The Green Berets (1968)

Only John Wayne could have made a flag-waving film about the Vietnam War in which excitement and impressive battle scenes are the focus and moral ambiguity is nowhere to be found. Wayne--who codirected with Ray Kellogg, and whose Batjac Productions put the project together--stars as Col. Mike Kirby, the blood-and-guts commander of a regiment of battle-toughened Green Berets who courageously defend, lose, and then retake an important position. Later, Kirby leads a mission behind enemy lines to kidnap a Viet Cong general, educating reporter George Beckworth (David Janssen) in the importance of fighting communism along the way. Moreover, when Sgt. Petersen (Jim Hutton) is killed, the journalist takes over the care of the Vietnamese boy Petersen had taken under his wing. Seemingly oblivious to the tenuous nature of the American involvement in Vietnam and the complex historical reality that underlies the conflict, Wayne presents the story like a standard WW II film, playing the same sort of heroic fighting man he portrayed in so many of those movies. Critics of the day were quick to point this out, but those who are able to get past Wayne's jingoism may find some interest in the relatively well-staged battles. It's worth noting, however, that enough Americans were interested in Wayne's view of the war that the film made over $11 million at the box office.

Cast:

John Wayne, Col. Mike Kirby

David Janssen, George Beckworth

Jim Hutton, Sgt. Petersen

Aldo Ray, Sgt. Muldoon

Raymond St. Jacques, Doc McGee

Bruce Cabot, Col. Morgan

Jack Soo, Col. Cai

George Takei, Capt. Nim

Patrick Wayne, Lt. Jamison

Luke Askew, Sgt. Provo

Irene Tsu, Lin

Edward Faulkner, Capt. MacDaniels

Jason Evers, Capt. Coleman

Mike Henry, Sgt. Kowalski

Craig Jue, Hamchunk

Production Credits:

Producer, Michael Wayne

Director, John Wayne and Ray Kellogg

Writer, James Lee Barrett (based on the novel by Robin Moore)

Cinematographe, Winton C. Hoch

Editor, Otho Lovering

Music Composer, Miklos Rozsa