10 More Insanely Accurate War Movie Details
1. Herrick's Pupils Contract - We Were Soldiers
"I'm glad I could die for my country."
An adaptation of the Battle of Ia Drang, Vietnam War epic We Were Soldiers received acclaim for the grounded and realistic nature of the film's battle sequences. Randall Wallace's 2002 offering zeroes in on the men involved in the war, highlighting the emotional toll of armed conflict on its participants and their families.
This can partly be attributed to just how authentic the combat feels within We Were Soldiers, with numerous elements utilized to lend an unshakable air of realism. Case in point? After their unit is lured into an ambush by an enemy scout, Marc Blucas' Lieutenant Herrick is among the early casualties - the soldier bleeds out after being mortally wounded.
The instant that life leaves Herrick, his pupils can be seen to dilate. Upon death, the brain immediately stops sending signals to the rest of the body. This includes the ciliary muscles in the eyes - the tissue controlling the constriction of the pupils - causing the reflex action that can be seen here. It's an astounding inclusion, likely achieved with the use of eye drops or customized contact lenses.