WE WERE SOLDIERS (2002) | FIRST TIME WATCHING | MOVIE REACTION

We Were Soldiers (2002) First Time Watching Movie Reaction, Review, and Commentary for JL. Many moments wondering how odd it is to see Sam Elliot sans mustache and many thoughts on the brave men and women who experienced this in reality were had.
#firsttimewatching #moviereaction #memorialday #weweresoldiers #eomreacts #reactionvideo #warmovie
Opening graphics/theme by Dr. Evo. Check him out at linkr.bio/drevoproducer
Join us on Twitch!: / eom_gaming1
Check out the EOM Patreon!: / eomedia
Check out the EOM Store!: www.eomreacts.com
Join the EOM Discord!: / discord
Follow us on Twitter!: / eomediareacts
Follow us on Instagram!: / extraordinarily_ordina...
SPONSOR: Check out bit.ly/3Bkl516 and use code EOM to get 20% off a EWin Gaming Chair!
SPONSOR: Check out MoviePalette.com and use "SCREAM15" for a 15% discount!
SPONSOR: Check out TryTreats.com and use "ExtraordinarilyOrdinaryMedia" for 15% off first box!
SPONSOR: Check out jamielee02.scentsy.us for all your home decor and scented needs!
Want to send something? (First address is the actual post office building, if needed, and the bottom is his actual P O Box number at said building)
3525 Landsdowne Drive
Lexington, KY 40517
Extraordinary Ordinary Media/EOM/JL Phillips (Any of them will work)
PO Box 23119
Lexington, KY 40523
*COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act (1976), allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED. All rights of any included media 100% belong to their respective owners.

[@Kentuckyhunter58]

This man deserves more subscribers! He’s one of the most enjoyable reaction channels

[@reservoirdude92]

He really is, sooner or later it's gonna hit 100k and I can't wait.

[@ruelwoodward5351]

Absolutely

[@bethscott4330]

He’s putting in the work and I’ve been a fan for a long time…he better never change once he hits 1,000,000!

[@CoryGasaway]

He is the most enjoyable. Both Popcorn in Bed and EOM are two reaction channels that it doesn't even matter what they are watching, the reactions are still engaging.

[@tribeval]

he's genuine. Not some sociopathic attention seeker.

[@MrCmad1104]

The Sergeant Major lived up the street from my work till his death. From what I have heard, Sam Elliot called him every week to just talk. When he passed Fort Moore had a memorial service at the Infantry Museum and Sam Elliot showed up to pay his respects. Fort Benning was recently renamed to Fort Moore after Colonel Moore which Mel Gibson played. Some of this movie was filmed at Fort Moore. I have a long history with Fort Moore. My grandfather retired from there. I was born there. I spent 8 years there as an active duty soldier with the 3rd ID and then spent another 8 years there in the Reserves. A lot of great soldiers have come and gone there.

[@Nay-kp6uu]

Thank you for you and your family's service. I feel awkward saying that sometimes but really. I never served but my grandpa was in the pacific ww2 but he never talked about it

[@4catsnow]

We signed out at Ft Benning in '70 at the admin building on main post.. ...6 of us lined up at a table...Warrant Officer processing our discharge papers..Guy at the head of the line was 1st Air Cav...turns around to us and says "Holy shit,,, we're still alive"...an hour later we're on a bus to the airport,, getting our asses away from the army and that post..It was a VERY good day...

[@blakebufford6239]

🇺🇲🙏👍​@@4catsnow

[@blakebufford6239]

​🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

It will ALWAYS be Fort Benning, home of the Infantry!

[@reservoirdude92]

It's performances like this one that showcase how great of an actor Mel Gibson actually is. He's not just "action man," but he can play any type of role, and you can really feel each performance. I highly recommend Gallipoli, The Year of Living Dangerously, Payback, The Man Without a Face, Ransom, and Dragged Across Concrete (PLEASE do that one at some point, I guarantee you'll love it).

[@mattjones7226]

Craig Zahker is great. I love Bone Tomahawk.

[@reservoirdude92]

@@mattjones7226 Zahler is a renegade of American film, for sure. Brawl in Cell Block 99 is next level too..

[@Smokeater4444]

This was the very First Firefight of the Vietnam War , Col. Moore is a Real life Hero a Soldiers Solider , This is a very true story not made up , Hand Salute from an Old Vietnam Veteran

[@sabadodomingo1293]

Btw “fix bayonets” essentially means a last stand. One of the worst orders for a soldier to hear

[@LordEriolTolkien]

That moment just before a mass engagement with an armed enemy has been feared since first men began to fight. The contemplation of of the 'kill or die' moment is truly profound

[@RLKmedic0315]

I loved that part of the movie. The stress level was incredible. Unfortunately (or fortunately) that did not happen in the actual battle. But it is still a great scene.

[@dastemplar9681]

Critics went really hard on this movie when it came. Mainly criticizing how “cliched” some of the dialogue was, especially with the characters dying words. The REAL Hal Moore publicly responded by apologizing that his men “weren’t being creative or original in their final moments”. That got the critics to shut up real quick. What I will always love about Hal Moore, was that he indeed kept his promise. He was the first to set foot on the field, he was the last to step off, and he indeed left no one behind. That right there is a true combat leader.

[@sandbagger57]

I went to High School with someone who died in this battle. He is one of the names listed at the end of the movie. I made sure to find his name on the Vietnam Wall in Washington to pay my respects.

[@butter7734]

Sam Eliot's character makes me laugh everytime I watch this.

[@blakefletcher8052]

My favorite line is when he yells “men prepare to defend yourselves” shit gives me chills

[@mrm8293]

Hal Moore died in 2017, but some years ago, I was Facebook friends with him. His family was running his page back than, but it was great to see all his awards and high lights.

[@chaost4544]

One of the best films about the Vietnam War. I tend to rewatch this one more than other films about the war. The Battle of Ia Drang was a battle where many new battle tactics were figured out including the blueprint on how NVA and Vietcong forces would effectively fight the US for the rest of the war.

[@SilentBob731]

18:19 The battle scenes are rough, but the portrayal of the soldiers wives is absolutely heart-breaking. Also, the way they humanize the "enemy" is a testament to the authenticity of the story. Soldiers are just pawns, being pushed around the board by the powerful. Such an excellent movie.

[@buffmaloney]

This might be the most powerful war movie I have seen. Glory is the same way.

[@billmoretz8718]

You might want to check out Go For Broke. An older WW2 story about the 442nd infantry unit made up of Japanese Americans. Some had family members in the internment camps.

[@johnstrickler2238]

Random trivia. My uncle served with Colonel Moore in Ia Drang. He never would talk much about it, but it was something he was tremendously proud of. As a vet, I want to say thank you for remembering those who served and fell. As a family member of someone who lived through this, thank you for choosing this one.

[@ajgrant1975]

That was Barry Pepper narrating (The guy playing the photographer). He used to deliver my pizza. North Vancouver, represent Barry!

[@stevenandcarminabeedle9089]

Incredibly talented!

[@clutchpedalreturnsprg7710]

Hello, he was spreading the joy and love. Great job. I ordered two yesterday.

[@reichensperger1847]

37:40: "I don't like seeing people hurt. I don't like seeing people unhappy." This is no surprise to us EOM viewers, when we see his kindness to dogs.

[@freshsmilely]

the speech Hal gives before they all leave is amazing.

[@michaelhewitt8759]

I met Bruce "Snake Shit" Crandall 12 years ago. Only medal of honor winner I ever met. He is a great dude.

[@stevenandcarminabeedle9089]

Respectfully, a Medal of Honor is not “won” it’s received. I say this because I know you have nothing but respect for him as I’m sure you would any other MOH recipient. But if any of them had a say, (many receive it post-humously) it doesn’t represent the winning of anything. Just a moment in time they’d say anyone could’ve done in their position, and one they’d probably like to forget. And as an enlisted recipient once said, it’s easier to receive one than it is to have one. Meaning the pressure of people celebrating and praising you for the worst things you ever had to go through in your life. And through no fault of their own often don’t realize they may not want to constantly talk about how they got it. Oops, tangent over. Anyway, just FYI.

[@stevew7784]

I personally believe this is the best movie about the Vietnam war it shows not all soldiers in this war were angry about being drafted or doing drugs or murdering children and raping women there were plenty of good patriotic brave soldiers who did their duty regardless of how you may feel about the politics of the war

[@loribain9933]

Love Jay's reactions. He's so sympathetic for the right reasons.

[@riffmondo9733]

Mel has you crying every time, lol. Me too.

[@SilentBob731]

29:45 "Sgt. MacKenzie" by Joseph Kilna MacKenzie is such a hauntingly beautiful song.

[@tyruskelebon6917]

Jay, your empathy during this reaction is so touching. Love your stuff man.

[@elizabethparker4511]

My father-in-law has a silver star (among others) from the Vietnam war. He talked about it a little bit during a holiday visit. He and his men were dropped into a situation where they were pinned down immediately. Somehow all of his troops survived and they were evacuated safely. The very next day, the higher-ups wanted to send him and his troops to the exact same location. He refused to go. The next guy and -his- troops were slaughtered. That amazing man cried during the story. It was a good reminder that those vets, and frankly all of the other ones around the world are very fucking traumatized. Our politicians, FOR DECADES at least, have failed to care properly for the people they made broken. Yes, I'm still mad about their treatment of -my- dad (lack of help for a memory care facility for him after 20 years of service) and other vets who legitimately need help. This movie makes my heart hurt every single time.

[@rickyyt7305]

We always love the comedy, but it is truly a moving thing that we get to share in these types of movies with you. I really appreciate you sharing this with us and thanks to you and Blank.

[@1youluv]

Your empathy is incredible, thank you for sharing with us all.

[@LiberPater777]

My father was a cameraman in the news biz during the 60's and 70's. "Reporters" were and still are exactly like this. They're some of the worst, sociopathic narcissists you'd ever have the misfortune of coming across. He hated having to work with the majority of them.

[@jameskirschling7887]

There is a Vietnam War movie that I have been requesting for several years on several channels. No luck so far. As I started typing this I realized that the movie is available on DVD but I don't know about other types of media. Maybe that's why no one reacts to it. Anyway, the name of the movie is Boys in Company "C". It's not your typical war movie in that there aren't many battles, well there are battles just of a different kind. Also, R. Lee Ermey plays a Drill Instructor. And, speaking of Gen. Custer, there is a movie called Little Big Man that he is a big part of, well it's not actually him but an actor portraying him.

[@lordofthereels6790]

You've Got Mel recommendations: Gallipoli (super f***ed up young Mel war movie that needs more love), Payback (my favorite Mel flick), Year of Living Dangerously (young Mel trying to get wirh Sigourney Weaver during a national crisis).

[@matthewfike4491]

I absolutely second all three of these films.

[@trooper64428]

Hal Moore landed at LZ xray which was devastating but the real bloodbath was at LZ Albany after Hal Moores unit was pulled out. That Aircav unit at Albany was almost wiped out.

[@pricemoore2022]

Awesome reaction of my favorite movie!!!!!😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@66JesterDeath]

The taxi driver scene always makes me cry, he knows what it is

[@chriso5374]

My Dad was in this and the subsequent battles that followed and received the Bronze Star with Sgt. Major Plumley and many other brave soldiers. I have his original Bronze Star letter and Thanksgiving Day Menus(he saved) that happened just 3 weeks after. Band of brothers We were soldiers And Hacksaw Ridge are imo the best war movies I've seen. Obviously We Were Soldiers has a sentimental meaning to me. My Dad used to tuck us in when we sleeping and checked to make sure we were Breathing each night?! Not sure where or why that routine began. Miss my Pops! Thank you for your reaction...

[@edwardnowag7145]

Hello! I'm just adding...Mel Gibson is in this trilogy of historical epics, Braveheart, The Patriot and We Were Soldiers. This last one is historically accurate the character Mel portraits was the technical advisor during the filming of the movie. The battle scenes were filmed in California!

[@thehowlinggamer5784]

Absolutely love Same Elliot. 'That's you're fucking good day...'

[@lw3918]

Thanks for doing this. My father participated in this battle. He came in on the second set of helicopters. Jumped straight into a firefight.

[@thejamppa]

I was training with some elements of 7th cavalry couple of years back in Arrow 22 exercise. Amazing guys and they still talk highly about Hal Moore and legacy he made for 7th cavalry.

[@rayvanhorn1534]

I didn't know about this story until the film, then read up on it later. Just an amazing account of the early actions of Air Cav. Hey Jay, got another great film for you, this one set during WWII. It's "Unbroken", a true story of a WWII Army Air Corp crewman, Louie Zamporini who was captured in the Pacific after his aircraft was shot down.

[@aheretic]

Glad to see someone watch something appropriate to remember the day and those who have fought and given their lives. Not some "X-men movie" like others. Thank you sir.

[@thekingmagnum7331]

This is such a good movie im glad your reacting too it!

[@trooper64428]

The real tragedy of the La Drang valley is after Hal Moores unit was pulled from the field another unit went in on a search and destroy mission further into the valley and they were nearly wiped out Moores unit didn't get further than the LZ and the next unit got sucked deeper into the jungle and were ambushed from all sides. A real blood bath. The only issue I had with this movie was that it was filmed in the Hollywood back lots instead of a real dense jungle so you don't get that feeling of not being able to 20 feet in front of you or seeing the enemy in the thick jungle.

[@rampartwarrior6213]

Man, I still remember vietnam hd episode 1 talking about this battle, and its been years

[@JamesASharp]

Great acting in this film. Great reaction bro! 👍🏿

[@polterkat]

I was too young the first time I saw this movie. That dudes legs sliding off haunts my nightmares. I never have to see it again I can close my eyes and see it now 😳 ...That said... it IS one of the greats. You can't get through this without crying.

[@theviolator818]

"Broken-arrow go hard" -EOM REACTS

[@JoshDeCoster]

Incredible reaction. Hal Moore was one of the best if not THE best colonels to exist in American history.

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

I have a funny bayonet story. I was with 3/22 Infantry C company, the same unit that is in the movie Platoon. We had a brand new fresh Lieutenant take over the platoon. When we were on quick reactionary force status it meant we could be anywhere in the world in 24 hours. So we would constantly have drills where we would get all our crap down to Hickham AFB to deploy. We never knew if these alerts were drills or the real thing. So I decided I was going to have fun with the new LT so every alert I would ask him, Bayonet's are we getting Bayonet's? He didn't say anything for the first 6 or 7 alerts, finally he asks me Sgt Smith, what is the deal with your obsession over bayonet's? I told him with an absolute strait face that it was a way to conserve ammunition. He said How So? I replied, ammunition is for enemy combatants and the bayonet is for the women and children. The look of pure horror and disgust on his face was absolutely PRICELESS and made slow walking that joke for nearly a year worth it.

[@kennethsilverwind7575]

Thank you for responding to this movie. One of my favorites. It’s beautifully written and made. By the way. Your star recognition in this was on point !

[@dayooperedtroll2208]

We were soldiers is one of my top 3 war movies. Thank you for watching this. 👍🔥❤️

[@stevenandcarminabeedle9089]

Thank you for this. Maybe I’ve missed it, but I’m still waiting for a story centering the families and the stigma of having a loved one in Vietnam or a story focused on the nurses who had to care for the wounded, military, and civilian, encourage them, mother them, and sometimes expedite the end of their suffering. 😔

[@bigboi9877]

This is a true story and every single thing here actually happened. The the exact men who died and when they died.

[@death_of_fog]

Love your movie reviews and have been watching your gaming channel (highly recommended The Walking Dead and Red Dead game plays). You bring a smile to my face and make the day that much better. Thank you for being you. This movie review was very poignant to watch on Memorial Day. My father served two tours in Vietnam and I thank all the service men and women that defend the U.S. A shout out to Blank for all the work that he does to make this channel possible.

[@CandC68]

Had a friend who had been there. I met him in Vietnam years later.

[@justsomeone1038]

EOM... I've just recently discovered your channel. I've enjoyed it. And I think you are the friend I'd always drag to the movies given the chance. I served in the Navy. Less dangerous branch it seems. But I served from 98 - 04. A lot happened from the happy relaxed country to what came after. If I can ever give some insight Navy wise feel free to ask.

[@jeremiahalonzo]

Dude... Journalism is how we even know this story. It takes hard journalistic work to uncover these stories to honor our heroes. And journalists are what protects democracy, with their lives sometimes. Yeah, they can be annoying sometimes. But we need them

[@freespirit9981]

The reinactors even made it as real as possible that some people actually got injured during filming. Not by live rounds. Some accidental stabbings and powder burns from muzzle fire powder burning.

[@chadparsons50]

Mel's eyes deserve an Oscar for how much weight they carry.

[@remingtonament1863]

Very heartbreaking movie, but a great addition to Memorial day.

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

The Sgt Major may have had a pistol but that pistol was a .45 Colt 1911. At close range it had a lot more stopping power than an M-16.

[@lutherl2350]

Barry Pepper is the one doing the narrative. A great and under appreciated actor in his own right.

[@coltongarber8087]

i talked to a Vietnam Veteran and he said that the Broken Arrow air support scene in We Were Soldiers he said that there was way more than what they showed in the movie that it wasn't even half of the real thing 😔

[@watevatube]

This was filmed in ft Benning GA, I was stationed there when they filmed it

[@glassofbrandy79]

Great movie. Most of the men in my family were (and are) in the service. It’s because of them that we are free. I’m like you, I hate seeing people hurt and I just can’t wrap my mind around the kind of hate that exists in this world. ❤

[@beardedsloth7805]

Sgt Mackenzie was a great song choice for this film , if the taxi driver scene was true id imagine he probably served in ww2 or Korea so would've hated doing that job

[@goong1388]

Lol this guy is awesome! Love the reaction brother.

[@firewolf2930]

My neighbor fought this battle as an artilleryman. He was at a different lz raining shells down on the nva

[@nightfury8684]

A most appropriate movie for this day. Thank you.

[@aramiscopeland4561]

There's actual footage of the Colonel who fought in that war being interviewed he did exactly what he said he was going to do.

[@HK7Roiz]

20:35 it wouldve been amazing if he said "my dad was a sniper in ww2" ... boom! meta!

[@haydenlindquist7006]

No matter your feelings about Mel Gibson, nobody can deny the man is an amazing actor and director. Such a damn good movie

[@kengascoigne5946]

24:32 broken arrow and broken bow are also cities in Oklahoma

[@Xantheus07]

Thats how most unprofessional armies fight try to win by Zerg tactics aka numbers. Swarming enemies.

[@Hayyleyyy]

I think this is my favourite war movie. It’s so beautiful and poignant. I’m not a huge fan of Mel Gibson but in this movie, they couldn’t have cast anyone better. It’s up there with saving private ryan for me. ❤ amazing reaction as always 😊

[@carlchurch7731]

You sir, are a good man. Great reaction!

[@jahvonnad1738]

I remember those parachute towers in GA. ❤🇺🇸

[@Warvvolf]

Yeah, that leg scene after the bombing. I can't.

[@mtabor9459]

I was 19 when they we're filming. I was working at the BX/PX and ran into Mel Gibson. Then when i went to Burger King he was there.

[@kylelangille6361]

Murder whistle, yours is the best reaction channel! I am sorry I could not catch your live stream yesterday I had to work.

[@jeffersonholland9797]

Julia Moore, the Colonel's wife, gave the military so much grief about how impersonal and cold the telegrams were.

[@jennifer198801]

Love your reaction as always J❤

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

As bad as this battle was, the cluster fuck of the other units that had to hump out of the La Drang Valley on foot was even worse.

[@mraxlrose2959]

I like how they didn't give just the viewpoint of the American soldiers but the Viet Cong and the wives back home.

[@jjdabomb87]

I was fresh out of high school driving my dad back to the airport to go back to Iraq alone. He had taken leave to come home for my HS graduation

[@Zseventyone]

Thanks for the Memorial Day tribute, J. Just remember all, these were real, live Americans.

[@Quasar222]

You are a beautiful person with a big heart, J! Love you, bro!

[@houseovragnar9259]

Watching my favorite war movie. Love your channel brother. Skal 🍻

[@dabbadonisthestout7284]

I saw this as a kid and that scene where the man gets caught by napalm and they try to move him but the skin on his legs sloughs off like chicken horrifies me even worse now that I know how bad that man was literally cooked 😱😭😭

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

I was on the USS Iowa BB61, on April 19th 1989 we had a gun turret explosion that killed 47 men. While recovering the bodies, many of them were burnt beyond recognition and I learned very quickly that you had to be very careful handling the bodies because their skin would come off just like that.

[@Thane36425]

Sgt. Savage held it down alright. Turned out that the Lost Platoon was right on the main trail for the enemy. Them being there calling in artillery all night disrupted how the enemy planned to move. This was a big factor in the whole force not getting overrun. The creekbed turned into somthing of a death trap. It was low ground with little cover. It was thought later that it would have been better to stay on the near to the LZ bank or the low ridge and shot the enemy up in there. The end was pure Hollywood. There was no charge up the hill. They also did not show what came next. A relief force had fought its way in to help relieve Moore and the enemy melted away. For some crazy reason, high command decided that the relief force would march out instead of being helicoptered out. A fresh enemy unit caught them strung out on the march and tore them apart. Also, the artillery fired so hard during this engagement that several guns broke down but were repaired. A couple of them were completely wrecked.

[@johnmartin2309]

Good afternoon sir! Thank you for such a great and heartfelt reaction. If I may sir I’d like to recommend Schindler’s list. It’s a very outstanding but also emotional and sad movie.

[@EricAntonsen-uz2tq]

Great reaction brother

[@freespirit9981]

Know you said about not watching another war movie but a must watch with Sam Elliot is “Gettysburg the Movie”. That movie was not influenced by Hollywood. Most people in the movie are rein-actors of the civil war. Most got a free meal provided but were not paid to be in the film. Also this film is accurate or they would have never got the rein actors for free. Piece of history this battle to this day is in the world records for biggest artillery barrage in history during a single battle.

[@aaronburdon221]

I second this recommendation. I love that movie. Most of those people brought their own equipment, too.

[@jamiewilliamson641]

From my hometown, Bardstown Ky.

[@macmcgee5116]

While it is true that the Viet Con greatly outnumbrted the Americans in this battle, two things they did not have were artillery and air support. The enemy had a very difficult time making it past the wall of lead that the Americans threw up. Even when they did, as shown by the Broken Arrow scene, the massive amout of firepower that was called in, decomated thr troops that had not yet reached the American lines. Meaning that the first groups that made it through had no back up.

[@garyfuller8687]

I served in 1/7 when this movie came out. I later deployed to Iraq with them in 2004-2005 Fob Falcon. We had to learn everything about the unit's history from Gen 0:04 Custar to Gen Hal Moore. Seventh First! Oh and the nite before deployment is the worst.

[@aaronburdon221]

War, war never changes...

[@stevencass8849]

Your comment about reporters- Gen Sherman during the Civil War forbade journalists from his areas. He despised them and said that he felt many were traitors.

[@jonathanbleecarter]

Mcarther had some 60 bullet holes in his coat after one particular battle

[@Gray-soul_81]

My uncle was Air Cav.

[@karenlackner192]

Amazing movie! Great reaction.

[@Master-Ganja]

they renamed Ft. Benning Ft. Moore in Hal Moores honor

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

No they renamed Fort Benning because white liberals wanted the name changed because it was named after a Confederate General.

[@mikebourgeois2742]

You should watch "13 Hours". This is also a true story. Great book, great movie!