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

Greg Sestero, who played Mark in the infamous movie The Room, auditioned for Colin Farrell's role.

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Goofs

In the final scene when Paxton comes out to meet the bus, he is wearing the Service Dress Green uniform. The uniform is missing the lapel insignia (brass disk with US) on both sides and the National Defense Service Medal. In addition, if he had successfully completed Infantry AIT, he would have blue disks behind the lapel insignia and there would be crossed rifles on the left disk. There would also be a woven blue cord over the right shoulder.

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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 Tropic Thunder: Rain of Madness (2008)

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Soundtracks

SOUND OFF
Written by Willie Lee Duckworth and Bernard Lentz

User Reviews

Gritty Vietnam-era drama invites critical accolades

TIGERLAND

Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Sound format: Dolby Digital

Louisiana, 1971: During basic training, a rebellious army conscript (Colin Farrell) causes dissension within the ranks.

Given Joel Schumacher's reputation as a schlockmeister par excellence, most critics were caught off-guard by this low-budget drama, filmed without any of the frills and fripperies normally associated with Hollywood blockbusters, and headlined by little more than obscure (but hugely experienced) character actors and talented newcomers, including Farrell, whose bravura performance launched him to international stardom. Far removed from the extravagant Vietnam-operas favored by Francis Ford Coppola and Oliver Stone, Schumacher's film examines the contradictions of war and the dehumanizing effect of combat on ordinary men through the experiences of Farrell's anti-hero, a compassionate man who despises the self-serving patriotic nonsense peddled by his superiors, and who refuses to compromise his own ideals, despite the sometimes painful repercussions of his disobedience.

Though backed by a major studio, TIGERLAND has the look and feel of a low-budget indie production, using hand-held camera-work and grainy film-stock for documentary effect, and this uncompromising 'Dogme'-like approach allows Schumacher to focus his attention on the characters and their situation rather than the pyrotechnics which usually dominate such movies. Farrell may be the star of the show, but he's matched by debut actor Matthew Davis (BLOODRAYNE) as his closest friend and fellow combatant, an aspiring writer who volunteered for duty and who favors intellect and reason over Farrell's reckless bravado. Fine supporting cast, excellent technical credits.