Oliver Stone's Platoon is actually about the conflict between two Sergeants in a typical Nam platoon.One is a bloody, axe-murdering evil bastard (Tom Berenger) named Barnes.The other is an opium-smoking, moral man (Willem Dafoe) who cares for each one of his subordinates, named Elias.Stuck in the middle is the clueless Platoon Lieutenant "Sergeant Barnes I would appreciate it if in front of . The others in the platoon view the experienced Sgt. Barnes told everyone that the enemy already killed Elias. Barnes decides to send Sgt. Say gain. Francis - portrayed by Living Colour frontman Corey Glover - emerges from a foxhole and correctly determines that help is indeed on the way. Remember what it looks like. Directed by Oliver Stone, Platoon ends with violence, betrayal, and retribution within a United States Army infantry unit. Barnes approaches what he sees as the problem of inadequacies, by taking the direction of letting everyone know what is acceptable. Its all a blur. Elias' decision to report Barnes' criminal conduct at the village precipitates a rift between the members in the platoon (some siding with Barnes and others siding with Elias), and ultimately causes Barnes to kill Elias. Since these two view the war differently, their view of certain causes is a source of tension for them. It was at this point the Sergeant Elias arrives, furious with Barnes. CHRIS: I was wrong. CHRIS: He killed him. Lt. Wolfe's RTO.SGT. BARNES: (soft) Talking bout killing? A similar character in Barnes being the leader of a Platoon in the Vietnam war. In fact, Stone shot the entire movie in the Philippines and had plenty of trouble doing so. For example, if Lt. Wolfe had given the right coordinates for the air strike, it would have besieged the enemy instead of his own men; Many in the platoon feel that adequate leadership and support would instill the stamina and tolerance necessary to ultimately defeat the elusive Viet Cong. Lt. Wolfe hasnt said a word, looking as Elias departs, without a word. Therefore they would probably have to break in new recruits, until the WIA's were fit for duty again. Is "Platoon" based on a book? More can be read about him here. Three or four squads make up a platoon, which has 20 to 50 soldiers and is commanded by a lieutenant. Noting Barnes' anxious manner, Taylor realizes that he was responsible. As the platoon departs on helicopters, Taylor witnesses the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) gun down Dafoe's character; a moment which ultimately fuels the final act conflict. Barnes would have been court-martialled, the civil war in the platoon would have subsided, and Barnes wouldnt have been able to ultimately kill Elias. And the next son of a bitch I catch coppin Z in the bush, Im personally going to take an interest in seein suffer. His wounds deprived him of his biggest dream which was going to West Point, so instead he became an actor. Elias is missing in the jungle, Chris sets out to find him until hes stopped by Sgt. When the enemy attacks the U.S. compound, the Viet Cong are able to overrun the U.S forces. Chris thought the war would mold him into the type of man he would be proud of, instead it has dehumanized him to the point where he is willing and able to commit the murder of his commanding officer in an act of revenge. The men cower at the blunt prospect of having to kill their menacing sergeant. There are so many war movies out there to choose from, yet not many come from the perspectiveof a man who personally lived through the hell that was the Vietnam War. But rather than checking on the injured, Francis deliberately plunges a knife into his leg. BARNES: Yall experts? Unproven is also illustrated in the conflict between Elias and Barnes that arises over the crimes that Barnes commits in the village. In the closing minutes of Platoon, the character re-emerges with a big smile on his face, and tells Taylor that they'll both be sent homeas "two-timers." Platoon, principal subdivision of a military company . He relies on his knowledge of war to react and perform quickly. It's about how war is an immoral and evil thing and you must become evil and immoral to survive it.Also anyone who thinks that the movie is "un-American" should also note that the film depicts the NVA as just as ruthless and savage. Elias. Revealing mistake: During the fight scene in the village between Elias and Barnes, as they roll around on the ground, Barnes "hits" Elias with a right hook and Elias's head is thrown to the side as if he just caught a serious blow. CRAWFORD: Sounds like it. In that sense, the film can be interpreted literally or metaphorically, as one could argue that Sheen's character doesn't literally kill his superior at the end, but rather imagines himself getting revenge. Immediately experiencing platoon life in Vietnam abruptly begins to change the naive, idyllic notions Chris, a volunteer, has about war. How many days you short? Who was Murphy? Elias running after them, being chased by the enemy, even after Sgt. A platoon is four squads: generally three rifle squads and one weapons squad, normally armed with machine guns and anti-tank weapons. As he was running and some of the squibs failed, he threw the detonator to the side, an action that can be spotted by more eagle-eyed moviegoers. Sgt. His extensive exposure to combat has caused him to develop warped ideals to support his cold, callous, and immoral behavior. ACE: they caught em last night trying to pull some shit on Charlie Company. Promoted to 1st Squad's Sergeant at end of film.Pvt Huffmeister (Survives): Seen standing behind O'Neil when he is given command of the platoon. Dale Dye. During the final battle, he is killing countless VC bare-handed. Matters continue to get worse for the platoon. For the all night ambush to work as effectively as Sgt. How much is a platoon? When Elias is betrayed by Barnes, he still greets him with a smile, as if satisfied with his ability to operate on optimism despite the tragedies of warthat surround him, and his demise being brought on not by the enemy of war, but the enemy of morality. One of the dead under ponchos at battle's end, seen carried to chopper at end. Barnes views Chris the same way he views Elias, an agent out to challenge his way of war, a crusader causing dissension among the men, undermining Barnes efforts, and placing the platoon in jeopardy. When you know you know. Why did Barnes kill Elias? To prevent Sgt. In the game of Cold War politics, Vietnam became a pawn. Hispanic kid seen praying when Wolfe goes into bunker where Barnes and others are playing poker. So he stabbed himself in order to be taken off duty long enough to be sent home. Edit, A soldier causing a self-inflicted wound to get off the front line has certainly happened. ELIAS: In 65 - yeah. What Barnes is really saying to the men is You dont know about death. KING: Way out of anything, man. They have to be like Barnes or be like Elias or be loners, but there are definitely many aspects of their lives they have to give up and a way they must be in order to survive in the war. Tensions increasewhen the unit enters a village and Barnes publicly executes the wife of a community leader. He grabs Chris machete out of his hand and bulls his way into the foliage, tearing it apart, setting a new pace. The sergeants actions momentarily shock the entire platoon, but then seem to inspire the platoon to want to kill all the villagers. Company-sized units, 130 to 150 soldiers, are normally commanded by captains. Does Johnny Depp speak Vietnamese? Why did Elias smile at Barnes? Barnes aint meant to die. 1. Excluding the WIA's, who is left behind to fight from the platoon? Sgt Barnes, Elias' sadistic staff sergeant, was in direct contrast to Platoon's main character. The platoon investigates a small village suspected of Viet Cong activity. They are used as bait to lure the entire 167 Viet Cong Regiment into the open. WOLFE: (to Barnes) Who do you want on ambush, Sergeant? Just keep your pecker up and your powder dry, things change. Elias get into an altercation over Sgt. I shit you not! Its funny, in retrospect Ive heard many people say that Oliver Stone took that [pose] from a war photo, he continued. If look closely at Dafoes left hand, you can see him carrying the squib detonator, which he used to set off the devices attached to his wardrobe. How many days you short? External Reviews Best Movies about modern (post-1900) warfare/military. Chris Taylor has rebelled against his wealthy, privileged upbringing and come to Vietnam on a quest for self-discovery. BARNES: Elias is like them politicians in Washington. Barnes was a hot headed, gung-ho go getter who actually believed in his cause was was willing to do whatever was necessary to win the war Elias was much less of a fighting man but it can be argued that men like Elias would be better for winning the Hearts and Minds of the population. You were there Rhah - I know what you were thinking. CHRIS: Not just me its the way the whole thing works. Johnny Depp Learned An Entire Language For His Role In Platoon. ): Course Mom and Dad didnt want me to come, they wanted me to be just like themrespectable, hard-working, making $200 a week, a little house, a family. While the platoon is being extracted via helicopter, they glimpse Elias, mortally wounded, emerging from the treeline and being chased by a group of North Vietnamese soldiers, who kill him. Elias leads Chris to conclude that Sgt. CRAWFORD: You volunteered for this shit, man? Since Chris has just arrived to the platoon and has no past experience of fighting and surviving in jungle combat, he has no memories he can draw upon to serve him in the current situation. (to Warren) We leave here in 2-zero minutes. The first casualty of war is innocence. Captain. BARNES: (to all) Yall take a good look at this lump of shit! Chris seems awestruck that his worse fear could have been realizedhe could have been easily killed if there had been enemy troops in the bunker. Chris memory of Barnes evil deeds and the memory of Elias and what he stood for, enable him to finally shoot Barnes. Bunny refers to himself as "Audie Murphy". Barnes questionable account of how he earlier found Elias dead in the jungle, prompting the following exchange of dialogue between Chris and other platoon members: Chris focuses on his intuition that enlisting in the Vietnam War will provide him with what he needs to feel he is a real man. Barnes tells Elias he is moving out, and then he tells O'Neill his short termers can stay in; but he is going out because he needs veterans out there. The following analysis reveals a comprehensive look at the Storyform for Platoon. CHRIS: Yever get caught in a mistake King and you just cant get out of it? Sgt. He is no longer a naive, idealistic, young boy who was looking for a great adventure to make him a man, he has come to realize, and take part of, the atrocities and numbing reality of the Vietnam War. After the final battle in Platoon on Netflix, Stone once again contrasts Taylor's bravery with the questionable decisionsof a fellow soldier. Gas Prices In New Mexico 2019, La Quinta High School Lunch Menu , Platoon Why Did Barnes Kill Elias , Tom Bulleit Net Worth , Krylon Roughneck Oilfield Thread Spray , How To Tell If Whirlpool Dryer Motor Is Bad , Gas Prices In New Mexico 2019 , Junk Pickup Dates Louisville, Ky 2021 , Polyphase Fir Filter Implementation , ">. Elias takes Chrisand two other men to intercept flanking enemy troops. Barnes shoots and murders Elias when the two are alone in the jungle. Elias warns Barnes that he shouldnt send the new men in the platoon out on an all night ambush because they would most likely engage the enemy, and their inexperience would make them inadequate for the patrol. For as intense as Elias death scene was in Platoon, it took relatively few takes; it only took three or four tries for Dafoe and Stone to capture it. Barnes says, Do it! and without thinking, Chris shoots and kills Sgt. I guess having always been sheltered and special, I just want to be anonymous. Sgt. When Chris reflects upon the village and the murder of Elias, he is able to gain the same enlightenment, yet his killing of Barnes in cold blood detracts from any progress hes made toward self-fulfillment. Tonight. One needs to learn from the past to do well in war. Elias would have been able to prove that Sgt. (Stone, p. 65), In Platoon, Writer-director Oliver Stone drops us as he drops his autobiographical 19-year-old, Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen), into life with the 25th Infantry in Vietnam. The black soldier behind him is Flash, the guy in the foreground is Bunny. 24. He is stoic, cold and brutal, doesn't care for any others than himself - and that includes his own soldiers and country. Elias murder, Chris tries to convince some of the others in the platoon that they need to kill Barnes in revenge. A man who felt he was doing what was necessary. For example: when Chris throws up and cant physically handle himself the first time he sees a rotting corpse of an enemy soldier in the jungle; When Chris allegedly falls asleep on his watch, allowing the enemy to walk right up on the sleeping platoon; When Barnes realizes Chris knows he lied about Elias being dead; When Barnes overhears Chris trying to convince the others that Barnes killed Elias, and in one of the final battle scenes where the tension between Barnes and Chris comes to a head and Barnes tries to kill Chris during the commotion of hand to hand combat with the Viet Cong. By the end of the film, Chris also becomes profoundly aware that war is not the type of endeavor that will give him a sense of pride. In addition to the Storyform, you'll also find any additional analysis or media related to the story in question. There is a lot of speculation whether he lives or dies, confused even more by the fact Depp mentions Lerner dies in a documentary about this movie. When Taylor discovers Barnes in Platoon, both men aren't doing well after the NVA attack and the subsequent air raid. Barnes is obviously affected by the deaths of more of his men, enough so to make him momentarily lose his tough, military sergeant facade and expose a slight vulnerability. Do my share for my country. Barnes as a role model and leader makes a significant impact on the men in the platoon, including Chris. Not one(Stone, p. 88). (Stone, P. 24) Barnes. At this point, Chris is beginning to develop a stronger sense of moral conviction in reaction to the shocking and appalling actions of his fellow platoon members. Dramatica is a registered trademark of Screenplay Systems Incorporated. They all look at each other. While Chris finds great value in the lives of his platoon members, as well as in the Vietnamese civilians, Barnes does not. Suspicion and hate cause them to turn on each other. (Stone, p.85). Hollywood is filled with stories about directors burning through numerous takes to get the exact moment theyre looking for. Chris is thematically focused on understanding how to apply what he knows. Elias is the Aramaic form of the Biblical Elijah.
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