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Go Tell the Spartans

Go Tell the Spartans

War · 1978

A unit of American military advisors in Vietnam prior to the major U.S. involvement finds similarities between their helpless struggle against the Viet Cong and the doomed actions of a French unit at the same site a decade before.

Movie details

Go Tell the Spartans

“We're getting strafed, shelled, bombed, and blasted. And it isn't even our damned war!”

1978 War 1h 54m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.2 / 10

Community rating

A unit of American military advisors in Vietnam prior to the major U.S. involvement finds similarities between their helpless struggle against the Viet Cong and the doomed actions of a French unit at the same site a decade before.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Go Tell the Spartans?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan

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War · 2019

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Born on the Fourth of July

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The Thin Red Line

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The Greatest Beer Run Ever

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Chickie wants to support his friends fighting in Vietnam, so he does something wild—personally bring them American beer. What starts as a well-meaning journey quickly changes Chickie's life and perspective.

Apocalypse Now

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Heaven & Earth

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Ted Post

Written by

Wendell Mayes

Burt Lancaster

Burt Lancaster

Maj. Asa Barker

Craig Wasson

Craig Wasson

Cpl. Courcey

Marc Singer

Marc Singer

Capt. Alfred Olivetti

Joe Unger

Joe Unger

Lt. Raymond Hamilton

David Clennon

David Clennon

Lt. Finley Wattsberg

Evan C. Kim

Evan C. Kim

Cowboy

John Megna

John Megna

Cpl. Ackley

Court is in session

Put Go Tell the Spartans on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.