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
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Title: Platoon Leader (1988)
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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 | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
See All (18) »
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. Written by KGF Vissers
Plot Keywords:
vietnam | shower | medical examination | male rear nudity | male nudity |Taglines:
War is hell. This was worse...Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
October 1988 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Nam See more »Edit
Box Office
Gross USA:
$1,348,771Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Ultra StereoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Written by Del Shannon and Dennis Coffey
Performed by Del Shannon
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The only film directed by Aaron Norris to not have his brother Chuck Norris in it. See more »Connections
Referenced in Remo, Rambo, Reagan and Reds: The Eighties Action Movie Explosion (2014) See more »Soundtracks
Move It On OverWritten by Del Shannon and Dennis Coffey
Performed by Del Shannon
See more »
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PLATOON LEADER is one of Dudikoff's best movies, perhaps because, since it was a rare theatrical release, more attention was given to make sure it was well-done. You really get a sense of what the war in Vietnam was like for the soldiers there, with hair-raising jungle ambushes and close calls. Naturally, the guys at the base don't take too kindly to Dudikoff when he first arrives, but ultimately grow to respect him, something I've really grown tired of seeing in the movies. But the battle scenes are well-executed, the direction by Aaron Norris (Chuck's brother) nothing special but good, and the music heroic and uplifting. War movie fans should enjoy it.