Its also the first time weve seen Chris crack a smile. Elias leads Chris to conclude that Sgt. ELIAS: Sir, I saw it happen in 66 at Ia Drang. This frustration is derived from past events the platoon has recently suffered, such as the loss of two men in the all night ambush, the loss of two additional men in a booby trapped Viet Cong bunker, and the abduction of another platoon member who is found strapped to a tree, dead and mutilated. 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. Its purely practical: the helicopters up there, you want to reach for it. While the platoon is being extracted via helicopter, they glimpse Elias, mortally wounded, emerging from the treeline and being chased by a group of North Vietnamese soldiers, who kill him. The U.S. regiment is completely overrun. Out here assholes, ya keep your shit wired tight at all times! With his unique perspective, Stone filmed one of the most iconicdeath scenes in cinema history the dramatic end of Sgt. Lias, he was full of shit, Lias was a crusader - I got no fight with a man does what hes told, but when he dont, the machine breaks down, and when the machine breaks down, we break down and I aint gonna allow that. BARNES: You pussies gotta smoke this shit sos you can hide from reality (smokes again) Me, I dont need this shit. In Platoon, the narrative constant is always chaos. Chris has a strong hunch that Barnes killed Elias which develops into a theory. Barnes says, Do it! and without thinking, Chris shoots and kills Sgt. Who leads a platoon in the Army? For him, an authentic life means stepping down in class; he embraces the same experience as the working-class blacks and white ethnics who got draftedcommon clay, most of them, forgotten men, losers. (Denby 86). | (to Warren) We leave here in 2-zero minutes. In the film, he and his platoon are deployed to the jungles of Vietnam in order to fight the Viet Cong, where his psychopathic nature is heavily . There is a scene in the head hutch where Rhah points out to Chris how much Chris respected Barnes when he first arrived: The ending of Platoon suggests that Elias and Barnes are symbolic of good and evil forces that fight for the soul of Taylor. Barnes killed Sgt. Best Gaming Laptops under $600. Taylor picked up the grenade, but once one of the other soldiers made their way to him, he probably felt it was better to live and get shipped home to be with the ones he loved. Barnes impact on Chris eventually dehumanizes him to the point where he is capable of killing his commanding officer, fully conscious that he is committing the same type of immoral act that Sgt. One of the dead under ponchos at battle's end, seen carried to chopper at end. Is "Platoon" based on a book? The American military is in Vietnam attempting to defeat the Viet Cong and prevent the spread of communism, which creates a state of war within this country. First Cavalry (Stone, p. 72) How many days you short? He later died in an airplane accident. Top 4 Reasons the Property Management Companies are Thriving. Get that other cherry up here, Gardner! Chris finally obtains a strong aptitude for the war. The film closes with hundreds of dead bodies fallen everywhere, with no particular organization, and no body bags. Throughout the film there are indicators that the U.S. troops are not progressing towards victoryvisually expressed in the loss of lives and in the mounting frustration and stress within the platoon. Were gonna lose this war Despite all the signs that they are losing the war, the platoon, as well as the American military, are operating under the delusion they are in some way actually gaining control of the war and have a chance to win. 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. Barnes believes that Chris fell asleep during his watch, allowing the enemy to sneak up on the platoon. CHRIS: Not just me its the way the whole thing works. Conversely, Lt. Wolfe, who doesnt have past experience in the war has nothing from which to draw on in situations where it is a necessity. The reference to "decorated" can be misconstrued as medals considered to be "worthless." Barnes as a role model and leader makes a significant impact on the men in the platoon, including Chris. Six of you boys against me. Cause drives Sgt. Huh. Early in the film, its clear that Sgt. Platoon opens up with a shot of body bags organized in preparation to make their final journey home to America. Barnes to coordinate and divvy up the platoons excursion detail: Who killed Elias in platoon? A nineteen-year-old college drop-out who has volunteered for military service and signed up for combat in Vietnam. The remaining platoon soldiers were being hauled out by helicopter from the ambush area. For example, if Lt. Wolfe had given the right coordinates for the air strike, it would have besieged the enemy instead of his own men; Many in the platoon feel that adequate leadership and support would instill the stamina and tolerance necessary to ultimately defeat the elusive Viet Cong. Despite his frustration and anger, there is a line that Chris will not cross when it comes to the human rights of others. Ironically, it is the impact of Sgt. There are many times when Barnes views Taylor as a hindrance and liability to the platoon, and he ultimately tries to kill him. RHAH: Wrong? RHAH: (puffing on his bowl) How do you know the dinks didnt get him. Sergeant Barnes life revolves around performing a certain way while in countryfighting the deadly Viet Cong. This is illustrated time and again throughout the film. Concluding the debate, no further argument, Barnes rises. With Barnes clearly aware that he could potentially be court-martialed, he devises a plan that will prevent Elias from making an official statement. This supports Sgt. As he was running and some of the squibs failed, he threw the detonator to the side, an action that can be spotted by more eagle-eyed moviegoers. Later, Chris tries to convince Rhah, King, and others in the head that Barnes killed Elias. O'Neil, Lt. Wolfe, Bunny, and Junior to name a few. Aint no time or need for a courtroom out here(Stone, p. 60). As an example, he is able to home in on who it is that is called to war, and who is excused: Barnes been shot 7 times and he aint dead, that tell you something? But, be that as it may, those of us who did make it have an obligation to build again, to teach to others what we know, and to try with what's left of our lives to find a goodness and meaning to this life.". Infighting in his unit between Staff Sergeant Barnes (Tom Berenger), who believes nearby villagers are harboring Viet Cong soldiers, and Sergeant Elias (Willem Dafoe), who has a more. Chris gets his revenge and kills Sgt. Lt. Wolfe hasnt said a word, looking as Elias departs, without a word. The smell was chemical and horrific. Chris experiences in the war do not lead him to find something to be proud of, instead, he has become a cold-blooded murderer, and kills his nemesis, Sgt. 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. Besides that, he had no further communication with cast or crew during the scene. Matters continue to get worse for the platoon. And I ain't gonna allow that in any of you. Warren (WIA): Wounded behind Learner, seen being choppered out after church battle. Elias eyes seem to go to some inner place, his passion surging. (Stone, p. 95) Sgt. This is illustrated when Chris puts a stop to some of his fellow platoon members who are raping young girls they have abducted from the village, and denouncing the men for participating in such dehumanizing behavior. Barnes tells Elias he is moving out, and then he tells O'Neill his short termers can stay in; but he is going out because he needs veterans out there. Barnes. He is a stern, fierce leader with practices that make others question his morality. (Stone, p. 65), In Platoon, Writer-director Oliver Stone drops us as he drops his autobiographical 19-year-old, Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen), into life with the 25th Infantry in Vietnam. For the all night ambush to work as effectively as Sgt. CHRIS: Not just me its the way the whole thing works. Elias is missing in the jungle, Chris sets out to find him until hes stopped by Sgt. Why is the helmet placed upside down in the poster? He aint gonna bite you. Directed by Oliver Stone, Platoon ends with violence, betrayal, and retribution within a United States Army infantry unit. The extremely inhumane and brutal war crimes Sgt. Sgt. CHRIS: Yever get caught in a mistake, King, and you just cant get out of it? Maybe from down here I can start up again, be something I can be proud of and not have to fake itbe a fake human being. Chris is obviously opposed to, and appalled by, Sgt. Barnes and Sgt. On December 18, 1916 The Battle of Verdun came to an end after 10 months of fighting. His naivete is quickly dissipated by the stark realities of his environment. Hollywood is filled with stories about directors burning through numerous takes to get the exact moment theyre looking for. However, what makes thefinal narration especially impactfulis that Taylorsuggests he'll figuratively remain on the battlefield for the rest of his days, and imagines Eliasdoing the same while battling Barnes for the possession ofhis [Taylor's] soul. But when he don't, the machine breaks down. I know he did. By doing so, Barnes is able to call their bluff, and deal with this conflict directly and on his terms. Barnes murdered Sgt. But Taylor's ascension into one of the platoon's bravestsoldiers leadsto a face-to-face confrontation with Barnes; a moment that's framed similarly to the Barnes-Elias sequence. Elias condemns Barnes' actions and a fight breaks out between the two. Counting days and the six inches in front of my face, not much else. Only thing can get Barnes is Barnes! Wants to fight this war with one hand tied round their balls. The conflict ends with Barnes ready to kill Taylor, an inexperienced soldier who seemingly doesn't pose a major threat to his standing within the U.S. Army. Platoon won the 1987 Academy Award for Best Motion Picture. Lt. Wolfe's RTO.SGT. Written and directed by Oliver Stone. Immediately experiencing platoon life in Vietnam abruptly begins to change the naive, idyllic notions Chris, a volunteer, has about war. Barnes declares that he will go back to find Elias. Barnes questionable account of how he earlier found Elias dead in the jungle, prompting the following exchange of dialogue between Chris and other platoon members: A requirement of the Past also applies to the cherries, or newly arriving infantry men who must deal with the unfortunate circumstance of having no past combat experiences in the jungles of Vietnam. As soon as they disembark from their plane, they are greeted by piles of body bags and the mocking pity of bypassing veteran soldiers happy to be on the next departing flight. Elias. Barnes commits causes Chris to abruptly regain his senses. He is on a quest to find something of which to be proud. Oliver Stone set up several cameras to capture the drama of the moment that gives you chills. (Stone, p. 21). It doesn't kill Elias and he leaves him for dead as we later see. Would soldiers actually wound themselves to get sent home? 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. There is no hesitation or contemplation when Barnes enters the village and begins interrogating and killing civilians; we dont see him ponder much about killing Elias or attacking Chris. Upon leaving the bunker en route to a nearby village, the platoon discovers the mutilated remains of one of its soldiers who was just abducted by the Viet Cong. Chris Taylor has rebelled against his wealthy, privileged upbringing and come to Vietnam on a quest for self-discovery. CHRIS: Not just me its the way the whole thing works. (Stone, p.85). To change the naive, idyllic notions Chris, a volunteer, has war... His bowl ) How many days you short, seen carried to chopper at.. Is on a quest for self-discovery all night ambush to work as effectively as Sgt choppered out after church.! A nineteen-year-old college drop-out Who has volunteered for military service and signed up for in! Makes a significant impact on the platoon, and deal with this conflict directly and his. That gives you chills his frustration and anger, there is a line that Chris fell asleep his. Takes to get sent home the debate, no further argument, Barnes rises actually! 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