In 'Nam, Charlie don’t Surf

War has always been hell for those who fought it, but a paradise for filmmakers who sought to capture the savagery and the humanity of armed conflict for North American movie audiences.

The Vietnam War, in particular, presented Hollywood with a feast of gripping, emotional and violent stories that became especially poignant, given America’s collective guilt over the nation’s involvement.

Nearly 60,000 American soldiers were killed in the war, which, while significant, pales in comparison to the nearly two million Vietnamese on both sides – including civilians – who lost their lives.

Canada played its part in the war as well. Officially we were ‘non-belligerent,’ but Canadian companies sold about $2.5 billion in war materials (including napalm, Agent Orange, ammunition, explosives and aircraft engines) to the Pentagon. And about 30,000 Canadians volunteered to fight in Vietnam, with 110 Canucks failing to return.

This nation was also the promised land for American recruits trying to escape the draft, with more than 30,000 draft dodgers finding refuge here.

With so many rich stories it’s no wonder Vietnam War movies are among my favourites, which I suppose reflects, in part, my generation. Most Vietnam movies were made in the 20 year period following the American withdrawal from Southeast Asia in 1974, coinciding with my peak movie-watching years.

There have been a few recent Vietnam flicks – the re-make of the Quiet American (2002), Tigerland (2000) and When We Were Soldiers (2007) come to mind – but most were produced from the mid-70s to the early 90s.

Here's ten of the best Vietnam movies ever made:

1.      Apocalypse Now (1979) - The greatest movie of any genre, period. Based loosely on Joseph Conrad’s novel, Heart of Darkness, the film is more about a journey into madness – two journeys, in fact – than it is about war itself. Starring Martin Sheen and Marlon Brando and introducing a young Laurence Fishburne, Apocalypse Now has the distinction of spawning the most memorable lines (think “The Horror” by Brando, as well as “Charlie don’t surf!” and “I love the smell of napalm in the morning” by a brilliantly over-the-top Robert Duvall) of any movie since Casablanca.

2.      Full Metal Jacket (1987) - Essentially a two-part movie, the first half takes us through the hell-on-earth that was basic training, as new recruits for the war are abased and abused to make them better killing machines. The results, as the young men make their own descent into madness, are on display in the film’s second half in Vietnam.

3.      The Boys in Company C (1978) - This underrated movie served as an inspiration for Full Metal Jacket and also takes us from training to deployment as we follow a group of young soldiers into Vietnam in 1968. Hope for escape from the horrors is offered in the form of a soccer game, which counts for extra points in my book.

4.       Platoon (1986) - Charlie Sheen’s juiciest role and featuring two excellent performances by Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe, Platoon was Oliver Stone’s first – and finest – contribution to the genre. The final battle scene is epic.

5.       Hamburger Hill (1987) - A classic film about the hopelessness of war, as soldiers from the 101^st Airborne Regiment try to take a hill (Hill 937, to be precise), which has no real strategic value, while suffering heavy casualties. Notable for bringing light to the treatment returning soldiers received at home as well.

6.       Good Morning Vietnam (1987) - The comedic craziness of Robin Williams at his peak is utilized very effectively in this slightly off-beat movie about a military DJ in Vietnam, but there’s plenty of drama too, as William’s character undergoes a moral awakening.

7.      The Killing Fields (1984) - Based on true accounts, this film takes place in Cambodia (after most Americans had left Southeast Asia), during that nation’s civil war. The movie’s title is taken from the name of mass graves of Cambodians killed during the brutal dictatorship of Pol Pot and the Khamer Rouge.

8.      Tigerland (2000) - A really, really awesome movie that I’m already thinking of moving up the list. Tigerland stars Colin Farrell as an ant-war recruit who spends his time at boot camp finding ways to get other people out of the army.

9.      Jacob’s Ladder (1990) - Strange movie. Emotional, and we’re left at the end of the film wondering if any of what we just saw actually happened, or was the result of some drug-induced psychosis. Possibly a metaphor of the lives of a few people I know.

10.  The Deer Hunter (1978) - A movie about friendship, the horrors of war and post traumatic stress. The Russian Roulette scene with Christopher Walken is worth the price of admission all by itself.

Born on the Fourth of July (1989), Coming Home (1978), Casualties of War (1989) and Uncommon Valor (1983) earned honorable mention.