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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Even though this movie clearly establishes early on that it takes place at the real Ft. Polk, Louisiana, USA (including displaying a big, on-screen, entrance sign at the very beginning), all the sources of film data describing this movie state that it takes place at 'fictional' Ft. Lake, Louisiana, USA.

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Goofs

All soldiers reporting for AIT in 1971 would been wearing the National Defense Service Medal (ribbon) on their khaki or service dress green uniforms. None of the actors have the NDSM on their uniforms.

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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 On the Set of Sightlines (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

Fresh, and gritty

This movie is done on a low budget. It looks like they used the actual government training center, and many parts were realistic. A few parts of the movie were over the top. This movie is fresh, and gritty; I like the realism of the film. The hero or anti hero is a nice guy, in wolf's skin. (I've met people like him) It shows how cruel the system can be and the merits of playing by your own rules. In the end I like this film.

Details

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 May 2001 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Tigerland

Filming Locations:

Camp Blanding, Starke, Florida, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$26,715, 8 October 2000

Gross USA:

$139,692

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$148,701

Company Credits

Production Co:

Haft Entertainment, New Regency Productions, KirchMedia

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1