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Format: VHS
Aug 1997
Rated R
Recording Mode: Dolby Surround
Sound: Stereo, Surround, HiFi
Closed Captioned
120 min.
UPC: 028485160125 |
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Movie Description
In PLATOON, Oliver Stone draws on his experience as an infantryman in Vietnam to convey the brutality of guerrilla warfare: the heat of the jungle, the brushes with such wildlife as snakes and leeches, and, most powerfully, the presence of the unseen enemy. Charlie Sheen stars as Chris, a raw recruit, or "new meat," who serves as the film's narrator. At first he wilts under the rigorous conditions of jungle life, freezes up in a fire fight, and wonders whether he'll be able to survive. But he gradually adapts and, as time goes by, begins to see that the platoon is divided into two groups. One consists of lifers, juicers, and subintelligent whites, the other of blacks and heads. Sgt. Barnes, a combat-loving burnout (Tom Berenger), is the informal leader of the lifers, and Sgt. Elias, a free spirit (Willem Dafoe), leads the latter group. When the platoon takes some gruesome losses, an enraged Barnes kills some Vietnamese and orders the burning of their village, outraging the temporarily absent Elias. As the conflict between these two reaches its tragic climax, Chris must decide what he really values. Widely regarded as one of the finest war films ever made, PLATOON reflects not only the United States' division over Vietnam but the timeless truths of battle: terror, disorientation, exhilaration, and horrible loss.
Synopsis
In PLATOON, Oliver Stone uses his experience as an infantryman in Vietnam to convey the immediacy of guerrilla warfare: the brutal heat of the jungle, the brushes with such wildlife as snakes and leeches, and, most powerfully, the presence of the unseen enemy. Charlie Sheen stars as Chris, a raw recuit, or "new meat," who serves as the film's narrator. At first he wilts under the rigorous conditions of jungle life, freezes up in a fire fight, and wonders whether he'll be able to survive. But he gradually adapts and, as time goes by, begins to see that the platoon is divided into two groups. One consists of lifers, juicers, and subintelligent whites, the other of blacks and heads. Sgt. Barnes, a combat-loving burnout (Tom Berenger), is the informal leader of the lifers, and Sgt. Elias, a free spirit (Willem Dafoe), leads the latter group. When the platoon takes some gruesome losses while on an op, an enraged Barnes kills some Vietnamese who may or may not be VC and orders the burning of their village, outraging the temporarily absent Elias. As the conflict between these two reaches its tragic denouement, Chris must decide what he really values. Widely regarded as one of the finest war films ever made, it reflects not only the nation's division over Vietnam but it intimately conveys timeless verities of battle: terror, disorientation, exhilaration, and horrible loss.
Film Notes
Theatrical release date: December 21, 1986.
PLATOON is number 83 on the American Film Institute's list of America's 100 Greatest Movies.
Estimated budget: $6 million.
The film has grossed more than $150 million worldwide.
Oliver Stone's first choices for the roles of Barnes and Elias were James Woods and Kevin Costner, respectively.
Stone received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart during his service in Vietnam.
Industry Reviews
Rating: B+
Entertainment Weekly - p.83 - Ty Burr
"Nothing that Oliver Stone has done before...is preparation for the singular achievement of his latest film, PLATOON....A major piece of work, as full of pasion as it is of redeeming, scary irony..."
New York Times - p.C12 - Vincent Canby
"...Wrenching..." - Recommended
Premiere - p.136 - Josh Rottenberg
"...Intense....Very effective scenes....An impressive-looking production in all respects..."
Variety - Cart.
"...This is movie-making with a zealot's fervor....[Stone] may have achieved a remarkable bridge with PLATOON. He has personalized a war for us..."
Los Angeles Times - Sheila Benson (12/19/1986)
"...With incredible set pieces and gripping firefights the belie the tiny budget, PLATOON's impact has barely diminished over the years..."
Total Film - Cam Winstanley (10/01/2000)
4 stars out of 5 -- "[A] phenomenon....Importantly, Stone captured something of what it felt like to fight in the war."
Uncut - Chris Roberts (04/01/2006)
Quotations
"The first casualty of war is innocence." -- marketing line for the film
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