We Were Soldiers is set in the Battle of Ia Drang between the U.S. military and the North Vietnam on November in 1965. The film tells the story that hundreds of U.S. soldiers mistakenly landed in the central area of ​​the North Vietnamese army. General Moore led the soldiers to face this fierce battle for survival. After a month struggle they finally achieved victory against stronger enemy and survived.

The film tells us the story from the battle commander's perspective. It’s the first time I understand mentality and complex emotions of a senior commander in the war. General Moore said before expedition that he could not guarantee for everyone to come back alive, but he promised he would be the first to set foot on the battle and the last one to leave. The soldiers might be father, husband, son, brothers in their own life. But in the war they are brothers in a family. They are not afraid of death in the war and they had hope of survival only if they took care of each other.

Another highlight of this film is that unlike many films of similar topics, this film risks a lot to present the story from another perspective on the Vietnam War. The North Vietnam Army were no longer vicious and cruel, but emotional with flesh and blood. Meanwhile American soldiers are not invincible. In the end, they revealed the essence of war: participaing in the war was subject to national command. On the battlefield, they were not fighting for their country, not for the flag, but to fight for each other. In some Vietnam War film, the North Vietnam were described as terrorists. In fact, it’s just because people have different standing points. War is always cruel. In the end of the battle, American military grabbed the horn of the North Vietnamese, and plug in a small broken American flag to represent their victory. This film does not demonize the North Vietnamese. The North Vietnamese officer said in the end,“ you ( U.S.) think that you get victory? In fact, puts bring more carnage.”

Such a film gives me the feeling as if I’ve experienced not only the cruelty of war but also makes me feel more humanity and warmth. While watching, I could not restrain the tears for several times. The scene showing the leaving of the soldiers from their family and wives impressed me most. Film does not matter show directly how unwilling servicemen were to leave. They quietly left after his wife and children going to sleep. A soldier’s wife ran out of the house after facing the empty street simply said "I Love You".

The other film Saving Private Ryan is set in the invasion of Normandy in World War II. The troop where Ryan served was thrown into the back of the German front line. Ryan was the last-surviving brother of four servicemen in his family. In order to relieve the unfortunate mother, U.S. commander generals decided to send a special rescue squad. Just finished landing, The film follows United States Army Rangers Captain John H. Miller and a squad as they search for Ryan.

John Miller is the leader of the squad. In his heart order is the priority. Whether the mission is worthwhile. Thinking of Ryan's mother and the duties as a soldier, as a leader, he often motivated himself, he said that when a soldier died, he might save 2, 3, 10 or even 100 lives. But sometimes Miller would cry when he was alone. He always said finishing the war, he would go home.

When the squad was trapped into enemy territory, they faced all kinds of difficulties and dangers. Comrades successively sacrificed. They gradually began to doubt the reasonableness of this task: Why is worth risking eight soldiers to save one's life? Is Ryan’s life more valuable than their lives? Despite their skeptical, they still sticked to orders. Through hardships, squad finally found Ryan. However, with sense of duty Ryan did not want to leave the battlefield. A large number of the enemy was approaching. Ryan, Miller and all of his comrades would experience a more severe battle. It raise a question in my mind whose lives is more valuable?

In the film, Captain Miller is portrayed as a hero, but the hero does not simply possess extraordinary leadership skills. He would cry for losing his soldiers, which more moved me. Miller always gives hope of living and chance to others. Finally he sacrificed himself to complete the task. From his words and deeds, we could find the war could not destroy the strength, humanity, heroism of character. The film advocates responsible attitude and grateful heart between comrade. It tells the real story about the life, duty and obeying commands.

Although the time, people, background of the two films are different, the values and the thougt they present are similar. Soldier can not stop the spread of the war. Many soldiers also questioned themselves what they fight for? On the battlefield, they are not for the country, but for the brothers by their side. In that era, many people must say goodbye to their homes and go to the battlefield because of the safety of the country. There is no guarantee that they could come back safe and sound. The film shows people’s helpless feeling in the war for soldiers and military families. No one can make a reasonable explanation on why human should start the war. To stick to their duty and play their role with persistent and serious attitude is the only right thing. In the war what he could do is to win and survive with minimal sacrifice.

Does War makes people crue, helpless,apathetic or cherish life more? Flames burning home or the heart, or our values? No matter what, the only certainty is that no one wants to see the advent of war. But when relentless war began, people have to put the war, there is no choice. Based on observation and analysis above, there ia no good or bad war in my mind.