The Green Berets (1968)

22% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
69% of users liked it
(9,184 ratings)

The Green Berets is an exciting war film that was lambasted by critics who at the time of its release opposed the war in Vietnam. Wayne's role is similar to his part in The Longest Day (1963), but it was evident to the worldwide public that the same bravado that flew well in World War II… More The Green Berets is an exciting war film that was lambasted by critics who at the time of its release opposed the war in Vietnam. Wayne's role is similar to his part in The Longest Day (1963), but it was evident to the worldwide public that the same bravado that flew well in World War II crash-landed in 1968 in the wake of a very different war and political time. Wayne plays the hard-nosed rough-and-ready Colonel Mike Kirby who heads a courageous bunch of tough-as-nails Green Berets determined to capture an important enemy general. They are accompanied by a skeptical reporter who soon becomes a gung-ho red-white-and-blue patriot as the Colonel and the others lecture and show him why they must defeat the "commies." Interestingly, despite the massive anti-war sentiments of the times, the film grossed over $11 million at the box-office and is especially notable for the fine battle scenes. The film also features the hit song "Ballad of the Green Berets," sung by Sgt. Barry Sadler. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: G, 2 hr. 21 min.
Directed By: John Wayne, Aldo Ray
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Jun 19, 1968 Wide
On DVD: Oct 30, 1997
Studio: Warner Home Video

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
One of the first movies about Vietnam is also one of the weakest and most preposterous right-wing agit-prop
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
The story takes forever to get underway, and once it does, there's not a lot that happens. (Blu-ray Edition)
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...politics aside, the film is simply overlong and boring, which are among the greatest sins any movie can commit.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
If you liked this film, you're probably also thrilled with W's Iraqi war.
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
Despised by liberals in its day, The Green Berets isn't nearly as bad as its reputation.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
When I first saw this at an NCO club during the Vietnam War, Army vets laughed and catcalled throughout the film because of the preposterous dialogue and action sequences.

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dean M

Exciting and enjoyable action with the heroes of soldiers of Special Forces that John Wayne stars and co-directed this red-white-and-blue depiction of America's Vietnam effort. It is better than its reputation would suggest.
Randy T

I'm a huge John Wayne fan but this (IMO) is his worst film. This one plays like a government produced propaganda piece.
xGary X

Apparently, the average age of soldiers fighting in Vietnam was not 19, it was more like 48 (apart from the indigenous cannon fodder of course), and Vietnam is actually a dead ringer for a wooded area in Wisconsin. This kind of flag-waving revisionism is tasteless at the best of… More
Apparently, the average age of soldiers fighting in Vietnam was not 19, it was more like 48 (apart from the indigenous cannon fodder of course), and Vietnam is actually a dead ringer for a wooded area in Wisconsin. This kind of flag-waving revisionism is tasteless at the best of times, but considering the circumstances of this particular conflict it's positively offensive.
Chad R

There is such a thing as due process. Out here, due process is a bullet.