I have always watched war pictures, to try and understand our history. Until recently, I felt that "Battle of the Bulge" was the best at depicting not only the war, but the battle. "We were soldiers" has not only meet that quality, but out did it. The film put you into the battle, and what these men did for their country, and their leader. It also showed the other side of the story. People tend to forget the families and lives that the soldiers had to leave. This film showed what these brave women lived through. With past films you got a glimpse of the emotional bond of the soldiers, but with this film you go to see the emotional side of the wives. From the time they first learned that the soldiers had to go into battle, until the time they received a letter from the Department of Defense. The film showed a "human side" to war. It showed the emotional scars of the women and of the soldiers themselves. It also showed a humanity side of the enemy. I think that the casting of this movie was perfect. I also agree with another who stated that Mel Gibson is the John Wayne of this era.