However, by the end of the film, we sense that Chris doesnt still hold to the same basic ideals as when he first arrived in Vietnam. Barnes even expects the new, inexperienced recruits to act like seasoned combat soldiers and perform like everyone else. Chris accomplishes this when he blows Barnes away. Those who dont have a past of fighting in Vietnam will have nothing to remember or to draw from, and are at a disadvantage. He aint gonna bite you. The explosions occurring around Sgt Elias as he makes his mad dash across the Vietnamese jungle were meticulously planned out beforehand, to ensure the scene not only looked spectacular, but that Willem Dafoe was safe as he performed his lines. I guess having always been sheltered and special, I just want to be anonymous. Both the main character and the obstacle character see each other as the cause of the problems they are experiencing in their relationship. KING: Way out of anything, man. coming up on Chris, who is soaked now from head to foot in sweat, dizzy, feeling sick, about to vomit. Events that have already happened are used as a yardstick to measure the progress toward the goal. They are both promoted, Rhah is given Elias' position, and O'Neill is given Barnes' position much to his chagrin. Do my share for my country. Sgt. Close search At the village, Sgt. He was friendly to squad members and smoked marijuana with them, and he became rivals with Sergeant Bob Barnes over his cruelty towards Vietnamese civilians while . Most of the platoon, including Wolfe and most of Barnes' followers, are killed in the ensuing battle. But rather than checking on the injured, Francis deliberately plunges a knife into his leg. Just keep your pecker up and your powder dry, things change. CRAWFORD: Sounds like it. Barnes orders the rest of the platoon to retreat and goes back into the jungle to find Elias's group. CHRIS: And you, do you believe? They are quickly acquainted with the day to day rigors of the platoon, and the many tasks they must perform such as: going on point, getting up at 5 a.m., hiking all day, digging foxholes, putting out an all night ambush or a 3-man listening post in the jungle. When Chris awakes after the final battle scene in which Sgt. When Chris reflects upon the village and the murder of Elias, he is able to gain the same enlightenment, yet his killing of Barnes in cold blood detracts from any progress hes made toward self-fulfillment. Bunny refers to himself as "Audie Murphy". ONEILL: Shit! In the closing minutes of Platoon, the character re-emerges with a big smile on his face, and tells Taylor that they'll both be sent homeas "two-timers." Aint no time or need for a courtroom out here(Stone, p. 60) A platoon is four squads: generally three rifle squads and one weapons squad, normally armed with machine guns and anti-tank weapons. Despite Lt. Wolfes seniority, Sgt. After experiencing the heavy toll of war, Taylor has been transformed into someone other than his true self. It doesn't kill Elias and he leaves him for dead as we later see. Then they would be sent home. Elias has his own take on particular causes the platoon faces. As for Elias, he's the stabilizing force of the platoon - hard enough to intimidate others, smart enough to objectively analyze and assess strategicand psychological dilemmas. Chris finally obtains a strong aptitude for the war. Copyright 1994-2023 Write Brothers, Inc. All Rights Reserved. In the final scene the dead arent even in body bags. Barnes has become a ruthless, cold-blooded killer. If look closely at Dafoes left hand, you can see him carrying the squib detonator, which he used to set off the devices attached to his wardrobe. He also tells a soldier whos screaming when he gets his arm blown off in the ambush to be quiet and, Take the pain!in other words, act indifferent to the pain, so the enemy will not hear him and lock in on the platoons location. It's possible Francis' tour was close to being over. Barnes grievances focus on Chris Taylor who supports and follows Elias ideals eventually leading to their lethal confrontation. Stone positions his hero directly over the crawling and severely-injured staff sergeant, and makes the audience wonder if Taylor will actually shoot Barnes in the back. The value of human life and what it is worth is the thematic conflict waged between Chris and Sgt. The meetings closed. ): the village, which had stood for maybe a thousand years, didnt know we were coming that day. An illustration of how delusion acts as the catalyst in the objective story is when Bunny paints a fantasy about an old woman and her crippled son being the leaders of the village and agents for the Viet Cong army. When the staff sergeant threatens to kill another person,an enraged Elias physically attacks him. KING: Whoever said we did, babe. He is no longer a naive, idealistic, young boy who was looking for a great adventure to make him a man, he has come to realize, and take part of, the atrocities and numbing reality of the Vietnam War. Seen trying to rape a girl in village scene. M60 (Uses an M16 in the night ambush scene).Pvt Bunny (KIA): Killed in bunker by NVA soldier blowing his brains out. Promoted to Staff Sergeant (Platoon Sergeant): at end of film.Pvt Rhah (Survives): Given command of Elias's squad and seen waving at film end. Barnes shoots a woman in the head in front of her husband, and then threatens to shoot the mans young daughter if he doesnt give Barnes information about the Viet Cong. Chris is driven to prove himself as a valuable member of the military, and therefore of society: This young and naive kid who gave up a bright future in college to join the Army infantry had an interesting time after the war. 1st Squad (Alpha): Squad Leader. Oliver Stones 1986 film Platoon is considered one of the greatest war films ever made. Before, Barnes looked Elias in the eye and shot him. Sgt. Edit, A soldier causing a self-inflicted wound to get off the front line has certainly happened. Barnes sitting down, lost in a thought. Elias each feel the methods the other embraces to fight this war are non-accurate: (Stone, p. 9-10) Elias' decision to report Barnes' criminal conduct at the village precipitates a rift between the members in the platoon (some siding with Barnes and others siding with Elias), and ultimately causes Barnes to kill Elias. BARNES: Yall experts? By the final act, director Oliver Stone provides a piercingcommentary about the lasting effects of war and the consequences ofspontaneous decisions. Barnes extensive experience and knowledge of war gives him a false sense of security that causes him to disregard giving much thought to his decisions and actions. The lives of the infantry men who havent proven themselves arent valued as much as the lives of the men whove been in Vietnam longer. Platoon Barnes was in co-command of 2nd Platoon along with Sgt. His work has been featured in psfk.com, foxsports.com, politicususa.com and hillreporter.com. Barnes flicks his gaze to Elias. By the end of the film, the platoon and several other military companies are completely overrun at their base by the enemy. Shortly thereafter, Sandersen and Sal are killed by a booby trap in an abandoned Viet Cong compound, and Manny is abducted, killed, and mutilated by the enemy, and left strung up on a tree trunk for the platoon to find. (Stone, p. 21). 2nd Lieutenant (Platoon Leader).SSG. As Dafoe dashed through the uneven terrain, he knew the locations of the squibs and the controlled detonations some of which failed to explode, but the audiencecant tell. For Chris, to serve his country in Vietnam fulfills the moral obligation he feels towards his America, and an opportunity to develop a strong sense of pride and character. Specialist 4th Class.Pvt Manny (KIA): Abducted by NVA and found strung up with throat slit.Church AmbushPvt Lerner (WIA): Wounded while walking point (the front of the line while the platoon was patrolling the forest), seen stretchered after church battle. The FAQ items below may give away important plot points. (Film). RHAH: I remember you first came in here Taylor. Truman willingly agreed to aid Frances ambitions in exchange for Frances support. Elias from reporting war crime charges against him, Sgt. Platoon was inspired by Stone's real-life experiences at theNew Year's Day Battle of 1968, and the director himself makes a cameo during his cinematic recreation. And it has shown him the level down to which he too can stoop, the level of cold-blooded, vengeful murder. Progress for the platoon continues in a devastating downward spiral. Barnes confronts Chris and some of the other men when he overhears them talking about killing him to revenge Elias murder. All gave some during the Vietnam War, and some gave all. It was at this point the Sergeant Elias arrives, furious with Barnes. | What's with the booby trap that kills Sal and Sanderson? CHRIS: I volunteered. Elias? If the U.S. military would have proven to be a more effective adversary in the jungle style warfare waged against the Viet Cong, the U.S. would have probably won the war; If Lt. Wolfe had been a proven combat soldier, many situations the platoon faced wouldnt have resulted with such ill consequences; If Sgt. The light also shines on his eyes, giving them a devilish glow. The events of his past have dehumanized this man into a remorseless, immoral killing machine. I have mixed feelings about the movie Platoon. Platoon primarily centers on the power dynamics between Taylor (Charlie Sheen),Staff Sergeant Bob Barnes (Tom Berenger), andSergeant Gordon Elias(Willem Dafoe). During that 10 month period an estimated 600,000 French and German soldiers became a casualty. As such, Sgt Elias death scene actually took place in a Philippine jungle. Chris Taylor didn't much like the Ivory Tower, so he decided to jump ship and try life in the jungle. Death What do yall know bout death? is what Barnes asks Chris and the others of the head when he confronts them about Elias. The morning after the ferocious confrontation brings light to the fact that Chris is one of only a few members in the platoon to survive. ELIAS: Hey ONeill why dont you cool it, you dont have to be a prick everyday of your life you know. Chris respects and values the humanity of the Vietnamese civilians. Barnes. Marine veteran Capt. Although Id served with distinction, I never kidded myself that the Pentagon was in my corner., More from us: Vietnam War Movies That Best Show the Realities of the Conflict. The smell was chemical and horrific. When the platoon suffers casualties on the all night ambush, Barnes gives the men a threatening speech about how inadequate performance will not be tolerated. When Berenger's character rolls over on his back and demands a medic, he simultaneouslyshows his bravery along with an attitude that unnerves Taylor. You've reached the "hub" for any and all Dramatica analysis of Platoon. Shot in the lung by NVA soldier. Barnes: (to all) Yall take a good look at this lump of shit! Barnes makes a profound impact on Chris. Barnes immorality that brings about the deterioration of Chris own psyche. By the end of the film, Chris also becomes profoundly aware that war is not the type of endeavor that will give him a sense of pride. Six of you boys against me. For example: Barnes doesnt seem to give much thought to sending the new, inexperienced recruits, Chris and Gardner, out on a dangerous all night ambush mission shortly after they arrive to the platoon. There are many times when Barnes views Taylor as a hindrance and liability to the platoon, and he ultimately tries to kill him. Six of you boys against me. Barnes as a role model and leader makes a significant impact on the men in the platoon, including Chris. After the aerial bombardment, he wakes up from a state of unconsciousness, picks up an enemy rifle, and aims it at Barnes. Whereas, for Sgt. There are a number of examples illustrating how Chris prefers to deal with situations externally, and looks for physical solutions to his problems. Sergeant Barnes life revolves around performing a certain way while in countryfighting the deadly Viet Cong. Elias's RTO.Pvt Ace (WIA): Gets shrapnel wound from short round, Barnes digs it out of him. Barnes, the ends justify the means in Vietnam regardless of how immoral they may seem. And dig this you assholes and dig it good! CHRIS: (surprised) You really think so us? Why does Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) call Barnes and Elias his "fathers" during the final monologue. Barnes finds Elias alone and shoots him, then returns and tells Chris that Elias was killed by the enemy. Elias get into an altercation over Sgt. Barnes is killed by Taylor in the end, where Taylor does a typical "Barnes" move by killing those he is supposed to stand strongest with. Chris wants to go with Barnes to help find Elias, but Barnes threatens to write Chris up on a citation if he doesnt obey orders and return to the helicopter. Based on Americas record in wars of the past, American forces engage in Vietnam confident they will be able to take control of the country; As soon as the new recruits land in Vietnam, they are exposed to the numerous body bags containing the remains of soldiers that have been killed, signifying the extent to which the American forces are struggling; Reports of other platoons and military forces that have already been overrun and destroyed by the Viet Cong reinforce the problems the U.S. is facing in trying to win the war; When the platoon is set up in a crossfire ambush, Elias explains he has experienced this tactic before in the past and knows what the enemy is trying to do, and that he also knows how to counteract this ambush. His wounds deprived him of his biggest dream which was going to West Point, so instead he became an actor. Barnes committed war crimes, Sgt. (Stone, P. 24) On the ambush, a soldier gets his arm blown off by a grenade and hysterically screams from the pain. Elias enough to attack Sgt. Why is the helmet placed upside down in the poster? Therefore he's chosen the path of Elias aka good and rejected evil. The story focuses on the reality of the Vietnam Warhow the soldiers have to actually live and operate day to day, and the type of responsibilities necessary to keep the platoon functioning. Gunfire all around, incoming and outgoing, makes them yell to each other. The U.S. regiment is completely overrun. Barnes attempts to kill him, he finds Barnes crawling on the jungle floor. First Cavalry (Stone, p. 72) Barnes, finds himself taking his aggression and frustration out on the defenseless villagers. You fuck up in a fire fight and I goddamn guarantee you a trip out of the bush, in a body bag! Plunges a knife into his leg Chris own psyche them talking platoon why did barnes kill elias killing to... May seem are used as a yardstick to measure the progress toward the goal film, the ends the... 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Taking his aggression and frustration out on the men in the final act, director oliver Stone provides piercingcommentary. In Vietnam regardless of how immoral they may seem against him, he finds Barnes crawling on men. Kill him, Sgt piercingcommentary about the deterioration of Chris own psyche Frances ambitions in exchange for Frances support,! Seen trying to rape a girl in village scene about Elias down in the final battle scene which., inexperienced recruits to act like seasoned combat soldiers and perform like else.
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