TUNKHANNOCK — Just in time for Veterans Day, the film “We Were Soldiers” is coming to the Dietrich Theater at 1 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, with free showings sponsored by Post 457 Dennis Strong American Legion. This film was chosen for the Dietrich Film Favorites series to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War.

“We Were Soldiers,” starring Mel Gibson, tells the story of the first major battle of the American phase of the Vietnam War and the soldiers on both sides. It dramatizes the Battle of Ia Drang on Nov. 14, 1965 and is based on the book “We Were Soldiers Once… And Young” (1992) by Lieutenant General (Ret.) Hal Moore and reporter Joseph L. Galloway, both of whom were at the battle.

It tells the story of the Battle of Ia Drang, where American soldiers endured three days of brutal combat. They were surrounded, outnumbered, and locked in a fight for survival against trained and battle-hardened North Vietnamese regulars and were far from friendly lines. Reinforcements were a long way off and had to be flown in by helicopter. Led by Col. Hal Moore, played by Gibson in the film, those on the ground had only the men to their left and right to rely on.

Mel Gibson stars in ‘We Were Soldiers.’
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_ABJ-Soldiers.jpg.optimal.jpgMel Gibson stars in ‘We Were Soldiers.’ Submitted photo

For Abington Journal

Information provided by the Dietrich Theater.