The Siege of Firebase Gloria

Director: Brian Trenchard-Smith

Overview

Based on the true story, this film follows the struggle of a group of brave marines as they attempt to defend Firebase Gloria during the Tet Offensive, even though they are greatly outnumbered.

Product Details

Release Date:	03/13/2012
UPC:	0883904261995
Original Release:	1989
Source:	MGM
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[monaural]
Language:	English
Time:	1:40:00
Sales rank:	16,362

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Wings Hauser	DiNardo
R. Lee Ermey	Hafner
Robert Arevalo	Cao Van
Gary Hershberger	Moran
Albert Popwell	Sgt. Jones
Mark Neely	Murphy

Technical Credits

William Nagle

Tony Johnston

William Nagle	Screenwriter
Tony Johnston	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

This low-budget entry in the late 1980's cycle of Vietnam War films is one of this subgenre's unsung gems. The script is built on familiar characterizations but it tells its tale in a spare, effective style that draws the viewer in. The Siege Of Firebase Gloria also offers the occasional surprise, like the way it treats the Vietnamese side of the conflict as legitimate characters instead of faceless villains or a great scene in the latter part of the film where stars R. Lee Ermey and Wings Hauser have an emotional talk about a tragedy that drove their friendship apart. Veteran b-movie director Brian Trenchard-Smith helms the film with confidence, bringing kinetic flair to the battle scenes and a knack for the tough-guy version of melodrama this kind of material needs. It also helps that he has two stellar lead performances from Ermey and Hauser: real-life vet Ermey is effortlessly convincing as the tough yet fair leader and Hauser brings his trademark intensity to the fore to create a convincing portrait of someone living at the edge of their sanity. In short, The Siege Of Firebase Gloria is a tight, convincing war movie that delivers a studio film's worth of excitement and drama on a drive-in budget -- and war movie fans are likely to love it.