I watched this recently, having avoided all such war films for many years. It is a mind-bending film in many ways. Technically it is astonishing, with amazing scenes happening in rapid succession, using hundreds of actors and extras, and horrible violent events taking place everywhere you look. They had the use of many helicopters, ground vehicles and boats and made use of the wonderful scenery. Then there is the action, which is very disturbing from the start. Men are suffering breakdowns, injuries and committing desperately awful acts of killing. There is drinking and drug-taking all the time. The commanders all seem to be insane. Even the ones that do appear to be functioning issue ridiculous orders with a straight face. Life has become more or less worthless. I read a lot about the Vietnam war at the time, and this film really brings home the desperation and insanity of conducting a war against a people thousands of miles away. The main thing I got from it though, is how depraved and disgusting men are.