Original subtitles

[���]

Good morning, lieutenant.

Decide to enlist?

Hmm, just seeing Dr. Seymour.

Being psychoanalyzed, even better.

I'm doing a piece on battle fatigue.

Well, if we come back from this mission,

I'll give you an in-depth interview.

[SOFTLY] Good luck.

Mmm-mmm.

Keep your mind on your work, Taylor.

The war'll be over a lot sooner that way.

Recon bird spotted campfire, first light.

Sandal prints too.

I've been briefed, McKay.

Just trying to make your job easier.

Well, you could start by getting transferred to the Highlands.

SOLDIER: Come on, Ru.

SOLDIER 2: Hey, you okay?

Yeah.

[VOMITS]

Ruiz. Ruiz. Ruiz.

You go on sick call today.

We can fight the war without you.

I can make it! No, you just do it.

Take this M-60.

[���]

[HELICOPTER ENGINE STARTING]

[SOBBING]

WOMAN: There's been a real about-face since World War II.

The Army wants the guys back into battle as soon as possible.

Like the kid who falls off a bicycle.

Yes, actually.

Move the soldier away from the war,

and he might never recover.

Put him back in, he has a chance.

Otherwise, he could spend the rest of his life

sitting around the VA.

Or go completely nuts in combat.

That's always a possibility.

The decisions are tough, since each individual is different.

Yeah, and the Army's such a great place for the individual.

I just saw Lieutenant Goldman and his men heading out.

They try to be such stoics, you know?

But...I can feel the fear.

It's all over this place.

That's true, I think.

When a soldier's been diagnosed "battle fatigue,"

reinforcing his strength never hurts.

If you can get him back to his unit,

his chances for recovery are far greater.

Self-esteem is the most important factor.

I've gotta collect these guys for group.

This whole issue of bravery's overwhelming,

especially for the young guys

who've grown up on their fathers' war stories.

And John Wayne movies.

ALEX: I guess sending them home is like admitting defeat.

SEYMOUR: Maybe, maybe not.

I just don't have any comfortable answers.

These two guys will probably never find their way back.

[���]

ANDERSON: All right, let's fan out through the hamlet.

Search the hooches. You know the drill.

Let's go, let's go. Keep your eyes open.

Watch your back, watch your back.

Come on, let's go. Let's move, let's move.

Keep your eyes open, now. Keep your eyes open.

Percell, Martsen, take that hooch right there.

Johnson, right there.

GOLDMAN: Entering hamlet at this time. Over.

MAN [OVER RADIO]: Roger, 2-6. Keep us posted.

SOLDIER: Yeah, yeah. Get over there.

MARTSEN: Sorry, Mama-san,

but we just don't know who our friends are anymore.

PERCELL: Didi mau.

[���]

MARTSEN: Percell.

PERCELL: Check it out.

MARTSEN: Looks mighty unfriendly to me.

Hey, sarge, these guys are VC.

GOLDMAN: Blue Velvet, this is Red Dog 2-6. Over.

McKAY [OVER RADIO]: At your disposal, Red Dog.

We have two Victor Charles Pop Oscar Whiskey.

Come and get 'em. Over.

Blue Velvet on the way.

All right, sergeant, let's saddle 'em up, move 'em out.

All right, let's move them out, now! Move them out.

Johnson, you're on point. Let's go, let's go!

Hold it right there!

[SPEAKS VIETNAMESE]

No VC. Visit grandmother.

You-- Your name Johnson. Marvin Johnson.

Ling... Uh-huh.

I remember. Your name's Ling.

What's going on here, Johnson? Who is this?

I met her when I came in country, sarge.

Save the reunion for some other time.

First and second squad are in trouble up the road.

We gotta move out. Come on, let's go now.

Keep your interval.

Where you live now?

Still have shop. Mu Bak Street, remember?

Yeah. I'll come by when I get some time.

[AUTOMATIC GUNFIRE]

SOLDIER: I been hit!

SOLDIER 2: Go, go, go, go!

SOLDIER 3: Cover, cover!

SOLDIER: Stay down!

[GUNFIRE IN DISTANCE]

Affirmative, Six. I'd estimate about a squad.

One machine gun.

MAN [ON RADIO]: Help is on the way, Red Dog.

Tull! Henton! Stay down! We'll get you!

Stay down!

We gotta do something.

We gotta flank 'em, do something!

Hey, sit tight, man. We can't do nothing!

They're gonna get 'em!

Now you move, you'll be dead, just like them!

Aaaargh!

Daargh!

Aaah!

Get off!

[MAN SCREAMING]

SOLDIER: Left side, move up, move up!

GOLDMAN: Cease fire! Cease fire!

All right. Let's check it out, get back to the LT.

[���]

[GROANING]

It's okay, it's okay.

Let's go, let's go!

[HELICOPTER APPROACHING]

Percell, check him.

Is he wounded?

He lost it.

All right, lend a hand with these bodies, now. Come on.

GOLDMAN: Come on, let's go! Let's hustle! Let's hustle!

Come on, Martsen, let's go!

Time to catch the bird back to the base.

Come on!

I ain't going.

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

McKAY: Come on! Let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go!

Come on, let's get out of here!

The battle is over, Martsen.

We gotta get out of here before Charlie comes back.

My buddies.

They're all in the chopper, Martsen.

No, they're right there. I'm staying with them.

No, they're all on the bird.

Leave me alone, damn it. Leave me alone.

Listen to me. We gotta get--

What's the holdup?! He just froze up.

A couple of his buddies got killed.

What are you doing off your ship?

What's ailing you, Martsen?

Time to didi. Come on! Don't touch me!

Oh, you're a real bad dude, aren't you?

Regular ring-tailed tom. You ain't squat, pal!

You don't like it? Jump in my chest, Jack.

That is enough, McKay!

And let candy-ass here get the whole platoon blown away?

Grow up, Martsen! Move, nigger. Come on!

That's enough, McKay!

Get off the dime, you doofus coon! Come on!

Now, come on, man! Let's crawl on outta here.

I know you can do it.

Crawl in that dirt! Taste it!

Come on, man!

Let's go, let's go! I got him!

McKAY: Get in, get in, get in, get in!

[SOFT ROMANTIC MUSIC PLAYING]

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

It's open.

Well, you got a lot of style, McKay.

Get yourself a drink.

Too bad you didn't show it with Martsen today.

Flight officer already chewed me out

for leaving my chopper, so don't bug me.

Besides, I got Martsen out of there, didn't I?

Yeah. You made him feel real good too.

Hope he's not on his way to a nuthouse.

Well, how do you think he would have felt

if we'd have stayed there till the mortars started falling?

He was about to leave.

"About to" don't cut it in my training manual.

The job got done,

and the Army doesn't care whether it's pretty or not.

Oh, but Johnny McKay does.

You're living like a king here, buddy.

Doesn't hurt anyone.

If I go down in flames tomorrow,

you can share it with the troops.

You're a hell of a guy, McKay,

but I'll handle my own troops from now on.

You've got 'em...

just as long as they don't put my butt in a noose.

ANDERSON: Left, left, left, right, left.

Left, left, left...

Platoon, halt!

Left face!

Hey, guys.

How was it out there?

Will PFC Ruiz turn around

so we can see the big yellow streak

running down the middle of his back?

That's not fair. I tried as hard as I could.

You're chicken.

Get a job as a hooch maid, you sissy.

Chicken! Shut up.

Coward.

Coward!

Shut up!

ALL: Coward! Coward! Coward! Coward! Coward!

Shut up!

ALL: Coward! Coward! Coward!

Shut up! Shut up!

ALL: Coward! Coward! Coward!

Yellow coward!

ALL: Coward! Coward! Coward!

Shut up! Shut up!

Aaaah! Oh!

Hey, easy!

Easy, Ru, it's just a dream.

It's just a dream, man.

Relax.

Let's go outside.

I guess everybody gets nightmares, huh?

Look, I know you're...tough.

Ru, man, you've proved that a hundred times.

[SIGHS]

But, hey, we all get scared.

There's nothing wrong with that.

I'll be all right.

You've gotta deal with it, man.

And you can't deal with it if you keep denying it.

What do I do?

Maybe you need to talk to someone...

chaplain...

maybe even that psychiatrist we met.

I got my pride, man.

I mean, it's bad enough they may think I'm a coward...

but telling it to a woman...

I know.

You're not a coward.

Maybe it's worth a shot, huh?

You see how you feel in the morning.

ANDERSON: Dr. Seymour!

You got a minute?

Yeah, just a minute.

What do you think of PFC Martsen...

if it's not violating a confidence?

It's hard to say. He's just coming off medication.

You probably know better than I do.

He's a good soldier.

What happened to him out there was coming from way down deep.

What do you mean? I don't know.

You could see it in his eyes.

You could feel it in his muscles when you touched him.

It was like he was taking 10,000 volts,

and it was rearranging everything

he ever thought or felt about himself.

That's probably close to what was happening.

Yeah, well, I know everyone always wants you

to pay special attention to their men,

but I think Martsen's in real trouble.

I'll do what I can.

He doesn't belong out in the field.

Dr. Scheidly can be pretty hard-nosed and by the book.

And the policy is to put all non-injuries

back in combat as soon as possible.

There are ways around that too.

And I'd be glad to help you.

Hey, Ling.

You surprised to see me?

Most GI not see again.

Well, here I am.

Hey, you wanna go have a drink or something?

Oh, you have... baby.

Mm-hmm.

[FUN, SULTRY MUSIC PLAYING]

Your English is getting real good, Ling.

Much practice. Sell many things.

And see lots of GIs...lots.

Ah...

No.

Not that way.

I no go GI no more.

It's all right. It's all right.

You last GI I go with.

You don't have to tell me stuff like that.

I just came down here to see how you were doing.

You think I lie?

Hey, I told you, it's no big deal.

Now, what's going on?

Baby yours, Marvin Johnson.

You father.

Did you just dream this up when you saw me the other day?

You think I'm gonna get you a PX card or something?

I tell truth.

There's no way in hell I can know that's the truth.

You're just trying to get something off me.

I no want nothing.

I thought you good man,

want to know.

I no want nothing.

Lord, what can you show me next?

SEYMOUR: You're a good soldier, Martsen.

Decorated.

Remember that.

That was another person.

What do you mean?

Can barely lift this cigarette.

The weight's killing me.

We can all reach a point where it gets to be too much.

Sure got to be too much for Tull and Henton.

Couldn't do a thing to help them.

Weren't you pinned down?

Shouldn't have been.

Stupid.

I know how difficult it must be to watch your friends die.

You don't know.

Makes you feel like you don't belong nowhere no more.

Where do you want to belong?

I'm sorry, ma'am.

Could you leave me alone for a while?

Of course, Martsen.

I'm here if you need to talk.

Talking just pulls me back into that stuff.

I feel like I'm caught in a twister and I can't get out.

How's Martsen today?

Ready to go back to duty?

He's about to have a rest, doctor.

You get it together, soldier.

Your unit needs you.

He's having a really tough go.

Don't give him too much time to think about it.

Getting him back to his unit's the best cure.

Statistics prove that.

He's not ready yet. He might never be.

He's been severely traumatized.

Don't be negative, Dr. Seymour.

It's worse to treat these men like helpless children.

I understand the theory,

but we have to assess each case on its merits.

We spend too much time looking at things

on an individual basis.

Let's get with the program, doctor.

[SIGHS]

Myron, relax.

I'm sorry about dinner,

but it was the only time I could catch McKay.

That's because the rest of the time,

he was loading up on cognac and caviar.

He didn't get back to base till now.

Now, if I'm gonna write a fair article,

I need to get his perspective too.

His perspective is not nearly as interesting

as having dinner with me.

So we'll have dinner tomorrow.

I could be dead tomorrow.

Don't get morbid. So could I, for that matter.

Then why waste the evening on McKay?

Because this Martsen story

is exactly what I've been looking for.

Stories are my business.

Well, the evening's still young.

You go ahead and get your fascinating perspective,

and I'll catch you some other time.

Myron. Myron!

Come on.

[SIGHS]

We did it to this kid from Hawaii

when I was stationed in Germany.

The cold was driving him nuts.

We broke his arm to keep him out of maneuvers.

I know I asked for your help, sergeant,

but what you're suggesting for Martsen

is way outside my medical handbook.

You could authorize a cast.

It's medical procedure. The surgeon's got to do it.

What about a splint or a sling, then?

You could say he dislocated his shoulder

hanging on to that tree.

There's also an ethical question.

What about the ethical question

of sending a guy like Martsen back into combat?

Come on, I'm just trying to buy a little time here

so that you can work with the boy.

I know.

But I'm used to confronting these problems head-on.

When a sergeant goes head-on with a major,

you want to try to guess whose head's gonna roll here?

Hmm? Think about it.

GOLDMAN: Good shot, lieutenant.

But it's not whether or not you win or lose.

It's how you play the game.

[FUNKY SOUL MUSIC PLAYING]

Did you know...

that there is no philosophical system

capable of dealing with love?

I mean, even-- Even Aristotle, even Plato,

even big guys like that,

they get totally lost in-- In a place like the female mind.

Excuse me.

It's stuck.

But I am not bitter.

Not a bit bitter.

No, sir.

No, sir.

[GIRLS SCREAMING]

MAN: Hey!

[PEOPLE SHOUTING AND SCREAMING]

MAN: Sound's rolling, Josh.

GOLDMAN: The hell--? What the hell was that?

Looks like you saved all these people

from a VC bomb, lieutenant.

Bomb?

The only thing bombed in there was me.

Thank you, sir. Thank you.

No, seriously, seriously, I didn't do anything.

Hey, let it ride, lieutenant.

I think you just became a hero, man.

Hey, hey! Shake his hand again.

[SIRENS WAILING]

[CHUCKLES]

It hasn't been bothering me at all.

Just use it as little as possible.

It feels fine.

But if you want me to lay off--

I want you to take it easy in general.

So does Sergeant Anderson.

If sarge says so, then-- Then it's done.

He says so.

[BOLD PATRIOTIC MUSIC PLAYING]

I don't know about you, Marvin.

I mean, I promised my mama

I wouldn't make any dumb friends over here.

Guess I let her down.

Look, man, I just want to talk to her a little,

maybe take her something from the PX.

Check this dude out.

Hammer try to lay that trip on me, I'm gone.

Whoof! Speed of light.

I mean, I don't know, Johnson.

You might be opening up a big ol' can of worms.

TAYLOR: A big ol' can of worms, hell.

I mean, just like going near the broad

is admitting the kid's yours.

Suppose it is mine?

You got a bad case of combat fatigue.

Better get yourself up to that psycho ward

and check it in for a long stay.

[POOL BALLS CRACK] [REPORTER SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY]

[BALL LANDS IN POCKET]

Thanks for your sensitive counsel, Marcus.

Yeah, well, somebody's gotta be practical.

Even if the kid is yours, what are you gonna do?

Take your new family home to mama?

I don't know.

Anyway, no harm in seeing her again.

Not as long as you're sure you know what you're doing.

TAYLOR: Suit yourself, breeze.

But you free, broke, black and almost 21.

Now, don't come crying to me when things get sticky.

SOLDIER: Hey, turn that up.

REPORTER: These shots were taken by...

Check it out.

..our ever-alert cameraman, Josh Newman,

just as the Dragon Lady Bar in Saigon

was blown up by the Vietcong last night.

SOLDIER: Hey! All right, LT!

Although Lieutenant Goldman has not been available for comment,

it appears that he saw the guerrillas fleeing the bar,

then opened fire with a pistol, driving the patrons...

LT bad or what?

I'm telling you, man get elected mayor behind all that.

Nice to get some good press for a change, isn't it?

The bomb would have been responsible for the injury

and deaths of innocent civilians.

The quick and gallant action of the American lieutenant

saved the lives of at least 50--

There's a war going on,

and this story makes the headlines.

Myron, it's a great story.

If you like fiction.

This could be the greatest career move of your life.

A career bottled in Bonn.

I was blitzed.

So? Nobody has to know that.

The general's invited you over.

He'll probably offer you a choice assignment.

I've got an assignment.

Yeah, but this is great PR.

"Unselfish American saves Vietnamese lives."

Maybe it'll help get the people back on our side.

Well, listen, the truth of the matter is

I'm lucky I didn't grease some of those guys last night.

What's your problem?

I just don't think of the war as good stories

or career building or public relations.

I lost a few good men the other day.

I'll probably lose some more next week,

and a meeting with the general is not gonna change that.

Well, maybe the general will make you a press officer.

It'd be nice to have somebody legit for a change.

I feel like a parasite.

What happened last night is bull.

Don't. Don't do this to yourself.

Do what? Tell the truth?

The truth in this case doesn't do anybody a bit of good.

[���]

Don't be so hard on yourself, Martsen.

You're a good soldier,

and you'll get it back.

I don't know, sarge.

This morning, I-- I got up and...I was all set.

You know, I knew I could do it.

Then I started lacing up my boots.

The floor turned into mud and the...

bullets started splattering it all over me.

It's all right, soldier. It ain't all right.

See? I was shaking so bad I couldn't light a cigarette.

Was so scared I couldn't move.

I couldn't get to Tull and Henton.

They're getting hit...

spinning around...

spinning like a couple toys.

[BREATHES DEEP]

I'm always gonna see them that way...

like it's burned into my brain.

There's nowhere I can get where I can't see that.

I think 72 hours is enough time in this prison.

Don't you think so?

His wrist is pretty messed up, sir.

I think the platoon can get along

another couple days without him.

I want him out of here today.

Maybe light duty, then, but certainly not combat.

[SIGHS]

Well, Martsen, I hear other people speaking for you.

Don't you have anything to say for yourself?

How about it, Martsen?

Look at me, soldier!

ANDERSON: Sir, if you-- Sergeant, stay out of this.

It's okay, everybody.

I'm ready.

I sure don't need this.

[BREATHES DEEP]

I'll go back out tomorrow, sir.

Because you're right.

The best thing for me is to get back up on the horse,

and the sooner, the better.

Where did he get the splint?

It was my idea.

He's not ready to carry a weapon,

let alone join a platoon.

SEYMOUR: He's a liability to himself and to the other men.

You're dead wrong!

His attitude should be an example

for the rest of the men lying around here.

This man has just been through a psychotic episode!

This man just said he was ready to go back.

My orders are to get him back.

The Army's philosophy is that it's better for him to go back.

He's more afraid of you than he is the war.

And so am I.

That's it, then.

Tomorrow morning.

Dr. Seymour, in my office.

[SIGHS]

[DOOR CLOSES]

Martsen. Martsen.

You don't have to do this.

It don't mean nothing, sarge.

I'll be there for God and country.

No more embarrassing you.

No more embarrassing me.

[���]

MARTSEN: Oh, God.

Oh. Oh, God.

You all right? You all right?

You want to step out? No.

Stay cool.

What--? What's happening, sarge?

It's probably just Johnson and Lopez getting back.

Now, you sit tight now, Martsen.

About five VC coming this way.

L-shaped ambush. And stick with Martsen.

Got it. Let's go.

Take it easy, Martsen.

They're gonna hear your heart beating.

[GASPS]

I don't think I can do this, sarge.

Hey. Yes, you can.

Yes, you can, Martsen.

I don't-- I'm counting on you.

I don't know.

I just don't know.

[WHISPERING] Hey, hey. Sss, sss.

[MAN SPEAKS VIETNAMESE]

[���]

[MEN SPEAKING VIETNAMESE QUIETLY]

[SPEAKING VIETNAMESE]

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

Sorry, sarge.

It'll be over soon.

[MUFFLED SOBBING]

[YELLING]

[MARTSEN YELLING]

Aah!

Aah...uh!

GOLDMAN: First squad,

get after those bastards!

The rest of you guys, keep your eyes peeled.

SOLDIER: Go. Go. Go!

ANDERSON: Medic!

Will you ever forgive me?

It ain't like that, Martsen.

Come on. Come on!

You gotta forgive me, sarge!

You and the guys.

Martsen, there's nothing to forgive, man.

Come on. Knock him out if you have to, morphine.

All right.

ANDERSON: Just breathe.

Just breathe.

Good. All right. All right.

[SNIFFLING]

[LAUGHS]

SEYMOUR: Sergeant Anderson mentioned you might be coming by.

Yeah.

I mean, yes, ma'am.

You seem nervous.

Yeah.

I don't know if this is such a good idea.

Can you really help me?

Maybe.

It must have been very difficult for you to come in here.

You want to tell me about it?

I'm a coward.

[SNIFFS]

A coward.

I don't think a coward would have had the courage

to walk through that door.

Hey, Ling.

I brought you some things.

Why you do this?

I don't know. I just wanted to talk to you some more.

I didn't feel right about the other day.

You think I want PX card.

I don't know what I think.

I mean, that stuff you laid on me was a big surprise.

I sorry.

Hey, I just wanna know what's going on.

I'm having your baby.

But how do you know?

Can you honestly stand there and tell me

that you're sure the baby's mine?

I mean, I gotta know.

I want to do the right thing by you and the baby,

but I gotta know for sure.

I think it yours.

You think?

But do you know?

For sure?

Not sure.

There other GIs.

Maybe...two or three.

The same time?

[���]

It okay now, GI.

You happy.

[SOBBING]

Don't worry.

Go away.

I'd like to stay and talk to you some more.

Why?

I appreciate the honesty.

And I like you.

What're you gonna name the baby?

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

If it's not too late, I'll let you buy me that drink.

It's never too late to get a drink at my place.

[SIGHS]

So how's Martsen?

They're not sure.

Look, I underestimated what you did for him the other day.

Maybe I was wrong getting on your case.

Yeah, well, maybe I was a jerk.

A lot of good it did Martsen, huh?

The point is...

what you did took a lot of courage.

Yeah, survival, Myron.

Without that, life's just a string of goose eggs.

[CLINKS GLASS]

Martsen will survive.

That ain't what I'm talking about.

What's inside that body's gone.

He might as well be dead.

Maybe some of this does get to you.

[CHUCKLES]

That's why they pay me the big bucks.

Damn war.

You're making a big mistake!

Well, then I'll just buy the consequences.

What's he gonna do? Send me to Vietnam?

Make me a grunt?

Scheidly won't listen!

I should've broken Martsen's leg

before I sent him back into battle!

I should've done that!

Scheidly ain't nothing.

You've got some explaining to do about PFC Martsen.

PFC Martsen's been medevaced to Japan.

He's no longer in this command.

If he doesn't wind up dead,

he's gonna be a permanent party on some VA psycho ward.

Look, I got something for you, here:

the remains of his fatigue jacket.

Why don't you put this in an envelope,

mail it on home to his folks for him?

For the record, sergeant,

and in the interest of truth,

PFC Martsen volunteered to go back out.

Volunteered, hell.

You shamed him into it. You know you did.

Now, it's bad enough that healthy soldiers

gotta get their lives blown apart out there,

but you got no right to send a guy like Martsen

with the shot nerves out in all that crap.

And, honest to God,

if you ever do that to one of my men again,

I'm gonna get you.

You're about one sentence away from a court-martial.

Sergeant, please.

Let me handle this.

[SIGHS]

You're not going to court-martial me.

Everyone's replaceable, doctor.

Well, it may come to that

because I'm not gonna let this happen again.

We've got to change,

or else we'll have more Martsens on our hands.

Oh, I see.

A civilian contract psychiatrist

with no experience in a war zone

is going to determine the policies

of the U.S. Army Medical Corps.

The program's sound.

But it's only a guide.

When the program becomes more important

than the people it serves,

then whether or not we win this war,

we've lost our way.

If it's any help,

I think you got your point across.

A day late and a dollar short.

[SIGHS]

Your men ask you to fill a lot of roles:

father, advocate, healer...

friend.

It's okay if you can't be all those at the same time.

I could've saved Martsen.

It's over now.

Plenty of people still need you...

like me.

I'd do anything I could for you.

Then walk me home.

Make yourself comfortable.

I think you earned this.

Thanks.

I'm not gonna see much of this

once old Scheidly sends me to Long Binh Jail.

He's not gonna court-martial you.

Not yet.

[LAUGHS]

[���]

Do you wanna sit down?

No. I-- This--

This place is almost like an officer's quarters.

Maybe.

But I left all that at the door.

Jennifer?

What?

The way you went out on a limb for Martsen today...

I don't meet many people who would've done that.

If people don't do things for each other,

then life doesn't make much sense.

You make me feel almost human.

You want to know something?

What?

You almost are.

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