IMDb > Platoon (1986)
Platoon
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Platoon (1986) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (See all 46 | slideshow) Videos (see all 14)
Platoon -- 30 second Trailer
Platoon -- Clip: Helicopter Aid
Platoon -- Featurette: Relating to the Film
Platoon -- Trailer for Platoon
Platoon -- A young recruit in Vietnam faces a moral crisis when confronted with the horrors of war and the duality of man.

Overview

User Rating:
Top 250: #151  (login to vote)
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Up 5% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Oliver Stone
Writer:
Oliver Stone (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Platoon on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
24 December 1986 (USA) See more »
Genre:
Action | Drama | History | War See more »
Tagline:
The first casualty of war is innocence.
Plot:
A young recruit in Vietnam faces a moral crisis when confronted with the horrors of war and the duality of man. Full summary » | Full synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
See more »
Awards:
Won 4 Oscars. Another 21 wins & 10 nominations See more »
NewsDesk:
(325 articles)
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Supporting Actors: The Overlooked and Underrated (part 3 of 5)
 (From SoundOnSight. 24 May 2012, 8:28 PM, PDT)
User Reviews:
within Vietnam and beyond See more (446 total) »

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

Keith David ... King

Forest Whitaker ... Big Harold

Francesco Quinn ... Rhah

Kevin Dillon ... Bunny

John C. McGinley ... Sgt. O'Neill
Reggie Johnson ... Junior

Mark Moses ... Lt. Wolfe
Corey Glover ... Francis

Johnny Depp ... Lerner
Chris Pedersen ... Crawford
Bob Orwig ... Gardner
Corkey Ford ... Manny
David Neidorf ... Tex

Tom Berenger ... Sgt. Barnes

Willem Dafoe ... Sgt. Elias

Charlie Sheen ... Chris

Richard Edson ... Sal

Tony Todd ... Warren
Kevin Eshelman ... Morehouse
Terry McIlvain ... Ace (as James Terry McIlvain)
J. Adam Glover ... Sanderson
Ivan Kane ... Tony
Paul Sanchez ... Doc

Dale Dye ... Captain Harris
Peter Hicks ... Parker
Basile Achara ... Flash
Steve Barredo ... Fu Sheng
Chris Castillejo ... Rodriguez
Andrew B. Clark ... Tubbs
Bernardo Manalili ... Village Chief
Than Rogers ... Village Chief's Wife
Li Thi Van ... Village Chief's Daughter
Clarisa Ortacio ... Old Woman
Romy Sevilla ... One-Legged Man
Mathew Westfall ... Terrified Soldier
Nick Nicholson ... Mechanized Soldier #1 (as Nick Nickelson)
Warren McLean ... Mechanized Soldier #2
Li Mai Thao ... Rape Victim
Ron Barracks ... Medic
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
H. Gordon Boos ... Soldier with Mohawk Haircut (uncredited)
Mark Ebenhoch ... Ebenhoch (uncredited)
Robert 'Rock' Galotti ... Huffmeister (uncredited)
Eric Hahn ... Soldier (uncredited)

Oliver Stone ... Alpha Company Major in Bunker (uncredited)
Henry Strzalkowski ... Bit Part (uncredited)
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Directed by
Oliver Stone 
 
Writing credits
Oliver Stone (written by)

Produced by
John Daly .... executive producer
Derek Gibson .... executive producer
A. Kitman Ho .... co-producer
Arnold Kopelson .... producer
 
Original Music by
Georges Delerue 
 
Cinematography by
Robert Richardson (director of photography)
 
Film Editing by
Claire Simpson 
 
Casting by
Pat Golden 
Warren McLean 
Bob Morones 
 
Production Design by
Bruno Rubeo 
 
Art Direction by
Rodell Cruz 
Sherman Williams  (as Doris Sherman Williams)
 
Makeup Department
Cecille Baun .... makeup and prosthetic special effects assistant
Derek Howard .... makeup and prosthetic special effects assistant
Gordon J. Smith .... special makeup effects and visual continuity
Gionilda Stolee .... makeup and prosthetic special effects assistant
 
Production Management
Joe Constantino .... production manager
Cenón González .... unit manager (as Cenon Gonzales)
Graham Henderson .... executive in charge of production
Ooty Moorehead .... production supervisor
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
H. Gordon Boos .... first assistant director
Pepito Diaz .... second assistant director
Evan Kopelson .... assistant director: second unit
Gerry Toomey .... key second assistant director
Tim Minear .... assistant director (uncredited)
 
Art Department
Francisco Balangue .... construction manager (as Francisco Belangue)
Romulo Bernales .... assistant property master
David Delina .... property master
Delio Dizon .... greensman
Angelito Felipe .... scenic chargeman
Dwight Gaston .... assistant set dresser
Neddie La Raquel .... assistant property master
Roy Lachica .... key set dresser
Teodoro Martin Sr. .... greensman
Gambino Payawal .... assistant construction manager (as Gavino Payawal)
Cesar Ramido .... master carpenter
Martin Raygon .... assistant set dresser
Alex Santa Maria .... master carpenter (as Alex Sta. Maria)
Reynaldo Velasco .... props radioman
 
Sound Department
David Campling .... sound editor
Gordon Daniel .... supervising sound editor
Greg Dillon .... sound editor
Venancio Goltiano .... cableman
Charles Grenzbach .... re-recording mixer (as Charles 'Bud' Grenzbach)
Taffy Haines .... sound mixer: second unit
Simon Kaye .... sound mixer
James J. Klinger .... sound editor
Anthony Palk .... sound editor (as Tony Palk)
Richard D. Rogers .... re-recording mixer (as Richard Rogers)
Donald Santos .... boom operator
John Wilkinson .... re-recording mixer (as John 'Doc' Wilkinson)
Vanessa Theme Ament .... foley artist (uncredited)
Steve Bartlett .... sound (uncredited)
Frank Fleming .... loader (uncredited)
Alyson Dee Moore .... foley artist (uncredited)
 
Special Effects by
Rudy Candaza .... special effects assistant
Yves De Bono .... special effects supervisor
Jimmy Intal .... special effects assistant
Felizardo Manaloto .... special effects assistant
Jose Marquez .... special effects assistant
Roland Salem .... special effects assistant (as Rolando Salem)
Boy Terrado .... special effects assistant
Andrew Wilson .... special effects technician
 
Stunts
Gil Arceo .... stunt coordinator
Alex Cabodil .... stunts
Mark Ebenhoch .... stunts (as Mark K. Ebenhoch)
Robert 'Rock' Galotti .... stunts (as Robert M. Galotti Jr.)
Joseph Ramos .... stunts
Rolly Silong .... stunts
Sonny Tuazon .... stunts
Leony Vidal .... stunts
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Mel Araojo .... film loader
Rene Balicas .... dolly grip
Rufo Oreta Balicas .... best boy grip (as Rufo Balicas)
Victor Cecogo .... clapper
Ernesto Enríquez .... assistant electrician (as Ernesto Enriquez)
James Finnerty .... grip (as Jim Finnerty)
James Fitzpatrick .... gaffer
Ricky Francisco .... still photographer
Chris Lombardi .... first assistant camera
Celebrando Raymundo .... best boy electrician (as Celebrado Raymundo)
Charlie Rebolledo .... generator operator
George Rosales .... additional assistant camera
Caloy Salcedo .... additional assistant camera
Newton Thomas Sigel .... director of photography: second unit (as Tom Sigel)
Roland Neveu .... special photographer (uncredited)
Sandi Sissel .... director of photography: 'b' unit (uncredited)
 
Casting Department
Barbara Harris .... voice casting
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Mike Ambrosio .... wardrobe assistant (as Mike Ambrocio)
Wynn Arenas .... wardrobe supervisor
Maria Cecina .... tailor
Jim Elyea .... additional wardrobe
Fidel Javier .... wardrobe assistant
Kathryn Morrison .... costumier
Tess Quismundo .... tailor
 
Editorial Department
David Brenner .... first assistant editor (as David S. Brenner)
Tom Finan .... associate editor
Julie Monroe .... assistant editor
Toto Natividad .... assistant editor
Mary Nelson-Duerrstein .... negative cutter (as Mary Duerrstein)
Ben Salvador .... apprentice editor
Frederick S. Taylor .... apprentice editor
Ron Wengler .... color timer (as Ronald Wengler)
Henry Yamballa .... master cutter
 
Music Department
Budd Carr .... music supervisor
Richard Stone .... supervising music editor: Segue Music
Joanne Weiss .... music coordinator
Georges Delerue .... conductor (uncredited)
Georges Delerue .... orchestrator (uncredited)
Roger Monk .... score mixer (uncredited)
John Richards .... music engineer (uncredited)
 
Transportation Department
Ben Cañalita .... assistant transportation captain (as Ben Canalita)
Primo Guina .... transportation captain (as Firmo Guina)
 
Other crew
Frans J. Afman .... motion picture banking: Credit Lyonnais Bank, Nederland
Joe Alonsabe .... location auditor
Linda Angeles .... nurse
Andy Birmingham .... production accountant
Bobby Buensalida .... craft service
Kathryn Clayton .... assistant military technical advisor
Pierre David .... production executive
Angelica De Leon .... production coordinator
Bernardo Delina .... wrangler
Cesar Dominguez .... chief armorer
Dale Dye .... technical advisor: military (as Captain Dale Dye United States Marine Corp. {Ret.})
Yvonne Eastmond .... assistant accountant
Mark Ebenhoch .... assistant military technical advisor (as Mark K. Ebenhoch)
Diosdado Figueroa .... assistant armorer
Sylvia Gajardo .... bookkeeper
Robert 'Rock' Galotti .... assistant military technical advisor (as Robert M. Galotti Jr.)
Anne G. Garcia .... production secretary
Eusebio Garcia .... liaison: Philippine military
Matt Gatson .... production liaison: Los Angeles
Carrie Hughes .... travel arrangements: Trudy Salven Travel International
Robert Jellen .... insurance provided by: Albert G. Ruben & Co. Inc. (as Robert A. Jellen)
Lope V. Juban Jr. .... coordinator: Philippine, PMP Motion Picture Productions Inc.
John Kerr .... key production assistant
David Lowe .... legal services: Beresford, Lowe & Co.
Susan Malerstein .... script supervisor
Suzette Montalban .... cashier
Eliong Munoz .... assistant armorer
Nick Nicholson .... production assistant (as Nick Nickelson)
Orlando Nui .... security
Jerry O'Hara .... location manager
Ben Pagar .... wrangler
Dondi Pangilinan .... assistant armorer
Dan Perri .... title design
Steven Rodgers .... production assistant (as Steve Rodgers)
Mayes C. Rubeo .... assistant: Arnold Kopelson (as Mayes Rubeo)
Elizabeth Stone .... assistant: Oliver Stone
Doc Tizon .... assistant armorer (as Roman 'Doc' Tizon)
Antonio V. Torralba .... doctor (as Dr. Antonio V. Torralba)
Gigi Vitan .... production assistant
Stanley White .... assistant military technical advisor (as Stanley White U.S.M.C. {Ret.})
Wynne Wicker .... technical advisor: Vietnamese
Oli Laperal Jr. .... equipment coordinator (uncredited)
Nick Nicholson .... helicopter choreographer (uncredited)
 
Thanks
Michael Cimino .... special thanks
Mary Colquhoun .... special thanks
Charles Ryan .... special thanks: Bart-Milander Associates Inc. (as Charles W. Ryan)
 
Crew verified as complete


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Additional Details

Also Known As:
See more »
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
120 min
Country:
UK | USA
Language:
English | Vietnamese
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Stereo (Dolby Stereo)
Certification:
Germany:16 | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Iceland:16 | Singapore:NC-16 (cut) | Australia:MA (Special Edition DVD) | Brazil:14 | India:A | Peru:18 | Portugal:M/16 (Qualidade) | Malaysia:(Banned) | Argentina:18 | Australia:M | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Ireland:15 | Israel:PG | Japan:PG-12 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:M (DVD rating) | New Zealand:R (original rating) | Norway:18 | South Korea:15 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R (PCA #28241) | Vietnam:(Banned) | West Germany:16
Filming Locations:
Luzon, Philippines
Company:
Hemdale FilmSee more »

Did You Know?

Trivia:
Oliver Stone considered casting Johnny Depp for the lead role of Pvt. Chris Taylor but Depp was too young for the part and unknown at the time. Stone said that Depp would someday become a huge star and is thus one of the first filmmakers who introduced Johnny Depp to Hollywood.See more »
Goofs:
Errors in geography: When Sandy and Sal are investigating the bunker they come across a reused ammo-box filled with maps. The map shown is actually of the British Isles with Ireland, most of England and northern France plainly visible. A local VC/NVA unit would have no interest in detailed maps of Europe.See more »
Quotes:
[first lines]
Pvt. Gardner:[seeing body bags] Aw, man, is that what I think it is?
Sergeant:All right, you cheese-dicks, welcome to the 'nam! Follow me.
See more »
Movie Connections:
Featured in "The Nostalgia Critic: Ferngully 2 (#4.2)" (2011)See more »
Soundtrack:
SITTIN ON THE DOCK OF THE BAYSee more »

FAQ

Is "Platoon" based on a book?
Is the village massacre based on any actual events?
Bunny refers to himself as "Audie Murphy". Who was Murphy?
See more »

User Reviews

   (Review this title)
133 out of 167 people found the following review useful.
within Vietnam and beyond, 8 May 2004
Author: red_core from Silicon Valley, CA

Platoon is generally regarded as one of the strongest anti-war films of all time. While this is certainly true, what's often overlooked -- at least after only one run through the film -- is that it's chiefly a tale of God vs. Satan, and the war is there to set a perilous backdrop. No doubt, Platoon shows the Vietnam War was a big mistake, but being a fictional documentary on Vietnam is far from its purpose.

The story is told from the point of view of Chris Taylor (solidly played by Charlie Sheen), a middle class kid who goes to Vietnam to do what he thinks is his patriotic duty. In the first ten minutes, Chris is shown in the uncomfortable jungle, struggling just to survive in the natural environment, let alone do any actual damage to the enemy. Quickly we're introduced to the well-known facets of the Vietnam War: The lack of sense of purpose, the wraith-like enemies, the obvious prevalence of the uneducated and poor among the fighting grunts -- and, soon, we see how these factors combine to cause widespread low morale and some actions of more than questionable ethical value.

Chris sees his platoon fragmented into two halves, each aligned with one of two men -- Sgt. Elias (Willem Dafoe) and Sgt. Barnes (Tom Berenger). These two really are the driving force behind the film. They both have nominally the same enemy (the Viet Cong), but, really, it doesn't take long to realize that Elias is Good, and Barnes is Evil (the "enemy" does not enter into the moral equation of this film, at all -- it's an outside threat, same as malaria-carrying mosquitoes or even friendly fire). I won't deny it is a very black-vesus-white relationship, but this polarity does not feel contrived. Elias feels the futility of the war and has respect for life; Barnes fights the war doggedly and has no compassion, period. Both are efficient soldiers fighting the same enemy, but really -- as is at one point aptly put by Chris Taylor himself -- they are fighting for the souls of the platoon members, as the outcome of the war is never really in doubt.

Elias/Barnes' hold on the platoon, and the viewer, is developed through several war sequences. A chilling scene takes place in a village, where our soldiers find no VC, but they do find a cache of VC weapons. The inhumanity of certain soldiers, including of Sgt. Barnes, is unflinchingly shown here. It leaves the viewer with an empty feeling that is hard to shake, reminding of the similarly empty look on a woman's face after she sees her son killed in front her.

Elias doesn't take kindly to this kind of behavior. Elias and Barnes come closer and closer to open conflict, as Taylor becomes a veteran, obviously siding with Elias. Meanwhile, the fate of the platoon comes closer and closer to them, culminating in an explosively shot action conclusion. The end is dark, but morally satisfying.

Don't watch this movie for the action. That's not to say it's not well shot, or unrealistic. On the contrary. It's quite convincing. But it doesn't show war as a fun sport, and it's never a question of good guys versus bad guys. There will be no cheering for the "good guys" or anyone else in this one. Stone succeeds brilliantly at putting the viewer into the middle of it all, and it's not a pretty sigh (and definitely not for the squeamish, either).

On the other hand, if you want great acting, it's here. Dafoe and Berenger do incredibly well, with the incredibly good (and seemingly authentically sounding) script. Barnes is horrific as he challenges three men to kill him, drinking hard liquor out of the bottle. They don't make a move, and neither will you, though you'll hate him just as much as them. Dafoe is a ray of light in the dark as Elias. The cast is rounded out with many characters, all well played, and adding another dimension to the film.

The technical aspects of the film are superb, though one never thinks about them much, as the movie is completely engrossing. The production values seem quite good, as well. The most stunning peripheral aspect of this film, however, is the music. It's emotional and draining, and used to great effect -- listen for the main theme as you watch the village burn.

Watch this one a few times, and you'll likely be quite moved each time. I'll be surprised if you give it less than what I gave it: 9/10

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