The movie was based on the book "We Were Soldiers, Once, and Young" and it's very accurate, especially since most of the people represented by the key characters in the movie were onhand as consultants. The book is even more outstanding than the movie, but it can be difficult to follow and keep up with what's going on. The movie covers a day and part of the next of the battle, the actual Battle of Ia Drang was fought over 4 days and at times along a 2 mile front.