SORRY ASSES
BACK INTACT.
(Eric)
SO YOU AIN'T NO GUNG-HO
MOTHERFUCKER
OVER THE BODIES
OF HIS DEAD GRUNTS, HUH, SIR?
(Fox)
YOU FIXING TO GET YOUR ASS
BUSTED AGAIN, NUMB-NUTS?
JUST ASKIN'.
SAVE IT.
(Ramsey)
WHEN YOU CALL FOR ME,
I'LL COME FOR YOU,
NO MATTER WHAT.
I EXPECT YOU TO DO
THE SAME FOR ME.
FAIR ENOUGH?
(men)
YES, SIR.
I'VE NEVER SEEN A CHAPLAIN
HUMPING IN THE BUSH BEFORE.
FATHER...
BRYZYNSKI, SIR.
AREN'T YOU ASSIGNED
TO BATTALION HEADQUARTERS
TO ONLY COME OUT
AS NEEDED?
WELL, I WAS NEEDED.
CASUALTIES WERE SO HEAVY.
(Fox)
CORPORAL, LOAD 'EM UP.
WE'RE MOVIN' OUT.
UNDERSTOOD.
WHAT'S YOUR BLOOD TYPE?
(Ramsey)
"A" POSITIVE,
CORPSMAN.
YEAH, HE'S GOING
TO HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL
RIGHT AFTER THE WAR.
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT,
BUT SOMETHING.
SOON AS HE FINISHES
HIGH SCHOOL.
[all laughing]
THAT'S VERY CUTE.
THANK YOU.
(Tex)
WHERE'D YOU
COME OVER FROM, SIR, HUH?
QUANTICO.
(Tex)
QUANTICO, HUH?
WHAT'D YOU DO THERE, SIR?
INSTRUCTOR.
IN--IN WHAT?
ADVANCED MILITARY TACTICS.
(Eric)
RAY STUDIED ADVANCED
MILITARY TACTICS AT HARLEM.
YEAH, I RAN RECON
FROM 125th STREET TO 109th
EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT.
[all laughing]
(Gunny)
ALL RIGHT, MEN,
HEADS ON A SWIVEL.
THIS IS THE PICKUP POINT.
PREPARE TO DISMOUNT.
I WANT PIGS AT EACH POINT
OF THE COMPASS.
(Jimmy Joe)
OKAY, GUYS, YOU HEARD GUNNY.
MOVE IT; MOVE IT.
[all talking at once]
(man)
GO, GO, GO!
(Gunny)
WHEN WE SPOT THE WOUNDED,
I WANT TWO TO FIRE
AND ONE GETTING A MEDIC.
(man)
COPY, OVER.
[screaming]
(Gunny)
ON THE DOUBLE,
TURN HIM AROUND.
(man)
ECHO IN POSITION!
(Gunny)
WE ARE DEFINITELY
IN INDIAN COUNTRY.
I COULD NOT DESIGN
A BETTER PLACE FOR AN AMBUSH.
WHAT IDIOT IN DA NANG
POINTED TO A MAP
AND DECLARED THIS
A PICKUP POINT, SIR?
(Tom)
SIR, NOTHING BACK
FROM TACAIR OR ARTY FIRE.
(Gunny)
LISTEN UP.
WE GOT FRIENDLIES COMING IN.
DOC.
BRING HIM IN.
CHECK THE PERIMETER.
COME ON.
ANSON, GET TO THE REAR.
(Gunny)
SERGEANT, BRING 'EM IN.
I DON'T WANNA BE HERE
ANY LONGER THAN I HAVE TO.
(man)
I NEED HELP.
GET THE WOUNDED
ON THE VEHICLES.
(Ray)
MOVE!
(Ramsey)
MOVE 'EM!
COME ON!
LET'S GET THE FUCK
OUTTA HERE!
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
MOVE THAT ASS.
MOVE THAT ASS.
COME ON NOW.
GO, GO, GO.
[man speaking Vietnamese]
[explosion rumbling]
REACTION SQUAD, CLEAR
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER.
AND, GUNNY,
GET 'EM OUTTA HERE.
GET THOSE WOUNDED LOADED NOW!
(Gunny)
ABANDON THESE VEHICLES.
EVERYONE, ON FOOT
ACROSS THE RIVER.
CARRY THE WOUNDED.
BRING UP
OUR RESERVE ELEMENT.
MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!
[gunfire]
[explosions rumbling]
(man)
I GOT YOU.
WE GOT YOU.
(Ramsey)
GET THOSE WOUNDED LOADED
ON THE VEHICLES!
JESUS, WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?
THAT'S CORPORAL AUSTIN.
HE'S BEEN GETTING US
ON THE NEWS BACK HOME.
(Ray)
MOVE, MOVE, MOVE.
GET THAT FUCKIN' CAMERA
OUT OF HERE.
LET'S GO; LET'S GO!
COME ON!
(Tex)
LET'S GO, LET'S GO, LET'S GO!
(Ramsey)
THEY ARE RIGHT ON OUR ASS.
(Red)
HOLY SHIT, GRENADE!
[all shouting at once]
JESUS CHRIST.
[grunts]
[explosion rumbles]
(Ray)
GET ON THE TRUCKS NOW!
(Ramsey)
GET THESE VEHICLES MOVING!
[explosions]
[machine gun fire]
TAKE COVER.
GET ME TACAIR.
[engine thrumming]
[man over radio]
Sorry, Captain,
dropped my bombs off,
even my gun bag.
Got nothing left to give you.
(Ramsey)
YOU GOT
A SPARE FUEL POD, RIGHT?
I WANT YOU
TO DROP THAT POD
ON AN N.V.A. TANK
NORTHWEST OF MY GREEN SMOKE.
YOU GOT GREEN SMOKE?
YES, SIR.
Crash of the impact
ain't gonna explode it.
THAT'S MY PROBLEM.
JUST DROP THE FUCKER.
You got it.
PIGS UP.
PREPARE TO FIRE ON MY COMMAND.
SMOKE'S READY, SIR.
COMING IN, SIR.
(Ramsey)
FIRE ON MY COMMAND.
(Ray)
I HEAR IT,
WHERE IT'S COMING FROM.
WE SEE YOU.
(Ramsey)
JUST HOLD IT.
HOLD IT.
NOW, SIR?
(Ramsey)
NO!
HE'S APPROACHING.
HE'S DROPPED THE POD, SIR!
[machine gun fire]
[explosion]
[men cheering]
(Ramsey)
THANKS FOR THE HELP,
SKY RAIDER.
[all cheering]
IT WAS A HELL
OF A BAPTISM, HUH?
LOOKED LIKE WE HAD OURSELVES
AN A.J. SQUARED-AWAY GUY.
(Kathleen)
SO THE CAPTAIN DID OKAY IT
BY YOU THAT DAY?
NO, HE WASN'T JUST OKAY.
HE WAS EXCEPTIONAL.
THAT IS WHY WHAT HAPPENED LATER
WAS SO DEVASTATING.
THAT'S WHY IT CUT SO DEEP.
(Ray)
HEY, LOOK AT THAT.
EVERYBODY GETS A RIDE.
(Kathleen)
WHEN YOU GET THIS MESSAGE,
CAPTAIN,
I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW
ONE THING.
YOU REALLY FUCKED EVERYTHING UP.
COME WITH ME, PLEASE.
WELCOME TO THE NEW VIETNAM.
[applause]
THIS WAY, PLEASE.
(man)
THE PEOPLE OF VIETNAM
WELCOME
THE RETURNING AMERICANS.
[applause]
(man)
FOR LIFE,
FOR PEACE,
FOR THE FUTURE,
WE MUST TRY TO FORGET THE PAST
AND GREET EACH OTHER
WITH OPEN ARMS.
[applause]
YOUR RANKING SOLDIER,
PLEASE COME.
[applause]
(Ray)
UM--
[footsteps approaching]
CAPTAIN RAMSEY,
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS,
RETIRED.
OH, CAPTAIN NGUYEN BENDONG,
PEOPLE'S VIETNAMESE ARMY,
RETIRED.
I JUST WANT ONE THING:
PEACE.
WAR DESTROYS EVERYTHING.
[applause]
LOOKING FOR
A PHOTO OP, HUH?
WELL, IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN
IN FRONT OF THAT GODDAMN CAMERA,
NO FUCKING WAY.
FUCK THAT.
YOUR CALL, GUYS.
I DIDN'T COME HERE TO BEG.
NICE TO MEET YOU.
[applause]
COME ON.
LET'S GET UP.
I WANT A CLOSE-UP.
BACK OFF.
HI.
I'M KATHLEEN MARTIN.
IT'S AN HONOR
TO FINALLY MEET YOU.
THANKS.
[bluesy music]
[dance music]
[laughing]
DON'T WORRY, HONEY.
I THINK YOU LOOK GREAT.
REALLY?
YEAH.
ECHO COMPANY.
AT LAST WE MEET IN THE FLESH.
BRAD.
[together]
BRAD, HEY!
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT.
IT'S GREAT TO MEET YOU,
DOCTOR.
JIMMY JOE.
LOOK HE'S GOT
HIS DADDY'S EYES.
[all talking at once]
EXCUSE ME.
WHO ARE YOU?
I'M BRAD JORDAN,
SON OF PETE JORDAN.
DOC JORDAN,
THE CORPSMAN
WHO'S STILL M.I.A.
YOU FLEW ALL THE WAY HERE
TO MEET US?
I'VE BEEN IN SAIGON
FOR TWO YEARS NOW
PUTTING DEALS TOGETHER.
(Tex)
OOH, MONEY BAGS, MAYBE I CAN
HIT HIM UP FOR A LOAN.
I'M GLAD YOU MADE IT, SIR.
WELCOME ABOARD, BRAD.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
BRAD, COME ON.
JOIN US.
NO, NO, NO.
BRADLEY, HEY.
YOU GUYS,
IF I COULD JUST HAVE
EVERYBODY'S ATTENTION
FOR A MINUTE.
I THINK THERE'S SOMETHING
WE SHOULD DISCUSS
(Tex)
WHAT'S THAT?
I'VE BEEN LOOKING
AT THE OLD FOOTAGE.
SOMEHOW,
WE HAVE GOT TO FIND OUT
WHAT HAPPENED AT THE VILLAGE.
(Jimmy Joe)
SOME BRAVE MARINES GOT KILLED.
OTHERS GOT LIMBS
CRACKED OPEN.
THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.
I THOUGHT WE WERE HERE
TO HEAL OLD WOUNDS,
NOT RIP THEM OPEN AGAIN.
(Kathleen)
THE RESULTS
OF THE COURT-MARTIAL
WERE INCONCLUSIVE, CAPTAIN.
THAT'S WHY I THINK
THERE'S ONLY ONE THING TO DO.
WHAT'S THAT?
WHAT?
STAGE A REENACTMENT.
WHATEVER HAPPENED,
WHOEVER DID WHAT TO WHO,
IT IS OVER.
(Jimmy Joe)
NO.
UH-UH, NO,
IT'S NOT.
NOT BY A FUCKIN' LONG SHOT.
(Jimmy Joe)
LET'S GET IT DONE,
KATHLEEN.
YEAH.
(Ray)
LET'S DO IT.
SUIT YOURSELF.
(Jimmy Joe)
SEE?
LOOK AT THAT.
KEEP RUNNIN'.
KEEP GOING.
(Tex)
THAT'S IT,
ALL RIGHT?
THE TRUTH, YOU CAN JUST TELL
OUR SIDE OF IT NOW.
THAT'S ALL YOU NEED
IS THE TRUTH.
THE TRUTH, JUST CLEAR THE RECORD
FOR US, KATHLEEN, ALL RIGHT?
PLEASE?
ALL RIGHT,
WITH OR WITHOUT HIM,
WE GO.
YES!
TO THE VILLAGE!
(Brad)
LET ME INTRO YOU
TO THE NIGHTLIFE
IN THE NEW VIETNAM.
FREE TOUR OF THE NEW
AND IMPROVED BEER STREET.
(all)
ALL RIGHT.
YOU'RE COMING WITH US.
DON'T GET IN
TOO MUCH TROUBLE, BOYS.
(Tex)
SEE YOU NICE AND EARLY
AT 8:00 A.M. THERE, FREDDY.
(man)
WELL, COME ON ALL OF YOU
BIG STRONG MEN,
UNCLE SAM NEEDS
YOUR HELP AGAIN.
HE'S GOT HIMSELF
IN A TERRIBLE JAM
WAY DOWN YONDER
IN VIETNAM
SO PUT DOWN YOUR BOOKS
AND PICK UP A GUN.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE
A WHOLE LOTTA FUN.
AND IT'S ONE, TWO, THREE,
WHAT ARE WE FIGHTING FOR?
DON'T ASK ME.
I DON'T GIVE A DAMN.
NEXT STOP IS VIETNAM.
AND IT'S FIVE, SIX, SEVEN,
OPEN UP THE PEARLY GATES.
WELL, THERE AIN'T NO TIME
TO WONDER WHY.
WHOOPEE!
WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE.
(Fred)
COME ON,
LET'S DO SOMETHING FUN.
LET'S PLAY.
NO MORE WORK.
DARLIN', I CAN'T.
I COMMITTED TONIGHT.
COME ON.
WITHOUT RAMSEY
AT THE VILLAGE--
WE NEED HIM.
YEAH, WE NEED HIM.
I GOT BIG HOLES
IN THE REENACTMENT.
THIS WHOLE THING
HINGES ON HIM.
Zero, niner, one, zero,
repeat.
What?
Zero, niner, one, zero,
repeat.
Zero, niner, one, zero!
ALL RIGHT?
GOOD NIGHT.
[explosion]
[groans]
[slow guitar music]
THERE'S SOMETHING
HAPPENING HERE.
WHAT IT IS
AIN'T EXACTLY CLEAR.
THERE'S A MAN
WITH A GUN OVER THERE
TELLING ME I GOT TO BEWARE.
I THINK IT'S TIME
WE STOP, CHILDREN.
WHAT'S THAT SOUND?
EVERYBODY LOOK
WHAT'S GOING DOWN.
THERE'S BATTLE LINES
BEING DRAWN.
NOBODY'S RIGHT
IF EVERYBODY'S WRONG.
YOUNG PEOPLE
SPEAKING THEIR MINDS
GETTING SO MUCH RESISTANCE
FROM BEHIND.
IT'S TIME WE STOP.
HEY, WHAT'S THAT SOUND?
EVERYBODY LOOK
WHAT'S GOING DOWN.
WHAT A FIELD DAY
FOR THE HEAT.
A THOUSAND PEOPLE
IN THE STREET
(man)
HEY, GOOD MORNING,
CAPTAIN.
DO WE KNOW EACH OTHER?
OH, NOT YET.
SO HOW'D YOU KNOW
I WAS A CAPTAIN?
ONCE A CAPTAIN,
ALWAYS A CAPTAIN.
YOU NEED RIDE?
YEAH, SURE.
OKAY.
HERE YOU GO.
WHOO.
[bells ringing]
(Kathleen)
WELL, FANCY MEETING YOU HERE.
LOOK, I REALLY JUST WANTED US
TO HAVE A CHANCE TO TALK.
SAVE IT.
THE ANSWER'S NO.
WELL, DO YOU MIND
IF I JUST TAG ALONG?
DO I HAVE A CHOICE?
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS,
DARLIN'.
THANKS.
(man)
IT WAS A GREAT HONOR.
HERE.
THANK YOU.
LINE OF DUTY,
CAPTAIN.
GOT YOUR PHONE MESSAGE.
I'M SORRY.
I APOLOGIZE.
OBVIOUSLY, I WAS WRONG.
JUST TELL THE TRUTH.
IT'S ALL I WANT.
IT'S WHAT I WANT TOO.
COME ON.
LET'S COLLECT THE TROOPS.
(Bendong)
ONE OF MANY COMPLEXES
CONNECTED BY TUNNELS
THREE OR FOUR MILES LONG.
GENTLEMEN,
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE
WHERE WE SPENT
MOST OF OUR LIVES?
PLEASE, EXCUSE MY GLASSES,
CAPTAIN.
I SPENT MANY YEARS
IN THESE TUNNELS.
THE LACK OF LIGHT
AFFECTS ME TO THIS DAY.
I HAD ONLY THREE SURVIVORS HERE.
AND I COMMANDED A BATTALION.
AH.
ONE OF MY THREE SURVIVORS.
LIEUTENANT TESAI.
[speaking Vietnamese]
I KNOW YOU.
(Chicago)
AW, SHIT.
FUCK THAT, MAN.
FUCK THAT.
I AIN'T GETTING
MY BLACK ASS WASTED
FOR NO HONKY MOTHERFUCKERS.
[grunts]
THIS IS THE BUSH,
BITCH,
AND IN THE BUSH,
YOU AIN'T WHITE, BLACK,
OR NOTHIN',
JUST GREEN, BABY.
YOU GOT THAT?
YES, SERGEANT.
GET UP, CHICAGO.
I'LL TAKE POINT.
DRINKS FOR THE POOR.
KOOL-AID.
HEY, THANKS, PADRE.
HEY, FATHER,
CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION?
SURE.
WERE YOU DRAFTED?
THEY DON'T DRAFT PRIESTS.
WELL, WHAT THE FUCK
ARE YOU DOIN'--
SORRY.
ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT.
[explosion rumbling]
POINT.
(Gunny)
REACTION SQUAD,
ON ME.
HOLD UP.
GODDAMN IT.
(Gunny)
CORPORAL COLTER,
TAKE TWO MEN.
SET UP YOUR 60
20 METERS TO MY FRONT.
RED, ERIC, COME WITH ME.
GOT IT.
ROGER.
COME ON, MOVE IT, RED.
ERIC, LET'S GO.
WHAT HAPPENED HERE?
CHICAGO?
(Chicago)
TRIPPED A BOOBY TRAP, SIR.
THINK IT WAS A SHELL
OR SOMETHING.
FIRES CAME OUT
OF BOTH SIDES, CAPTAIN.
YOU'LL BE OKAY.
WHERE'S RAY?
I DON'T KNOW, CAPTAIN.
(Jimmy Joe)
SKIPPER!
SKIPPER.
OVER HERE.
(Ramsey)
WHAT DO YOU GOT?
THAT'S RAY'S HELMET, SIR.
THEY GOT HIM.
SHIT!
Shit.
WAY TO GO, SKIPPER.
Careful,
careful.
I NEED VOLUNTEERS.
SIR, THEY GOT RAY,
AND THERE AIN'T A DAMN THING
WE CAN DO ABOUT IT NOW.
MY MEN WOULDN'T LEAVE ME.
IT'S MY MAN,
MY RESPONSIBILITY.
THEY GOT HIM.
IF I GOTTA CRAWL DOWN TO HELL
TO GET HIM, THEN SO BE IT.
BETTER GET STARTED.
SIR, I COULD TAKE
A BULLET FOR YOU,
BUT I COULD NOT
TAKE THAT, NO, SIR.
SPACE THAT TIGHT,
I WILL LOSE IT,
GET US BOTH WASTED.
(Doc)
NO, I'LL GO.
I'LL GO.
I MEAN, SHIT,
RAY'S GOTTA BE HURT,
AND IN TIGHT SPOTS,
I CAN HANDLE HIM.
I MEAN, MY MOM
USED TO LOCK ME IN THE CLOSET
I W--I WAS SORT OF A WILD KID,
YOU KNOW?
YOU, DOC?
I CAN HANDLE IT, MAN.
(Ramsey)
ALL RIGHT, MAN.
GET YOUR SHIRT OFF.
GET ALL YOUR GEAR DOWN.
YOU WANT TO STRIP DOWN
TO NECESSITIES.
(Tex)
GO GET HIM, DOC.
MAKE YOUR MOM PROUD, DOC.
GOOD LUCK.
GO GET RAY.
BRING HIM HOME.
(Ramsey)
SEMPER FI.
(Red)
WATCH YOUR BACK.
GOOD LUCK.
(Tex)
GIVE 'EM HELL.
LET'S DO IT.
MAKE TEXAS PROUD, DOC.
(Eric)
YOU'RE NOT
A KID ANYMORE, DOC.
GET IN THERE,
YOU SKINNY MOTHERFUCKER.
GO GET HIM, DOC.
WE GOT YOUR BACK, OKAY?
(Fox)
DOC, DON'T COME BACK
WITHOUT MY SKIPPER.
GO GET RAY.
(Fox)
ALL RIGHT, STAY FROSTY.
ALL THESE TUNNELS LINK UP.
(Jimmy Joe)
BE CAREFUL, DOC.
HEY, YOU SEE ANYTHING?
[machine gun fire]
[gunshots]
AHHH!
[gunshots]
[grunts]
[screaming]
[explosion]
WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?
SHIT.
HOLY SHIT.
[explosions rumbling]
SHIT.
JIMMY JOE,
JIMMY JOE.
YES, SIR.
TAKE YOUR SQUAD.
FIND THOSE MORTARS.
CORPORAL, YOU BUCKIN'
FOR AN EMMY OR PURPLE HEART?
COME WITH ME.
GOTTA DO THIS.
JIMMY, I GOT YOUR COVER.
JIM! FUCK!
FUCK!
MOVE!
FUCK!
MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!
[explosion]
GODDAMN
MOTHERFUCKERS.
YOU ALL RIGHT?
YOU OKAY?
FUCK.
THERE'S A SNIPER.
[speaking Vietnamese]
HEY, WHOOP 'EM, TEX.
(Tex)
ALL RIGHT.
(Red)
ALL RIGHT, TEX.
OH, OKAY.
TEX!
THEY'RE EVERYWHERE, MAN!
YOU OKAY?
YEAH.
YOU COME UP.
COME ON.
RIGHT BEHIND YOU, TEX.
[screaming]
STAND RIGHT BESIDE
THE PALM TREE.
2 O'CLOCK.
2 O'CLOCK.
(Tex)
BY THE PALM TREE
AT 2 O'CLOCK?
YEAH, YOU SCARED?
YEAH.
YEAH.
SCARED?
MOTHERFUCKER.
LET'S GO.
COME ON, OKAY?
OKAY, 2 O'CLOCK.
OKAY, ON THREE, OKAY?
ONE, TWO...
(both)
THREE!
[machine gun fire]
[screaming]
[men speaking indistinctly]
[gunshot]
FIRE, DOC.
FIRE!
[gunshots]
THERE'S MORE AND MORE.
[all yelling at once]
[man and woman
speaking Vietnamese]
[gunshots]
TAKE IT EASY.
[speaking Vietnamese]
(man)
DON'T SHOOT.
DI DI MAU.
DI DI MAU.
ERIC, 3 O'CLOCK.
[screams]
JIMMY JOE!
NO!
[explosion]
Clear.
COME ON, DOC.
GUNNY, WE GOT NOISE.
(Ray)
HOLD YOUR FIRE,
YOU JIVE-ASS, TACO-BENDING,
PORK-FUCKING PECKERWOODS!
CHARLIE CAN'T FAKE IT THAT GOOD.
GOTTA BE A MARINE.
MARINE!
MARINE, SOUND OFF!
CAPTAIN RAMSEY.
SERGEANT SHEPARD.
COME.
HOLD YOUR FIRE.
STAND-DOWN.
STAND-DOWN.
WHOA, WHOA, WHOA.
Hey, Eric.
Eric.
WHAT?
EASY, EASY.
COME ON, MAN.
WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DO--
WHAT THE FUCK?
I THOUGHT YOU
WERE DEAD, MAN.
I THOUGHT YOU WERE
A FUCKING GHOST.
GET DOWN.
JESUS.
KEEP MOVING.
GO, GO, GO!
(Ray)
CAN WE PULL BACK TO THE RIVER?
[explosions]
[speaking Vietnamese]
WATCH IT!
SPIDER HOLE.
GO!
(Jimmy Joe)
JESUS CHRIST,
WHAT HAVE WE DONE?
OH, MY GOD.
THEY'RE JUST GIRLS.
OH, MY GOD.
JESUS.
OH, SHIT.
THEY'RE ALL WOMEN, MAN.
THEY'RE ALL FUCKIN' WOMEN.
(Jimmy Joe)
USUALLY JUST GUYS.
I MEAN, THESE GUYS
ARE USUALLY GUYS.
THEY'RE NOT USUALLY LIKE THIS.
THEY'RE NOT USUALLY GIRLS.
(Tex)
THIS IS FUCKIN' WRONG.
THERE'S ONE ALIVE
DOWN THERE.
(Jimmy Joe)
ERIC, GO CHECK HER OUT.
(Tex)
COME ON.
COME ON.
OH, MAN.
(Eric)
IT'S OKAY.
IT'S OKAY.
WE'RE NOT GONNA HURT YOU.
WE'RE GONNA TAKE CARE
OF YOU.
(Tex)
FUCKIN' WRONG,
THIS AIN'T RIGHT.
IT'S NOT FUCKIN' RIGHT, MAN.
THEY'RE KIDS.
(Eric)
SHE'S JUST
A LITTLE GIRL.
FUCK!
YOU FUCKIN' CHERRIES
SCRAPE YOUR DICK GETTIN' SOME?
WE'RE NOT HERE
TO BUTCHER CHILDREN!
SHUT THE FUCK UP!
THEY'RE JUST GIRLS, SARGE.
SHUT THE FUCK UP.
SHUT THE FUCK UP.
YOU STILL TALKIN'?
JU--THEY'RE FUCKING GIRLS.
THEIR MOTHERS PUT THEM HERE.
THEIR FATHERS PUT THEM HERE.
FUCK 'EM.
YOU BELIEVE
THESE FUCKIN' PUSSIES?
THIS IS THE FUCKIN' FACE
OF THE ENEMY!
CORPORAL COLTER,
GET THESE FUCKIN' PUSSIES,
AND YOU TAKE 'EM TO BAG
THEIR FUCKIN' BROTHERS,
SIX OF 'EM LAYING DOWN
OVER THERE!
GET YOUR ASS OUT
OF THAT FUCKIN' HOLE.
WHAT ABOUT THESE GIRLS, SARGE?
ARE YOU STILL HERE,
CORPORAL COLTER?
ERIC,
RED, TEX,
LET'S GO.
(Ray)
SAVE YOUR FUCKIN' TEARS
FOR YOUR--
I AIN'T NO FUCKIN' PUSSY,
SARGE.
SAVE YOUR TEARS FOR
YOUR FUCKIN' SLEEP, CORPORAL.
YOU STILL STANDING HERE?
GET YOUR ASS OVER THERE
AND GO LOOK AT YOUR BROTHER.
CRY FOR HIM,
GODDAMN IT.
THEY WERE JUST KIDS, SARGE.
I JUST LOST FOUR OF MINE,
GODDAMN IT.
NOW, YOU TAKE AND PUT 'EM
IN FUCKIN' BODY BAGS.
FUCKIN' BOYS,
FUCKIN' PUSSIES.
GET THE FUCK OUTTA HERE.
ARE YOU STILL
FUCKIN' HERE?
THAT'S THE FUCKIN' FACE
OF THE ENEMY.
YOU UNDERSTAND?
ARE YOU CONFUSED ABOUT IT?
[women sobbing]
[whimpering]
It's all right.
It's okay.
YOU SPARE ME,
PATCH ME HERE,
HERE.
THANK YOU.
[crying]
THE WAR HIDES MANY COLORS.
ONE COLOR WAS HONOR,
A COLOR OFTEN OBSCURED,
BUT NOT HERE
ON THAT DAY.
WE SALUTE YOU.
I salute you, sir.
JUST WISH I'D KNOWN HIM.
YOU KIND OF BRING HIM ALIVE.
THANKS, CAPTAIN.
OKAY, I'M ON BOARD.
THE VILLAGE.
[Ramsey over TV]
Mutiny!
Get your asses back in line.
It's mutiny!
Mutiny!
Stand-down!
Get back here, marines!
HELLO.
[speaking Vietnamese]
[bottle shattering]
[all sobbing]
(Red)
ALL RIGHT, BOYS,
LET'S GO.
HEY, WHERE'S BRAD?
WHERE IS HE?
(Tex)
HE SAID HE
WAS GONNA BE HERE.
(Tex)
HEY, MAYBE HE'S GETTIN' HIMSELF
SOME OF THAT FINE ASIAN HONEY.
THAT COULD BE.
THERE'S SO MANY DAYS
THAT I JUST FELT THIS WAR
WAS A CONTEST
OF BEASTLINESS.
WHAT WAS THE WORST THING
YOU SAW?
ONE OF THE UGLIER THINGS WAS
ORDERED BY A BATTALION COMMANDER
AFTER A FIREFIGHT
WITH THE VIETCONG TROOPS
NEAR THIS VILLAGE,
A VILLAGE
THIS LIEUTENANT COLONEL
FOUND GUILTY OF AIDING THE V.C.
WITHOUT A SHRED
OF GODDAMN PROOF.
(Jimmy Joe)
HELO COMIN' IN
AT 6 O'CLOCK.
(Ray)
KEEP YOUR DAMN EYES FORWARD.
(Jimmy Joe)
WHAT THE FUCK THEY GOT
IN THERE?
BUNCH OF DEAD FUCKING' GOOKS.
(Ray)
WATCH YOUR AMMO
UP THERE.
GOD IS DEAD,
ISN'T SHE?
[helicopter blades whirring]
HEY, CAPTAIN, WHAT THE FUCK
ARE THEY DOIN'?
[people screaming]
THE SON OF A BITCH DROPPED
40 DEAD V.C. BODIES
ON THE VILLAGE.
THE BODIES BECAME BOMBS.
BOMBS KILL.
(Doc)
I NEED FIELD DRESSINGS.
THIS WOMAN'S DEAD.
GET THIS WOMAN OUTTA HERE.
[woman screaming]
I FILED CHARGES
WITH HIGH COMMAND.
THEY DROPPED THEM.
COLONEL HAD TIES
TO THE GRANDMASTER
OF DESTRUCTION HIMSELF,
L.B. FUCKIN' J.
(Brad)
RAY, WAIT UP.
FORGIVE US
FOR OUR SINS?
RAY,
YOU'RE A DIFFERENT MAN NOW.
I CAME TO VIETNAM
FOR REDEMPTION.
BUT I'M NOT WORTHY OF IT.
HEY, RAY,
THAT'S NOT TRUE.
RAY!
COME ON.
(Jimmy Joe)
HOLY SHIT,
WHOEVER THOUGHT WE'D BE
COMING BACK HERE TO GO FISHING?
THIS BEACH IS HALLOWED GROUND,
FREDDY, HALLOWED GROUND.
HALLOWED GROUND.
FREDDY, DID YOU HEAR?
(Tex)
OUR ASSES WERE
IN A SLING HERE, BOY.
THIS IS IT.
(Jimmy Joe)
IT'S BEEN A LONG
MOTHERFUCKIN' TIME.
WHOO!
YEAH, BABY.
AT LAST,
I CAN GODDAMN BREATHE, SHIT.
WHAT A HORROR SHOW.
MOVE, MOVE!
GET YOUR ASS GOIN'!
[explosions]
[yelling]
[screams]
I'M HIT!
I'M HIT!
[machine gun fire]
I GOT YOU, BUDDY.
HANG ON.
IT'S ALL RIGHT!
HANG ON, BUDDY!
I DON'T WANT TO DIE!
I DON'T WANT
TO DIE!
WHAT DO I FUCKIN' DO, DOC?
[screaming]
KEEP HIM STILL.
IT'S ALL RIGHT, BUDDY.
HANG ON.
[helicopter blades whirring]
TELL ME
ABOUT THE DIARY, CAPTAIN.
BOXED IT UP
IN MY WAR GEAR.
WHOSE WAS IT?
AN N.V.A. CAPTAIN,
A POLITICAL OFFICER
IN CHARGE OF MORALE,
BUT THIS IS FILLED WITH POETRY,
NOT PROPAGANDA.
SOME TO HIS WIFE,
SOME TO HIS TROOPS.
OH, BEAUTIFUL.
LOOK AT THOSE FISH PONDS.
THOSE FISH PONDS
ARE CRATERS
FROM 500-POUND BOMBS
DROPPED FROM B-52s.
AFTER ALL THESE YEARS?
GOD.
THE B-52 WAS
THE MOST FEARED WEAPON.
THE N.V.A. NEVER SAW
OR HEARD THEM
UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE.
[mimicking bird whistle]
ARC LIGHT MISSIONS,
WE CALLED THEM.
BOMBS WERE SO HUGE,
SO TIGHTLY CLUSTERED,
THEY'D CREATE
AN ELECTRICAL STORM.
TURNED DAY INTO NIGHT
AND NIGHT INTO DAY.
THE CONCUSSION CRUSHED ORGANS,
STOPPED HEARTS,
LEFT NO OXYGEN IN THE AIR
TO BREATHE--
NONE.
THEY SMOTHERED.
WHEN I FOUND OUT
HIS WIFE WAS STILL ALIVE,
I THOUGHT THIS MIGHT GIVE HER
SOME COMFORT
TO KNOW THAT SHE WAS ALWAYS
IN HER HUSBAND'S THOUGHTS,
EVEN THOUGH,
ACCORDING TO THIS,
THEY'D BEEN SEPARATED
FOR FIVE YEARS.
MAYBE IT'LL GIVE ME
PEACE TOO.
[crying]
[speaking Vietnamese]
SHE THANKS YOU
FOR THIS GREAT GIFT, CAPTAIN.
SHE HAD ALWAYS HOPED
THAT HER HUSBAND
KEPT HER MEMORY
CLOSE TO HIS HEART.
NOW SHE KNOWS
SHE WAS NOT FORGOTTEN.
THIS SEEMS SO IRONIC
TO HER.
HIS LAST LETTER SPOKE
OF HOW HE WAS WOUNDED
AND HAD TO SPEND
FIVE WEEKS
IN AN UNDERGROUND HOSPITAL
TO RECOVER.
ABOVE THE GROUND,
IT WAS
TOO HEAVILY PATROLLED
BY AMERICAN SOLDIERS.
SHE SAYS HE LONGED
TO SEE THE SUN AGAIN.
AND NOW WE TELL HER
HE DIED IN A FLASH OF LIGHT.
SHE SAYS HIS NEXT LIFE
WILL BE VERY FINE INDEED.
SHE SEES
THAT YOU DOUBT THIS,
BUT THEY ARE BUDDHISTS.
THAT'S WHAT THEY BELIEVE.
THAT'S HOW THEY PREVAILED.
THEY COULD ENDURE ANYTHING.
IF THE AMERICANS BLEW UP
A BRIDGE,
THEY TORE DOWN THEIR HOMES
AND USED THE TIMBER
TO REBUILD THAT BRIDGE.
NO SACRIFICE WAS TOO GREAT,
NOT EVEN HERS.
[Eric speaking Vietnamese]
I TOLD HER
HOW I WAS STRUCK
BY THE BEAUTY
OF HER HUSBAND'S POETRY.
HE INSPIRED HIS MEN
TO FIGHT FOR LOVE OF COUNTRY,
LOVE OF FAMILY,
ALWAYS FOR LOVE.
WHEREAS FOR US, HATE,
HATE FOR THE ENEMY
WAS WHAT MADE US FIGHT.
IT STARTED IN BOOT CAMP.
D.I.s TAUGHT US TO HATE JODY.
JODY WAS ANY GUY
WHO DIDN'T ENLIST,
SOME PUSSY
WHO STAYED HOME
AND STOLE THE GIRLS
OF THE REAL MEN,
THE MARINES.
ONCE WE GOT TO 'NAM,
JODY BECAME CHARLIE.
HATE CARRIED RIGHT ON OVER
TO THE NEW ENEMY: HER.
THE GOOK.
[speaking Vietnamese]
SHE SAYS SHE GREW OLD
WAITING FOR HER HUSBAND.
THEY HAD NO CHILDREN.
NOW SHE'S TOO OLD
TO REMARRY.
BESIDES, WHO COULD LOVE A FACE
AS SCARRED AS HERS?
[Eric speaking Vietnamese]
IT'S OUR WHITE PHOSPHORUS.
JESUS.
[speaking Vietnamese]
COME ON, SHE SAYS.
SHE HAS SOMETHING TO SHOW US.
[speaking Vietnamese]
I HAVE NOTHING TO GIVE YOU,
BUT I WILL SING YOU A SONG
TO BLESS YOU
AND YOUR SWEETHEART.
[laughs]
TO A SOLDIER
WHO'S LOST HIS WAY.
[woman singing in Vietnamese]
WELL, THIS IS IT,
CAPTAIN,
YOUR VILLAGE.
NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED
SINCE THAT DAY, HAS IT?
CAPTAIN, JUST A COUPLE
OF QUESTIONS,
SINCE TOMORROW'S HUE CITY.
AT THE COURT-MARTIAL,
ERIC'S TESTIMONY WAS THAT
YOUR MENTAL STATE
AT THE VILLAGE
WAS SOMETHING LESS
THAN STABLE.
ANY COMMENT?
IN HIS STATEMENT,
ERIC MADE REFERENCES
TO WHAT HAPPENED AT HUE
AS SOMEHOW BREAKING
THE BONDS
BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR MEN.
CAN YOU FILL IN THE BLANKS
SO THAT I'M PREPPED
FOR HUE CITY?
CAPTAIN,
IT'S MY JOB
TO ASK QUESTIONS,
MY DUTY.
I'M SORRY.
I HOPE YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THAT.
[helicopter blades whirring]
[explosions and gunfire]
YEAH.
DUTY'S THE NAME
OF THE GAME.
(Jimmy Joe)
HOW COME YOU DON'T EVEN WANT
TO GO BACK THERE TO HUE?
SHIT, I CAN'T FUCKING WAIT.
(Red)
HUE CITY.
FUCK ME, MAN.
I'VE BEEN LIVING IN HELL
EVER SINCE.
HEY, FREDDY, FREDDY.
SIT DOWN, MAN.
TURN THAT OFF.
COME ON, MAN,
SIT DOWN.
JOIN US FOR A BEER.
SIT DOWN.
DRINK BEER.
KATHLEEN'S GONE.
TOMORROW'S A BIG DAY.
YOU OKAY?
I'M OKAY.
GOOD NIGHT.
(Kathleen)
GOOD NIGHT.
(Ramsey)
GOOD NIGHT.
THANKS.
ALONE AT LAST.
MAN OF GOD.
WHAT A FRAUD.
I MEAN, WHO AM I
TO PREACH TO ANYBODY
ABOUT ANYTHING?
I KILLED,
I MAIMED GOD KNOWS HOW MANY
OF THESE PEOPLE.
I WISH TO HELL
I'D NEVER SEEN
THIS GODDAMN
FUCKING COUNTRY.
(Jimmy Joe)
AMEN, TEX.
FUCKIN' AMEN.
FUCK IT.
(Red)
WHAT?
GO AHEAD.
FREDDY, YOU GOT SOMETHING
TO SAY?
YOU GUYS
ARE HEROES, MAN.
I THINK NOT.
NO, YOU'RE
HEROES, MAN.
WHATEVER HAPPENED
BACK THEN,
WHAT YOU DID,
WHAT YOU DIDN'T DO,
GOOD, BAD,
FUCK IT.
YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY,
JIMMY JOE?
BECAUSE IT TAKES GUTS;
YOU GOTTA WANT IT.
YOU GOTTA WANT IT,
JIMMY JOE.
YOU WEREN'T THERE.
YOU GOTTA LET IT GO.
YOU HAVE THE GUTS,
JIMMY JOE?
YOU WEREN'T THERE, FRIEND,
SO YOU DON'T KNOW SHIT
ABOUT SHIT!
THERE AIN'T ONE GODDAMN DAY
THAT GOES BY
THAT THE 'NAM
AIN'T ALIVE AND WELL
AND FUCKING WITH ME IN HERE,
NOT ONE.
SO MANY BOYS DIED
FOLLOWING MY ORDERS,
AND FOR WHAT?
BIG BLACK WONG V.C.?
THAT'S IT.
THAT'S ALL THE RECALL
I CAN STOMACH
FOR ONE NIGHT.
YOU WANT TO WALK IT OFF?
HOW ABOUT A DRINK?
HOW ABOUT A RUN?
[Ramsey panting]
YOU STILL WANT
THAT DRINK?
TODAY WE'RE HEADING
TO HUE CITY,
SCENE OF SOME
OF THE BLOODIEST FIGHTING
OF THE VIETNAM WAR.
THE MARINES WERE UP AGAINST
A HEAVILY ARMED
AND WELL DUG-IN FORCE
OF N.V.A. REGULARS.
[whispering]
Move.
Go on.
I, UM,
I HAD THE WILDEST DREAM
LAST NIGHT.
SAME HERE.
(Eric)
THIS IS HUE...
THE IMPERIAL CITY
BUILT IN 1804.
HUE WAS THE CAPITAL OF VIETNAM
FOR 140 YEARS.
IT WAS THE SEAT
OF THE LAST KINGS
OF THE NGUYEN DYNASTY,
THE CITY WHERE HO CHI MINH
HIMSELF WAS RAISED.
I MEAN, BESIDES HIS 30 YEARS
SELF-EDUCATION
IN PARIS, LONDON, MOSCOW,
CANTON, SIAM,
AND, HEY, HARLEM.
WHAT'D HE DO,
PLAY WITH THE GLOBETROTTERS?
(Eric)
HUE WAS THE CITY
WHERE EAST MET WEST.
IT WAS TOTALLY UNTOUCHED
BY THE WAR.
UNTIL TET.
TET, WASN'T THAT A PARTY?
LIKE CHRISTMAS, FOURTH OF JULY,
AND NEW YEAR'S
THIS WHOLE COUNTRY
JUST WENT INTO PARTY MODE,
AND EVERYONE HERE
JUST WENT APE-SHIT.
[all cheering]
RUSSIA WAS LEANING HEAVILY
ON THE NORTH
FOR A NEGOTIATED END
TO THE WAR.
THE SOUTH VIETNAMESE
COMMUNIST PARTY
WAS IN PRE-NEGOTIATION
PEACE TALKS WITH US.
THE WRITING WAS ON THE WALL.
THE NORTH HAD TO DO SOMETHING.
HENCE RESOLUTION 13,
THE GENERAL OFFENSIVE:
ATTACK EVERY MAJOR CITY
AND EVERY POLITICAL CENTER
AT ONCE,
SCORE A DECISIVE,
NATIONWIDE MILITARY VICTORY.
HUE WAS THE JEWEL
IN THE CROWN OF THAT
TET OFFENSIVE.
LET'S FORGET ABOUT IT
FOR A--SHIT.
(Kathleen)
SHUT IT OFF, FRED.
SO, CAPTAIN,
WHAT HAPPENED HERE?
5,000 CRACK N.V.A.s
SLAMMED INTO HUE CITY,
NIGHT OF JANUARY THE 30th,
SEIZED EVERYTHING,
DUG IN,
AND WAITED FOR US.
[gunfire]
GET GUNNY ON THE HORN.
THERE'S A LOT
OF STATIC, SKIP.
FUCK, WHERE'S GUNNY
WITH THE RECOILLESS?
(Jimmy Joe)
CAPTAIN, WE CAN'T
SIT HERE FOREVER.
(Ramsey)
GET ME GUNNY.
(Tex)
SON OF A BITCH.
SHIT!
(Ramsey)
FIND HIM, AND FIND HIM NOW!
(Tex)
GODDAMN STATIC
ON THE--
(Red)
FUCK,
THEY'RE EVERYWHERE!
(Jimmy Joe)
FUCK YOU, GOOKS!
(Ramsey)
I'M TYING DOWN 51.
(Jimmy Joe)
CAPTAIN, LET ME TAKE SOME GUYS,
HELP FIND GUNNY!
(Ramsey)
NOBODY'S MOVING UNLESS
IT'S ON MY COMMAND, CORPORAL.
(Ray)
HOLD TIGHT, GODDAMN IT.
(Tex)
GET IN RANGE, CAPTAIN.
SKIPPER,
GUNNY'S ON THE HORN.
[explosions]
GUNNY, THIS IS SIX.
(Gunny)
CAP, I LOCATED
A RECOILLESS RIFLE,
BUT I'M TAKING HEAVY FIRE.
I'M GONNA NEED SOME HELP
TO GET UP TO YOU--OVER.
(Ramsey)
GUNNY,
YOUR LOCATION--
OVER.
I'M ALONG THE WEST WALL
OF THE CITADEL--OVER.
FIVE, THIS IS SIX.
UNDERSTOOD.
HANG IN THERE, GUNNY.
SENDING SUPPORT YOUR WAY.
SIX OUT.
REACTION SQUAD,
SERGEANT SHEPARD.
YES, SIR.
GUNNY'S UNDER HEAVY FIRE
AT THE WEST WALL.
GET HIM THE HELL
OUT OF THERE,
AND GET ME THAT RECOILLESS.
ALL RIGHT,
LET'S GO, COME ON.
LET'S GO.
(Tex)
YEE-HAW, BOYS, LET'S GO!
GET DOWN!
[all shouting]
[screaming]
WE'RE COMING, GUNNY!
[explosion]
HELP!
HELP!
LET'S TAKE 'EM!
GET THESE FUCKERS!
RUN, JOHNNY, RUN!
MOTHERFUCKING GOOKS!
(Ray)
ROLL, YOU BITCHES!
GRENADE!
GET DOWN.
OH, SHIT!
FUCK!
GO, CHECK HIM OUT,
ERIC.
(Eric)
YOU'RE HALFWAY TO HAWAII,
GUNNY!
(Ray)
GET HIM UP.
LET'S GO.
GUNNY!
IS HE ALL RIGHT?
LET'S GO!
GUNNY, YOU ALL RIGHT?
LET'S GET THAT RECOILLESS
TO THE CAPTAIN.
(Ray)
LOAD HIM UP.
LET'S GO.
ALL RIGHT, RAY-RAY,
TAKE THE RIGHT!
FLIP 'EM, TEX.
RED, KEEP YOUR EYES UP!
11 O'CLOCK, SARGE.
11 O'CLOCK.
(Red)
WE GOT TWO ROUNDS,
SO MAKE 'EM COUNT.
(Ray)
JIMMY JOE,
KEEP THAT PIG WORKIN'!
(Jimmy Joe)
RAY-RAY, UP TOP!
CRANK IT UP.
(Eric)
WATCH THAT GOOK.
WATCH THAT GOOK.
MOVE HIM.
MOVE HIM.
(Ramsey)
COVER ME, RAY-RAY!
BRING IT AROUND!
BRING IT AROUND!
11 O'CLOCK!
COME ON, GO, GO!
GET IT UP!
COME ON, GODDAMN IT!
(Tex)
LET'S GO!
FIRE AT WILL!
FIRE!
YEAH, MOTHERFUCKERS!
GO, GO, GO!
LET'S GO.
DOC, GET IN THERE!
CLEAN IT UP.
[shouting and gunfire]
I WANT IT TERMINATED!
GUNNY, HOW MANY TIMES
YOU BEEN WOUNDED?
TODAY?
[men shouting and gunfire]
LET'S GO.
LET'S GO.
(Ramsey)
HEY, GUNNY.
GUNNY.
GUNNY.
YOU MOTHERFUCKERS!
BITCHES, GO!
MOVE IN.
(Ray)
IN, IN, IN, IN.
LET'S GO.
I WANT YOU TO STAY AWAKE
WITH ME, OKAY?
'CAUSE IF YOU FALL ASLEEP,
YOU MIGHT NOT WAKE UP.
NOW, LISTEN TO ME.
I WANT YOU TO ALL SING ALONG
WITH ME A SONG, OKAY?
I LEARNED IT WHEN I WAS A KID,
ALL RIGHT?
[gunfire]
YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE,
MY ONLY SUNSHINE.
[gunfire]
YOU MAKE ME HAPPY
WHEN SKIES ARE GRAY.
COME ON.
YOU'LL NEVER KNOW, DEAR,
HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU.
GET IN THERE,
GODDAMN IT.
GO, GO!
COME ON, EVERYBODY,
LET'S GO.
(Ray)
GET IN THERE.
LET'S GO.
[men speaking Vietnamese]
[explosion]
[man screaming]
[shouting and gunfire]
CLEAR.
CLEAR.
CLEAR.
CLEAR.
LADDER UP.
CLIMB UP THERE.
(man)
COME, MY CHILDREN.
COME, COME.
COME, COME.
I WILL LEAD YOU TO GOD'S SAFETY.
COME OVER HERE.
YES, YES, OVER HERE.
(Red)
CHECK 'EM.
THEY MIGHT BE BOOBY-TRAPPED.
(Tex)
KEEP YOUR HEADS UP!
(Eric)
IT'S ALL CLEAR HERE, SARGE.
WAIT TILL GUNNY
HEARS ABOUT THIS.
YEAH.
YEAH.
GUNNY'S DEAD.
CHICO, COVER THE ROAD.
SERGEANT SHEPARD.
(Ray)
SIR.
(Ramsey)
MAKE SURE YOUR MEN HAVE AMMO
AND GET 'EM DOWNSTAIRS.
(Ray)
BIG DOGS.
Shit, man.
(Ray)
CHECK YOUR SHIT.
ON ME.
GODDAMN IT.
(Tom)
WELL, BOYS,
YOU'D HAVE MADE
GUNNY PROUD.
THANKS, TOM.
[gunfire]
WHAT THE FUCK?
(Tex)
THAT SON OF A BITCH
GOT GUNNY.
LET'S GO, BOYS.
GET THAT FUCKER!
WE NEED TO KEEP
THE LIGHT SHINING.
WE MUST REMEMBER TO STAY
CONNECTED TO FAITH.
THESE ARE INNOCENTS.
[gunfire]
THERE HE IS.
FIND HIS ASS.
[women and children screaming]
DON'T LET HIM GET AWAY.
GET OUT THERE.
GO, GO!
GODDAMN IT!
(Ray)
MAKE IT CLEAR.
MAKE IT CLEAR.
(Tex)
FIRE ON THAT FUCKER!
GET HIM!
NO!
[gunfire]
[women and children sobbing]
(Ramsey)
IT WAS A MASSACRE.
I SURRENDER MYSELF
FOR A COURT-MARTIAL, SIR.
CAPTAIN RAMSEY,
I'LL BE GODDAMNED
IF I'M GONNA FILE CHARGES
AGAINST YOU OR YOUR MEN.
NOW, THOSE STREETS
OUT THERE,
GODDAMN IT, THEY'RE FULL
OF CIVILIANS
WHO GOT CAUGHT IN CROSSFIRE,
THOUSANDS OF 'EM.
I CANNOT LEAD THOSE MEN,
NOT AFTER TODAY.
REQUEST DENIED, CAPTAIN.
CAPTAIN, IF YOU CAN DESERT
YOUR TROOPS NOW,
YOU ARE ONE PISS-POOR EXCUSE
FOR A LEADER OF MEN.
GO ON.
GO ON R&R.
GET OUT OF MY SIGHT.
GO.
YOU GET YOUR ASS
BACK TO YOUR COMPANY,
AND YOU LEAD THOSE BOYS OF YOURS
OUT OF THIS FUCKING HELLHOLE
FOR THE GOOD OF THE CORPS
AND THE STARS AND THE STRIPES,
AND THAT'S AN ORDER, CAPTAIN.
STARS AND STRIPES LOST
SOME OF THEIR LUSTER THAT DAY.
(Kathleen)
CAPTAIN.
WHAT HAPPENED
TO ECHO COMPANY?
I LED THEM OUT,
WHAT WAS LEFT,
A FEW SQUADS,
FOUR WEEKS LATER.
(Ramsey)
I LOST 68 MEN IN HUE.
FROM THAT DAY ON, IT WAS LIKE
THIS SON OF A BITCH
WAS JUST WAITIN' FOR US
TO FALL ON OUR GODDAMN SWORDS.
THEN THAT DAY AT THE VILL,
HE JUST STOPPED WAITIN'.
(Tex)
HE WALKED AWAY
FROM THE WHOLE GODDAMN THING,
BODIES AND ALL,
CLEAN AND SUPPOSEDLY
FUCKING CLEAR.
THOSE WERE NOT
MY COORDINATES.
THAT'S THE LIE YOU USED
TO GET YOUR ASS OUT OF THE BRIG
FOR PLAYING GOD
WITH YOUR MEN.
THEY DISOBEYED A DIRECT ORDER.
RIGHT IN YOUR CAMERA,
YOU SAW THE FOOTAGE.
TOO MUCH FOR HIM.
(Ray)
AND GOD CALLED FORTH
HIS VENGEANCE,
EYE FOR AN EYE,
[together]
LIFE FOR LIFE.
THAT'S NOT THE WAY IT WENT.
IT'S ALL UP HERE, RAY.
ALWAYS HAS BEEN.
OH, YEAH, IT'S RIGHT HERE
IN THE 3-D WORLD, MAN,
LITTLE BITS AND PIECES
OF SHRAPNEL
IN ME AND RED AND RAY.
(Red)
AND THE ASHES
OF OUR DEAD BROTHERS.
(Eric)
THAT'S WHAT WE
FOUGHT FOR IN HUE.
NOT FOR THE STREET CORNERS,
NOT FOR THE CITADEL, GODDAMN IT.
WE FOUGHT FOR
EACH OTHER, US.
(Red)
WE ALL DIED THERE THAT DAY.
THAT WAS A WAR CRIME.
YOU BEAT IT.
I BEAT IT.
(Ray)
WAR WAS THE CRIME,
THE CRIME WE ALL TOOK PART IN,
DAY AFTER DAY.
(Red)
AND, LISTEN,
2,000 CIVILIANS DIED
IN HUE.
IT HAPPENED!
THEY WERE INNOCENTS!
YOU WERE THE BEST SHOTS
IN THE COMPANY.
YOU COULD'VE TAKEN
THE N.V. OUT
WITHOUT KILLING
ALL THOSE CIVILIANS.
IF YOU HAD WANTED TO.
(Eric)
NOT WITH THE FATHER
BLASTED ON THE FLOOR
IN FRONT OF US, YOU FUCK!
(Tex)
THE MAN WAS A SAINT.
CHUNKS OF MEAT, RED MEAT,
LAYIN' ON THE GROUND.
YOU GOT THE BALLS TO BITCH
ABOUT OUR MARKSMANSHIP?
FUCK YOU!
TELL YOURSELVES
WHATEVER YOU WANT.
I SAW WHAT I SAW.
[all shouting]
WHAT WAS THAT?
TELL US.
WHAT WAS THAT?
A GOOK WAS A GOOK TO YOU,
ALL OF YOU!
YOU DIDN'T GIVE TWO SHITS
WHO WAS WEARING A UNIFORM.
YOU KNEW IT.
I KNOW IT.
AND A LOT OF DEAD CIVILIANS
KNOW IT.
BUT I WAS YOUR COMMANDER.
SO IT'S MY FAILURE.
I FAILED EVERYONE.
WE LOOKED EVERYWHERE
FOR DOC, BRAD,
BUT WE COULDN'T FIND HIM.
(Ray)
FUCK.
(Tex)
RAY, HEY!
NO, NO!
GODDAMN IT,
COME ON.
(Ray)
FUCK NO.
(Tex)
RAY!
NO!
COME ON, RAY!
RAY!
[grunts]
(Jimmy Joe)
WE LOST CLOSE TO 500 MEN HERE.
N.V.A. LOST THOUSANDS.
SHIT, WE WERE--
WE WERE PILIN' UP
THE GODDAMN BODIES
IN GODDAMN SOCCER STADIUMS.
(Eric)
I DAMN NEAR IDOLIZED RAMSEY.
WE ALL DID.
WE ALL DID.
HE CUT US OFF.
HE LEFT US ALONE
IN A WORLD OF SHIT.
(Jimmy Joe)
SHOWTIME IS OVER,
GODDAMN IT.
TURN THAT FUCKING THING OFF,
FRED.
EASY, JIMMY JOE.
OVER THERE.
HEY.
HI.
THIS IS IT.
GROUND ZERO.
I THINK WE NEED TO CANCEL OUT
THE VILLAGE.
NO.
NOT A CHANCE.
WHY NOT?
JUST TELL ME WHY.
ALL THESE YEARS, AND I STILL
DON'T KNOW THE TRUTH.
'NAM IS PLAYING SO MANY GAMES
IN MY MIND RIGHT NOW.
MAYBE IT DID
BACK THEN TOO.
MAYBE WAY DOWN DEEP INSIDE,
I--I WANTED THEM TO PAY
FOR WHAT THEY DID IN HUE.
I NEED TO KNOW.
I DON'T WANT ANYONE HURT.
JUST DO YOUR JOB
AND LET THE CHIPS FALL.
[sighs]
WE'LL DO IT.
[snake hissing]
I FUCKIN' HATE SNAKES.
YEAH.
WHAT YOU GOT THERE, TEX?
JESUS, BE CAREFUL.
LOOK AT THAT SUCKER.
[both chuckling]
LET'S GO, MAN.
NICE SNAKE.
(Jimmy Joe)
EXCUSE ME.
[speaking Vietnamese]
[whispering inaudibly]
BE RIGHT BACK.
FOLLOW ME.
(Tex)
I KNOW IT!
I KNOW IT!
I KNOW!
FUCK THAT,
FUCKING GUY.
FUCKING GUY.
(Red)
HEY, TEX,
YOU REALLY GONNA
BUY THAT?
[spits]
[laughing]
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS SYNDROME?
I DON'T FUCKIN' BUY THAT.
FUCKIN' BUY IT FOR A DOLLAR,
I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE IT.
FUCK, YEAH.
I WANNA BE ABLE TO LOOK
ALL MY DEAD BROTHERS IN THE EYES
AND SAY, "HEY, GUYS,
JUSTICE FUCKING RULES."
RULES!
REST IN PEACE.
[together]
TO OUR BROTHERS.
BROTHERS IN ARMS.
(Eric)
I HAVEN'T SENT ANYTHING
BECAUSE I HAVEN'T
WRITTEN ANYTHING,
AND I'M NOT GONNA WRITE
ANYTHING.
HERB, HERB.
I JUST GOTTA GET THROUGH
TOMORROW.
I FED THE HUNGRY.
I CLOTHED THE NAKED,
IN THY NAME.
WHY?
WHY, FATHER,
WHY DID YOU FORSAKE ME?
WHY?
THOUGH I WALK
THROUGH THE VALLEY
OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH,
I SHALL FEAR NO EVIL.
YEAH, I SAID,
I'LL FEAR NO EVIL
BECAUSE--
I SAID, BECAUSE--
[whispering]
because I'm the meanest,
meanest motherfucker
in the valley.
[explosions]
SO THE QUESTION WE'RE HERE
TO ANSWER IS...
WHAT HAPPENED?
ROGER THAT.
RIGHT BACK AT YOU, SIR.
ECHO SIX OUT.
[women yelling in Vietnamese]
HOLD YOUR ASS.
[speaking Vietnamese]
SHE SAYS THEIR DAUGHTERS
ARE BEING TORTURED
IN THE VILLAGE
OVER THERE.
OKAY!
OKAY!
[girls screaming]
WHAT THE HELL'S GOING ON?
GET OUT!
I'M IN CHARGE HERE.
DON'T DO THAT.
THIS GIRL HAS BEEN LYING.
SEE?
THEY HAVE NO CALLUSES.
THEY'RE NOT FARMERS.
THEY ARE V.C.
TALK TO THEM IF YOU WANT,
BUT NOT LIKE THIS.
DU MI AMI.
MORE OR LESS,
"FUCK YOU, G.I. JOE."
I LOST 2/3 OF MY MEN
AT HUE.
AND THOSE GOOD MARINES
DIDN'T DIE FOR THIS SHIT.
RELEASE THE GIRLS.
YOU DON'T HAVE COMMAND.
MARINES HAVE NO AUTHORITY
OVER R.V.N.s.
SEPARATION OF FORCES.
[gun clicks]
(man)
FREEZE, MOTHERFUCKER!
(Ramsey)
SEPARATION OF FORCES?
I'M GONNA SEPARATE
YOUR GODDAMN HEAD FROM YOUR NECK
AND SHIT DOWN YOUR THROAT.
THAT ENOUGH SEPARATION
FOR YOU?
NOW, THESE GIRLS
ARE COMING WITH ME, OKAY?
O--OKAY.
OKAY.
CHICO.
YEAH, SKIPPER.
UNTIE THESE GIRLS.
THEY'RE GOING TO S-2.
UNTIE THEM.
UNTIE THEM!
(Ramsey)
EVERYTHING WAS UNRAVELING
AFTER HUE.
UNTIE THEM!
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?
FIRST SOUNDS OF BATTLE CAME
FROM THERE.
[distant explosions]
S-3, ROGER, INBOUND.
ECHO SIX OUT.
SERGEANT!
MOVE 'EM OUT
DOWN THE ROAD!
(Jimmy Joe)
NO FUCKIN' WAY.
(Ramsey)
WHAT'S THAT, CORPORAL?
(Jimmy Joe)
NO FUCKIN' WAY, SIR!
THAT ROAD IS PROBABLY PEPPERED
WITH COMMAND-DETONATED MINES,
AND I AIN'T GONNA MAKE YOUR DAY
BY COMMITTING SUICIDE FOR YOU.
SORRY.
FUCK THE ROAD.
I'M CUTTIN' ACROSS THAT PADDY.
YOU GUYS COMIN'?
FALL IN, CORPORAL,
OR IT'S YOUR ASS.
COURT-MARTIAL ME.
I DON'T GIVE A GODDAMN SHIT!
ALL RIGHT?
I AIN'T GOIN'.
YOU'RE RELIEVED.
SERGEANT,
DISARM THIS MAN.
(Ray)
NO, SIR.
IT'S BETTER TO GET
COURT-MARTIALED
THAN TO GET YOUR ASS
BLOWN AWAY...
SIR.
DISOBEYING A DIRECT ORDER,
SERGEANT.
IT IS MY DUTY TO DISREGARD
ANY UNLAWFUL ORDER, SIR!
I WILL NOT LEAD MY MEN
INTO HARM'S WAY
UNNECESSARILY, SIR!
SERGEANT,
YOU'RE RELIEVED.
STAND-DOWN.
SHIT BIRDS,
THAT'S ALL WE'VE BEEN TO HIM
SINCE HUE.
FUCK YOU.
I'M FIXIN' TO DI DI.
YOU'RE COMIN' WITH ME,
MONA.
DICKS IN THE WIND.
(Jimmy Joe)
I AIN'T LISTENIN' TO HIS ASS
NO MORE, MAN.
MUTINY!
MUTINY!
SORRY, SIR.
NOTHIN' PERSONAL.
(Ramsey)
MUTINY!
(Red)
I AIN'T GOING HOME
IN NO BODY BAG, ALL RIGHT?
(Ramsey)
THIS IS MUTINY!
STAND-DOWN!
GET BACK HERE, MARINES!
IT IS A CRIME PUNISHABLE
BY DEATH IN TIMES OF WAR!
YOU LOST IT,
CAPTAIN.
(Jimmy Joe)
COME ON,
MOVE IT, RAY-RAY.
FUCK YOU...
CAPTAIN.
(Ramsey)
RED, GET BACK HERE,
PRIVATE!
GET YOUR ASS BACK IN LINE!
GET YOUR ASSES BACK HERE!
I WILL COURT-MARTIAL
ALL YOUR ASSES!
IT IS A PUNISHMENT
PUNISHED BY DEATH!
MARINES DANNY, ANSON, RAY, RED,
JIMMY JOE, CHICO, BAMA!
GET YOUR ASSES BACK HERE!
MARINES!
GET BACK HERE NOW!
MARINES!
GET UP.
WE'RE MOVING OUT.
CORPORAL, GO!
MOVE 'EM OUT!
LET'S GO!
NOW!
AT THE READY!
AT THE READY!
AT THE READY,
LANCE CORPORAL.
GET THAT WEAPON UP.
YOU'RE A DISGRACE
TO THE CORPS.
I LED MY GUYS OUT THIS WAY.
WE WERE BROTHERS ONCE.
YOU DON'T QUIT ON YOUR BROTHER,
NO MATTER HOW BAD HE FUCKS UP.
YOU DON'T QUIT
ON HIM.
YOU DON'T FUCKIN' QUIT
ON YOUR BROTHER.
[helicopter blades whirring]
ECHO SIX,
AIRHOSE TAC ONE, OVER.
(man)
You've got movement
in the tree line.
CHECK HEDGEROW,
northwest paddy.
(Tex)
NORTHWEST PADDY?
[man speaking Vietnamese]
(man)
Charlie's camped out.
Charlie's camped out.
Your traffic's heading
into N.V.A. ambush.
REPEAT,
CHARLIE HOLDS THE TREE LINE.
(Tex)
CAPTAIN!
CAPTAIN!
FUCKIN' CHOPPER REPORTS
THERE'S N.V.A. AT THE TREE LINE.
OUR BOYS ARE WALKING
RIGHT INTO A FUCKIN' AMBUSH.
N.V.A.--THEY'RE WALKING
INTO AN AMBUSH
RIGHT IN
THE FUCKIN' TREE LINE.
(Ramsey)
COMPANY!
HALT!
BAMA, BAMA, BAMA.
GET UP THERE
WITH JIMMY JOE.
YOU DIPSHIT STUPID FUCKS!
FUCK.
GODDAMN IT.
YOU'RE WALKING
INTO A FUCKING AMBUSH.
HALT, BAMA!
[speaking indistinctly]
FUCKIN' HALT!
(Ramsey)
THERE WAS STILL TIME
TO MANEUVER.
MY MEN WERE STILL WAY OUT
OF RIFLE RANGE AND R.P.G. FIRE.
(man)
L.Z. is hot,
and I am due now.
WILL RETURN TO LOOK
FOR WOUNDED TO YOUR P.O.S.
and sweep Charlie
with sidewinders.
Suggest you call
arty fire meantime.
AIRHOSE TAC ONE, OVER.
(Tex)
SARGE!
SARGE!
SARGE!
GET YOUR ASSES
BACK HERE!
GET TURF CLUB.
I NEED A FIRE MISSION.
SIR.
TURF CLUB, TURF CLUB.
THIS IS ECHO SIX, OVER.
TURF CLUB, TURF CLUB,
THIS IS ECHO SIX, OVER.
I CAN'T GET 'EM
ON THE FUCKING HORN, SIR.
TURF CLUB, TURF CLUB,
THIS IS ECHO SIX, OVER.
TURF CLUB--
I GOT 'EM.
I GOT 'EM, SIR.
[people clamoring]
[man speaking Vietnamese]
THREE AT SEVEN, NINER, FOUR,
THREE, ONE, ZERO.
THREE AT SEVEN, NINER, FOUR,
THREE, ONE, ZERO.
[explosion]
LOOK OUT!
FUCK!
WHAT THE FUCK?
[people screaming]
[screaming]
NO!
NO.
(Ramsey)
DIRECTION:
ZERO, NINER, ONE, ZERO.
UNFUCK YOURSELF!
ZERO, NINER, ONE, ZERO!
REPEAT!
ZERO, NINER...
ONE, ZERO.
FIRE FOR EFFECT.
(Tex)
DIRECTION:
ZERO, NINER--
TURF CLUB.
DIRECTION:
ZERO, NINER...
ZERO, ONE.
FIRE!
(Ray)
DOESN'T MATTER WHAT HE DID.
STILL LEAVES US WITH THE FACT,
I WAS A SERGEANT.
I'M THE ONE WITH THE STRIPES.
I SHOULD'VE NEVER LED
YOU GUYS OUT HERE.
(Jimmy Joe)
IT WASN'T
YOUR FAULT, RAY.
WHO'S FAULT WAS IT, RAMSEY?
YOU TELL ME THAT.
TELL ME THAT, RAMSEY.
YOU COULD SEE US
OUT HERE, RAMSEY.
MY BOYS DIED HERE.
(Jimmy Joe)
YOU COULD SEE US IN THE FIELD.
FOR WHAT?
(Jimmy Joe)
BETRAYED YOUR OWN MEN,
RAMSEY.
WE'RE RIGHT HERE.
FOR NOTHIN'.
BECAUSE OF ME.
I'M SORRY, CHICAGO.
I'M SORRY, BAMA.
CHICO.
I'M SORRY, GUYS.
FORGIVE ME.
[sobbing]
FORGIVE ME.
INCOMING!
[explosions]
NO!
NO, STOP!
NO!
CHECK YOUR FIRE!
CEASE-FIRE!
CEASE FUCKING FIRE!
NO!
CHECK YOUR FIRE,
GODDAMN IT!
CHECK YOUR FUCKIN' FIRE!
RAY!
STOP!
STOP!
HOLY FUCK!
[machine gun fire]
(Ray)
GET UP.
GET UP!
GODDAMN IT,
GET UP.
[weakly]
SIR.
JACOB!
[gunfire]
NO!
GODDAMN IT!
(Ramsey)
LAY DOWN SUPPRESSIVE FIRE
ON THE TREE LINE.
YOU SON OF A BITCH.
[grunts]
YOU FUCKING SON OF A BITCH.
YOU SEE WHAT HE FUCKIN' DID?
HE SENT ARTILLERY
ON HIS FUCKIN' OWN MEN.
FOR DISOBEYING
A GODDAMN FUCKIN' ORDER.
I'LL KILL HIM.
I'LL SEE TO IT THAT YOU
ARE COURT-MARTIALED FOR MURDER.
AS OF THIS MOMENT,
YOU ARE RELIEVED
OF YOUR COMMAND.
YOU ARE THE ENEMY.
[yelling]
YOU MOTHERFUCKER!
YOU SON OF A BITCH, RAMSEY!
SARGE, COME ON!
FUCK, COME ON!
SAVE THOSE MARINES.
YOU NEVER MISS.
YOU NEVER MISS!
INCOMING!
INCOMING!
RED!
RAY!
NO!
GET DOWN!
NO!
THERE'S INCOMING!
ZERO, NINER, ONE, ZERO,
THOSE WERE MY COORDINATES.
THAT'S NOT WHERE
THE SHELLS LANDED, GODDAMN IT!
FUCK YOU, RAMSEY.
NO!
IT WAS YOU!
NO!
NO!
THIS AIN'T RIGHT,
ERIC.
THIS IS NOT RIGHT.
TEX, DON'T.
YOU GOTTA GET IT RIGHT.
YOU GOTTA MAKE IT RIGHT!
RED!
YOU NEED A HAND
RIGHT FUCKIN' THERE.
AND YOU NEED AN ARM--
AN ARM RIGHT FUCKIN THERE.
YOU NEED IT RIGHT FUCKIN' THERE.
ZERO, NINER--
ZERO, NINER--
FIRE!
ZERO, NINER.
ZERO, NINER...
ONE, ZERO.
ZERO, ONE.
ZERO, NINER...
ZERO, ONE.
WHAT'S HE TALKING ABOUT?
(Red)
SERGEANT.
(Jimmy Joe)
I GOT YOU COVERED, RED.
FUCKER, HE--
FUCK, YOU KILLED MY BROTHERS!
IT'S OKAY.
WE'RE STILL BROTHERS NOW.
NO, JIMMY JOE.
INCOMING, RED.
INCOMING.
JIMMY JOE,
PUT THAT WEAPON DOWN!
NO!
JIMMY JOE, NO!
PUT IT DOWN, RED!
NO!
NO, RED, NO!
STOP!
JIMMY JOE!
NO!
PUT IT DOWN!
STAND-DOWN, COLTER.
STAND-DOWN, MARINE!
(Ray)
NO, STOP!
RED, WEAPONS DOWN!
JIMMY!
[all screaming]
IT'S NOT WORTH IT,
RED.
NO!
[gunshot]
NO!
NO! NO!
DON'T DO IT!
[all yelling]
[gunshot]
[gunshots]
KILL ME!
RAY!
KILL ME!
IT'S MY FAULT!
(Kathleen)
SOMEBODY GET HELP!
CEASE FUCKIN' FIRE!
GET HIM HELP!
NO!
JIMMY JOE, IT'S OVER.
IT'S OVER.
NO!
CEASE-FIRE!
RAMSEY WAS RIGHT!
I FUCKED UP THE COORDINATES.
IT WAS ME.
I FUCKED IT UP.
I KILLED 'EM ALL.
I KILLED 'EM ALL.
[Tex wailing]
(Kathleen)
TELL 'EM TO CALL
FOR AN AIR AMBULANCE.
GET A FUCKING CHOPPER
OVER HERE NOW!
IT'S OVER, JIMMY JOE.
THAT'S ENOUGH.
JIMMY JOE,
PUT IT DOWN.
[grunting]
[gun clicks]
[gunshot]
STOP!
RED!
RED!
HELP!
HELP US!
OH, MY GOD.
(Tex)
JIMMY JOE!
OH, NO!
[all shouting at once]
[speaking Vietnamese]
[wailing]
TEX!
GET UP HERE!
IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT!
MY FAULT!
GET OVER HERE, MARINE!
YOU BETTER UNFUCK YOURSELF,
MARINE.
GET YOUR ASS UP NOW!
WE HAVE A MARINE DOWN!
GET UP!
GET UP, MAGGOT!
GET OVER HERE!
GET UP, YOU MAGGOT.
GET OVER HERE.
GET OVER HERE.
NOW!
GET UP HERE.
GET UP HERE NOW.
GET OVER HERE.
ON THE DOUBLE, MARINE.
NOW!
GET OVER HERE.
GET UP!
COME ON!
WHERE'S THE CHOPPER?
WHERE'S THE CHOPPER?
(Tex)
CHICAGO, BAMA,
ANSON--
[sniffles]
I KILLED THEM, MAN.
OUT IN THAT GODDAMN
RICE PADDY.
I WASTED OUR BROTHERS.
[sobbing]
AND NOW--
NOW RAY'S GONNA DIE
BECAUSE OF THE FUCK-UP OF A MAN
I'VE BECOME.
AIN'T YOUR FAULT
RAY'S IN THERE.
TEX, THAT'S ON ME.
ALL RIGHT?
FUCKIN' I'M SPINNIN' AWAY
A LIFE FOR ME FOR SO LONG.
IT'S ALL IN, THOUGH.
I'M SO FUCKIN' LOST, MAN, OH.
I'M SO LOST.
(Ramsey)
WE ALL DID OUR BEST
IN THE 'NAM.
WE ALL FUCKED UP
IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
SO WHAT?
RAY WAS RIGHT.
[sobbing]
BROTHERS DON'T QUIT
ON EACH OTHER.
NO.
[sobs]
(woman)
YOUR EFFORTS TO REVIVE HIM
WERE NOT IN VAIN.
THERE IS NO BRAIN DAMAGE.
HE WILL LIVE.
[all sobbing]
I HEAR YOU WOULD'VE MADE
ONE HELL OF A CORPSMAN.
LIKE FATHER,
LIKE SON, HUH?
THE BEST
OF THE BEST.
LET'S TRY
TO STAY CONNECTED, OKAY?
SURE.
COME HERE.
WELL, THIS THING
WON'T BE FINISHED
TILL I DO
MY TRIAL IN THE STATES.
GOD KNOWS YOU GOT EVERYTHING
YOU NEED FOR A CONVICTION, SO...
GUESS THIS IS GONNA BE, LIKE,
MY LAST GASP OF FREEDOM.
HOLD UP.
YOU JUST TELL THE TRUTH.
I DROVE JIMMY INTO IT.
LET THEM CHIPS FALL
ON MY HEAD TOO.
DON'T BE STUPID, GUYS.
THERE WON'T BE ANY TRIAL.
NOW, NOW,
WE WERE HIT BY STRAY BULLETS,
DAMNDEST THING.
WHAT'D YOU EXPECT
FROM THE 'NAM, MAN?
FRED PUT THE TAPE
RIGHT ON A MAGNET.
WE LOST THE WHOLE LAST HOUR
OF THAT DAY.
(Fred)
SEMPER FI, FELLAS.
HEY.
WAY TO GO.
SEMPER FI.
(Jimmy Joe)
YEAH, GENTLEMEN.
KEEP THE FAITH, FREDDY.
SIR.
(Eric)
HAVE A NICE LIFE.
THANKS, CAP.
CAPTAIN.
SERGEANT.
[chuckling]
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF,
ALL RIGHT?
YOU TOO.
THANKS.
GENTLEMEN, WE MUST HURRY,
OR ELSE WE MISS YOUR FLIGHT.
COME WITH ME, PLEASE.
MARINES!
READY?
READY?
UP.
UP, OH.
[all chuckling]
(Tex)
SEE YA, CAP.
ADIOS.
GET THAT OFF ME.
Captioning provided by
Screen Media Ventures, LLC.
LANCE CORPORAL
RICK FYMAN.
SERGEANT KEVIN FORRESTER.
P.F.C. BRIDGET GARNET.
PRIVATE JOHN GARRISON.
PRIVATE TOM GLEASON.
PRIVATE BOB GLOVER.
P.F.C. PHILIP GREER.
LANCE CORPORAL
PHIL GREEN.
SERGEANT LAMAR WASHINGTON.
FIRST LIEUTENANT
SOLOMON FINGER.
(man)
TOUCH DOWN
IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT.
ANOTHER DARK
AND HELLISH PLACE.
WE FOUGHT HARD
TO THE END OF THE DAY
AND FOUGHT THROUGH THE NIGHT
WHILE WE PRAYED.
WE WERE YOUNG.
WE WERE BRAVE.
WE WERE STRONG
WITH OUR PRIDE.
WE WOULD KILL
FOR THE FREEDOM
OF OUR MOTHERS
AND OUR SISTERS
AND SOMEHOW
MAKE IT OUT ALIVE,
'CAUSE WE'RE ALL HEROES
IN THE LETTERS FROM HOME.
(man)
I BAPTIZE YOU IN THE NAME
OF THE FATHER.
CRAWLING THROUGH
THE SMOKE AND ASHES.
AMEN, BROTHER.
HALLELUJAH!
AND SCRAPE THE BLOOD
FROM MY BRAIN.
AND AS WE HEAD INTO SAIGON,
OUR SOULS WERE SCARED
AND SHAKEN,
SOMEHOW WE HELD ONTO
OUR FAITH.
YOU TELL US WE'RE ALL HEROES
IN THIS GOD-FORSAKEN PLACE.
WHERE THE HELL IS JESUS?
CAN HE SEE MY BLOODY FACE?
THE DUST SITS IN HONOR,
AND THERE
AIN'T NO BETTER WAY.
SO WE KEEP IT ALL TOGETHER,
'CAUSE WE'RE HEROES
IN THE LETTERS FROM HOME.
KEEP IT ALL TOGETHER,
WE'RE HEROES
IN THE LETTERS FROM HOME.
YOU TAKE AWAY MY BROTHER.
YOU TAKE AWAY MY SON.
SHIPPING US OFF TO WAR,
WE TRY
TO FIGHT FOR NUMBER ONE.
AND WE KEEP IT
ALL TOGETHER,
'CAUSE WE'RE HEROES
IN THE LETTERS FROM HOME.
MAY GOD HELP ME,
WHEN THIS WAR ENDS--
AND TRUST ME,
THEY ALL DO END--
I TRULY FEEL
A PART OF ME WILL DIE.