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From Amazon.co.uk
Winning a raft of awards, not least of which four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, Oliver Stone's Platoon was a box-office smash heralding Hollywood's second wave of Vietnam war films. Where predecessors The Deer Hunter (1978) and Apocalypse Now (1979) were elaborate epics, Platoon simply showed the daily reality of the war from the point of view of ordinary soldiers. Stone's own service in Vietnam gives his work a unique authenticity. Charlie Sheen gives his best performance to date, enduring a series of increasingly large-scale and bloody battles which retrospectively make one wonder why Saving Private Ryan was hailed as so new. Against this gruelling verity the film falters over the symbolic conflict between good and evil sergeants played by Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger. Even though this was also based in real life, it strikes a too conventionally Hollywood-like note in a film which otherwise maintains much of the raw power of Stone's other film from 1986, Salvador. Johnny Depp fans should look out for an early appearance by the star. Stone would return to Vietnam with the more sophisticated Born on the Fourth of July (1989) and Heaven and Earth (1993).
On the DVD: The 50-minute documentary "Tour of the Inferno" goes beyond the usual "making-of" to present a personal account both of the film and of Stone's own time in Vietnam. Likewise the two audio commentaries--one by Stone, the other by Captain Dale Dye, fellow veteran and military technical advisor--range between the making of the film and the degree to which the actors came to inhabit their parts, to their own wartime experiences. Both commentaries bring a fresh level of appreciation and understanding to the film. Also included is the original trailer and three TV commercials, together with well-presented stills galleries of behind-the-scenes photos and poster art. Following a credit sequence marred by dirt on the print, the anamorphically enhanced 1.77:1 image is sharp and clear. The many night scenes are very dark but remain easily comprehensible. The three-channel Dolby Digital sound is suitably raw and powerful, though an early sequence featuring rain in the jungle suffers from very distracting repeated drop-outs in the left channel. --Gary S Dalkin
Product Description
Winner of four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and based on the first-hand experience of Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone, Platoon is powerful, intense and starkly brutal.
Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) is a young, naive American who, upon his arrival in Vietnam, quickly discovers that he must do battle not only with the Viet Cong, but also with the gnawing fear, physical exhaustion and intense anger growing within him. While his two commanding officers (Oscar-nominated Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe) draw a fine line between the war they wage against the enemy and the one they fight with each other, the conflict, chaos and hatred permeate Taylor, suffocating his realities and numbing his feelings to man's highest value...life.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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.
Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By MarshMan
Format:DVD
Speaking as a (very) old soldier, I have switched off more war films in exasperation than I care to remember. This however is the best. I ought to qualify that as I know little about tank warfare in the steppes of central Russia but when it comes to jungle warfare then this is the most realistic film you will ever see - long periods of boredom interspersed with short periods of absolute terror and mayhem. Forget about stereotypical rubbish like Full Metal Jacket - this is the real thing.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
Platoon is a superlative masterpiece, written and directed by Oliver Stone. From its striking visuals to its perfectly chosen score, you will find it hard to take your eyes away from the screen untill the last frame. With majestic performences from Charlie Sheen, William Dafoe and Tom Berenger, it ranks as one of the most powerful and brutally realistic films ever made. The battle sequences are exquisitly choreographed, but to me, it was the narration from Charlie Sheen, combined with the use of 'Adagio For Strings' by Samuel Barber that captured the unique atmosphere of Vietnam. A line of note - "The war is over for me now, but it will always be there, the rest of my days. As I'm sure Elias will be, fighting with Barnes for what Roch called, posession of my soul. There are times since, that I've felt like the child, born of those two fathers." Buy this film. You will not be dissappointed.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
This was the film that supposedly allowed the American people to wallow in self pity and regret over the mindless and naive mess created in Vietnam. Stone brilliantly lays the raw realities of this meaningless war bare for all to marvel at.
Why was much of the American continent conquered by a few hundred conquistadors and yet the full force of American military and economic muscle failed to maintain a molehill in Vietnam?
Stone cunningly musters some banal and thoroughly unremarkable characters who find themselves thrashing around Vietnam in the empty pursuit of the American dream. The film's theme illustrates how the blind pursuit of mammon disintegrates to self destructive violence in the presence of an ancient and noble culture.
It is a few years since I saw this film and the plot, characters and script now completely evade me. However the impression is still very strong. Imperialism without nobility cannot breed the 'veni vidi vici' mentality neccessary to succeed in foreign conquest. The pathetic characters laid forth in this film are not the stuff of 'proud warriors'.
It is a great shame that the striking national insight gained by this film has been completely lost by it's successors such as the fictional nonsense 'Saving private Ryan'.
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By S J Buck
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
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.
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.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By S J Buck
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
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.
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
stone at his best
A power full and amazing movie with characters you really get the fill for. Charile sheen has not done a film since that lives up to this. The sound track is also amazing.
Published 4 days ago by alec
5.0 out of 5 stars
great film
one of the classics of the 80s amazing cast good story and the conversion to bluray is excellent in my view
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Andrew Willsher
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great release!
Platoon - Beautiful limited steelbook!!!!!!!!!!! A lot of subtitles, audio and extras!!!!!! 2-Disc: BD+DVD. Tha's a great release, the best.
Published 1 month ago by Gustavo Rezende
5.0 out of 5 stars
amazing
The quality of how I received this film was fantastic quick service and properly wrapped . A must see film for adults
Published 1 month ago by emma
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful movie................poor HD transfer!
Wonderful movie this.........but a poor, lazy HD transfer!!! Especially as it won an Oscar for Best Sound. Powerful and raw performances from all the actors. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Steveosnapper
5.0 out of 5 stars
Platoon Steelbook
I have about 15 steelbooks @ home & this one is number 16. Platoon Steelbook is a stylish finish steelbook
Published 1 month ago by N. J. Norby-Howlett
4.0 out of 5 stars
Vietnam war DVD
I ordered it arrived.
Classic Vietnam war DVD.
If you have not seen it it is worth watching.
This was a backlog to fill a hole in my collection.
Classic Vietnam war DVD.
If you have not seen it it is worth watching.
This was a backlog to fill a hole in my collection.
Published 1 month ago by Mr. M. Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars
'A HARSH LOOK AT THE THEATRE OF WAR'
the film remains one of the best 'Vietnam' movies ever.
'Oliver Stone' is one of the most accomplished director's with movies
like 'J.F. Read more
'Oliver Stone' is one of the most accomplished director's with movies
like 'J.F. Read more
Published 1 month ago by rbmusicman
5.0 out of 5 stars
nice item
This is very nice item and good packet !
This is very nice item and good packet !
I like it !
This is very nice item and good packet !
I like it !
Published 2 months ago by CHING HUA CHEN
4.0 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray
I wont go into details on the film, as many people reading this will know about the film anyway. The upgrade to Blu-ray is almost perfect, the picture is crisp and clear and the... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Smally
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