Talked to a Vietnam vet about this movie
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spasek — 10 years ago(February 23, 2016 06:52 PM)
That's his opinion, obviously. I had an uncle in Vietnam and he was a part of the regiment that was attacked at the end of the film. He also stated that it was the closest Vietnam film to capturing the experience that he'd ever seenso much so that he said he could barely watch it.
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riversideriverside — 10 years ago(February 26, 2016 06:25 PM)
The problem with the "never talked about it" phenomenon is that it created a stigma. If you talk about it then you are lying. And not talking about it is what people with resentments of various kinds want: e.g. poor performance in combat, jealousy, and so-called anti-war stances, etc. It's as if combat vets are being told to not talk about it, or else.
Still, it's amazing that so much is known about combat vets who don't talk about it. And what of the ones who write books about it or who have Purple Heart license plates? -
RoyWilliamsbeatsCoachK — 10 years ago(April 02, 2016 11:34 AM)
Every Veteran has their own stories to tell and experienced their own version of the war, and has their own opinion about the war on a micro and macro level.
I have met Vietnam veterans in both camps; some that really don't like Oliver Stone's take on the war or Platoon, and others who are very grateful to Stone and feel Platoon was as close to a true portray as possible.
I believe there is a place for both types of films. -
RoyWilliamsbeatsCoachK — 10 years ago(April 02, 2016 11:34 AM)
Every Veteran has their own stories to tell and experienced their own version of the war, and has their own opinion about the war on a micro and macro level.
I have met Vietnam veterans in both camps; some that really don't like Oliver Stone's take on the war or Platoon, and others who are very grateful to Stone and feel Platoon was as close to a true portray as possible.
I believe there is a place for both types of films. -
Staropramen — 9 years ago(July 27, 2016 09:59 PM)
Every Veteran has their own stories to tell and experienced their own version of the war, and has their own opinion about the war on a micro and macro level.
Interesting point. I had an uncle who fought with the infantry in WWII, in the European Theater. The ONLY thing he EVER said about the war when someone asked him about Saving Private Ryan was, "eh.. some of it was true to the experience, some was BS." Never said anything else. Ever.
Another man who used to make appearances at hunting trips my old man would take me on when I was much younger served in the same war and actually did not support the war or show any pride in his service. He certainly was an infantry Pfc. in the ETO, same as my uncle, but only once and very briefly mentioned his service in "that BS war." Bad experiences in the service? Who knows it was just a totally unexpected reaction to the history convo we were having, contrary to all the photos I had seen growing up of men rushing to enlist for the fight.
Granted these were not Vietnam War vets, but your remark made me recall these two men. -
MightyTiki — 9 years ago(April 25, 2016 04:23 AM)
Platoon
is a movie, designed for entertainment purposes; not a documentary. Not every Vietnam veteran was directly involved in combat, even though the director, Oliver Stone, served in-country for 7-months and was decorated; it's difficult to translate the combat experience to the big screen.
I saw this movie as a child and thought it was fantastic but having seen it after being deployed downrange; it was nearly comical, especially the scene where SGT Elias (Willem Dafoe) is killed.
Unfortunately, this movie is very dated and doesn't stand the test of time both as a narrative and it's attempt to capture the war experience.
"Toto, I've [
got
] a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."