I suppose if this is one of your first war films, you'll enjoy it, but after you've taken on even a handful of far superior war films like The Battle of Algiers, Apocalypse Now, or Paths of Glory, this one (with grumpy old Gibson casting himself as a 25 year-old) will just seem silly.

Some interesting historical facts, but most exaggerated just to hollywoodize the story

Nicely shot, decent script (perhaps a bit too infused with 20th century sensibilities, though). The film justifies its epic running length; nothing felt padded. Love affair between Mel and Sophie Marceau was gratuitous and felt tacked on. Cast is fairly bland. Was Gibson ever a good actor?