Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Colin Farrell | ... | Pvt. Roland Bozz | |
Matthew Davis | ... | Pvt. Jim Paxton | |
Clifton Collins Jr. | ... | Pvt. Miter | |
Tom Guiry | ... | Pvt. Cantwell (as Thomas Guiry) | |
Shea Whigham | ... | Pvt. Wilson | |
Russell Richardson | ... | Pvt. Johnson | |
Nick Searcy | ... | Capt. Saunders | |
Afemo Omilami | ... | SFC Ezra Landers | |
James MacDonald | ... | Staff Sgt. Thomas (as James McDonald) | |
Keith Ewell | ... | Sgt. Oakes | |
Matt Gerald | ... | Sgt. Eveland | |
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Stephen Fulton | ... | Sgt. Drake |
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Tyler Cravens | ... | M.P. Sergeant |
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Michael Edmiston | ... | Hit the Brakes! Driver |
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Arian Ash | ... | Sheri |
In September 1971, a platoon of recruits arrives in Ft. Polk, LA, for infantry training before leaving for war. The final week takes place in Tigerland, a swamp similar to Vietnam. Jim Paxton has enlisted; he wants to experience everything and write books later. He befriends Roland Bozz, a cool Texan with a gift for getting into trouble and for helping misfits get discharges. At least one sociopath in the platoon hates Bozz, even as the sergeants grudgingly recognize his leadership abilities. As the platoon heads into its week in Tigerland, Paxton's body gives out, Bozz makes plans to go AWOL, and the sociopath gets hold of live ammo. Is the Louisiana swamp more dangerous than the DMZ? Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>
War drama that takes place in Louisiana in 1971. It follows a bunch of recruits through basic training and then Tigerland--an accurate portrayal of Vietnam on American soil, before they're shipped over. It focuses on two men--Booz (Colin Farrell) and Paxton (Matthew Davis)...how they meet, become friends and deal with a corwardly squadron leader (Clifton Collins Jr.) and a borderline psycho (Shea Wingham).
A surprisingly non-commercial film directed by Joel Schumacher. He uses a hand-held camera throughout most of the movie and uses digital video for the combat scenes. It works very well--the film looks gritty (as it should) and uncomfortably realistic.
Farrell successfully covers up his Irish brogue and adopts a pretty convincing Southern accent. His performance is just superb--he's an extremely talented young man. Davis, unfortunately, is not that good. He's tall, muscular, very handsome--and very bland. The rest of the cast however is just great.
This film was thrown away by its studio. It had no stars in it, a familar story and was considered "just another war film". It only played a week in Boston! It's well worth catching on video or DVD.
Also, Farrell and Davis have a lengthy nude scene.