Overview
A harrowing journey through the chaos of war, where survival is a daily battle against overwhelming odds.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- harrowing
- visceral
- grim
- military history viewing
- serious war film night
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded it as a well-made, deeply affecting, and highly accomplished Vietnam War film whose narrow platoon-level focus is both a strength and a limitation.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The story follows fourteen soldiers of B Company through a single ten-day operation on Hill 937.
Repeated assaults expose the soldiers to relentless enemy fire, casualties, mud, and exhaustion.
The film narrows attention to the men and operation, presenting their experience with humane directness rather than political exposition.
The squad repeatedly attacks the fortified hill despite mounting casualties and the devastating conditions.
Films like Hamburger Hill, and why
Platoon
shared Vietnam War setting, brutal combat realism, and focus on soldiers under psychological pressure
Full Metal Jacket
shared Vietnam War subject, dehumanizing military experience, and harsh antiwar drama
The Thin Red Line
shared grounded combat action, ensemble soldiers, and intensely realistic battlefield violence
Casualties of War
shared historical war setting, squad-level perspective, and visceral depiction of combat casualties
Movie Details
- Director
- John Irvin
- Release Date
- 1987-08-07
- Runtime
- 110 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (529)
Cast
- Dylan McDermott
- Steven Weber
- Tim Quill
- Michael Boatman
- Anthony Barrile
- Don Cheadle
- Courtney B. Vance
- Tommy Swerdlow
- Tegan West
- Daniel O'Shea
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Hamburger Hill about?
- A squad of American infantrymen endures repeated, devastating assaults on a fortified Vietnamese hill while struggling to preserve their bonds and humanity.
- What is Hamburger Hill like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Hamburger Hill as brisk, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Hamburger Hill violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Hamburger Hill as graphic.
- What did critics think of Hamburger Hill?
- Critics broadly regarded it as a well-made, deeply affecting, and highly accomplished Vietnam War film whose narrow platoon-level focus is both a strength and a limitation.
- Which films are like Hamburger Hill?
- Films with a similar feel include Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, The Thin Red Line, and Casualties of War.
- How long is Hamburger Hill?
- Hamburger Hill runs 110 minutes.
- Where can I watch Hamburger Hill?
- In United States, Hamburger Hill is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
