Platoon (Special Edition)

Amazon.com essential video

Platoon put writer-turned-director Oliver Stone on the Hollywood map; it is still his most acclaimed and effective film, probably because it is based on Stone's firsthand experience as an American soldier in Vietnam. Chris (Charlie Sheen) is an infantryman whose loyalty is tested by two superior officers: Sergeant Elias (Willem Dafoe), a former hippie humanist who really cares about his men (this was a few years before he played Jesus in Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ), and Sergeant Barnes (Tom Berenger), a moody, macho soldier who may have gone over to the dark side. The personalities of the two sergeants correspond to their combat drugs of choice--pot for Elias and booze for Barnes. Stone has become known for his sledgehammer visual style, but in this film it seems perfectly appropriate. His violent and disorienting images have a terrifying immediacy, a you-are-there quality that gives you a sense of how things may have felt to an infantryman in the jungles of Vietnam. Platoon won Oscars for best picture and director. --Jim Emerson

Description

Winner* of 4 Academy AwardsÂ(r), including Best Picture, and based on the first-hand experience of OscarÂ(r)-winning** director Oliver Stone, Platoon is powerful, intense and starkly brutal. "Harrowingly realistic and completely convincing" (Leonard Maltin), it is "a dark, unforgettable memorial" (The Washington Post) to every soldier whose innocence was lost in the war-torn jungles of Vietnam. Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) is a young, naive American who, upon his arrival in Vietnam, quickly discovers that he must do battle not only with the Viet Cong, but also with the gnawing fear, physical exhaustion and intense anger growing within him. While his two commanding officers (OscarÂ(r)-nominated*** Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe) draw a fine line between the war they wage against the enemy and the one they fight with each other, the conflict, chaos and hatred permeate Taylor, suffocating his realities and numbing his feelings to man's highest value life.

Customer Reviews:

Real or not?.......2007-08-02

I was born during the Vietnam war years, and have no idea if what Stone depicts in this movie is realistic or not; however, it is my favorite. There is so much more to this movie than many realize. The dynamics of the relationships between characters, especially Sgt. Elias and Sgt. Barnes are like taughtly pulled violin strings ready to snap. In fact, they do snap in an extremely dramatic and lethal manner. The scene where Sgt. Elias is literally running for his life is made even more heart wrenching when coupled with Barber's Adagio for Strings. This particular piece of music is haunting in it's self; but with the death scene of Sgt. Elias it is emotionally devestating. This particular piece of music portrays the despair, sorrow, and isolation felt by Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen's character), and probably many men who were truly there.

I will admit, not having been there, not learning much about Vietnam in school (it was a topic quickly glossed over), and having an older brother who was in Vietnam not talk about it, does lend itself to misinformation/misimpressions gathered from films such as this one. Having said that, what I take away from the movie is the Hell too many men experienced, and how the Vietnam war affected all of us in ways we don't even realize. Is it real? I believe many parts of it are not, as a whole, but did those things happen? Unfortunaley they probably did to some extent.

I watch this movie to remind myself of the atrocities done to man by man, and to remind myself why I honor our service men and women. With every watching I am humbled and awed by the sacrifices so many men gave. That is the value of Platoon.

A Movie That Anti-War Media Loved!.......2007-06-04

First off, this film is fiction and what happened in the movie is not totally square with the facts of this war nor does it protray Vietnam veterans as they really were. It is a liberal attempt to justify their anti-war stance and to show America and the world that all of us Vietnam veterans were out murdering people and burning villages. The plot of this movie does not fly - and yet so may people think this is one of the best war films ever made. It shows what people think of that war and what they wish to keep believing about the men who fought it.

This film helps feed the media's image of crazzy veterans. I was offended by the movie but even more so by the huge reception it has gotten as a "realistic movie" about the war. They could have filmed this at Berkeley and cast the actors from the Cal student body.

I know it is just a movie but it serves no veteran - and is not healing for this nation. It is a very popular film, there is no doubt about it - and the acting is done well. The action is realistic in the battle scenes - but it is plot and the message of the film that gets in the way of me viewing this as nothing more than another attempt to make veterans look bad. I am not against anti-war films - I am just against films that demean the images of veterans.

I served my tour of duty in Nam from October 1966- October 1967 - I was wounded and saw my fair share of combat as a crew-chief/ door-gunner on a Huey. I have been helping my fellow veterans now for 3 decades trying to adjust from that war and our poor welcome back home - this film hurts that effort and is an insult!

Do us all a favor and do not buy this film and enrich those who made this propaganda. Reach out and help those veterans coming home from this war on terrorism - they are in need of your support! Let us not do to them what this country did to us Nam veterans!

POLITICS IN JUNGLE BOOTS - A VIETNAM WAR DEPICTION THROUGH MOVIES.......2007-06-01

BY: Fernando de Mello Pimentel

The world we see today, thrusted by a globalized set of integrated political and commercial trading practices, is arguably very dissimilar from the bi-polarized and ideologically lugubrious background of the 20th Century's post World War II years, also known as the "Cold War". At a time when an imaginary line divided the globe in two geopolitical blocks -the capitalist and socialist -, the United States and the former U.S.S.R where the two major players at the chessboard in charge of the strategy for the rest of the World's fate. Both sides designated what was known at the time as their "Spheres of Influence", which in practical terms meant that strategic alliances with other ideologically close countries were drawn with the sole purpose of achieving world-wide domination. Such concept was clearly materialized with the construction of the Berlin Wall (1961-1989), also known as "Iron Curtain", which literarally divided the world into zones of capitalist and communist ideologies.

America's role at the time was to secure the deployment of capitalist economical aid, political influence and military support to other areas of the world in detriment of Soviet communist regime expansion, and vice-versa. The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962), the wars of Korea (1950-1953), Vietnam (1959-1975) and the Soviet-Afghan (1979-1989) and the constant and widespread fear of nuclear annihilation - at the verge of a massive arms race - were all under the spotlight of world foreign affair policies promoted by both parties. The Vietnam War was perhaps one of the most intriguing outcomes of this conflicted era. It has been increasingly depicted in countless hollywood productions and television series ever since the mid 70's.

Debuting in 1978, in this sphere of cinematographic story telling, is Michael Cimino's epic "The Deer Hunter", which describes the friendship of 3 Pennsylvania steel workers of Rusyn ancestry. As strong and realistic as this tale is, perhaps no other film is as psychological and nerve-wrecking as Francis Ford Coppola's "Apocalypse Now", with its intense narrative about an american special forces elite soldier having gone totally insane in the jungles of south asia and having decided to take matters by his own hands and methods. This 1979 motion picture has stirred up audiences around the globe by portraying the horrors of war and its tormenting effects on both civilians and military personnel. Embracing all of this chaotic nature is the fictional Nung River, which metaphorically stands for Colonel Kurtz's gradual but irreversible psychological navigation towards a derranging stream of consciousness which undeniably led him to cross over to the dark side of mental sanity.

While "The Deer Hunter" was a film about friendship ties dilacerated by mental breakdown caused by imprisonment in Vietnamese P.O.W camps and the unbearable hardships of coming home, and "Apocalypse Now" was a harshly psychological metaphor for military desertion and misconduction of War, Oliver Stone's 1986 auto-biographical "Platoon" is the definite account on the sheer loss of innocence every young enlisted man underwent during his tour of duty. In the movie, Stone explores the 25th Infantry Division's Bravo Company Platoon as a microcosm which emblematizes the Pentagon's controversial and misleading military policy to restrain communist expansion in southeast asia.

Political and ideological clashes erupt between the outfit's two main leaders - Staff Sergeant Barnes and Sergeant Elias - triggering a polarizing conflict within the platoon which precipitates the decay of morale. The inoperative Lieutenant Wolfe is incapable of controlling the ongoing joust within his group. His total lack of authority over the platoon is accurately portrayed throughout the movie and is somehow Stone's testimony on America's incompetence in directing the war.

Politics is a recurring theme in "Platoon" which uncompromisingly displays the military's unquenchable thirst for power. While Sergeant Barnes is the personification of the ambitious quest for unlimited power, Sergeant O'Neil represents a submissive class of `boot-licking" scoundrels who will give unconditional support to their superior officers in exchange of personal benefits. On the extreme opposite end lies Sergeant Elias, a hippie humanist who cares for his fellow men as if they were his own blood. Elias is an authentic crusader who has been in country long enough - at least three complete tours - to become completely acquainted to the devastating sub-products of war and thus form a solid contrary opinion about it - traces of pacifism can actually be inferred by his non-violent behaviour and clear pursuit of escapism. His natural leadership skills spontaneously blossom as he constantly finds himself supporting and coaching rookies who have just been freshly shipped into the combat zone. On the other hand, Sergeant Barnes gains similar respect from his men by casting terror among both foes and friendlies - which pretty much builds his reputation on being feared. Although morally distinct in character, both leaders are equally sharp on combat skills and military tactics.

In addition to the testimonial nature of the film, "Platoon" is also renowned for its scenes of graphic and verbal violence which have been warmly captured by Stone while in duty. "Platoon" is arguably one of the most authentic and visceral movies to depict the tragedies and misfortunes of an entire generation of Americans living during the cold-war era. It also realistically depicts the crude "Politics in Jungle Boots" of a nation struggling to find its role in a Post-World War II nazi-fascist free world.

***** - A CINEMATOGRAPHIC MASTERPIECE!!!

Greatest Vietnam movie of all time!.......2007-05-26

I'm a huge fan of war movies, especially vietnam era ones. Probably because I've been in war and I like to see it depicted on film. This movie does a wonderful job of showing what the vietnam war was like through one particular army platoon. Now I read several reviews that discredited this movie becuase it didn't depict the various men serving in vietnam in a good military manner and I will say that Stone does highlight the drugs and insubordination alot but that stuff did go, a good bit from what I've read and heard from vets. lets face it, people want to see action and drama, not boring robot, do what your told all the time, every time. No matter what people might say, I still think this is an awesome movie and a must see for ANYONE.

The Nightmare of War.......2007-05-24

I have watched Platoon more than any other war movie. So much so that I've had to give it a rest over the last few years.
Why is it so good?
Perhaps because it is the most realistic (certainly Vietnam) war movie ever made. Its based on Oliver Stones own experiences in Vietnam. Now I doubt whether there were actually two so clearly good and bad characters, as represented by Willem Dafoe and Tom Beringer in the film, but it is the spark between these two that creates much of the films atmosphere.
There are quite a few scenes in this film, such as when the Charlie Sheen character wakes up in the middle of the night (in the jungle), that are wonderfully done. You really get an idea of just how scary being a soldier might be.
I'm also sure that the film would not not have been as successful as it was, without its marvellous soundtrack. Most noteably Samuel Barbers 'Adagio for Strings'. This piece of music alone adds an extra dimension to the scenes it is used in. A very haunting and sad piece of music.
The ending of the film is perhaps the only weak point, but it is a minor quibble about a very powerful and moving film.

Average customer rating:

WASTE OF TIME
A SELF INDUNGENT LOAD OF COW MANURE
Inferior DVD
A bit slow
Ollie North said it sucks

Jarhead (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal , Scott MacDonald , Peter Sarsgaard , Lo Ming , and Jamie Foxx
Director: Sam Mendes
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
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ASIN: B000DZIGDU
Release Date: 2006-03-07

Amazon.com

Based on Anthony Swofford's excellent memoir about his experiences as a Marine Sniper in Gulf War I, Jarhead is a war movie in which the waiting is a far greater factor upon the characters than the war itself, and the build up to combat is more drama than what combat is depicted. To some viewers hoping for typical movie action, this will seem like a cruel joke. But it's not. It's just the story as it was written, and if you liked the book, you will probably like the movie. If you didn't, then the movie won't change your mind.

The movie follows the trajectory of Swofford (played with thoughtful intensity by Jake Gyllenhaal) from wayward Marine recruit (he joined because he "got lost on the way to college") to skilled Marine sniper, and on into the desert in preparation for the attack on Iraq. No-nonsense, Marine-for-life Staff Sgt. Sykes (Jamie Foxx), the man who recruited Swofford and his spotter Troy (Peter Sarsgaard) into the sniper team, leads them in training, and in waiting where their lives are dominated by endless tension, pointless exercises in absurdity (like playing football in the scorching heat of the desert in their gas masks so it will look better for the media's TV cameras), more training, and constant anticipation of the moment to come when they'll finally get to kill. When the war does come, it moves too fast for Swofford's sniper team, and the one chance they get at a kill--to do the one thing they've trained so hard and waited so long for--eludes them, leaving them to wonder what was the point of all they had endured.

As directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty), the movie remains very loyal to the language and vision of the book, but it doesn't entirely work as the film needs something more than a literal translation to bring out its full potential. Mendes's stark and, at times, apocalyptic visuals add a lot and strike the right tone: wide shots of inky-black oil raining down on the vast, empty desert from flaming oil wells contrasted with close-ups of crude-soaked faces struggling through the mire vividly bring to life the meaning of the tagline "welcome to the suck." But much of the second half of the movie will probably leave some viewers feeling disappointed in the cinematic experience, while others might appreciate its microcosmic depiction of modern chaos and aimlessness. Jarhead is one of those examples where the book is better than the movie, but not for lack of trying. --Dan Vancini

Description

Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx and Jake Gyllenhaal star in this critically acclaimed, brilliantly unconventional war story from Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes.

Jarhead (the self-imposed moniker of the Marines) follows Swoff (Gyllenhaal) from a sobering stint in boot camp to active duty, where he sports a sniper rifle through Middle East deserts that provide no cover from the heat or Iraqi soldiers. Swoff and his fellow Marines sustain themselves with sardonic humanity and wicked comedy on blazing desert fields in a country they don't understand against an enemy they can't see for a cause they don't fully grasp.

Customer Reviews:

WASTE OF TIME.......2007-09-10

It is easy to manipulate Anti American fanatics and all anti militarists in this way- the way make a movie to clearley insult Marines.Especially humiliate every single soldier in the movie each has been loaded with a negative character, the reason that shows them brutal without a cause or violent ,sex obsessed etc. is so artificial -this case is over exaggerated

Of course between the soldiers there are some jokes but not like the pimp behaviours.

Secondly,there is a strict discipline mentality in the USMC which makes them hard, tough and keep ready to combat this is an indisputable reality,in the movie you can not see any soldiers except in a few boot camp scene which has a standardized discipline! It is so ridiculous especially at the front line!

As a result this movie typically freak chield of Hollywood's thickheaded people and absolutely does not represents the USMC or the USARMY in the right and realistic way the guy who wrote the book is a complete incapable soldier a real life 'UPHAM' character-SO BAD AND ONE SIDED STORY WASTE OF TIME

A SELF INDUNGENT LOAD OF COW MANURE.......2007-09-07

This movie doesnt even closely resemble reality in the Marine Corps. It brings dishonor to his service as a MARINE.

Inferior DVD.......2007-08-07

Halfway through the DVD it started to stop and start throughout the second half. I will not buy anything else from Amazon.

A bit slow.......2007-07-23

This movie describes the war in Iraq, how the Marines behave and the problems they face. However it is a bit slow and sometimes tedious.

Ollie North said it sucks.......2007-07-08

Well, Lt.Col North didn't actually use the word 'sucks.' But he said it was a waste of his money, and he extorted his listeners to save 2 hours of their life. He actually had hoped it would portray Marines in a good light, but said he found nothing redeeming about this movie.

Average customer rating:

A necessary movie to see.
Much better than "Platoon." On par with "We Were Soldiers."
The SECOND BEST movie that truthfully portrays the brutality of Vietnam war.
A good way to kill a few hours.
CAST OF GREATS!!!

Hamburger Hill
Starring: Anthony Barrile , Michael Boatman , Don Cheadle , Michael Dolan , and Don James
Director: John Irvin
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
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ASIN: 6300157563
Release Date: 2001-08-14

Amazon.com

Because it was released less than a year after Oliver Stone's Platoon and within months of Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket, this exceptionally well-made film about one of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War was largely overshadowed and overlooked. It's a pity, because in some respects this is the best of the Vietnam films of the late 1980s, at least in terms of the everyday authenticity it depicts. Stripped clean of dramatically extraneous narrative, the movie opts instead for a straightforward approach to its day-by-day account of one of the war's costliest victories--a deadly siege on Hill 937 in the Ashau Valley, where soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division engaged the enemy over the course of eleven brutal assaults between May 10th and 20th, 1969. The film specifically follows the 3rd Squad, 1st Platoon, a mixture of "new guys" and battle-weary "short-timers" who fought against terrifying odds and suffered a 70% casualty rate. From first scene to last, Hamburger Hill traces the rise and fall of their battle experience, from the horror of firefights to the camaraderie of men who've faced death and survived. Racial tensions flare and subside, trusts are established, and courage emerges from unexpected places. Through it all, writer Jim Carabatsos and director John Irvin maintain a purity of focus that pays tribute to the soldier's life without promoting false patriotism or gung-ho theatrics. In addition, the film features a cast full of talented and well-known actors in the early stages of their careers, including Dylan McDermott (from the TV series "The Practice") and Don Cheadle, before gaining fame in Devil in a Blue Dress and Boogie Nights. Color accuracy, image clarity, and the explosive soundtrack have been remarkably preserved in a flawless DVD transfer, lending even greater immediacy to this underrated film. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

A necessary movie to see........2007-08-07

I couldn't agree more with the reviewer who said, "Those of us who never fought for our country are especially obligated to learn about their sacrifices." I'm especially appreciative to read the stories of all of the reviewers who have served their country. My heartfelt thanks and respect goes out to each and every one of you, and every person who has ever served or is currently serving, for your honor, your bravery, and your dedication. And thank you to the cast and crew for making a movie that should be required viewing for all civilians.

Much better than "Platoon." On par with "We Were Soldiers.".......2007-08-07

I just watched this excellent movie again. I was very impressed with the way the movie portrayed the soldiers of the 101st; not war mongers or baby killers, but as young men who were basically honorable and who tried to do the right thing, while hating the situation they found themselves caught up in. A MUCH better portrayal of the average infantryman than Platoon.

Watching the movie inspired me to read a little about the actual battle. Several subunits of the 101st were involved in the assault before it was over, but the 3rd Battallion, 187th Infantry was the unit most heavily involved.

The initial helicopter insertion into the A Shau Vally was on May 10, 1969. Contact was first made on Dong Ap Bai (aka Hamburgr Hill) on May 11. Dong Ap Bai was finally secured on May 20. Total U.S. casualties were 70 dead and 372 wounded.

Dong Ap Bai was abandoned on June 5. This caused a stir that reached the halls of the U.S. Congress. The aftermath of the battle changed the way the Vietman War was fought. High casualties would no longer be tolerated to obtain terrain objectives; objectives that were not really leading anyplace in an insurgency.

Four stars instead of five for a few minor glitches like wearing the subdued (green) 101st patch. The 101st wore the white eagle as a matter of honor and tradition, even on green uniforms.

The SECOND BEST movie that truthfully portrays the brutality of Vietnam war........2007-06-16

It's the SECOND BEST movie that truthfully portrays the brutality of Vietnam war.

Many things in this movie look authentic. For example, when a Viet cong soldier hurled a grenade toward the American attackers, he swore in Vietnamese! In most of the other Vietnam war films, the support cast spoke Thailand, Chinese, or Filipino!

The battle was shown as it happened in real life. Men groaning in pain or were cut or blown into pieces by explosives right in front of me. The best thing is director John Irvin did not twist the facts to fit his political point of view like other directors. He just presented the battle as it was.

In the end this picture made me more anti-war in general than I was before. This type of movies influences me more than the fact-twisting ones like Full Metal Jacket because I know in real life, things did not unfold like that.

This DVD is on my list of Best War Movies of All Times. The others are: Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers, the Longest Day, the Lost Battalion, We Were soldiers, Gettysburg and Gods and Generals.

A good way to kill a few hours........2007-04-07

A good story if you like the war dramas of Full Metal Jacket, Thin Red Line, Apocalypse Now. It's just not gripping. I got more involved with the vietnam characters from Forrest Gump.

CAST OF GREATS!!!.......2007-02-27

The box doesnt even describe the cast. Thats amazing since there are a group of great actors in this movie that went on to stardom. Amazing to me watching this film was how real it was, to the point of being uncomfortable. A truly underated motion picture about Viet Nam!

Average customer rating:

Men in War
......NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!!.....
OK Movieta
one of the top korean war movies ,and one of the best war movies ever
GREAT QUALITY

Men in War
Starring: Robert Ryan , Aldo Ray , Robert Keith , Phillip Pine , and Nehemiah Persoff
Director: Anthony Mann
Manufacturer: Geneon [Pioneer]
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ASIN: B000B7QCUE
Release Date: 2005-10-04

Customer Reviews:

Men in War.......2007-09-01

Great 50's war flick.Cast is second to none.If your a war buff then you should buy this movie.Lots of action.

......NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!!............2007-04-20

I did not like hardly a thing about this war picture, Anthony Mann or no Anthony Mann [Director]...Robert Ryan was superb being in command of a motley squad of straggler/soldiers...even the macho Aldo Ray was a know-it-all who showed NO fear whatso ever [that included Army Officers also]...that's alot of claptrap...hip/hip/hooray for Hollywood...this stuff may have permeated US Army cadres in the field [ and in Hollywood studios] but it could never have happen with a US Marine squad of highly trained riflemen [13 Marines]...nary any semblence of discipline nor any sense of mission showed amongst the enlisted men in this drab Army movie...it was a foregone conclusion that most of them would be KIA by movies' end...I saw this movie in 1957; it never impressed me with what we,[I]saw and done in Korea with my Fleet Marine Force comrades in the field...many decades later, I review it with even more snickering hysterics...no way, GI...no way!!....Semper Fidelis....SSGT CHRIS SARNO-USMC FMF

OK Movieta.......2007-04-01

Not an Oscar winner but OK for 90 minutes of
enter

one of the top korean war movies ,and one of the best war movies ever.......2006-06-06

this is a true overlooked masterpiece from anthony mann,and one of the finest war movies made!
1950,korea, a group of men is traped behind the lines after a retreat that goes bad. now they must make their way to a hill and the rest of their men,through the enemy lines and more traps and ambushes that you can shake a stick at. robert ryan,one of the best actors to ever grace the screen OWNS this movies as the leader of the group that is joined by a very good (maybe his best )aldo ray as a sgt. worried about his shell shocked colonel and can't stand ryan. the way they fight each other but still pull together to get "home" is the touchstone of this grim war tale that will keep you on pins till the end!! check it out!!!!!!!

GREAT QUALITY.......2006-02-08

The image and sound quality is great. It's hard to give better praise than the other reviewers. I would only add that none of solidiers portrayed fit into the stereotypes of the typical war movie. Also, Ryan and Ray give exceptional performances. Geneon [Pioneer]

Average customer rating:

Beautifully romantic army Love story
Military liason
New Insights
i loved it
Moving and Beautiful

Yossi & Jagger
Starring: Ohad Knoller , Yehuda Levi , Assi Cohen (II) , Aya Steinovitz , and Hani Furstenberg
Director: Eytan Fox
Manufacturer: Strand Releasing
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0001KNHAO
Release Date: 2004-03-30

Amazon.com

The moving Yossi & Jagger, at 65 minutes in length, has the focused impact and emotional clarity of a fine short story. A multiple award winner (among other prizes, Yossi & Jagger took a Best Actor honor for Ohad Knoller at the 2003 Tribeca Film Festival), this unusual love tale, set on a snowy Israeli-Lebanese border facing possible Hezbollah incursions, has an unexpected sweetness and buoyancy. Knoller plays square-jawed, no-nonsense Yossi, company commander of an Israeli Defense Forces unit exhausted from sleepless nights anticipating an ambush. The handsome, fun-loving Jagger (Yehuda Levi), nicknamed for his rock-star appeal, is platoon leader and, unknown to all, Yossi's secret lover. The two arrange trysts by going off together on missions, and while Jagger begs Yossi to leave the army when the former's service is up, Yossi reminds him that real life is not a romantic movie. Meanwhile, the platoon's other characters and a trio of visitors--a colonel (Sharon Reginiano) and his two female soldier-companions (Hani Furstenberg, Aya Koren)--prove to be a lot of fun sorting out everything from menus to love lives before their next, possibly lethal mission. Director Eytan Fox's naturalistic touch, and ability to highlight the expansiveness of mature love even in the most tragic and ironic of circumstances, is something to marvel at. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Beautifully romantic army Love story.......2007-09-05

A film that stays in my mind with me even though a year since I first played it. It is touching, romantic and sad - all things to which a film of this genre should aspire. It is short enough to have immediate deep impact, long enough for me to keep remembering it again, and again. Beautifully acted and directed, put together by a fine team.

Military liason.......2007-07-30

This unusual film tells a tale of forbidden love between 2 Israeli Army Officers. It is tender and quite real. It just shows that it can and does happen in the "don't ask, don't tell Armies". Thanks Bill C.

New Insights.......2007-07-15

This exciting and tragic film provides us with new insights into Israeli and Israeli army life. Rita's song at the end of the film was a fitting summary of both the film and the journey through life.

I sent a copy of the DVD to the Wesboro Baptist Church for their viewing pleasure and solicited a review from them.

i loved it.......2007-07-08

it is badly taped and done but the fealing and story line are worth it

Moving and Beautiful.......2007-07-07

While the production quality is not the absolute greatest it is a really good movie. A very moving story. Why are there so many tragic GLBT love stories? Can we have a happy ending please? Ha

Platoon - 20th Anniversary Collector's Edition (Widescreen)

Average customer rating:

Real or not?
A Movie That Anti-War Media Loved!
POLITICS IN JUNGLE BOOTS - A VIETNAM WAR DEPICTION THROUGH MOVIES
Greatest Vietnam movie of all time!
The Nightmare of War

Platoon - 20th Anniversary Collector's Edition (Widescreen)
Starring: Charlie Sheen , and Willem Dafoe
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000F1IQJG
Release Date: 2006-05-30

Amazon.com essential video

Description

Winner of 4 Academy Awards®, including Best Picture, and based on the first-hand experience of Oscar®-winning director Oliver Stone, Platoon is powerful, intense and starkly brutal. "Harrowingly realistic and completely convincing" (Leonard Maltin), it is "a dark, unforgettable memorial" (The Washington Post) to every soldier whose innocence was lost in the war-torn jungles of Vietnam.

Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) is a young, naive American who, upon his arrival in Vietnam, quickly discovers that he must do battle not only with the Viet Cong, but also with the gnawing fear, physical exhaustion and intense anger growing within him. While his two commanding officers (Oscar®-nominated Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe) draw a fine line between the war they wage against the enemy and the one they fight with each other, the conflict, chaos and hatred permeate Taylor, suffocating his realities and numbing his feelings to man's highest value, life.

Customer Reviews:

Real or not?.......2007-08-02

A Movie That Anti-War Media Loved!.......2007-06-04

POLITICS IN JUNGLE BOOTS - A VIETNAM WAR DEPICTION THROUGH MOVIES.......2007-06-01

Greatest Vietnam movie of all time!.......2007-05-26

The Nightmare of War.......2007-05-24

Average customer rating:

Guadalcanal Diary
For its time, actually pretty accurate
Terse and violent, close in atmosphere and technique to "Wake Island".
Propaganda film
Really authentic dramaziation of the pacific war

Guadalcanal Diary
Starring: Preston Foster , Lloyd Nolan , William Bendix , Richard Conte , and Anthony Quinn
Director: Lewis Seiler
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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World War II | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00005PJ8K
Release Date: 2002-05-21

Amazon.com

This is a far cry from The Thin Red Line, but it's engaging and efficient World War II propaganda about the opening of the South Pacific campaign that would ultimately turn the tide of the war. Anxious and unsuspecting Marines land on the Solomon Islands and quickly learn how to engage the Japanese in foxhole warfare. It's full of archetypal characters (tough sergeant Lloyd Nolan, Brooklyn cabby William Bendix, lusty Mexican Anthony Quinn, and gravel-mouthed Lionel Stander) and well-staged battle scenes. There's even a battle-weary narration to provide authenticity and historical perspective. All around, a good grunt film. --Bill Desowitz

Description

One of the greatest war movies of all time, combining action-packed, high-caliber battle sequences with quintessential foxhole-buddy camaraderie. Released in 1943, its authenticity and power remain undiminished.

The story follows one squad of Marines through the bloody assaults on the Solomon Islands during the opening stages of the war in the South Pacific. There's the tough sergeant (Lloyd Nolan), a cab driver from Brooklyn (William Bendix), a Mexican (Anthony Quinn) and a chaplain (Preston Foster). A battle-weary narrator reads from a diary, commenting on the typical grunt's everyday life, and death. Battles and dates of engagement are named, putting the explosive action into a solid historical context.

Based on Richard Tregaski's best-selling book, the script is by renowned screenwriter Lamar Trotti, who also wrote the screenplay for the wartime classic "To the Shore of Tripoli."

Customer Reviews:

Guadalcanal Diary.......2007-03-09

This firm was advertized on Amazon as being in "color." A black and white version was delivered to me, even though I had inquired of Amazon if the film was actually "color" and Amazon had assured me that it was definitely color. I knew the film was originally in black and white, but was swayed to buy the film in the belief, as marketed, that it had been colorized, which is what I was looking for.

For its time, actually pretty accurate.......2007-01-05

Like most war movies created in the early 40s, their one main purpose was to inspire Americans to buy more war bonds. Therefore, stories of valor, likable characters (many of whom get killed), fluff dialogue, and innaccurate retelling of battles were the mainstay of the films. "Guadalcanal Diary," however, was different than most. Rather than the glorification of battle and the 'good guys always winning with no problem,' there is a good deal of hardship here. Impressively, the movie portrays some of the angst and helplessness of the nighttime navel shelling that both sides participated in.

Also, there is a part early on that tells the true story of one detachment's fate on the far side of the island when they run into a Japanese force. Only one soldier survived to tell the tale. His account is very accurately portrayed. Of course, perhaps the US War Department was more interested in showing the grittier side of the war in order to promote those war bonds. Guadalcanal certainly provided enough true life grit for several movies.

It is definitely a condensed version of the events that took place on that island, but overall it is a well-acted and fascinating movie. For historical accuracy, it stands fairly well the test of time, although it is not as concerned with facts as with emotions. Still, there is great acting and good special effects (again, for the time) and fans of the era and of World War II history should enjoy this period piece regardless of the subtle marketing throughout.

Terse and violent, close in atmosphere and technique to "Wake Island"........2007-01-02

Guadalcanal is the second largest island (after Bougainville) of the Solomons and largest of the Solomon Islands Protectorate southwest Pacific...

During World War II it was the scene of bitter land and sea fighting between U. S. and Japanese forces...

On August 1942, the U.S. Marines, in the Allies' first major offensive in the Pacific, seized a Japanese airfield, Henderson Field, on the island...

On November, in a naval engagement, the Allies prevented the Japanese from landing reinforcements... By February 1943 the Japanese, badly outnumbered, were forced to evacuate Guadalcanal and by the end of the year they were on the defensive in their last stronghold in the Solomons, Bougainville Island...

"Guadalcanal Diary" is based on the best-selling book by war correspondent Richard Tregaskis... It follows the career of a platoon of Marines from Pre-landing shipboard briefings through two months slow murderous fighting in the taking of the South Sea jungles...

The film gives a realistic view of the hardships of war, and has its moments... Perhaps the most touching scene is at the climax when the tired veterans watch the fresh, green troops marching past them... The feeling is one of a continuous hard effort... The impudent newcomers have yet to face the revolting horrors that an American soldier is subjected to... Certainly, they will fight as well as those before them, however, we cannot but help feeling sad for those who will never return...

The film reveals the hard life in camps, shelters, patrols, hospitals, beaches and jungles in absolute reality... It is terse, violent, close in atmosphere and technique to "Wake Island" (1942).

Propaganda film.......2006-11-04

This film is about WW II, and one of the key, islands we took from the Japanese. I find it very, well acted (in a hammy, sort of way).

Really authentic dramaziation of the pacific war.......2006-07-05

The only thing that prevented me from giving this movie a 5 star
was the occasional schmalsty, goffy comments made in jest during
the film. But I beleive this was common in pictures made during
the war in the 40's.

Average customer rating:

Real or not?
A Movie That Anti-War Media Loved!
POLITICS IN JUNGLE BOOTS - A VIETNAM WAR DEPICTION THROUGH MOVIES
Greatest Vietnam movie of all time!
The Nightmare of War

Platoon (Collector's Edition Steelbook)
Starring: Tom Berenger , Andrew B. Clark , Willem Dafoe , Keith David , and Johnny Depp
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Adventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Action & Combat | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000OPOAMK
Release Date: 2007-06-05

Amazon.com essential video

Description

Winner* of 4 Academy Awards(r), including Best Picture, and based on the first-hand experience of Oscar(r)-winning** director Oliver Stone, Platoon is powerful, intense and starkly brutal. "Harrowingly realistic and completely convincing" (Leonard Maltin), it is "a dark, unforgettable memorial" (The Washington Post) to every soldier whose innocence was lost in the war-torn jungles of Vietnam. Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) is a young, naive American who, upon his arrival in Vietnam, quickly discovers that he must do battle not only with the Viet Cong, but also with the gnawing fear, physical exhaustion and intense anger growing within him. While his two commanding officers (Oscar(r)-nominated*** Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe) draw a fine line between the war they wage against the enemy and the one they fight with each other, the conflict, chaos and hatred permeate Taylor, suffocating his realities and numbing his feelings to man's highest value life.

Customer Reviews:

Real or not?.......2007-08-02

A Movie That Anti-War Media Loved!.......2007-06-04

POLITICS IN JUNGLE BOOTS - A VIETNAM WAR DEPICTION THROUGH MOVIES.......2007-06-01

Greatest Vietnam movie of all time!.......2007-05-26

The Nightmare of War.......2007-05-24

Average customer rating:

WASTE OF TIME
A SELF INDUNGENT LOAD OF COW MANURE
Inferior DVD
A bit slow
Ollie North said it sucks

Jarhead (Full Screen)
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal , Scott MacDonald , Peter Sarsgaard , Lo Ming , and Jamie Foxx
Director: Sam Mendes
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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Iraq War | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000DZIGE4
Release Date: 2006-03-07

Amazon.com

Description

Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx and Jake Gyllenhaal star in this critically acclaimed, brilliantly unconventional war story from Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes.

Customer Rev