Hamburger Hill

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Hamburger Hill

R

1987

1h 50m

War

History

Drama

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

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12 Reviews

73%

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25,000+ Ratings

Over the course of 10 days in May 1969, an infantry squad led by Lt. Frantz (Dylan McDermott) and composed of both seasoned troops and new recruits, attempts to take a hill during the Vietnam War. In between attacks, the squad members deal with the other psychological stresses of the war, including the effect on morale of the antiwar movement back home and flashes of racial hostility between white and African-American soldiers, all mediated by the cool-headed medic, Doc (Courtney B. Vance).

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Variety Staff

Variety

Irvin, who shot a documentary in Vietnam in 1969, the year the action takes place, makes fine use of the Philippines locations and the verisimilitude supplied by the production team.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Derek Adams

Time Out

There are a couple of rocky moments, but the large cast of unknowns go through hell convincingly, and illustrate the randomness of mortality.

Jun 24, 2006

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Vincent Canby

New York Times

A well-made Vietnam War film that narrows its attention to the men of a single platoon in a specific operation.

May 20, 2003

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Brian Costello

Common Sense Media

Unsparing, graphically violent depiction of Vietnam War.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 7, 2020

Full Review

Film4

This is a film about the futility of war expressed in the simplest terms.

Apr 28, 2010

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TV Guide

Although it was underrated at the time of its release, time will eventually reveal that Hamburger Hill is one of the best and most realistic films made about the Vietnam War.

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 28, 2010

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Mitch B

Compelling. I found the interactions between servicemen insightful.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/17/25

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Britton O.

This is a solid Vietnam movie that definitely deserves a watch! I’d place it as my fifth favorite among all Vietnam films. While there are moments where the acting and dialogue feel a bit too "Hollywood," the gripping story and intense action scenes really make up for it. After all, who doesn't love a thrilling war movie that features the legendary 101st Airborne? It's worth a watch!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/09/25

Full Review

Robert A

My uncle was with the 101st and was in this battle. He said that is the way the war really was. He said its very accurate and the way the movie showed the battles on the hill was just as real as he was back there fighting. It was too realistic for him. He got a little PTSD from watching it, but he was ok. So if you want to see how the battle for that hill really took place, he said this is it! He said yes they got hit by friendly fire from US helicopters, he said they had everything and it was very accurate. I watched the movie with him, he was tense the whole time. Great movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/15/25

Full Review

Orin D

Okay, the remarks about the male modelsw/ $500 haircuts and perfect teeth are accurate, but there is some fine dialogue particularly on racial issues and some very believable action.This isn't as fine a war flick as Pork Chop Hill & neither holds up to Sam Fuller's best like "Steel Helmet,"& 'Thin Red Line," but what does? This film despite its flaws is worth watching. Orin Domenico

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/03/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme legal, o roteiro é legal, o filme tem cenas boas de ação, mas parace que o filme nao tem uma história boa tem uma cena meio forte que o avião dos Estados Unidos estavam atirando do helicóptero matando sem querer soldados da própria equipe achado que eram vietnamitas, depois o filme ficou entre ação e diálogo e acabou.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/19/25

Full Review

mark g

Sanitized Vietnam War movie with male models with $500 haircuts. Just hard to take film seriously when their were so many vastly superior films about the war at that time. This seemed like a Lifetime movie.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

11/05/24

Full Review

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John Irvin

Director

Anthony Barrile

Pvt. Vincent `'Alphabet'` Languilli

Michael Boatman

Pvt. Ray Motown

Don Cheadle

Pvt. Johnny Washburn

Michael Dolan

Pvt. Harry Murphy

Don James

Pvt. Elliott `'Mac'` McDaniel

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Synopsis

Over the course of 10 days in May 1969, an infantry squad led by Lt. Frantz (Dylan McDermott) and composed of both seasoned troops and new recruits, attempts to take a hill during the Vietnam War. In between attacks, the squad members deal with the other psychological stresses of the war, including the effect on morale of the antiwar movement back home and flashes of racial hostility between white and African-American soldiers, all mediated by the cool-headed medic, Doc (Courtney B. Vance).

Director: John Irvin
Producer: James Carabatsos, Marcia Nasatir
Screenwriter: Jim Carabatsos
Production Co: RKO Pictures, Interaccess Film Distribution
Rating: R
Genre: War, History, Drama, Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 28, 1987, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 6, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $11.4M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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