Tigerland (2000)

A group of recruits go through Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Polk, Louisiana's infamous Tigerland, last stop before Vietnam for tens of thousands of young men in 1971.

Director:

Joel Schumacher

Writers:

Ross Klavan, Michael McGruther

Stars:

Colin Farrell, Matthew Davis, Clifton Collins Jr.

2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

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
Stephen Fulton	...	Sgt. Drake
Tyler Cravens	...	M.P. Sergeant
Michael Edmiston	...	Hit the Brakes! Driver
Arian Ash	...	Sheri

Storyline

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?

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Plot Keywords:

vietnam | platoon | recruit | sergeant | fort polk louisiana | 

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Taglines:

The system wanted them to become soldiers. One soldier just wanted to be human.

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, pervasive language, a scene of strong sexuality and some drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Regency Entertainment / Monarchy Enterprises

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 May 2001 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Camino de guerra

Filming Locations:

Camp Blanding, Starke, Florida, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$26,715, 8 October 2000, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$139,692, 5 June 2013

Company Credits

Production Co:

Haft Entertainment,New Regency Pictures,KirchMedia

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The paperback book Bozz is reading at the beginning of the film is Dalton Trumbo's famous anti-war novel "Johnny Got His Gun" about a horribly wounded veteran of the First World War.

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Goofs

While at the pistol range, Wilson challenges Bozz with a M1911 .45 pistol. After the encounter, a SSG comments the pistol is 'jammed'. It is not jammed, as the slide is in battery so there is no stoppage of the weapon. It may be a misfire, but not a jam.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Paxton: [voice-over] My father said the army makes all men one, but you never know which one. He didn't know Roland Bozz.

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Connections

Referenced in Dinner for Five: Episode #2.1 (2003)

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Soundtracks

I WANT TO TAKE HER HOME TO MY MAMA
Written by Tory Kittles
Performed by Tory Kittles and Rhynell Brumfield

User Reviews

Very good

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.