Reason for (1954) French in Indochina scene at the beginning

Except for the NVA officers fighting in the same place and the same terrain 20+ (Sorry that should be 11 ) years apart...except for that.

You must try harder.




Why can't you wretched prey creatures understand that the Universe doesn't owe you anything!?

From a cinematic point of view, it's there to establish that the Vietnamese are a credible threat; they're shown taking out a western military force, thus foreshadowing the possibility that when they go up against the US later on, they will be able to do the same.

It also serves to establish Moore as a "thinking soldier", since we see him analysing the reasons why the French were defeated and planning his own tactics accordingly. Thus establishing his credentials as a smart and savvy commander who may be able to avoid that defeat.

On both fronts, it raises the stakes for the conflict because we're now not just watching two sides we know nothing about go at it; rather, we're watching an enemy we know is a threat take on a hero we know is prepared for that threat.

So yeah, it kinda did have bearing on the rest of the film.


--
If I could stop a rapist from raping a child I would. That's the difference between me and god.