Platoon (1986)
Oliver Stone's searing, Oscar-winning portrait of the Vietnam War, told through one soldier's loss of innocence.
Platoon - Movie Information
- Original Title: Platoon
- Release Year: 1986
- Directed by: Oliver Stone
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, War, Action
- Runtime: 2h 0m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Vietnamese
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 6, 1987 (United States), April 24, 1987 (United Kingdom - 15), April 30, 1987 (Germany - 16), March 25, 1987 (France - 12), March 5, 1987 (Australia - R 18+), February 27, 1987 (Brazil - 14), March 13, 1987 (Italy), March 26, 1987 (Spain - 18), July 4, 1987 (South Korea - 12)
- Alternative Titles: Pelotón (AR), 殺戳戰場 (HK), Pelotón (CL), Pelotón (EC), Pluton (PL), Vzvod (RU), Pelotón (MX), 野战排 (CN)
- Production Companies: Hemdale Film Corporation, Arnold Kopelson Productions
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America
Platoon - Plot
As a young and naive recruit in Vietnam, Chris Taylor faces a moral crisis when confronted with the horrors of war and the duality of man.
Platoon - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the harrowing world of Platoon unfold:
The first casualty of war is innocence.
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Platoon - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Oliver Stone
Main Cast
- Charlie Sheen
- Willem Dafoe
- Tom Berenger
- Kevin Dillon
- Forest Whitaker
- Mark Moses
- Keith David
- Richard Edson
- Francesco Quinn
- John C. McGinley
Writers
- Oliver Stone
Producers
- Arnold Kopelson
Platoon - FAQs
What is Platoon about?
Platoon follows Chris Taylor, a naive young volunteer who enlists in the Vietnam War and quickly discovers the brutal reality of combat. Caught between two sergeants embodying opposing moral forces, he faces a shattering crisis of conscience. Critics hail it as one of the most viscerally honest Vietnam War films ever made.
Is Platoon based on a true story?
Yes, Platoon draws directly from Oliver Stone's own experiences as a U.S. Army infantryman in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. Stone volunteered for service, served in two combat units, and was wounded twice. The film is widely regarded as his most autobiographical work.
Where can you stream or watch Platoon?
Platoon is available to watch for free on Tubi TV, The Roku Channel, Kanopy, and Hoopla. You can also rent or buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, and Plex.
Did Sergeant Elias really die in Platoon?
Yes, Sergeant Elias — played by Willem Dafoe — is shot by Sergeant Barnes and left for dead in the jungle, then killed by enemy soldiers as the platoon's helicopter pulls away. The iconic image of Dafoe's arms raised skyward became one of cinema's most unforgettable death scenes.
Did Platoon win the Academy Award for Best Picture?
Platoon swept the 59th Academy Awards, winning four Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director for Oliver Stone. It also took home Best Film Editing and Best Sound Mixing. The film was the first Vietnam War movie to win Best Picture, a landmark moment for Hollywood.
Who are the main actors in Platoon?
The cast is stacked with talent. Charlie Sheen leads as Chris Taylor, with Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger delivering career-defining performances as the morally opposed Sergeant Elias and Sergeant Barnes. The ensemble also includes Forest Whitaker, Kevin Dillon, Keith David, John C. McGinley, and a young Johnny Depp.
What does the ending of Platoon mean?
In the final moments, Chris kills the wounded Barnes — an act of vengeance and moral reckoning. As he's airlifted out, his voiceover reflects that the real enemy was within the platoon itself. Stone frames it as a loss of innocence: Chris carries both Elias and Barnes inside him forever.
Where was Platoon filmed?
Platoon was filmed entirely on location in the Philippines, primarily in the jungles of Luzon. The cast underwent two weeks of grueling military training before shooting began, living in the jungle and sleeping in foxholes to authentically capture the physical and psychological toll of infantry combat.
More About Platoon
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