Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #39534 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-03-06
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen, DTS Surround Sound, Surround Sound, Digital Sound
• Original language: English, Polish, Hungarian, Danish, Finnish, Portuguese, Norwegian, Swedish
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 115 minutes

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 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 firefight, 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 o.p., an enraged Barnes kills some Vietnamese who may or may not have been VC and orders the burning of their village, outraging the temporarily absent Elias. As the conflict between these two reaches its tragic denouncement, Chris must decide what he really values. Widely regarded as one of the finest war films ever made, PLATOON reflects not only the nation's division over Vietnam but it intimately conveys timeless verities of battle: terror, disorientation, exhilaration, and horrible loss.

Customer Reviews

Platoon
This is probably one of the best Vietnam movies out there. It has a moving soundtrack, great cinematography and you find yourself engrossed and involved when watching the development of one naive recruit as he becomes hardened by the war and his experiences. You also see him profoundly changed in his outlook, that you too will share, as the film closes. A brilliant film, that should be watched by all.

The Nightmare of War
I have watched Platoon more than any other war movie. So much so that I've had to give it a rest over the last few years.
Why is it so good?
Perhaps because it is the most realistic (certainly Vietnam) war movie ever made. Its based on Oliver Stones own experiences in Vietnam. Now I doubt whether there were actually two so clearly good and bad characters, as represented by Willem Dafoe and Tom Beringer in the film, but it is the spark between these two that creates much of the films atmosphere.
There are quite a few scenes in this film, such as when the Charlie Sheen character wakes up in the middle of the night (in the jungle), that are wonderfully done. You really get an idea of just how scary being a soldier might be.
I'm also sure that the film would not not have been as successful as it was, without its marvellous soundtrack. Most noteably Samuel Barbers 'Adagio for Strings'. This piece of music alone adds an extra dimension to the scenes it is used in. A very haunting and sad piece of music.
The ending of the film is perhaps the only weak point, but it is a minor quibble about a very powerful and moving film.

Realistic...
This 2 disc special edition is the greatest release of Platoon yet to be released - the film itself being the second greatest Vietnam war movie ever made (after Apocalypse Now, of course!)

The reason this film is so good is because director Oliver Stone puts his own memories, actions and feelings into this film, from when he served in the US Army.

Like most Vietnam war movies there isn't much of a storyline - soldiers at war in the vietcong, have fights - but the character arcs, particularly with Charlie Sheen's character from newbie to seasoned pro are fantastic.

This film is arguably more realistic than Apocalypse Now, because it just feels correct, whereas AN seemes exxagerated this takes a harder, tougher line.

Stone hasn't directed action scenes better than the ones that appear here, and it's never long before you're thrown, messily, confusingly, just like the real thing, back into the gunfights and explosions that made up this war. Although the camp downtime scenes are just as good.

However, I felt this film lacked a suitable ending after such a great hour and a half, and ended just suddenly, and without any fanfare. Instead of going out in a blaze of glory, this film just fizzles away, never ending properly. Again, you could argue, that's just like the real thing, but entertainment wise it's unfulfilling.

Still, I have never before seen a film that so deserved its classic status. Essential viewing.