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Platoon
1986 120 min United Kingdom, United States of America R 16+
★8.8
Drama, War, Action
Director: Oliver Stone
Trailers
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Description
As a young and naive recruit in Vietnam, Chris Taylor faces a moral crisis when confronted with the horrors of war and the duality of man.
Budget:
$6M
US Gross:
$138.53M
Worldwide:
$138.53M
Starring
Charlie Sheen
Actor
Tom Berenger
Actor
Willem Dafoe
Actor
Awards
Golden Globe 1987
— Best Picture (Drama)
Golden Globe 1987
— Best Supporting Actor
Academy Awards 1987
— Best Sound
Academy Awards 1987
— Best Screenplay
Golden Globe 1987
— Best Supporting Actor
Golden Globe 1987
— Best Screenplay
Academy Awards 1987
— Best Sound
Academy Awards 1987
— Best Director
Academy Awards 1987
— Best Film Editing
Golden Globe 1987
— Best Director
Academy Awards 1987
— Best Picture
Berlin International Film Festival 1987
— Golden Bear
BAFTA 1988
— Best Director
Berlin International Film Festival 1987
— Silver Bear – Best Director
Academy Awards 1987
— Best Supporting Actor
BAFTA 1988
— Best Film Editing
Key opinion
Platoon is widely regarded as a visceral and essential entry in the war genre, praised for Oliver Stone's authentic depiction of the Vietnam conflict and the psychological erosion of soldiers. While the vast majority of critics and audiences laud its intense realism and powerful performances, a minority finds the character archetypes overly simplistic and the narrative tropes derivative of other war films.
| Screenplay | The conflict between the moral poles of Sergeant Barnes and Sergeant Elias provides the film's most powerful and central tension. | |
| Direction | Stone’s background as a Vietnam veteran lends an unfiltered, documentary-like authenticity to the portrayal of combat and military life. | |
| Score | The use of Barber's 'Adagio for Strings' is widely celebrated for its ability to heighten the tragedy and emotional impact of the war's brutality. | |
| Acting | The performances of Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe are consistently highlighted as career-defining, providing the weight necessary to ground the film. | |
| Acting | Opinions on Charlie Sheen's performance are divided; supporters find his portrayal of the rookie soldier deeply embodied, while detractors argue he is inert and lacks the necessary depth. | |
| Theme | The portrayal of characters as 'saintly' versus 'psychopathic' leads to disagreement over whether the film presents complex human beings or simplistic, ineffective caricatures. |