John Wayne Starred in One of the First Vietnam War Movies 

Hollywood mostly shied away from depicting the Vietnam War in the late 1960s because of its continuous coverage and the ensuing public discontent. Moviegoers sought solace in historical epics and musicals that promoted a more positive post-World War II narrative, while Americans were exposed to brutal pictures of the war and political unrest. ‘The Green Berets’, a Vietnam War movie that was modelled after World War II mission films and starring John Wayne, an ageing actor who was more of an American icon than an artistically significant person, made an uncommon appearance because of this background. The film’s portrayal of the war was intended to reinforce the misconceptions around it and was designed to defend the U.S. government’s conduct in Vietnam.

Wayne, who was vocal in his opposition to communism, promoted a patriotic theme in his 1968 film. Wayne portrays Colonel Mike Kirby, who commands a team in the Green Berets to capture a North Vietnamese leader and protect a South Vietnamese camp. Following Wayne’s request for cooperation from President Lyndon B. Johnson, the U.S. government supplied military resources and expertise to help make the movie.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

The movie was harshly criticized for its simplistic and propaganda depiction of the Vietnam War, even if it seemed independent. Roger Ebert and other critics criticized the movie for its outdated and unduly romanticized plot, comparing it to a “cowboys and Indians” tale. The movie served as a terrible model for subsequent Vietnam War movies since it was unable to convey the nuanced realities of the battle. ‘Apocalypse Now’ and ‘Platoon’, on the other hand, challenged the myths that ‘The Green Berets’ and other earlier films had fostered by adopting a far more critical and nuanced stance.

Despite avoiding military service during World War II, Wayne, a celebrity famed for portraying valiant soldiers and generals, continued to create the American ideal through his portrayal of military figures. His body of work, particularly ‘The Green Berets’, presents a patriotic, idealistic vision of battle that is devoid of the grim realities of later portrayals.

–Farheen Ali 

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