[Mr. Thorne]

Saw the real vets interviewed on "History vs. Hollywood" on the History Channel.

Interviewer asks if the Master Sergeant was really that much of a tough SOB (as portrayed by Elliot).

Reply from vets, unanimous (or nearly so):

"He captured the Sergeant perfectly..."

[codebreaker]

I saw the movie with some men in uniform, they howled every time Sam Elliot came on screen.