The title refers to a cameraman from the Army's Motion Picture Division ("MoPic") who is assigned to a Vietnam reconnaissance unit that is preparing for a mission. Written and directed by independent filmmaker Patrick Duncan, this low-budget film has a cinema vérité look, as the entire movie is seen from the viewpoint of MoPic's shoulder camera. The first half introduces the characters: the green gung-ho Lt.; O.D., the black "take charge" leader; Cracker, the Southerner who just wants to do a good job; Pretty Boy, who's phenomenal luck has made soldiers stay near him under fire; Hammer, the trigger-happy kid; and Easy, the radioman who's a short-timer ("25 days and a wake-up"). The characters may sound cliched, and they certainly use a lot of clichés in speech, 84 Charlie MoPic is the most realistic Vietnam war movie made to date. During the second half, after the team completes their mission by radioing in coordinates for an airborne strike, they are ambushed on the way back to base camp. Although they are hit several times during the trek back to camp, none of the "battles" lasts longer than a few seconds. There's no slow-motion shots. No thunderous soundtrack. No time for prayers or last-minute letters home. It took Duncan five years to bring his vision to the screen (which he shot in an incredible 17 days). After its limited theatrical release, it deserves a much larger audience on video. Highly recommended.(R. Pitman)
84 Charlie MoPic
color. 96 min. RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video. (1989). $89.95. Rated: R. Library Journal
84 Charlie MoPic
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