Platoon Leader (1988)

A young officer, just out of West Point is sent to Vietnam, where the men don't respect him until he gets wounded and returns to be a wiser soldier and a better commander

Director:

Aaron Norris

Writers:

Andrew Deutsch (screenplay), Rick Marx (screenplay),

Stars:

Michael Dudikoff, Robert F. Lyons, Michael DeLorenzo

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Dudikoff	...	Lt. Jeff Knight
Robert F. Lyons	...	Sgt. Michael McNamara
Michael DeLorenzo	...	Raymond Bacera
Jesse Dabson	...	Joshua Parker
Rick Fitts	...	Sgt. Robert Hayes
Tony Pierce	...	Jan Shultz
Daniel Demorest	...	Duffy
Brian Libby	...	Sgt. Roach
Michael Rider	...	Pvt. Don Pike
William Smith	...	Major Flynn
Al Karaki	...	Kemp
Evan J. Klisser	...	Larsen
Evan Barker	...	Klinski
A.J. Smith	...	Lt. Riley
Dean Raphael Ferrandini	...	Medic

Storyline

West Point graduate lieutenant Jeff Knight meets cynicism when taking command of sergeant Michael McNamara's tour veterans platoon in a Vietnamese trench camp. Unlike his predecessor, who hid till the end of his tour, Jeff takes charge, experiences the manual doesn't allow coping with all realities and gets wounded. He returns, now fully respect by men and superiors. Besides the Vietcong, the platoon wrestles with the inscrutable villagers, which the GIs officially protect, but also fear as some collaborate with them, other covertly with the Cong, either way subject to bloody reprisals.

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Plot Keywords:

vietnam | male rear nudity | male nudity | drugs | medical examination | 

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Taglines:

War is hell. This was worse...

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Genres:

War | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

October 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Baptismo de Fogo

Filming Locations:

South Africa

Box Office

Gross:

$1,348,771 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cannon International, Breton Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the few films made by Cannon that wasn't produced by Menahem Golan nor Yoram Globus.

User Reviews

If you liked platoon, you may like this film

We,of Road Kill Productions really like this movie. The effects are very good and the acting is good as well. This movie was made two years after Platoon was made and we must admit this movie is very dramatic and very striking in some scenes. We still think Platoon is better if course, but if you are a fan of platoon or any other War related flick. Odds are you might enjoy this movie.