I do not really understand the negative reviews and complaints. This is a 1968 movie, and you can't hold it against today's standards. I've seen war movies of later date that I couldn't even finish or were filled with impossible feats, turning it into a fantasy instead. Not so with this movie. So if you are one of those that only care about pretty girls and superhuman feats, I suggest don't bother watching. But if you like to see a old war movie with a honest script, then I say go watch it.Minus 2 stars for overly abrupt scene endings and starts, and minus 1 star for overall acting, I gave it 7 stars. The storyline pulls you in and doesn't let go until the last scene. I loved the "Ballad of the Green Berets" at the start and end. The movie definitely made a memorable impact on me, and even though it isn't perfect, I would watch it again. To me that's a good sign, and I'm inclined to call this a good "B" movie.And I have to mention the great performance of Craig Jue, "the little boy".---Points in other reviews:Critiques about 1968 special effects is idiotic.Comments about the rain scenes and seeing wet and dry areas on the ground with other people walking in sunlight not bothered by the rain is total nonsense. Just look at the sky and you'll see rain clouds everywhere. So even if the rain was artificial it looked okay to me.It was mentioned that the sun was setting in the east in the last scene. But who told you that was the east? Have you looked at Vietnam on a map? The south point has a coastline facing east, south, west and even north. Aside from that, the east coast is littered with bays facing all kinds of directions. The one at Vung Tau is almost about 20 miles across facing west. Studies have proved that the average human can only see up to 3 miles across the ocean while standing on the beach at an eye height of about 5-6 feet.And pro Vietnam war? How so? You mean to say that soldiers should simply refuse to follow orders whenever they see fit? How would you feel if your military would refuse orders to defend your country. Soldiers go where they're told, no matter what. If not, they wouldn't be of any use. Politicians carry the responsibility of an unjust war!

Col. Mike Kirby (John Wayne who traveled to Vietnam in June 1966 and got the idea to make this picture about the army special forces on that trip) picks two teams of crack Green Berets ( Aldo Ray , George Takei , Jim Hutton , Edward Faulkner , Raymond St Jacques , Patrick Wayne , John's son , among others) from U.S. Special Forces troops for a mission in South Vietnam . Being accompanied by cynical War correspondent George Beck (David Janssen) briefing about the American military involvement in the war in Vietnam . First off is to build and control a camp that is attempting to be taken by the Viet Cong , the second assignment is to Kirby and a select group of his men are then ordered on a special mission to capture a high-level enemy Colonel . This exciting wartime picture contains thrills , violence , noisy action , breathtaking battles and absurd situations . Don't miss the ending scene where the sun sets in the East , including a patriotic as well as famous music . Nice acting by John Wayne , as usual , he was prompted to make the film as a response to the growing anti-Vietnam War movement in the US . John Wayne's character , Col. Mike Kirby, is based on the real-life Lauri Törni, who later on called himself Larry Thorne . The latter was a Finnish army captain who fought in the Second World War during the Winter War (1939-40) and Continuation War (1941-44) against the Soviet Union . He emigrated to the US in the late 1940s and in 1954 joined the US Army . Very good support cast , plenty of familiar faces such as Jim Hutton , Aldo Ray , Raymond St. Jacques , Bruce Cabot , Patrick Wayne , Edward Faulkner and Luke Askew . The film was panned by reviewers , general public and many soldiers serving in Vietnam found the film offensive . Being partially based on real events , as the defensive battle that takes place during the second half of the movie is very loosely based on the Battle of Nam Dong , during which two Viet Cong battalions attacked a small outpost in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam . Even George Takei (he missed nine episodes of Star Trek) has admitted in interviews that while he was grateful to be cast in this film , he nevertheless strongly disagreed with the film's pro-war message and felt the finished movie was very bad . Green Berets was released soon after the Tet Offensive and the My Lai Massacre getting negative critiques , too . However , a lot of critics deemed this war film much better than its reputation would suggest . Possibly due to the film's extremely lousy critical reactions , it's been a long-held belief by many people that it was also a box-office flop . Actually , it was one of John Wayne's biggest box-office successes , attracting millions of moviegoers and ending up being the 13th highest grossing movie of 1968.Colorful cinematography in Panavision by Winton Hoch , filmed on location in Columbus, Georgia , and Ft. McClellen, Alabama . Much of the film was shot in 1967 at Ft. Benning, Georgia, hence the large pine forests in the background rather than tropical jungle trees . Good production design , some of the "Vietnamese village" sets were so realistic they were left intact, and were later used by the Army for training troops destined for Vietnam . Impressive and rousing musical score by Miklós Rózsa , similarly composed to previous epics as Ben Hur , King of Kings , El Cid . Lavishly produced by Batjac , Wayne's company and Warner Bros was concerned about letting John Wayne direct the movie because of the fact that his previous directorial effort , El Alamo (1960), had been an expensive flop . They therefore only agreed to let him do the film if he agreed to co-direct with a more experienced director, and Wayne chose Ray Kellogg . The studio agreed, despite Kellogg's only having ever directed a few "B" pictures such as : ¨The Giant Gila Monster , My dog buddy , The killer shrews¨ , because of his impressive track record as a second unit director on a number of major studio releases . Being John Wayne's final war film , although Undefeated (1969) and Río Lobo (1970) contained some war scenes .

It's almost impossible to keep politics out of a discussion of this movie, though I found that John Wayne as director at least allowed the liberal view their take on things by questioning the legitimacy of the war. Perhaps the movie's biggest problem in hindsight is the fact that it was made while the Viet Nam War was still being waged. 1979's "Apocalypse Now" presented the viewer with an inability to filter any kind of rationality out of insane circumstances and challenged one's perception about war and it's consequences. In 1986, "Platoon" examined the utter insanity that drives men to do the kinds of things they would never even consider in 'ordinary' life. "The Green Berets" delivers a proactive message about America's involvement in the War as a force for good against the Communist threat posed by Russia, China and the Viet Cong. That man has to pay a price for freedom is a recurring theme, with the character of Chronicle Herald reporter Beckworth (David Janssen) gradually coming to realize that all is not black or white when serving in a combat zone. However viewed today, the film appears to be laden with clichéd characters and situations and doesn't convey the kind of mind numbing angst that warriors in combat are faced with when fighting the enemy. With all that's been said and written about the Viet Nam War, the movie's principal value lies in presenting a view of the conflict that's generally not seen or understood by those who never lived through the era.

John Wayne picks two "A-teams" of green berets for a special mission into South Vietnam. He has to bring along reporter David Janssen, who believes America should withdraw from the war. This one's controversial and divisive, principally among political types. I gotta tell you that sort of thing bores me to tears. Still, I've avoided watching this for years because of its reputation. I had no desire to see Duke in a clunker if I could avoid it. I was happily surprised when I finally did watch it. This is a pretty good war movie with some solid performances and a great theme song. The little Vietnamese kid was pretty treacly stuff, though. If you enjoy John Wayne movies, you should enjoy this one.