Go Tell the Spartans

1978
R
1h 54m

IMDb RATING

6.6/10

3.2K

YOUR RATING

Play trailer1:34

1 Video

82 Photos

Drama War

During the early 1960s, U.S. military advisers in South Vietnam discover the same challenges that plagued the French army in Indochina ten years prior.During the early 1960s, U.S. military advisers in South Vietnam discover the same challenges that plagued the French army in Indochina ten years prior.During the early 1960s, U.S. military advisers in South Vietnam discover the same challenges that plagued the French army in Indochina ten years prior.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.6/10

3.2K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 nomination total

Videos1

Trailer 1:34

Trailer [OV]

Photos82

+ 76

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Lead actor Burt Lancaster re-financed the picture to the tune of around US $150,000 when the picture's budget fell short during principal photography.

Goofs
The only US advisors who carry spare ammo pouches on their belts are those who are armed with M1911A1 pistols. Those who are equipped with M3 submachine guns (like Maj Barker) and M1/M2 carbines carry no extra ammo pouches.

Quotes
Lt. Finley Wattsberg: Be careful, sir!
Maj. Asa Barker: Wattsberg, do you love your commanding officer?
Lt. Finley Wattsberg: Well... yes, sir.
Maj. Asa Barker: That's fine, because I love you, too.

Connections
Featured in Sneak Previews: Buried Treasures: Cattle Annie and Little Britches/Go Tell the Spartans/Over the Edge/Agatha/The Wanderers/Swamp Thing (1982)

User reviews67

Review

Featured review

8/10

An excellent film spotlighting early American "advisory" to South Vietnam up to 1964.

To anyone who has studied Vietnam, Go Tell The Spartans portrays it quite accurately. From the weapons of the era, the general disdain of some officers over our involvement, to the psychological effects on the soldiers themselves, this movie succeeds in each department. Burt Lancaster does an excellent job of portraying the hard-boiled Major Barker, and is backed by a fine cast. All the facets of the soldiers are portrayed, though often through amplified stereotypes, giving the viewer a feel for what made the soldiers tick. Drug use, libido, cowardess, heroism, concern, hatred, each of these traits find themselves embodied in one of the characters.

This isn't a feel-good film, but it did provide a few chuckles here and there. And although it doesn't come close to informing the viewer about what Vietnam was like, it tries admirably.