The Highest Form of Courage | What Platoon is Really About (Film Analysis)

[@elliotgregory3356]

Always loved Elias. Perfect example of a warrior who wasn't a thug or a bully

[@cannibalbunnygirl]

Him being shot is sad but adds to the realisim of why there's so many thugs and bullies in life

[@scottfisher7478]

💯 The perfect warrior who retained his humanity, but could throw that psycho switch on the enemy in an instant. The type of combat leader every soldier would love to follow!

[@elliotgregory3356]

@@scottfisher7478 💯 man.

[@fabiandimaspratamathesecond]

A very capable combatant when faced by oppositions (the night ambush scene, the "tunnel rat" scene, the ambush scene where he mentions Ia Drang Valley, the scene where he is flanking NVA forces alone before being killed by Barnes).. and yet a pacifist who refuse to use violence as first resort (the village scene). A tough guy yet also not a jerkass, not a bully/not abusing is power. True warrior.

[@cherokeefit4248]

Sgt Talbot from When Trumpets Fade is way better and he’s the definition of courage.

[@DonWan47]

Platoon is about Barnes and Elias, Chris is the audience.

[@LifeIsAStory]

I wouldn’t go that far. I don’t think the story could be understood without seeing how the two affect Chris. Those two definitely move the plot forward though.

[@seriousnesstv7902]

@@LifeIsAStory agreed, he is a character that the audience is made to relate to but not represent.

[@scottfisher7478]

@@LifeIsAStory Exactly. Chris reflected influences of both NCOs. When he wigs out on the Vietnamese who was hiding, and when he rescues the girl being raped. The duality of war in one scene. The viewers are the audience, Chris is the narrator.

[@DeborahLArmstrong]

Chris represents Oliver Stone, I think.

[@007thematrix007]

wasn't there a scene in this film where the reverse of the beginning of this film the newbie soldier chris taylor caught staring at the dirty/haggard soldier(s) who just came in after their tour of duty, and it was the veteran chris taylor being stared at (*after his stint) by newbie soldiers who just came into 'nam?

[@snakemanmike]

I am a Vietnam vet, and I found Platoon to be the most accurate of these movies. The others were BS. Platoon was close enough to my experience there to say yes, it was like that. I had a First Sergeant that was a s evil as Sgt Barnes. There was no Sgt Elias in my outfit. But there were a more than a few psychos. I was in the First Infantry Division and in the Mekong Delta. During my time there our firebase was in serious "Indian Country." One day, returning from a mission, I was manning the 50 cal on a 113. I laid my M-16 down during the ride, and when we got back, I realised that my rifle had fallen off the vehicle at some point. Losing your weapon in the Army is a big no-no. My First Sergeant ordered me to walk down that road and find my weapon- alone and unarmed. The VC were thick there and I was terrified. I was sure that this was a death sentence. Fortunately, I found the rifle less than 50 yards down the trail, grabbed it and ran back. This was the attitude there- that a rifle was more important than a soldier who carried it. As an infantryman in Vietnam, not 6 months out of high school in a country town down south, I was not prepared for the experience. It was a trauma that haunts me to this day. I stayed in the Army for 30+ years, however, probably because everything on the outside seemed shallow and meaningless after that. Two wars later, I retired, and I can tell you that nothing in my subsequent Army career matched that horrible year in Vietnam.

[@blueduck9409]

I thought the 9th division was in the delta?

[@saltyspaceman5697]

holy shit....that story just gives me the chills.....I don't know how lucky i am

[@majorsynthqed7374]

A a Marine, I can assure you that the boot camp depicted in FMJ is not quite as brutal as actual boot camp back then, but it's damn close, the closest on film. It's not BS. I watched four of my platoon mates ordered to do bends and thrusts in a large closet. The DI poured ammonia and bleach on the deck as they worked up a sweat. I was tasked with dragging out the nearly unconscious bodies, full of spit and puke on their bodies.

[@petergreen5337]

Thank you very much for your advice and sharing your experience. Your insights are most helpful.

[@AlexG3Z]

Thank you for your service and hope you get the help you get with the memories!

[@demun6065]

The smile the Elias gives right before Barnes shoots him is devestating.

[@AlexanderNixonArtHistory]

yes, it is. I saw this movie as a boy in theaters; I've always admired the Elias character; I've met a few Eliases in my life; I've met a few Barnes.

[@seanosborn3272]

Then it turns to a face of sheer shock... once he realizes..

[@potterj09]

@demun Dafoe has that smile like a childhood friend I'd ride my pushbike around town with on a weekend. I agree with this view on Barnes not being simply evil too. Bunny though, congrats on the creator for seeing that character for what it was. Perhaps neither good nor evil needs a minimum IQ.

[@cappuccinosnephew1382]

@@seanosborn3272 Not shock. Just realization.

[@wattsnottaken1]

When the smile quickly turns into a worried ill favored look. Damn gets me every time. Elias was a good man.

[@JohnnyOlsson]

One thing that I kind of realized right now: There's a scene in the movie where Rhah says something along the lines of "Barnes has been shot seven times and is still alive. The only thing that can kill Barnes, is Barnes!" Now, I may read too much into this, but a theme of the movie is the moral struggle within everyone, and the conflict is represented by Barnes and Elias (kind of like the angel and the devil on each shoulder in a cartoon). We see Taylor siding with Elias, and we kind of know that he chooses Elias' path. However, in the aftermath of the final battle, when he kills Barnes, he is Barnes. And Rhah was right. The only thing that can kill Barnes, is Barnes.

[@Gizziiusa]

Baloney. Barnes killed Elias in cold blood. Chris eventually figured that out b/c of the lie Barnes said. in the last fire fight Barnes attempted to kill Chris with the shovel. Chirs dispatched of him simply due to a delayed "self defense", and more so for self preservation b/c he still had time left to do in the Nam. His options were clear, kill him and be done with him (with an extra incentive of getting revenge for Elias murder), or dont and have to watch your back 24/7 from then on. the former is the best, most logical, and safe option.

[@Greg-xs5py]

Disagree, going with your analogy it is the angel that kills the devil.

[@cannibalbunnygirl]

Agree, Oliver Stone said in his book that he hated the real life Barnes and that killing him in the screenplay was cathartic as the real Barnes lived. He hated the little piece of Barnes that lived inside of him after he left the war. You're 100% right on this

[@leroyclemons3851]

Great analysis

[@scottfisher7478]

I agree with you because there is no other conclusion to draw. In the alternate ending, Taylor refuses to kill Barnes regardless of the chiding of Barnes. If Taylor truly followed the path of Elias, he would have not killed Barnes.

[@benajah1976]

My dad fought in Vietnam and took me to see Platoon when it was in the theater…when I was 10. Before the movie came out he talked about the army but always the funny stories. As a combat vet myself with PTSD I get it, you bury the horror stories and talk about the funny stuff. But after Platoon he never spoke one more word about his time in the army funny, combat, or otherwise and his never apparent before PTSD symptoms started showing up and increased over the years. Taught me to avoid watching movies about Iraq or Afghanistan. I fought in both and don’t want to be reminded of the bad stuff. I prefer memories of practical jokes on each other, watching Dave Chapelle on DVD in the hooch, stuff like that.

[@chardaskie]

Thank you both for serving

[@KR-mm4el]

disgusting and shameful.

[@chardaskie]

@@KR-mm4el Talking about yourself?

[@KR-mm4el]

@@chardaskie no. talking about the op, and the country he was used by

[@chardaskie]

@@KR-mm4el Hate the country not the Man

[@davesulphate4497]

Thank you so much for sharing that C.S. Lewis quote; "Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point" This is a wonderfully insightful statement.

[@generaldilvry69]

Hell yeah, I knew the comment board would be fly AF

[@petergreen5337]

Agreed.

[@dynodave3808]

Couldn't agree more...Another quote/ poem comes to mind that I think coincides with Platoon that a dear friend once gave me as a graduation gift , (best ever gift I received) was Rudyard Kipling's "IF"

[@WhiteNacho]

Agreed!

[@Larryheadhunter]

I could smell Vietnam when I watched Platoon. So real.

[@RamblingRecruiter]

Yes, Chris (and I call him Chris intentionally, if you remember King's statement "Taylor's been shot, this here is Chris, he been resurrected") sides with Elias, but ultimately it's King who plays the biggest influence on Chris's moral compass. King is the voice of Chris's conscience, letting him know at many junctures in the movie when Chris can go either way which path steers him towards the light. When King sees despair overtaking Chris he scolds him for attempting to numb his feelings with weed. "You've been smoking too much of this shit... you gotta control that or it'll bring a man down". When King's orders come through and he leaves right before the final battle, he says "don't you be no fool, remember there ain't no such thing as a coward here." In other words, don't follow Barnes's recklessness. Barnes won't even duck or take cover when under machine gun fire. The best line in the movie, and as a combat vet I can relate... even when I'm having a bad day, is from King "All you gotta do is make it out of here and it's all gravy. Every day for the rest of your life, gravy."

[@arayagerardo]

Thanks for writing this comment, going through tough times myself..."don't be reckless, all you gotta do is make it out of here alive, and it'll all be gravy."

[@NateGerardRealEstateTeam]

That last exchange with King is a powerful one.

[@CC-rk8oc]

Dude holy analysis! Couldn’t agree more with your King breakdown. After King hugs Taylor he takes this look back into the jungle as if he’s surprised he’s made it out alive. He almost looked like he didn’t even believe his own advice until that very moment! Anyway thank you for your service!

[@RamblingRecruiter]

@@CC-rk8oc King has the faintest of looks of nostalgia on his face, and that's the real deal. As much as it was hell, and as much as he hated every moment... he knew he'd miss it. This is why guys volunteered to go back to Nam time and again, and why guys who survived Iraq and Afghanistan then decided to travel illegally to Syria to fight ISIS.

[@scottfisher7478]

Great insight! Only a combat vet can have that higher perspective. Thank you for your service and I hope life afterward has been gravy for you.

[@ChrisMillerCrazyHouse]

I said this on another Platoon video, but my grandfather served in Vietnam. He refused to watch Platoon in its entirety because he felt it was too close to reality and didn't want to be reminded of his time there.

[@LifeIsAStory]

Wow that's really interesting. Stone wanted to make it as close to his experience as he could, so I guess he achieved that goal. Thanks for the comment.

[@alexandrebeaudry1038]

I heard it's the opposite for Saving private Ryan. Veterans said it was unrealistic. I see how cartoonish it is even more when given the perspective of this video and your comments.

[@alexandrebeaudry1038]

@Hanzee Dent There are mix feeling about it from what I heard. The first 30 minutes is gruesome and realistic. What I was talking about is the lack of humanity for the ennemies. They are depicted as bad and souless when some soldiers were forced to war. Some in Normandy were not nazi and were fighting because of treath. This is the différence with Plattoon. Plattoon show how self destructive soldier become despite being believing their cause. I kind of agree that saving private mostly depicted allies as heroic and morals and the ennemys as coward and vilains.

[@alexandrebeaudry1038]

@Hanzee Dent Not every soldiers were Nazis. Many were under threat of the Nazis regime. They are some depicted in the movie. They are those who surrender and they were not speaking deutch meaning they were not even Germans. As much as the Vatican were aware of the holocaust and didn't condamn it at the time there were also germans soldiers who were not aware of it and were just defending theirs lives in a war they didn't choose. I am not just saying that allies were had there share of fault for the sake of it. I repeat what veterans said they saw among there theirs troops. In war many loose theirs moral compass. This is the difference I see between platoon and Saving Private Ryan. Oliver Stone was a veteran while Steven Spielberg had a more romantic vision of the victory of the allies. I would conclude with the subtitles from Fury (2014): War never end peacefully.

[@michaelobrien8420]

@Hanzee Dent ....commies are the Enemy now....or rather 'Globalists' ...the George Orwell crowd. Nationalism is the healthy reaction to it. Nationalism gets sick when it goes overboard. It doesn't HAVE to...!!!

[@Poopenheiner]

I feel that more deeply Elias and Barnes represent two sides of the same coin. They’re both equally part of our nature. Everyone has an Elias within them and everyone has a Barnes within them. Taylor kind of alludes to this at the end of the movie. The question really revolves around which one are you deciding to feed. Can men keep with the better angels of our nature during war? Or is there a point where we all give in to the demons within us? Seeing how Barnes is more experienced I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that maybe he was a bit like Elias at one point. Food for thought I guess.

[@MarcillaSmith]

Yes, a bit - even more than a bit - like Elias in the sense that he wasn't destroyed by the trauma he experienced. While I did not serve that many years - and certainly not in Vietnam - the Barnes character reminds me more of the cadets I met at the beginning of my time - or at least their idea of "the ideal" - someone less than human - having given up that side of themself in some proverbial "deal with the Devil" to become a "supersoldier." The Elias character reminds me more of special operators I would know later - men who knew that having better skills was just a matter of putting in the time and effort - not something for which one could trade some part of oneself. If anything, SF is most intensely aware of the importance of being accepted as "the good guys," seeing as their work behind enemy lines relies upon engaging foreign national partisans

[@Gizziiusa]

like the "2 wolves" philosophical quote. two opposing wolves, which one wins ? the one you feed the most.

[@Poopenheiner]

@@Gizziiusa exactly what I was thinking

[@scottfisher7478]

@@MarcillaSmith Great insight. Thank you for sharing.

[@seanhowell8301]

Astute!!

[@oopsiepoopsie2898]

I think the shit that gets missed the most in Vietnam was the on purpose blue on blue that happened. My uncle Donny told me a story about Vietnam after I joined and competed ITB. Him and some Korean fighters were working together. Him and a Korean PLT Sgt went to check on the southern position of the PB. Where the found a sleeping Korean soldier. My uncle Donny wanted wake him by beating him. The Korean PLT Sgt said they would handle their own. Later that night a grenade killed that sleeping Korean soldier. My uncle never said that for sure they killed him but he strongly believed that they did. Because after they left the sleeping soldier the Korean guy said “ he needs to leave he is going to get other men killed “

[@YY4UGUYSS416]

They fragged his ass

[@finished6267]

Happens in very theatre.

[@preflightdrip8672]

My grandfather was in Vietnam, he had a similar experience with the south Koreans although it wasnt blue on blue it was just violent war crimes. What he saw definitely shook and upset him

[@cycologist7069]

Sounds very woopsie.

[@davisworth5114]

@@preflightdrip8672 I worked with the Koreans, they were known for their brutality, the Vietnamese hated them and considered them "Okies", they brutalized their own troops. Facts.

[@arnoolve]

Elias being betrayed still angers me and makes my stomach feel discomfort. I know its a movie but the story is good the acting is great and that is why I feel invested. Charlie, Willem, Tom and the rest of the cast was awesome. Tom as Barnes and Willem as Elias were such great casts, I love those characters its a great portrayal of good and evil that can also be found inside every human.

[@KageMinowara]

“He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man.” - Samuel Johnson

[@yannick245]

_“He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. When you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you“._ -Friedrich Nietzsche

[@jackfitzpatrick8173]

We cannot be certain what kind of a man Sgt Barnes was before he saw combat. In the film Breaker Morant one of the characters, a lawyer called "Major Thomas", had a scene in which he very credibly summed up what combat can do to otherwise decent men. Before we label Sgt Barnes as a "monster" we need to contemplate the factors put forth by Major Thomas.

[@toad2117]

- M Shadows

[@Meraclus]

Who asked?

[@Joshtow167]

'' War is hell you cannot refine it'' William Tecumseh Sherman

[@Blix-Tha-Epic-TM4L]

King didn't die, the murdered Soldier is Manny.

[@seriousnesstv7902]

I thought I was the only one who noticed that.

[@jcbever1511]

I noticed that as well. King flew out on a chopper just before the last assault in the movie. Had some great lines in the movie.

[@Blix-Tha-Epic-TM4L]

As a kid, I had all the dialog memorized. I watched this film hundreds of times

[@plasticweapon]

he thinks all black people look the same.

[@kirkseyblue6629]

Right on, Manny Washington gets kidnapped and killed. King goes home before the last big battle.

[@xtoll123]

I always thought it would have been an equally powerful ending if Barnes had survived and simply carried on, I read the book of platoon over 20 years ago and I think if i remember correctly that Barnes' back story suggested that he was more like Elias when he arrived in Vietnam and even got married to one of the nurses looking after him when he was first wounded and that the war itself created Barnes after watching friends die and his subsequent injuries

[@cannibalbunnygirl]

I know there's a couple of deleted scenes One where they say Barnes was from the hill country in Tennessee and the alt ending where Chris leaves him instead of killing him. Do you remember the name of the book or the publisher or anything, I'd love to read it

[@xtoll123]

@@cannibalbunnygirl an alternate ending where Chris doesn't kill Barnes?? I'll have to see if I can find that, but yeah I always thought that it was a more powerful message against war if you show there is no justice or happy endings just survival, Barnes would get away with murder and simply carry on, as for the book I believe it had the same title and was written by Dale Dye, might be wrong it was a long time ago

[@DillsyYourDaddy67]

@@xtoll123 In the Alt Ending Chris just looks and Barnes and shakes his head to say "no I won't kill you", Barnes responds by calling him a coward and telling him to get back and kill him. I think that was all they filmed before they realised Chris killing Barnes was their preferred ending.

[@RickyBobby42069]

Barnes is the most hardcore looking soldier in cinema

[@scottfisher7478]

💯 If one is utterly ignorant of combat, just one look at SSGT Robert Barnes places an intimidation in one’s heart to not screw with the guy. This is not only the best performance of Tom Berenger, but he nailed Barnes and no actor could have portrayed him better than Tom.

[@jamesray1439]

@@scottfisher7478 couldn’t have said it better myself

[@Enraged-vu2vb]

no its animal mother

[@osejosteveo]

Drill instructor fmj gunnery sgt hartmen

[@cherokeefit4248]

Sgt Barnes is the second last boss in Konami Crime Fighters arcade

[@Litvagopnik]

Best example of a Dostoevsky complex ever. You tell yourself it’s the right choice so much that your brain believes it and your morals shift.

[@gaiadruid]

I watch this movie at least 4 times a year. It’s a go to to remind yourself that you’re life is not as bad as you think. And being noble for what you believe is right is all you are going to be.

[@jmweed1861]

In my experience as a Vietnam War Veteran (1st Cavalry Division 1970-71) Barnes represents the Army Lifers, as we, the draftees had to deal with. i identity more with Elias.. also, your experience in Vietnam depends on what time period you were there and what unit you served with.... The soldiers in 1966, -68 certainly thought differently about the war than we did as soldiers in 1969 -1972....

[@elliotgregory3356]

I don't know if you have ever seen it but on KZbin is an interesting 1970 documentary called the Quiet Mutiny? It touches on what you alluded to.

[@osejosteveo]

Thanks for ur service, Gary Owen, if you ain't cav u aunt's shit a troop 2/7 cav 1988 4th I'd.

[@jeffk4770]

Hey John what unit of the 1st Cav. I was with the 229th assault helicopter battalion air mobile 70-71.

[@davisworth5114]

Thank you, what is missing in this discussion is that this movie represents the very real division in Vietnam between the lifers and heads, and the reality that there are approximately 800 names on the Vietnam Memorial, mostly lifers, who were fragged by their fellow Americans. Thanks for your service, John.

[@26michaeluk]

You nail a crucial point. Basically two different militaries from 65-68 and 69-73. This is almost the exact point everything changed with Tet.

[@xandercardozacervantes8121]

There’s this line from Audie Murphy’s “To Hell and Back.” I don’t exactly remember the line, but I can put it in my own words. One of Murphy’s closest friend gets killed in the countryside of Southern France. Murphy was enraged. As Murphy put it “A demon had taken over me.” He picked up an MG-42 machine gun from a dead German in a foxhole and flanked the Germans who had killed his buddy. He was right behind them. He put the gun at his hip and let out an endless burst of bullets, ripping through the poor Germans. I showed this because it seemed like demons took all of the troops in “Platoon,” especially Chris.

[@luskvideoproductions869]

Soooo...I interviewed an actual Vietnam vet when this film came out for my HS journalism class, a Mexican-Am. named Rangel, who also fought in the same general theater of action in Cambodia, operating from outposts just like the ones depicted in the film (he even tells a story of them being overrun and getting bombed on). His assessment of the film was generally the same, as a draftee in a near-100% draftee fighting unit: the enemy wasn't the VC, the enemy was ourselves. He didn't have the soul crushing battle between factions in his unit per se, but he was very very clear about how this film seemed to do the best job in showing the harsh realities of jungle insurgent fighting. My deepest regret was losing those interview tapes over the years, but I still remember what he said. But here's the thing: Platoon is just one perspective of this war. FMJ is a very DIFFERENT examination of the war, and I would say the main characters for that AND Apocalypse Now ALSO have a positive force driving them...and it's their basic sense of morality, and how THEY show courage in their efforts fighting the war. Sure, they don't have a similiar conflict depicted quite the way Barnes and Elias display it, but they still have that tension/conflict...it just more introspective and observational. And both Joker and Willard show this by using their inner dialogue to help narrate the film. In fact, all 3 films use this tool, and I think that is what separates them from other Vietnam War films (like The Boys of C Company, We Were Soldiers, Hamburger Hill, etc.). My general thinking is: Platoon is a better film for those looking to get a good overview of the essential dilemma of that war, especially for those not familiar with the complexities around that war and during that time period in America. FMJ is just a great 2-act film (in fact, I'd argue its really 2 different films tied into one). But at the end of the day, Apocalypse Now stands out as the superior film, only because it examines deeper themes of the madness of war itself, how absolute power corrupts absolutely, and what exactly it means to be a human being. It's really just using the war as the backdrop to discuss those bigger issues about humanity, something Coppola excels at in his storytelling (well, used to excel at lol).

[@section8atl]

My dad served as infantry platoon commander in the Central Highlands in 1969. He's always said this movie was the most realistic to the life of a grunt in Vietnam.

[@agenttexx]

The other half of Apocalypse Now is John Wayne's The Green Berets. Most of the characters in The Green Berets are represented in Apocalypse Now with John Wayne's Col Kurby representing the war turning him into Col Kurtz. I thought about this point a few years ago while watching both films during a weekend. Really, you have to look at The Green Berets before any of the other Vietnam Movies because that represented how the country initially saw the war due to John Wayne's Propaganda. With Apocalypse Now being the consequences.

[@darbyheavey406]

“We were soldiers” might be a better counterpoint. Hal Moore has stated that “Platoon” was at odds with his experience.

[@horsemumbler1]

@@darbyheavey406 An excellent cpunterpoint indeed, and a very interesting look at the difference between an elite unit of professionals and volunteers who trained together from before the beginning, and the burnt-out short-timer conscripts who were left at the end.

[@KageMinowara]

Was The Green Berets propaganda? Or was Apocalypse Now propaganda? Maybe neither? Maybe both films accurately portrayed difference aspects of war? Its hard to tell. I'm so used to both sides referring to everything the other says as "propaganda".

[@McClane4Ever.]

@@darbyheavey406 It was a long war and the military went through many changes. A volunteer in 1965 is going to have an experience totally different than an draftee in 1970.

[@davisworth5114]

John Wayne died in Vietnam.

[@wattsnottaken1]

“There’s no right or wrong in them, they’re just there.” Such a good quote

[@DoBraveryFPS]

Platoon is the battle of two political paradigms. Barnes = Realism, Elias = Idealism. Realism, man is inherently bad, if you want peace, prepare for war. Idealism, systems are to blame, not individuals, peace is attainable through understanding and communication. Barnes "battlefield justice." Elias seeks judicial court martial. Both men care about the platoon. They just have different philosophies on how it's done.

[@full-oncanadiandissident1809]

Best line Keith David "Poor always getting fked over by the rich, always have been always will be "

[@andrewhoyle1521]

Damn right

[@darthkek1953]

"Gotta remember the Golden Rule - he who has the gold makes the rules." Same actor, different film.

[@Greg-xs5py]

Class warfare, yeah Stone is a Marxist.

[@darthkek1953]

@@Greg-xs5py Multi-Millionaire Marxist.

[@JohnCena-ew1mf]

Until we do something about it.

[@scottfisher7478]

I respect both Barnes and Elias, but I respect Elias more. The absolute courage and determination to win the war at the cost of his men, disregard of officers, and expense of anyone he perceives as an enemy, makes Barnes the ultimate warrior. Conversely, Elias has the same determination to win, but is more grounded. He retains his humanity, compassion for his men and civilians, and mostly his regard for officers. He understands that at this rate, America will not “win” the war, but is willing to ride it out, having served three years. Rah said that Barnes and Elias fought for possession of their souls, and Taylor made the right decision: SGT Elias.

[@yellowjackboots2624]

I think Hamburger Hill is the best Vietnam War movie. It casually discusses the everyday aspects of young men caught up in the military machine and how they are resented for being stuck in a situation they had no way of avoiding. And the combat sequences are great.

[@christopherroa9781]

"Everything gonna be alright"

[@falconmoose5435]

Agreed Good post..

[@rkstours5026]

Imo it’s not the best but defo very underrated and not as well known. I think they captured the day to day stuff really well with lots of little details .... and yeah the combat scenes are top notch!

[@dontask6863]

Holy smokes. Great to run into another Hamburger Hill fan that knows this rarely known goodie! It is so completely underrated!

[@convoyjack3310]

It dont mean nothing not a thing it dont mean nothing not a thing it dont mean nothing not a thing

[@aldosigmann419]

Barnes is his own universe at this point. He cares not for his own life in a way that seems to make him invulnerable and yet still is obsessed with 'winning'. You can be on board with it or not - if not then yeah there will be trouble. There is great clarity to him and a kind of charisma as well in his certainty. His compass goes awry at the vil when he quite literally snaps. This was his third tour (?) he had seen a lot and may have started out 'decent' but now utterly brutalized - i expect it happens a lot in war thru the eons....my .02$...

[@calebballantine3402]

WINNING

[@Jonnybravo589]

My fathers a Vietnam vet and we’ve watched platoon together at least 100 times and say line everyday. For me it’s slightly behind FMJ due to direction but In front of Apocalypse now

[@christopherlarsen7788]

My late father served three tours in Vietnam. He did not like the movie "Platoon" and I did. As I was currently serving my nation in the US Infantry, we discussed this. First things first, few Warriors can stomach movies of their own conflict. After two combat tours of my own, I understand this now. That said, my father's objection to "Platoon" was two-fold. First, Oliver Stone took the problems of an entire brigade and shoved it into a single platoon. But of course he did. The viewing audience cannot get to know 3,500 Soldiers...but we can come to understand at least a glimpse of the trials and tribulations of a 30-man platoon. Stone had to contend with every issue inside a single platoon. Second, my father objected to the portrayal of SFC Barnes as the "bad guy." As you've aptly stated, CS Lewis discusses in great depth how we ought to behave, juxtaposed to how we actually behave. This gets to the question of morality. Barnes existed in the reality of his day. Elias existed in an enlightened plane of warriorhood. I sided with Elias. My father sided with Barnes. As for the "guilt" of the village, they were proven in the movie to be tacitly supporting the NVA/VC with weapons, munitions, and food. Their reality was that they supported neither side. The villagers simply attempted to exist, bending like a reed in the water to the stronger force. Their situation was regrettable and it is easy to share empathy with the villagers' plight. My final thought is a lesson that came directly from my father, and reinforced by my multiple uncles (maternal and paternal sides), two of whom were US Special Forces serving in Vietnam. The rule is simple. If a man will rape a civilian in war, he will rape your family at home. Kill him. Kill him on the spot, or do it later. But the moral obligation of the Warrior is to kill the unjust. Perhaps the character of Chris was never told of his obligation. But every time I've watched that scene with four members of his platoon raping the small children, I believe Chris should have killed them where they stood. Warriors must stand in the face of evil.

[@dab0331]

It's fucked up your dad would side with a man who executed female civilians just because she was upset by how her husband was being treated, AND threatened a man's CHILD. There is NO EXCUSE FOR that behavior. EVER. It's cowardly. As an Afghan vet myself, our job is to protect innocent people even if it means our own deaths. It's one thing to fuck with combat aged males when you're paranoid that everyone is a VC, but you leave women and ESPECIALLY children out of it.

[@christopherlarsen7788]

@@dab0331 - You read into the discussion exactly what you wanted to hear. My father served three combat tours of Southeast Asia and retired from military service to his nation. You're attacking the honor of a dead man. I mean, you do you, brother. Platoon is a work of fiction. My father would never advocate for the murder of innocent civilians. Furthermore, my father explicitly stated that Platoon Sergeant Barnes committed crimes of murder - even killing his own squad leader (Elias). Are you suggesting Oliver Stone condones the murder of Soldiers and innocent civilians just because he wrote a dramatic film on the topic? If not, then why accuse my father of supporting warcrimes just because he commented on the fictional characters of a film? It's fiction. Understand the difference. My father simply stated that Barnes was the most sympathetic character in the whole film - as a matter of his opinion; I suppose from his experience having served as a platoon sergeant in the Vietnam War. Frankly, my father thought the movie was unrealistic and a poor portrayal of reality. But then...my father understood the concept of fiction.

[@dab0331]

@@christopherlarsen7788 writing a work of fiction to [tell a story] is different from [actually supporting] the MORALS of that fictional character. If I wrote a reality-based fictional tale that included Hitler, and someone's like "I think Hitler was just misunderstood and I support him" that IS a DIRECT reflection of his character. Supporting the moral character of Barnes in any way is reprehensible. That man deserves NO SYMPATHY. I understand the psychology behind of why a sociopath does what a sociopath does, but I won't give a sociopath a pass. A lot of people (and veterans) who've watched the movie are more shocked that Barnes killed Elias than are shocked by the fact that he murdered an innocent female civilian and threatened a child with death. That's how fucked up our society is. A lot of Vietnam veterans don't like Platoon because it paints the military in a bad light; which I get a degree. But at the same time the truth of war crimes HAS to be told, and many who are more concerned about it painting the army in a bad light, rather than it exposing war crimes, are the same people who said those pieces of shits who committed My Lai Massacre did nothing wrong. LITERALLY, I hear it. There's those pieces of shots that are still alive and still say they "were just following orders". Anytime I hear someone support Barnes I KNOW they're the kind who would have committed a MY LAI massacre.

[@christopherlarsen7788]

@@dab0331 - Wow. You got me! Yep, you've described my ol' man to the "T." He was a cannibal, after all. He killed, raped, and then ate his victims. You are so correct! Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Your reality is my reality.

[@dab0331]

@@christopherlarsen7788 being more upset about him killing Elias than by him threatening a child's life is a tell tale sign of sociopathy. It's not what one commits as much as what one's heart is CAPABLE of commiting.

[@liverpoolscottish6430]

Elias and Barnes are truly fascinating characters- there is no doubting the courage, or soldiering ability of either man. Elias still retains his moral values, Barnes has been completely corrupted by what he has seen and experienced first hand in war. Really, Barnes is a VICTIM of war, he has been brutalised by war, whilst Elias still retains his core values and decency- yet he is still a first class fighting soldier. His solo action against the NVA attempting to outflank the platoon is a prime example of that. I believe Elias was based on an native red indian, which probably explains why Elias has such superb fieldcraft skills. When he takes the fight to the NVA by himself, his instincts take over and he is devastatingly effective as a soldier. The irony is, despite Barnes and Elias disliking each other, they both recognise the other as being a well above average soldier. The interesting thing about Barnes is that despite being a cold, brutal individual, he is far from being a psychopath- hence he gets angry and frustrated with his own men when they foul up on the night ambush. A psychopath simply would not care in the way that Barnes does. His fury and frustration boils over in the village after the loss of three members of the platoon- he has empathy for his own men- so he definitely isn't a psychopath. There is only one real psychopath in the platoon- BUNNY. Neither Barnes or Elias actually enjoy killing, they just happen to be very adept and skilful soldiers. Bunny positively enjoys killing for the sake of it. He kills the young crippled boy simply because he can get away with it. Perhaps Barnes became brutal and hard simply in order to survive the ordeal of war- it's the only way he knows?

[@TrayDyer38]

Oliver stone was and is a Maverick. I can go 10 years with out seeing this movie, and yet I can still quote every line in the movie, as can many men of my generation who saw and watched this movie 20 times in a row when it came out in 1988 on VHS. I was sixteen when this movie came out. Every guy I knew back in the late 80’s could recite this movie by heart. It had a huge impact on men of my generation. I hadn’t watched this movie in more than decade, recently it was shown on my cable movie channels, and I could still quote every line before they said it.

[@chrisf8855]

Platoon really packs a punch. At the end when Taylor is leaving on the helicopter and he's reflecting on what he's been through is a very powerful scene. You definitely should feel something then.

[@elgatonegro1703]

Also to the point of Elias’ courage: shortly after the My Lai analogue scene Taylor asks him something to the effect of if he felt like he was doing the right thing. Elias says (paraphrasing) ‘in ‘65 yeah…now I’m not so sure’. So not only do we see that Elias courage to stand up for what’s morally right even in the face of war-despair is something he earned, and worked on, we also see that he’s a proper enlisted-man NCO just like Barnes, so we understand his empathy was as hard-earned as Barnes’ scars.

[@JackCasablanca-painter]

My mom's brother was a "grunt" in Vietnam. He told me that he and the men in his platoon hated the enemy only insofar as it was "kill or be killed." But that the only time there when he fought with true hatred was in beating the shit out of one of the guys in his own platoon.

[@WARRIOR-uf8ov]

"my mom's brother" So your uncle?

[@JackCasablanca-painter]

@@WARRIOR-uf8ov LOL, "uncle" just sounds fake." Mom's brother" sounds like I know him better, haha

[@poeticallyinclinedjayne9040]

@@JackCasablanca-painter or saying it that way could refer to your mom's step brother, as well.

[@danstone8783]

@@JackCasablanca-painter 'Mother's brother' also sounds more Biblical.

[@Gozerthegozarian1984]

The scene where the LT. Is struggling with his map and gives the wrong coordinates to the artillery hits me the hardest. The map is wet. Parts of it are erased away and marked up. In low lying dense woods or jungles the terrain is crazy hard to identify on the map. I was in Army ROTC. Later served in a peacetime infantry unit. In training I’ve struggled with the same map, in the same terrain shown in the movie One of my biggest fears was to make the EXACT mistake the LT made - call in a “fucked up fire mission” and kill my own men.

[@joehay5094]

I've just watched the full scene of Barnes shooting Elias again. When I first saw this film, I never saw Elias" smile as showing a feeling of comradeship. I saw it as a knowing smile. I think he's not surpised it would come to this. I think there's also defiance and almost scorn in it: "So now to win, you've got to shoot me, kill someone on your own side!" Of course, they're not on the same side...As you point out, Elias wins in the end because the humanity wins out in Chris. Platoon is by far the most coherent of the three films.

[@michaelmorales4381]

I have yo disagree. Elias smiles then you can see his face drop as he realizes Barns is about to kill him. He smiled because he initially thought Barnes was an NVA soldier then he sees its Barnes he smiles as a sigh of relief. That is until he sees Barnes raise his gun at him.

[@axnyslie]

I usually watch Platoon this time of year, around Memorial Day or July 4th. It is my favorite war movie for the reasons you cited. It goes far beyond a simple war depiction or action/adventure film and is a deep philosophical lesson in morality. Though I can’t know personally as I wasn’t there, it feels the most accurate of movies as Oliver Stone based it on his own personal experiences. I saw it in the theater when it was released and I definitely recall everyone was touting it as the first authentic representation of the war in Vietnam. The packed theater I saw it in was totally silent throughout the screening, except Elias’ death which invoked an audible gasp when he was shot by Barnes. I feel Stone's writing of the village scene was influenced by the Mỹ Lai massacre and the Barnes character was at least partially modeled after William Calley. I viewed the protagonist Chris as the pupil. He tells his Platoon mates in base camp that he was there because he dropped out of college because he felt he wasn’t learning anything. His tour of duty served as his lessons in humanity and morality between two warring factions. Not the US vs the VC but Barns vs Elias. His conflicted views are shared in his letters to his grandmother and other soldiers as he struggled to understand who is right and what is important, keeping the moral high ground or surviving at any cost. One of my favorite lines was from King who helps Chris try to come to terms with it all “All you got to do is make it out of here, and It's all gravy, everyday the rest of your life, gravy.”

[@darthkek1953]

Like the Springsteen song for the Cruise movie: Born In The USA on the 4th of July in Philadelphia.

[@poeticallyinclinedjayne9040]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYO1Y5iHo5ujiMk

[@sirguy8613]

I was a couple of years too young for Vietnam but I now have friends who were there. My dad was a veteran of the Korean War. None like to talk about their experiences but, except for the drastic difference in weather, both were the same. There were that they didn't wish to discuss, things that they saw that changed them forever... and none were treated properly upon their return. Tis was an insightful and thoughtful analysis of one of my favorite films about the transformational power of war and it's toll on the humanity of all involved.

[@usteznaaj4975]

It was Manny who was killed, not King. And speaking of King, he was also kind and empathetic with Taylor from the beginning, Elias wasn't the only one.

[@zg471]

This is my favorite of the Big Three Vietnam flicks. I always thought of the trio of Taylor, Barnes, and Elias as a representation of the whole Freudian ego, super-ego, and id concept that is in all of us.

[@MrJoebrooklyn1969]

The fragility of human life is what one discovers when going to war. It makes one respect life that much more.

[@bryanwhelan351]

Barnes and Alejandro (from Sicario)... i can see parallels there

[@LifeIsAStory]

They are both focused on accomplishing their goals at whatever the cost, that is for sure. One difference is that it's implied that Alejandro was a decent man before what happened to his daughter, we can only speculate what Barnes was like before going to Vietnam.

[@scottfisher7478]

@@LifeIsAStory I have not had the pleasure of reading the book written by Dale Dye, but I have read that Barnes was from Tennessee and more like Elias in the beginning of his Vietnam experience. As you pointed out, we saw glimpses of that man after the deaths of Sandy, Sal, and Manny (and ever so slightly in the underworld hangout when Barnes declared “I am reality”); but ultimately, self-preservation and PTSD erased the humanity of Barnes.

[@hanhanlon4441]

Enjoyed the insights contained in this narrative. Two things: 1) I'm not sure that body bags of corpses would've been rolled out right in front of soldiers freshly arriving, and 2) that was Manny, not King, who was tied to the tree with his throat slit before they razed the village.

[@SpacecityEDC]

My father was a WW2 vet, my older brothers Vietnam vets. I asked my Dad once what was the worst part of the war, his reply, "The silence." Curious I asked what he meant. He said during battle your mind was focused on survival but in between us when fear could creep in because you knew they were coming just not when. Too much time to think. That always made sense even while I served. Our minds wander when there's time when there is no time our thoughts become more focused.

[@JohnnyOlsson]

Great analysis of a great movie. You're certainly on to something. This movie handles the moral discussion very well, and its characters are so well balanced. Of course, Elias and Barnes are at the center of things, but all the other soldiers have a personality, they behave and react in different ways, and their behavior around Elias and Barnes tells us a lot about those two main characters. Also, as you pointed out, Barnes isn't a completely evil psycho. He's not a villain. He is the product of war. And while it's easy for us as viewers to recognize that Elias holds the moral high ground, and judge the men who do nothing when Barnes threatens to kill that girl, the uncomfortable question this movie asks us all is this: What would you do? Who would you side with? Because while Elias is the good guy, Barnes may be the best bet to get you out alive.

[@alexm7627]

The right thing to do would be to put others first rather than yourself

[@alexm7627]

Speaking as a christian

[@alexm7627]

But as it says in this video, thats when you get tested, "what would you do?"

[@ethanstump]

Getting out alive means nothing if your going to blow your brains out when you get home. I know these guys weren't focused on that and only trying to get home, but that's kind of the whole point, that trying to separate home and nam is an ultimately futile and false task, as both are defined by each other. It's a false dilemma to focus either on competency or morals, as your morals Will define your competency and vice versa. Elias didn't only have the moral high ground, but also the tactical and strategic one as well. Your enemy is far less likely to treat you inhumanely if you act humanely, and far more likely to treat you inhumanely if you do. This is why fascists have to inherently define their enemy as inhumane,to justify their own inhumane actions. This also goes for slavery, and our current economic conditions.

[@reycastaneda5017]

My Father was a Vietnam Vet and when I asked him if the movie platoon was accurate in the way the depict the crimes against humanity, he told me that everyones experience was different and not everyone experienced things like that, he then told me that they all knew things that were done that have never been told.

[@mikloridden8276]

Yeah some disturbing things occurred there and it haunted my family and friends til they died. Many of the sickos that did that stuff lived longer which makes me angry to think about.

[@RX552VBK]

Exellent video. Thank you for the in depth analyst of Pt. Chris, SSgt. Barns and Sgt. Elias. I saw the film in '86, I was 21 years old--and it changed my life in many ways. A few years after, I got into a "situation" where I had to make a decision to go with the pack or have a bit of courage. My mind immediately ran to Platoon and the village scene. And where Elias, a smaller fellow but equally a skilled combat soldier like Barns had to make a moral decision. I did the same. It made me a better human being (I hope), and realized how many of his are not. I always promised myself, if I ever had the chance in running into Mr Stone--I would thank him for this.

[@davidbaker6941]

I spent 17 months in Vietnam , danger close FO unit , what happens in the bush stays in the bush , it still does.

[@brandtsavoy6123]

My dad was marine recon in Vietnam He told me a tiny bit. Like 2 U.S. soldiers were mauled by a Tiger and they have pictures of the dead Tiger and they gave it to a Vietnamese Village..He told me about the little kids giving soldiers gifts that were bombs... I was little when he told me that...I laughed as I thought he was joking or something..My dad got upset and walked out the room....I feel bad about that still...but I was 5 anyhow he never watched this. He was ok watching saving private ryan...

[@ChongiFishing]

What kind of person tells gruesome war stories to a 5 year old

[@williamkraft5320]

@@ChongiFishingthe kind that doesn’t raise no bitch

[@michaellrakes5521]

I literally grew up as a little kid watching Full Metal Jacket, Apocalypse Now and for me most importantly: Platoon ( yeah it was the 80s and parents didnt shelter their kids, sorry lol) Platoon in my opinion, is the very best of the 3 though I enjoy them all immensely. There were so many great characters and it went way past a simple war movie and became an allegory of humanity. As a kid, i of course missed that but as I got older, i completely get it. Chris Taylor is the perfect example of innocence lost: he comes in as a college dropout, naive and taking his job ultra seriously. But by the end, he is hardened, bleak and completely jaded of the war and conflict in general And the scene in the village is probably one of the best in cinema history. I still feel unnerved watching it all unfold, especially the crying child that Barnes is threatening to murder in front of her father, as well as the scumbags assaulting the two innocent girls. They showed a side of war from that hadn't been seen before, in that the "heroes" were more monstrous than the enemy.

[@LifeIsAStory]

The more times I watch Platoon, the more I appreciate it. And agreed. It did a great job showing that even those who may be fighting for the right cause are capable of committing evil acts.

[@davisworth5114]

@@LifeIsAStory Was Vietnam the "right cause"?

[@jayclark9662]

@@davisworth5114 in some soldiers minds yes

[@LibertyandFreedom4]

DO NOT APOLOGIZE!!!

[@paulthomas8884]

Good analysis. I was never hard for me to understand why people would lean on Barnes, but on further examination, I don't know if I would call him the single most competent. At the beginning of the movie, he puts the two most inexperienced grunts (Taylor and Gardner) on ambush which Elias maintains apprehensions about. Shortly thereafter, Gardner is killed, and Elias' argument is underscored as a result. Another thing to note about the troops who lean toward Barnes is how they essentially behave like lackeys will for the bully who rules their roost. This is especially true of O'Neil, one thing that stands out about them is while you see Barnes smoking throughout the movie, you never see him light a cigarette; O'Neil always lights it for him. O'Neil constantly tries to curry favor with Barnes, and it never works. Barnes doesn't respect him and to be fair he has no reason to. His lackey reaps no benefits.

[@davisworth5114]

In the scene where O'Neil says he has a bad feeling and doesn't want to go out again, he was on the verge of busting out crying because they were all so exhausted, they spent three weeks living and training before the filming began. He does an interview about it on YT.

[@hunmanjohnmatthew2032]

Great analysis and "the first casualty of war is innocence" indeed...

[@Marauder1981]

The 3 best War movies for me are: 1. Das Boot 2. Stalingrad (the German original) 3. Escape from Tarkov - The Raid

[@carvedouttastone]

This was a phenomenal commentary on one of my favourite films. Thank you for creating this with so much thought.

[@vincentkermorgant]

The french made a movie about the same theme called "L'ennemi intime" (Intimate Enemies). Movie takes place during Algerian war (1954-1962) and is based on a non fiction book "The Undeclared War"

[@jonathanperry8331]

I like the theory that animal mother in Apocalypse now is actually private pile. He looks like him but in shape finally and perhaps the suicide was just a weird dream sequence or something. When joker first meets animal mother he smiles and you almost get the feeling they know each other already because I think they do. Go back and re-watch that scene and imagine that animal mother is gomer Pyle it'll completely change your perspective

[@Edwin6932]

As an Afghanistan and Iraq war veteran, I believe Platoon is the best movie that describes the dynamics of a platoon in a combat environment. In my war, there were no drugs, and the leadership kept the soldiers online and prevented unnecessary violence. Remember, unlike in Vietnam, our military is volunteer, and the soldiers choose to be there. I also want to add that American soldiers have compassion for the Iraqi and Afghan people. In Vietnam, the situation was different, and many of those in the combat zone were too far gone and did not want to be there. Violence was part of the situation they were given. I have to agree with must of the comments in the video.

[@-xirx-]

I think Elias smile was because he knew Barnes was there to kill him, it was a smile of knowing that for all Barnes talk of courage and winning the war for the American side, Barnes was still guided by his own selfish desires: and Elias recognised that, Barnes didn't.

[@ThehulkGreen]

I know a serving soldier, he is one of the finest humans i have witnessed in flesh my whole life. He is such a good person for others to follow, he is only 29 and i am 44. I used to be a hardcore bmxer for 15 say out of 21yrs, i know bravery as i have done stuff 99% of humans wouldn't even think that way, its called courage, i loved the vid as it is your breakdown of platoon is pretty much systematically psychologically perfect. Platoon and heat are my 2 favourite movies of all time simply because of the value of human life and both movies depicted message of courage but also reckless depravity. I hope you have a nice Christmas and i think you break it down fantastically, the stars and the way we are thinking about them is my favorite part of your video. Bless you.

[@Jazzman-bj9fq]

Nice vid! I think that a major theme that runs through the three movies in common is a sense of entering a nightmare or a world of madness when a soldier enters combat... In 'Apocalypse Now' when Cpt Willard gets on that patrol boat and they come upon that last American outpost then proceeds further up that river, it's plain that everything from here on out is a world of madness, monsters and Hell itself. As a Vet myself, yet one who saw no combat in my 8 years in, I had understood from my father's stories of the Korean War that a young man in combat sees and does things that he may never have imagined himself having to do. He enters service many times with a desire to defend his country and his comrades, to be of service with honor and bravery, all the ideals that come from our society's values of what a 'good soldier' is but when the reality sets in, Barnes' 'reality', we then see that there is no rhyme or reason in the world of war, there is no fairness, no compassion and any bravery or honor pales in comparison to the guilt you may feel and the sense that somewhere along the way of your survival you've lost your humanity and you are in no way the same man as you were. I'm sure many of these men even thought they had lost their very souls. When I first saw 'Saving Private Ryan' I thought to myself during the first scene of the assault on Normandy that it truly must have been the closest thing to Hell on Earth for those men. I've asked myself many times how do you enter Hell, survive and come back from it with any shred of sanity left? How do you even try to go back to being a father or husband after the war knowing the things you did, remembering the joy and excitement you felt by taking enemy lives? As a soldier, you're trained to rejoice in the ruination of your enemy, to taste his blood and to crave it nonstop until there are none left.

[@brycesolomon9933]

I texted a buddy a month ago about this movie. I straight up told him I’d have been Barnes and him Elias. Yes, I was in Afghanistan and Iraq, and he totally agreed with me 😂. Granted I wouldn’t do the war crimes shit but I understood what it took to stay alive and keep my buddies alive. In a way I’d say anyone that’s been infantry in a war zone have been “Chris” and embrace either a Barnes or Elias. It’s all in being able to find that middle ground between the two to keep your soul per se.

[@dudebro0481]

That’s pretty hardcore man. Thank you for this analysis. Very well written, I can tell there was a lot of heart and time put into this. At first, I was relatively confused and ambiguous to the point of this film and what message it was trying to convey. Your analysis put certain things into perspective. Now, I have a newfound admiration and respect for this film. I owe some of that to you :)

[@madzen112]

I really like the complexity of your analysis', these movies are often subjected to quite shallow ones, so your approach feels refreshing.

[@LifeIsAStory]

Thanks, I really appreciate it 🙏 Glad you enjoyed.

[@b.w.22]

My grandfather, an officer and spy in WW2 and later Congressman under Eisenhower, felt that Platoon best captured the feeling of war in the movies he’d seen.

[@TraderRobin]

That was an excellent 'duality of man theory' analysis of those three films. 🙂

[@alexcarney7891]

What a fantastic analysis. Thank you.

[@TheChinchillaArmy]

Man the atmosphere of the video, the music, your delivery, really makes me feel man. Amazing content.

[@angeloreyes357]

Love those movies..especially apocalypse now and platoon was both shot here in the philippine islands...our jungle is very brutal..it amaze how they get used taping on those jungles!!

[@jaysonmartin9219]

Amazing thank you! I’m a vet and Platoon is the truest movie about war I’ve seen. Great analysis and video. Thanks for sharing

[@joeanthony7759]

I understand these guys are young and placed in psychotic, confusing and sometimes futile predicaments, but it's no excuse for raping and murdering the women and children. Takes more strength to be an Elias rather than a Barnes in such situations. But some guys snap. So it's no wonder some come home with permanent psychological damage almost as bad or worse than their physical injuries. Will humankind ever evolve beyond tribal warfare as a means of solving disagreements or taking resources or power away from others, I wonder

[@Magnulus76]

IMO, if Elias had lived, he would have been able to transition to civilian life. Barnes would have never transitioned to civilian life, he would have wound up in jail sooner or later.

[@cg2bx264]

Sadly, I think war is part of the human condition and periods of peace are just interludes in between them. That’s not to say we should try to avoid it and limit the extent of its damage when it does occur but it is inevitable. I think there is an attraction to it, particularly in young men, by wanting to test yourself and experience it.

[@bria78]

@@Magnulus76you may be interested in the fact that Stone imagined a sequel to Platoon, with Barnes alive (director’s cut presents a different finale) and working in Tennesse as a cop. It’s Elias the one who really doesn’t want to go back, because in the US he had legal problems and could have ended up in jail.

[@eddiesmith5617]

Some Vietnam Vets thought Platoon was right on the money, others thought it was BS. I found that indicative of how two or more people can share the same experience, but in such different ways which affects their perspective... in this case, their perspective on the movie Platoon (and other War films.) BTW, I like your analysis on these films. I usually can't stand these types of movie critic/analyst videos. Yours is insightful without being pompous. (Funny enough, the more pompous the critic, the less they really know WTF they're talking about lol). I just subscribed.

[@Monatio79]

The death of King ? Didn't you mean Manny ? Otherwise, a great analysis. What's interesting is that despite siding with Elias, by the end of the movie Chris ultimately "becomes Barnes" as Rhah stated that "The only thing that can kill Barnes is Barnes". This is especially poignant as Chris, in his closing voiceover, claims that although the war is over for him it will nevertheless "Be there for the rest of my days, as I'm sure Elias will be; fighting with Barnes for what Rhah called possession of my soul."

[@Royalmerc]

Sinced you asked at 1:57 Grandpa supposedly requested to go to Vietnam because he didn't want my father or uncle getting drafted and being sent there (my uncle eventually did get drafted). Supposedly said it was a different kind of war then WWII, which he served in, and didn't want them to get involved. No one can really remember the specifics of what he said about the movie except some of the characters are a little exaggerated and it shows a good example of a dysfunctional platoon. Probably not the answer you were really looking for but its something.

[@mickmaxtube]

If I may make a suggestion, consider watching the little known film The Odd Angry Shot, a movie about the experiences of a section ( squad ) of troopers in the Australian SAS in Vietnam. I would love to hear your views on its portrayal of wars effect on men. My father was a grunt radio operator with the 9th Royal Australian Regiment 68 - 69 and he said it was the closest to operational reality than any other Vietnam movie he had seen.

[@AndrewGrey22]

The Village scene was more than that. It was the high point of Hollywood ever. It was probably the greatest scene ever filmed in movie history. Also the greatest pieces of acting I have ever seen from not only one person but an entire cast. Due in part to excellent directing. "Where is that Lerner asshole!!???" Lmao. Great stuff.

[@submissivebottom2741]

I had a similar experience like platoon in Afghanistan , SSG. Duffy being Barnes and Sgt. Forster being Elias , One was " kill them , they're clay people " other would always tell me , "live and let live "

[@kwolfdan3976]

Casualties of war was another Vietnam movie that torn my hart next to this brilliant Platoon...seing the mentality of soldiers after they rape the girl wich is killed in brutal way..and after Michel J. Fox returns in city the tranquility of his existence is shattered after seeing that vietnamese student girl that resembled the one raped and killed in the jungle..those 2 movies left for years a hole in my hart.

[@Gozerthegozarian1984]

I took a date to “Platoon” during its first run in theaters. After the movie she began sobbing uncontrollably, repeating “now I know, now I know.” One of her uncles committed suicide after serving in a Vietnam.

[@joshuapatrick682]

Willem Defoe’s best scene in any film is the one where he smiles at Barnes knowing his fate is sealed, and ultimately winning the “battle”. In that moment he knows he won, and Barnes knows he lost. I think that gets obscured somewhat.

[@kennethhampel2032]

I went on patrol many times in Vietnam and no one sleeps on patrol. Each position has a job to do, i.e. I was unlucky and handled the M-60 machine gun completely setup and ready to go. If you sleep you become the ones who get ambushed which the movie showed. If you make it back the next morning you can sleep then. I never saw any real fighting among the men since you need to realize you keep them alive and they keep you alive. Lots of joking and picking on each other and not necessary any love but a dependency on your fellow soldier. On guard duty on the base camp perimeter we took turns sleeping since the enemy could only approach in one direction and we had trips set up. A great movie, but again only a movie. Oh we never did see the enemy.

[@zombienursern4909]

Hey, Aaron! I was watching music videos and pulled up "Fortunate Son", which I have done before, and somehow was directed to this posting. I love history, so I watched this , and I am a new fan of your channel. I tried to enlist in the Navy, as my brother was in the Navy, but I found out that I had a heart condition, and I did not pass the physical exam. This was back in 1973, as a high school senior. Many of my classmates were drafted. My husband is a Vietnam veteran, two tours. I really like your narrative as the video progresses, it was thoughtful and right on. I can appreciate the research you did in order to make this presentable and the explanation you give....for example, the picture of LBJ that you worked into your narrative. I remember his years in office. But this video helped me to navigate through another REALLY boring day. I am on medical leave at present, because I was diagnosed with leukemia last September. The chemotherapy makes me feel dreadful. So I look forward to seeing more of your work, now that I am subscribed. This video reminds me of a video on the Weird History channel.....he did a story on why the 10 cent beer night at the 1973 Cleveland Indians game against the Texas Rangers. He gives a very thorough explanation of why we Clevelanders were so uptight in the 70's: jobs lost, factories closing for good, the war, the people struggling to make ends meet, the government, politics, the Kent State shootings of the protesters at Kent State university here in Ohio, etc.. He made us look human, not just a bunch of booze crazed lowlife losers. As you know, there is a story behind every story. Like the author of the Wierd History said in posing this question: "how did this happen? 'Cause it was the 70's!" I look forward to reading your next posting!

[@OvelNick]

Barnes is wrong 100%, things that he has done, taken at face value, are evil acts. While stateside those actions would find a punishment no more worthy than the firing squad. However in the context of war I have been unable to see him as evil or vile (Vile Eye did a great video as well. I said the same over there). When nature vs nurture is discussed it's normally in the context of a person's formative years. I don't think Barnes is an evil person that would've became as such if he had never went to war. I really enjoyed the video you did on the movie about Desmond Doss. When he said "even though I didn't pull the trigger, I had already killed him in my heart" You explained what he meant by explaining as a Christian the guilt of sin doesn't require the act to be committed but to merely be thought about in your head. I agree with you in the explanation, but I whole heartedly disagree in the belief that if I think it then it's as bad as doing it. I think Barnes went through a progression that was at its core built on the simple but HEAVY and almost impossible burden to get men home safe. The traumatic situations that he found himself in time after time definitely perverted that goal. It became "get the men whom I deem to be an asset to that goal home safe and terminate ANY human or thing standing in the way. Even if that happens to be innocent people or American military."

[@elcamman50]

Thank you for this. That is me in my picture. December 1969, 19 years old, Bien Hoa, Vietnam.

[@MzLunaCee]

Respect to you. I was 17 when I went on Op Granby. (Desert Storm)

[@tacticalgreengecko7369]

I really feel like you need to watch come and see. Its the scariest film I have ever seen yet it isn't a horror film. It's a anti war film but it's also a propaganda film but that's barely noticeable you will be fixaed on the horrors going on infront of you.

[@LifeIsAStory]

It looks intriguing, I'll definitely give it a watch sometime. Appreciate the recomendation.

[@tacticalgreengecko7369]

@@LifeIsAStory I'd really like to see your take on the film keep up the amazing work Underrated channel!

[@awesomedallastours]

@@LifeIsAStory Come And See is available on KZbin for free. If you're going to analyze films, especially war films, you have to watch it, Great job, btw.

[@NateGerardRealEstateTeam]

I think there’s something to be said for some men at war leaving behind the state of civil society, which is what we live in every day, and reverting to a state of nature. Like you said, there’s no right or wrong in what animals do but if you’re a human you’re supposed to understand the difference, especially if you do have Judeo/Christian beliefs and values. Those who followed Barnes abandoned these values or ignored them and for some this would haunt them since they lacked the courage to maybe die or get wounded for the right reasons instead of living for the wrong reasons. Well done video.

[@scottfisher7478]

I respect Judeo-Christian values, but the discernment of right and wrong is the quality which makes us human. The understanding of morality is the separation from the animal world.

[@jbone9900]

Nah man to say your a coward for trying to survive is entitled someone with a code of honor that was never tested.

[@cgh7337]

I feel that 99% of the men that fought in Vietnam (ESPECIALLY those who were drafted) just wanted to come home alive & courage & a belief in what they were doing was inconsequential. If that's true, backing Barnes was their best bet. Even another SGT says during the movie "Barnes has taken us this far, he'll take us the rest of the way" While I like the character of Elias better, I would've of stayed as close to Barnes as possible so I could get my ass home....hopefully in one piece.

[@Greg-xs5py]

Disagree, even though there was a draft I believe most who fought volunteered. They believed in stopping the spread of Communism.

[@thinkandrepent3175]

It's true Barnes might get you home alive in one piece but without your soul what good is the body? Elias was trying to keep them from crossing the line and going to hell on earth and possibly death.

[@alexm7627]

@@thinkandrepent3175 exactly! If you choose barne's path you're only out for yourself at the expense of others, and according to judeo-christian values, that is evil itself

[@michaelhill3305]

You're right. Elias was the more courageous over Barnes. Simply because he never gave in and lost himself to the frenzy of war the way Barnes did. He maintained his integrity in a way Barnes couldn't

[@sethritchie4032]

3:56 the death of Manny. King got a chipper ride home

[@irishsteve209]

The film is a masterpiece. Only a veteran of a horrible unjust war could create such a film.

[@faceripper77]

My favorite war movie. Never gets old. And the beginning when theyre humping through the bush is so great... that was their lives over there for a year. Throw in seasoned Vietnamese veterans trying to kill you and you have one of the most horrible experiences imaginable.

[@OldManDoom]

I have always loved this movie. My dad showed it to me when I was still pretty young. Back then, I really liked Elias and Taylor. They were two who I really related to. After 4 years in the Corps and coming back from overseas, I can only relate to Barnes and perfectly understand that character. Maybe a little bit of King, but Barnes was the one who I grew to completely understand

[@alisterfolson]

Ahhh...the Gray Jedi

[@PartTimeJedi]

I have one uncle that was KIA and one still messed up with drugs from Vietnam.. I saw this in the Theater at a 17 year old. Since then I think I understand my Uncle much better, He is still haunted by his 2 tours in combat.

[@toddmullis8051]

1 tour is horrible. 2 tours horrific

[@scottfisher7478]

My heart goes out to your uncle who survived. I can only imagine the hell he has been living since returning to “the world”.

[@paulodrca]

very good run-through, thank you. "hopeful" ending of Platoon - or even transcendent? 'out of all this even, something better may come'. a great torch to bear in life

[@espada9]

Apocalypse Now wasn't really about Vietnam.

[@davemcaleavey4215]

Isn't this more the duality of man. At times we are Chris, naive and scared. At times we are Barnes, decisive and savage. The goal is to be Elias, compassionate and courageous.

[@sadeaton]

It doesn't get any lower than what Barnes did, especially after Elias thought they were cool and grinned at him before being shot.

[@LifeIsAStory]

Agreed.

[@Producadv]

Great video surprised to see you are lesser known. My great uncle was in vietnam and never shared any of his experiences for obvious reasons. However he told my dad and I that this movie is the closest to what vietnam was like.