The Green Berets

"A special force in a special kind of hell!"

1968 2h 22m EN

😐

5.7

MID

★5.7TMDB · 197

WarDrama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Col. Mike Kirby picks two teams of crack Green Berets for two missions in South Vietnam. The first is to strengthen a camp that is trying to be taken by the enemy. The second is to kidnap a North Vietnamese General.

“A special force in a special kind of hell!”

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Cast

John Wayne
Colonel Mike Kirby
David Janssen
George Beckworth
Jim Hutton
Sgt. Petersen
Aldo Ray
Sgt. Muldoon
Raymond St. Jacques
Sgt. Doc McGee
Bruce Cabot
Colonel Morgan
Jack Soo
Colonel Cai
George Takei
Captain Nim

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: John Wayne
Writers: James Lee Barrett
Languages: Danish, English, Vietnamese, German
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

58 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 4 languages: Danish, English, Vietnamese, German.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by John Wayne, shot by Winton C. Hoch. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Miklós Rózsa. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Otho Lovering shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

John Wayne and David Janssen and Jim Hutton carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "A special force in a special kind of hell!".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0063035 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

John Wayne directs. Winton C. Hoch behind the camera. Miklós Rózsa scores. Otho Lovering cuts. Profitable at the box office. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in Danish, English, Vietnamese, German.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

158 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
2Dialogue crosses 4 languages: Danish, English, Vietnamese, German.
3Directed by John Wayne, shot by Winton C. Hoch. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Miklós Rózsa. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Otho Lovering shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6John Wayne and David Janssen and Jim Hutton carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "A special force in a special kind of hell!".
8IMDB entry: tt0063035 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: Winton C. Hoch
Original score: Miklós Rózsa
Editing: Otho Lovering
Production design: Walter M. Simonds
Costume design: Jerry Alpert
Makeup / hair: Dave Grayson
Runtime: 142 min · 2h 22m
Status: Released
Budget: $7,000,000
Box office: $11,000,000
Return: 157% of budget
Original language: EN
Certification (US): G
IMDB: The Green Berets (1968)

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Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

Wuchak2019-05-23
★ 6/10
The only Vietnam War flick shot during the war An intrepid colonel (John Wayne) and a team of Green Berets defend a firebase camp in Viet Cong-controlled territory in Vietnam accompanied by a cynical journalist (David Janssen). The colonel and a select group of his men eventually implement a special mission to capture a high-level Viet Cong general. Aldo Ray, Raymond St. Jacques, Jim Hutton, George Takei, Patrick Wayne & others are on hand. Co-directed by John Wayne, "The Green Berets" (1968) is notable as the only Vietnam War flick made during the actual conflict (I’m talking about theatrical releases). The events take place well before the Tet Offensive of 1968 and the story isn’t about your average grunt conscript, e.g. “Platoon” (1986), but rather Special Forces personnel, who are highly trained & disciplined career professionals. The movie is curiously notorious because it’s pro-involvement, but it’s NOT pro-war seeing as how the flick clearly shows the horrors of war. It’s just that it honestly details the noble reasons WHY the USA got involved in the first place. The tone & story mixes the style of 1960’s War-in-the-Pacific movies like “Ambush Bay” (1966) with a dash of “The Dirty Dozen” (1967). “We Were Soldiers” (2002) is similar, but more effective because it lacks the old-fashioned humor and quaintness. “Go Tell the Spartans” (1978) is in the same ballpark. There’s a lot of action (with fake-looking bright red blood), but it takes forever to get to it. Still, the characters are likable and you have to respect a movie that takes its time to establish the setting and protagonists. The film runs 2 hours, 22 minutes and was shot in Fort Benning & Columbus, Georgia; Ft. McClellen, Alabama; and WB Burbank Studios. Actually, Georgia works surprisingly well for the SE Asia sequences. It’s not like Vietnam is all palm trees; they DO have pines and deciduous. GRADE: B-
RoyMcKenzie2026-06-23
★ 9/10
The Green Berets (1968) stands as a powerful and unapologetic tribute to American courage and resolve. John Wayne delivers a commanding performance as Colonel Mike Kirby, leading a team of elite Green Berets in the jungles of Vietnam. The film captures the spirit of the era with bold storytelling, impressive battle sequences, and a clear message of duty. It remains one of the few major Hollywood productions that presented the Vietnam conflict from a perspective of pride rather than doubt. At its core, this movie celebrates patriotism in its purest form. It portrays American soldiers as brave men who answered the call to serve something greater than themselves. They fight not for glory but to protect freedom and stop the spread of communism. Wayne and the cast bring sincerity and conviction to every scene, reminding audiences of the values that define the United States military tradition. The film refuses to shy away from showing the high stakes and the honor involved in wearing the Green Beret. One of the most moving aspects is how it depicts American soldiers doing their best to help the Vietnamese people. The Green Berets build schools, provide medical care, and work closely with local villagers to improve their lives and defend them from enemy forces. These scenes highlight the humanitarian side of the mission alongside the combat, showing soldiers as protectors and builders rather than mere warriors. This balance gives the film heart and underscores the positive impact American forces sought to create in a difficult situation. The action sequences are thrilling and well executed, with strong direction that keeps the pace engaging from start to finish. Supporting performances from David Janssen and the rest of the ensemble add depth and camaraderie that feels authentic. The movie effectively uses its runtime to honor the real life Green Berets who inspired the story, blending entertainment with respect for those who served. Decades later, The Green Berets continues to inspire viewers who appreciate straightforward storytelling and strong national pride. It offers a refreshing counterpoint to more cynical war films and serves as a heartfelt thank you to the men who fought with honor. If you value classic cinema, John Wayne at his finest, and a patriotic view of American military history, this film deserves a proud place in your collection. Highly recommended.