“Platoon” written & directed by Oliver Stone; starring Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe and Charlie Sheen / Z-View

Posted on by

Platoon (1986)

Director: Oliver Stone

Screenplay:  Oliver Stone

Stars:  Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, Charlie Sheen, Keith David, Forest Whitaker, Kevin Dillon, John C. McGinley, Mark Moses, Tony Todd, Dale Dye, Oliver Stone and Johnny Depp.

Tagline: The first casualty of war is innocence.

The Plot…

1967.  The Viet Nam war rages.  While most US soldiers are drafted, Chris Taylor volunteered for duty.  Taylor arrives in Viet Nam and finds himself in a Platoon under the command of a young and inexperienced Lieutenant named Wolfe.  Although Wolfe gives the final orders, it is the two battle-tested Sergeants, Barnes and Elias, that the men respect.

Staff Sergeant Barnes has a soul as scarred as his face.  Barnes is there to get the job done.  He is hard, even brutal…to the enemy as well as those soldiers under him.  To Barnes the only good gook is a dead gook. Sergeant Elias has compassion for his men and an understanding of his enemy.  Elias is more of a “hearts and minds” soldier.

Each Sergeant has members of the platoon that prefer their leadership.  A mission goes sideways.  Members of the platoon are killed.  Barnes incites and leads his men as they commit war crimes.

Taylor will have to make a choice.  Look the other way or take a stand.  Either decision could mark him for death.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Platoon was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won four…

  • Nominee for Best Cinematography – Robert Richardson
  • Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen – Oliver Stone
  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Willem Dafoe
  • Nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Tom Berenger
  • Winner for Best Film Editing – Claire Simpson
  • Winner for Best Sound –  John Wilkinson, Richard D. Rogers, Charles Grenzbach, Simon Kaye
  • Winner for Best Director – Oliver Stone
  • Winner for Best Picture – Arnold Kopelson

Oliver Stone cast his leads against type.  Before Platoon Tom Berenger was usually the hero and Willem Dafoe the villian.  It worked.  Each man was nominated for an Academy Award.

When Jim Morrison (lead singer of The Doors) died, a Platoon script was in his possession.  Oliver Stone sent it to him in hopes that he would play Chris Taylor.

I saw Platoon when it was first released.  I thought it was good.  I went back a week later for another viewing and liked it much better.

Platoon (1986) rates 4 of 5 stars.