Platoon (1986)

Director:

Oliver Stone

Writer:

Oliver Stone (written by)

Release Date:

24 December 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | War

Tagline:

The first casualty of war is innocence.

Plot:

A young recruit in Vietnam faces a moral crisis when confronted with the horrors of war and the duality of man.

Plot Keywords:

Shot To Death | Person On Fire | Marijuana | Classical Music | Burnt Body

Awards:

Won 4 Oscars. Another 18 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

Tom Berenger	...	Sgt. Bob Barnes
Willem Dafoe	...	Sgt. Elias Grodin
Charlie Sheen	...	Pvt. Chris Taylor
Forest Whitaker	...	Big Harold
Francesco Quinn	...	Rhah
John C. McGinley	...	Sgt. Red O'Neill
Richard Edson	...	Sal
Kevin Dillon	...	Bunny
Reggie Johnson	...	Junior Martin
Keith David	...	King
Johnny Depp	...	Private Gator Lerner
David Neidorf	...	Tex
Mark Moses	...	Lt. Wolfe
Chris Pedersen	...	Crawford
Tony Todd	...	Sgt. Warren
Corkey Ford	...	Manny
Ivan Kane	...	Tony Hoyt
Paul Sanchez	...	Doc Gomez
J. Adam Glover	...	Sanderson
Corey Glover	...	Francis
Bob Orwig	...	Pvt. Gardner
Kevin Eshelman	...	Morehouse
Terry McIlvain	...	Ace (as James Terry McIlvain)
Dale Dye	...	Capt. Harris
Peter Hicks	...	Parker
Basile Achara	...	Flash
Steve Barredo	...	Fu Sheng
Chris Castillejo	...	Rodriguez
Andrew B. Clark	...	Tubbs
Bernardo Manalili	...	Village chief
Than Rogers	...	Village chief's wife
Li Thi Van	...	Village chief's daughter
Clarisa Ortacio	...	Old woman
Romy Sevilla	...	One-legged man
Mathew Westfall	...	Terrified soldier
Nick Nicholson	...	Mechanized soldier #1 (as Nick Nickelson)
Warren McLean	...	Mechanized soldier #2
Li Mai Thao	...	Rape victim
Ron Barracks	...	Medic
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
H. Gordon Boos	...	Soldier with Mohawk haircut (uncredited)
Mark Ebenhoch	...	Ebenhoch (uncredited)
Robert 'Rock' Galotti	...	Huffmeister (uncredited)
Eric Hahn	...	Soldier (uncredited)
Oliver Stone	...	Alpha Company major in bunker (uncredited)
Henry Strzalkowski	...	Bit part (uncredited)

Directed by
Oliver Stone

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Oliver Stone		written by

Produced by
John Daly	....	executive producer
Derek Gibson	....	executive producer
A. Kitman Ho	....	co-producer
Arnold Kopelson	....	producer

Original Music by
Georges Delerue

Cinematography by
Robert Richardson

Film Editing by
Claire Simpson

Casting by
Pat Golden
Warren McLean
Bob Morones

Production Design by
Bruno Rubeo

Art Direction by
Rodell Cruz
Sherman Williams		(as Doris Sherman Williams)

Makeup Department
Cecille Baun	....	makeup and prosthetic special effects assistant
Derek Howard	....	makeup and prosthetic special effects assistant
Gordon J. Smith	....	special makeup effects and visual continuity
Gionilda Stolee	....	makeup and prosthetic special effects assistant

Production Management
Joe Constantino	....	production manager
Cenón González	....	unit manager (as Cenon Gonzales)
Graham Henderson	....	executive in charge of production
Ooty Moorehead	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
H. Gordon Boos	....	first assistant director
Pepito Diaz	....	second assistant director
Evan Kopelson	....	assistant director: second unit
Gerry Toomey	....	key second assistant director
Tim Minear	....	assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Francisco Balangue	....	construction manager (as Francisco Belangue)
Romulo Bernales	....	assistant property master
David Delina	....	property master
Delio Dizon	....	greensman
Angelito Felipe	....	scenic chargeman
Dwight Gaston	....	assistant set dresser
Roy Lachica	....	key set dresser
Neddie La Raquel	....	assistant property master
Teodoro Martin Sr.	....	greensman
Gambino Payawal	....	assistant construction manager (as Gavino Payawal)
Cesar Ramido	....	master carpenter
Martin Raygon	....	assistant set dresser
Alex Santa Maria	....	master carpenter (as Alex Sta. Maria)
Reynaldo Velasco	....	props radioman

Sound Department
David Campling	....	sound editor
Gordon Daniel	....	supervising sound editor
Greg Dillon	....	sound editor
Venancio Goltiano	....	cable person
Charles Grenzbach	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Charles 'Bud' Grenzbach)
Taffy Haines	....	sound mixer: second unit
Simon Kaye	....	sound mixer
James J. Klinger	....	sound editor
Anthony Palk	....	sound editor (as Tony Palk)
Richard D. Rogers	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Richard Rogers)
Donald Santos	....	boom operator
John Wilkinson	....	sound re-recording mixer (as John 'Doc' Wilkinson)
Vanessa Theme Ament	....	foley artist (uncredited)
Steve Bartlett	....	sound (uncredited)
Frank Fleming	....	loader (uncredited)
Alyson Dee Moore	....	foley artist (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Rudy Candaza	....	special effects assistant
Yves De Bono	....	special effects supervisor
Jimmy Intal	....	special effects assistant
Felizardo Manaloto	....	special effects assistant
Jose Marquez	....	special effects assistant (as José Marquez)
Roland Salem	....	special effects assistant
Boy Terrado	....	special effects assistant
Andrew Wilson	....	special effects technician

Stunts
Gil Arceo	....	stunt coordinator
Alex Cabodil	....	stunts
Mark Ebenhoch	....	stunts (as Mark K. Ebenhoch)
Robert 'Rock' Galotti	....	stunts (as Robert M. Galotti Jr.)
Joseph Ramos	....	stunts
Rolly Silong	....	stunts
Sonny Tuazon	....	stunts
Leony Vidal	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Mel Araojo	....	film loader
Rene Balicas	....	dolly grip
Rufo Oreta Balicas	....	best boy grip (as Rufo Balicas)
Victor Cecogo	....	clapper loader
Ernesto Enríquez	....	assistant electrician (as Ernesto Enriquez)
James Finnerty	....	grip (as Jimmy Finnerty)
James Fitzpatrick	....	gaffer
Ricky Francisco	....	still photographer
Chris Lombardi	....	first assistant camera
Celebrando Raymundo	....	best boy electric (as Celebrado Raymundo)
Charlie Rebolledo	....	generator operator
George Rosales	....	additional assistant camera
Caldy Salcedo	....	additional assistant camera (as Caloy Salcedo)
Newton Thomas Sigel	....	director of photography: second unit (as Tom Sigel)
Roland Neveu	....	special photographer (uncredited)

Casting Department
Barbara Harris	....	voice casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Mike Ambrosio	....	wardrobe assistant (as Mike Ambrocio)
Wynn Arenas	....	wardrobe supervisor
Maria Cecina	....	tailor
Jim Elyea	....	additional wardrobe
Fidel Javier	....	wardrobe assistant
Kathryn Morrison	....	costumer
Tess Quismundo	....	tailor

Editorial Department
David Brenner	....	first assistant editor (as David S. Brenner)
Tom Finan	....	associate editor
Julie Monroe	....	assistant editor
Toto Natividad	....	assistant editor
Mary Nelson-Duerrstein	....	negative cutter (as Mary Duerrstein)
Ben Salvador	....	apprentice editor
Frederick S. Taylor	....	apprentice editor
Ron Wengler	....	color timer (as Ronald Wengler)
Henry Yamballa	....	master cutter

Music Department
Budd Carr	....	music supervisor
Richard Stone	....	supervising music editor
Joanne Weiss	....	music coordinator

Transportation Department
Ben Cañalita	....	assistant transportation captain (as Ben Canalita)
Primo Guina	....	transportation captain (as Firmo Guina)

Other crew
Frans J. Afman	....	motion picture banking: Credit Lyonnais Bank, Nederland
Joe Alonsabe	....	location auditor
Linda Angeles	....	nurse
Andy Birmingham	....	production accountant
Bobby Buensalida	....	craft service
Kathryn Clayton	....	assistant military technical advisor
Pierre David	....	production executive
Angelica De Leon	....	production coordinator
Bernardo Delina	....	wrangler
Cesar Dominguez	....	chief armorer
Dale Dye	....	technical advisor: military (as Captain Dale Dye)
Yvonne Eastmond	....	assistant accountant
Mark Ebenhoch	....	assistant military technical advisor (as Mark K. Ebenhoch)
Diosdado Figueroa	....	assistant armorer
Sylvia Gajardo	....	bookkeeper
Robert 'Rock' Galotti	....	assistant military technical advisor (as Robert M. Galotti Jr.)
Anne G. Garcia	....	production secretary
Eusebio Garcia	....	military liaison: Philippines
Matt Gatson	....	production liaison: Los Angeles
Carrie Hughes	....	travel arrangements: Trudy Salven Travel International
Robert Jellen	....	insurance: Albert G. Ruben & Co. Inc. (as Robert A. Jellen)
Lope V. Juban Jr.	....	location coordinator: Philippines, PMP Motion Picture Productions Inc.
John Kerr	....	key production assistant
David Lowe	....	legal services: Beresford, Lowe & Co.
Susan Malerstein	....	script supervisor
Suzette Montalban	....	cashier
Eliong Munoz	....	assistant armorer
Nick Nicholson	....	production assistant (as Nick Nickelson)
Orlando Nui	....	security officer
Jerry O'Hara	....	location manager
Ben Pagar	....	wrangler
Dondi Pangilinan	....	assistant armorer
Dan Perri	....	title designer
Steven Rodgers	....	production assistant (as Steve Rodgers)
Mayes C. Rubeo	....	assistant: Arnold Kopelson (as Mayes Rubeo)
Elizabeth Stone	....	assistant: Oliver Stone
Doc Tizon	....	assistant armorer (as Roman 'Doc' Tizon)
Dr. Antonio V. Torralba	....	medic
Gigi Vitan	....	production assistant
Stanley White	....	assistant military technical advisor
Wynne Wicker	....	technical advisor: Vietnam
Oli Laperal Jr.	....	equipment coordinator (uncredited)
Nick Nicholson	....	helicopter choreographer (uncredited)

Thanks
Michael Cimino	....	special thanks
Mary Colquhoun	....	special thanks
Charles Ryan	....	special thanks: Bart-Milander Associates Inc.

Production Companies

• Cinema 86
• Hemdale Film

Distributors

• Orion Pictures Corporation (1986) (USA) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox of Germany (1987) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1990) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Artisan Entertainment (1997) (USA) (video)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video
• Flashstar (Brazil) (DVD)
• Flashstar (Brazil) (VHS)
• Home Box Office Home Video (HBO) (1987) (USA) (video) (original release)
• Home Video Hellas (HVH) (1987) (Greece) (VHS)
• Hoyts Distribution
• MGM Home Entertainment (Europe) (2000) (UK) (VHS)
• MGM Home Entertainment (Europe) (2001) (UK) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (200?) (Germany) (VHS)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2001) (France) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2004) (USA) (VHS)
• Monopole-Pathé (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• PolyGram Video (1999) (USA) (VHS)
• RCA/Columbia Pictures International Video (1989) (West Germany) (VHS)
• RCA/Columbia-Hoyts Home Video
• Spentzos Films (1987) (Greece) (theatrical)
• Svensk Filmindustri (SF) (1987) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment Germany (2000) (Germany) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Andrea Jaffe Inc.  publicity
• Armies of the World  costumes and props
• Dolby Laboratories  sound post-production
• Film Finance  completion guarantee
• Joe Dunton & Company  camera equipment provided by
• Joe Dunton Cameras America  camera equipment provided by
• Keylite Production Services  production services and equipment
• Optical House, The  optical effects
• Pacific Title  optical effects
• Ryder Sound Services  sound re-recording
• Sonoton Recorded Music  music
• Warriors  military advisors

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English | Vietnamese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Germany:16 | Brazil:14 | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Australia:MA (re-rating) (2007) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Singapore:NC-16 (cut) | Argentina:18 | Australia:M | Australia:R (original rating) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Ireland:15 | Israel:PG | Japan:PG-12 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:M (DVD rating) | New Zealand:R (original rating) | Norway:18 | South Korea:15 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | Vietnam:(Banned) | West Germany:16 | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Filming Locations:

Philippines

Company:

Cinema 86

Trivia:

Keanu Reeves turned down the role of Pvt. Chris Taylor.

Goofs:

Boom mic visible: Visible above King's head when he lights his cigarette.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Pvt. Gardner: [seeing body bags] Aw, man, is that what I think it is?
Sergeant: All right, you cheese-dicks, welcome to the 'nam! Follow me.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Lost Kubrick: The Unfinished Films of Stanley Kubrick (2007) (V)

Soundtrack:

SITTIN ON THE DOCK OF THE BAY

Perfection... or as close to it as we're ever likely to see

Its hard to know where to start with such a breathtaking film. Oliver Stone's Platoon is quite simply the best Vietnam war film ever made in my opinion. Everything about it is as close to perfection as we are likely to see. Charlie Sheen plays the lead, and Willem Defoe and Tom Berenger play the two sergeants that form a key part of the plot.

Chris Taylor (Sheen) is torn between the sergeants. Barnes (Berenger) is the battle hardened, brutal murderer, who uses the war as an excuse to tender to his sadistic pleasures. Elias (Defoe) is the other side of the spectrum. We get the sense that he has wrestled with his inner demons, but he has successfully come through to the other side. He has compassion for his fellow man, and he uses drugs as a form of escapism from this brutal war. The two symbolise the struggle that Taylor must face if he is to survive out in Vietnam.

Oliver Stone perfectly captures war. The shooting is frantic and impossible to follow. It perfectly disorientates us, just as the soldiers were. We have no idea who is being shot at, and neither do they. We follow the war at ground level, and see the brutalities first hand. Having served in Vietnam, the film is loosely based on Stone's time out there, and Taylor loosely based on himself.

Full Metal Jacket showcases how inhumane the war was, Apocalypse Now turns it into a story about life in general, and hopelessness, but Platoon has everything. Trying hard to avoid the old cliché, but if you only watch one war film, make sure it is this one. Nothing else can come close.