Hope y'all enjoyed this one!! This one was SO hard to edit down because there were so many hilarious moments! Apologies if I missed a moment that you may have been looking for; just know I was laughing at pretty much everything the whole time 😂
Williams improvised pretty much all his jokes in this one, just like he typically did in his standup routines where he was especially famous for his ability to go on long monologues off of audience suggestions. Legend even has it that after the Mork and Mindy writers realized how good he was at it, the scripts tended to have large blank sections that just said "Robin can go off here."
I was in college when this came out, and I was also in the National Guard. My roommate's dad (a Vietnam Vet) took us to see this, and held my hand almost the whole movie. He had tears in his most of that time.
I want to write about Robin Williams german voice actor: here in Germany really everything get dubbed. And that is done very professionally and very well! You can imagine that in the case of Robin Williams that can be very difficult! His german voice actor was Peer Augustinski and he really did a wonderful job on every film! When Robin Williams won the Oscar for "Good Will Hunting" he even sent Mr. Augustinski a replica of the Oscar with the words "Thank you for making me famous in Germany"! Unfortunately Mr. Augustinski suffered a stroke in 2005 and was unable to continue his work as a voice actor. He died in 2014 at the age of 74. Just two months after Robin Williams death! May both rest in peace!
I met the real Adrian Cronour(sp). His signature line came about because he was late getting his show going in the mornings. He had to stretch out good morning Vietnam, as he was setting things up.
Director Barry Levinson gave Robin the green light to improvise as much as he wanted. Hey, you pay Robin Williams to be in a movie. Say roll camera and let the genie out of the bottle to make magic happen.
My older brother had the soundtrack when we were growing up. I think it's the first soundtrack I ever heard that had clips from the movie interspersed. So funny.
I've had that soundtrack in my collection for over 30 years, and purchased on almost every format that's been mainstream in that time. Cassette tape, vinyl, CD (twice), and FLAC.
My mom says this was the first movie I sat though from start to finish as a toddler. Not exactly an age appropriate film, but Robin Williams certainly can hold a kid’s attention. She probably didn’t let me watch another R movie until I was 16.
I first saw this movie as a military spouse, living on an army base in Germany. My friends and I really took it to heart, as everyday when our spouses left to go to work, we did not know if they were coming home. My husband went to war twice while he was serving, and my son has done 3 deployments to Afghanistan and two others to other countries. The scene where Adrian is at the truck going toward the action really got to me. All those young boys....and most of them will never see home again.
After this movie, Robin Williams basically did this for every USO trip he could manage. There are people whose lives he saved with his comedy because they were scared or had terrible PTSD and he helped them see there was something to live for. People say Robin Williams committed suicide, but he didn't. It was self-euthanasia, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's and didn't want to go out that way. I told you a little about my situation, so, as you may also understand, I understand his reasoning for it. Robin Williams was a beautiful human being and he deserves the honor of people knowing he didn't commit suicide.
Absolutely amazing how he did that And I do understand, even though it's incredibly sad to think about, you're correct I wish it didn't happen like it did; I wish he could've just lived peacefully without his body/mind failing him, yknow? It's just so sad He gave so much life to so many others
@@OGBReacts It's very sad, but I respect that he was able to take his leave on his own terms. I know where my limit is, so if the time comes, it comes, I've made peace with it. I hope it never comes, but I have deep respect and a little envy for those who, when diagnosed with horrible, terminal illnesses, take their deaths in their own hands. I've been clinically dead 5 separate times, all by the time I was 13 and coming back is not something I'd wish on my worst enemy, so I hope the next time I'm forced to die (4 of those 5 times were purposefully done by doctors to save my life in the long run), it'll be more permanent haha
Still absolutely bonkers about the whole dying 5 different times. That’s truly insane. I can’t even imagine what exactly you felt or saw or anything as you were resuscitated. Death, in all honesty, is probably my biggest fear, and I’ve especially gotten more and more aware and anxious about it within, for whatever reason, the past few years. Not sure why. But yeah. I always just, spiral, kinda, when I think about it too much.
@@katieoberst490 Well, what you wrote regarding Robin Williams and yourself made perfect sense to me. My uncle has Parkinson's, but thankfully it's not too too bad yet. Thankfully my grandmother was kind of sorta allowed to choose for herself as well. She grew quite old and when even eating became a chore, she simply quit eating one day and the doctor medicated any and all pain away and it was over very quickly. As far as deaths go... it was a nice peaceful voluntary one. We should all be so lucky when the time comes. :) Though of course, not soo soon, if it can be avoided... but certainly I wouldn't want to stick around at any cost either. I think few would.
One of my favorite Robin Williams movies. This movie is based on a DJ that actually did exist. Adrian Crouner was a real Vietnam Veteran DJ. But his motivation for teaching English to the Vietnamese was not why he did so in the movie.
Since you enjoyed this one, do another good one of his "Dead Poet's Society" as it's a serious kind of movie as this one, but with funny moments in there because it is a Robin Williams movie. For a really bizarre and awesome Vietnam War movie do the original theatrical release of "Apocalypse Now" (1979) stars Marlon Brando and Martin Sheen. ✌️😎
Dead Poet's is seriously a much, much better film overall. This one's fine except that they allowed Robin Williams to just make Adrian Cronauer into a Robin Williams clone with Robin Williams improvisation that didn't in any way resemble the real guy.
@@Pixelologist gotta disagree there. Dead Poets Society is certainly great. But for other reasons so is this. It captures the divided spirit of the war while also keeping the audience engaged with Robin’s levity. It’s all a matter of opinion and while disagreeing with yours, I still have no choice but to respect it.
34:40 "I'm sure there was an actual radio division, like there was in this film." Adrian Cronauer was a real man and radio personality for the American Forces Network during the Vietnam War.
@@OGBReacts He wasn't really like Robin though, Adrian came up with the idea of a TV series which he tried getting made for awhile, then Robin heard of it and thought it'd make a good movie. Adrian says the bulk of the movie is fictionalized though, just inspired by him.
The reason everyone was laughing in the studio. Those scenes were completely improvised by Williams. They started the cameras and just let him go. And why not.
Director Barry Levinson gave Robin the green light to improvise as much as he wanted. I remember my parents seeing it when it came out during the Christmas holiday (as Disney wanted the film to qualify for oscar consideration), and they loved it. This movie cemented Robin has a movie star!!! It was also the beginning of Robin’s love-hate relationship with Disney. The real life Adrien was actually conservative and a Republican who stated that had he done half of what was portrayed in the film, he woulda been buried under the brig. RIP to both men.
I decided to look through your reactions & I found this. I haven't seen this since it came out. Vietnam movies are hard for some of us to watch. It brought back a lot of memories. It made me cry again. But Robin Williams is so great, he brought some great comedy to it. No one could have done it better. Thanks for your great reaction & commentary.
I got to meet him a few years before this came out in Cannes when the Festival was going on. He was on the promenade and was the nicest guy in the world. The scene when he was talking to the guys in the trucks brought back memories. Except he wasn't acting.
7:12 "Seeing as how the VP is such a _VIP,_ shouldn't we keep the PC on the QT? 'Cause if it leaks to the VC, he could end up MIA, and then we'd all be put on KP." 😆 Awesome line, right there. Especially in light of the fact that these are all officially recognized sets of initials used by the Army.
While not accurate the character, Adrian Cronauer, was a ACTUAL Airforce DJ that served during Vietnam. While a lot was ad libed by Williams I believe the more energetic and off beat music selection, playing Rock and Roll as opposed to things more calming, was Cronauers style and what he did. And yes he did say the title phrase, Gooooooood Morning Vietnam, every morning while in Vietnam, and it was carried on by all subsequent DJs when he left.
@@OGBReacts Worked in Broadcast for the Military... Cronauer is a known name and everyone who ends up deployed to Radio usually looks to him as the goal.
This is the movie I watched when I heard that Robin Willians had died :( It is a great example how he was not only a amazing comedy actor but also good with serious acting too. :) . 33:13 "-Put these on and say: There's no place like home, and you can be there. -I hope. I hope we all could..."
glad someone explained this was based off a real person. The armed forces still has their own broadcast. I've been out for a few yrs but at the time I was serving, we picked up their music and news all around the world. There were always officers that the men respected and even loved. And sadly a few that were mean, and would seem to go out of their way to make things more difficult and remove any part that could be enjoyable.
I love how you said that. I dont know if this is going to be serious or funny or both. I liked this because with Robin Williams it can be either or both
25:12 something awful did happen or is at least insinuated… Earlier the sgt major was asking “that’s what he did this time, what happens when he broadcasts about troop movements” Which by referring to them he kinda did And a bit later a censored bit of news referred to those trucks having been blown up 😢
The director of this movie is Barry Levinson, a director that doesn't get talked about near enough. You can almost always depend on him to bring out a good movie and many times a great movie. These are the movies of his that I love the most, maybe once in a while one of two could be added to a poll? Sleepers Rain Man Wag the Dog Jimmy Hollywood Tin Men Diner Glad you liked this movie! Best Regards!
This is a great reaction to Good Morning Vietnam... I really liked that you enjoyed this film so much. Robin Williams has so many great movies... I would really like to see your reactions to "A Night At The Museum" 1&2 , "Birdcage" , "Awakenings" , One Hour Photo... is a dark side to a gentle soul that Robin was to so many people , "INSOMNIA" , and Big Wedding are just a few of his incredible movies . Thank you for your reactions .
DYI This is based on a true story. He did come back to work on the radio. A good documentary by Burnes on Vietnam. Also on utube ask for Vietnam songs, you will also see videos of our soldiers. P.S. we saw pictures of the war on the evening news nightly.
Now that you've watched this you've got to give Air America a watch, it was made a few years after this IIRC and stars Robert Downey Jr (& Mel Gibson) & has a similar feel to it so I'm sure you'll like it.
Other Robin Williams movies you may enjoy in which Robin is not necessarily the central character: Dead Poets Society: Williams plays the English teacher you wish you could have had in high school, but the students are actually the main characters. Awakenings: Robin plays a doctor in a coma ward, but the bulk of the film centers around one of the patients, played by Robert DeNiro. House Of D: A coming of age story about a boy who liberates himself from an unpleasant home situation, with the aid of his long-time friend, the developmentally disabled school janitor (Williams), and with the advice of a prostitute serving time in a street-facing cell of an urban correctional facility. Jack: Robin plays a young boy suffering from Methuselah Syndrome (rapidly accelerated premature aging).
2:47 Adrian Cronauer is an Airman Second Class. That's an _enlisted_ rank, and a fairly _low_ one. The lowest possible rank in _any_ branch of the US Armed Forces is an E-1 and he's an E-3. In the Navy, the equivalent is a Seaman, Airman or Fireman, depending on one's area of expertise. In the Army, it's a Private First Class. In the Marines, it's a Lance Corporal. I don't think he encounters _anyone,_ here, whose rank is not at least _equal_ to his. But the man he's _addressing_ who just offered his _assistance,_ is a _Brigadier General._ That's an _officer_ rank; a _senior_ officer rank. When you first graduate from one of the US military academies, you are an O-1, and these people often get teased about their youthful appearance. If all goes well, in time, you work your way up through the _ranks._ The higher you get, the more people and resources you are in _charge_ of, which means the less of your time each individual is _entitled_ to. Hence, the importance of _delegation._ Army Brigadier General is an O-7. In the Air Force and the Marines, it's the same. In the Navy, it's a Rear Admiral Lower Half. This man is a _very_ high rank. If memory serves, the highest in the movie, and he just demonstrated familiarity with and fondness for Cronauer's work. He's a _fan_ which means he's an _asset._ So it's puzzling, later in the movie, that Cronauer doesn't call on him more _often._
Great reaction. And a great movie. I love how it shows the complexity of the war… a friend betrays them without it REALLY being betrayal (that is, he does it for his beliefs… he doesn’t actually dislike his friend… his friendship is genuine, but his beliefs are just more important). As an expat myself living in SE Asia the Vietnamese War saddens me greatly. I find the Vietnamese people to be wonderful. The government is still a bit screwed up, even though our relations have thawed with them. I’ve been to the Hanoi Hilton and Vietnam still presents it like it was a pleasure resort. They’ve got photos plastered all over of American POWs playing basketball and the like. So, yeah, I’m not defending the communist govt. to this day, 50 years later, they continue to engage in propaganda and disinformation regarding the war. Not that the American govt never lied to us (Gulf of Tonkin anyone?). But the Vietnamese govt is still fighting the war, culturally and intellectually, 50 years later. It’s sad. But I absolutely love Vietnam and the Vietnamese people… not their government, but their citizens and their beautiful country.
I implore you to check out Robin Williams in "Awakenings" one of my all time fave movies. He stars with Robert DeNiro & not only is the acting just brilliant, but it is based on a true story that is incredibly thought provoking as well. It will leave in impression that will last a lifetime.
The US doesn't just have radio during war time, at the US airforce base in Germany during peace (after Cold War) time they had radio as well I've heard it, I was on vacation near the base.
most of the stuff he did in the radio both was ad libbed I would love to see a behind the scenes of all the stuff he tried that didn't make it into the movie
Just finished with this one, and of course RW was awesome in it. Of course the situation surrounding his character was pretty tragic all the way around. I grew up a Military kid, I don't think though that my Father was ever sent to Nam, we were stationed in Spain for 2 yrs from '68-70. Anyways, was fun watching your reactions to this Sam! 😁
@@OGBReacts Oh for sure, I was 5 1/2 at the time but turned 6 yrs old the latter week off that July, I learned Spanish nearly fluently by the time we left but I had no use for it here in the States so it faded from me. I only remember a couple of bits and that's all. Though I will say that I still have my Fiesta dress that was made for me there. It's just over 50 yrs old lol. I've always wanted to go back to Seville as an adult to visit. 🛫⛲🛬🛵
I love this film. I think this may only be the second or third reaction to it - you're ahead of the curve. It's so interesting that you think of it mostly as a comedy; to me, it's very much a mix of comedy and drama. Tuan and Trinh are actually marvelous foils for Williams's Cronauer; all three are legitimately kind people and learn pretty quickly to appreciate one another, even though they have reason to distrust and even dislike each other. Tuan, even while staying true to his guerilla principles, genuinely saves Cronauer more than once and, despite all obstacles, does serve as a sort of chaperone so as to allow Cronauer to date Trinh. Trinh is initially alarmed by and somewhat fearful of Cronauer, but she does get to know him as a good man, learns to trust him as a person, and lets him down as kindly as possible when it's clear that there's no further there. And Cronauer himself, though initially meeting both Tuan and Trinh for his own selfish reasons, ends up befriending and teaching a class, experiencing more of actual Vietnamese life than most, and repaying the favor Tuan earned when he saved Garlick and himself at An Lac; otherwise Tuan might not have known that the Army had caught onto his V.C. alias. The monologue Tuan all but spits at Cronauer at their last meeting, accusing _him_ of being the enemy, is so powerful, because regardless of the heroics (and atrocities) on both sides during the war, I think most people can agree that the US never should have been there. I think this is just an outstanding film. (And yes, it's funny as hell, too.)
Absolutely beautifully explained! I genuinely thought all of the same things, it can just be hard to put into words when recording my thoughts of the movie right after watching 🤣 But you hit it right on the head!
" I think most people can agree that the US never should have been there. " Maybe, but let's not pretend that Vietnam became a paradise after the US left. Anything between 50,000 and 500,000 vietnamese were sent to re-education camps for anything between days to decades. 1 million north vietnamese emigrated to the south and 1 million south vietnamese were "moved mostly to uninhabited mountainous forested areas". Plus this: "Over 3 million people left Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in the Indochina refugee crisis after 1975. Most Asian countries were unwilling to accept these refugees, many of whom fled by boat and were known as boat people. Between 1975 and 1998, an estimated 1.2 million refugees from Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries resettled in the United States, while Canada, Australia, and France resettled over 500,000. China accepted 250,000 people. Of all the countries of Indochina, Laos experienced the largest refugee flight in proportional terms, as 300,000 people out of a total population of 3 million crossed the border into Thailand. Included among their ranks were "about 90 percent" of Laos's "intellectuals, technicians, and officials." An estimated 200,000 to 400,000 Vietnamese boat people died at sea, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees." That is a very deadly "peace".... That "peace" is as about as bad as the Syrian civil war...
It was nit only afrian seeing what he meant to the men. It was when they told him where they were bring shipped to. He knew that was a very very bad area. He knew most if them wouldnt survive. And he knew he needed to set his own issues aside.
28:35 "I have arranged for an honorable discharge." How many of those do you think were issued while the war was _ongoing_ and in full _swing?_ Adrian Cronauer received his honorable discharge in _1966,_ and the Tet Offensive that rendered the war unpopular and unwinnable didn't take place until 1968.
God I miss Robin Williams. The whole world just got....less of a good place? If that makes sense, when we lost him. Also look how fucked up things are now! That's material for days!.... :/
