Platoon (1986)

Release date: 1987-02-06
Country: USA|UK
Language: English|Vietnamese
Director: Oliver Stone
Production Co: Hemdale, Cinema 86
Genre: War, Drama
Rating: 8.1/10
Length: 2h

Storyline

Chris Taylor is a young, naive American who gives up college and volunteers for combat in Vietnam. Upon arrival, he quickly discovers that his presence is quite nonessential, and is considered insignificant to the other soldiers, as he has not fought for as long as the rest of them and felt the effects of combat. Chris has two non-commissioned officers, the ill-tempered and indestructible Staff Sergeant Robert Barnes and the more pleasant and cooperative Sergeant Elias Grodin. A line is drawn between the two NCOs and a number of men in the platoon when an illegal killing occurs during a village raid. As the war continues, Chris himself draws towards psychological meltdown. And as he struggles for survival, he soon realizes he is fighting two battles, the conflict with the enemy and the conflict between the men within his platoon.

Plot Keywords

vietnam war, gore, brutality, marijuana, napalm, 1960s, infantry, murder, psychopath, u.s. military, guerilla warfare, jungle, gunfire, automatic weapon, sweat, dying young, american abroad, vietnam, death, shot repeatedly

Short Review

Although Platoon is not the easiest film to watch, it is one of the best at reminding us that the cinema is not always interested in evading or distorting history. Sometimes it tells the truth.