PLATOON
- Interpreting the Vietnam Conflict
Oliver Stone's film "Platoon" is a searing depiction of the Vietnam Conflict.  Stone himself was a soldier in Vietnam, and drew upon his own experiences to make the film.  Much of the filming gives an authentic recreation of the war and the conditions for the soliders, or 'grunts' as they were known.  Of course, Stone is also interpreting the conflict, making his own points, and the film should also be watched with the same critical approach you would take to sources.

We will be looking at some extracts from the film in class - the questions below should help to guide your responses, and further inform a view of the Vietnam War.
QUESTIONS

-  In the opening sequence, when Charlie Sheen's character, Chris, arrives in Vietnam, what view of the Vietnam War is Stone immediately trying to convey, and how?

- The next sequence of scenes (chapters 2-7 on the DVD) show a 'typical' action in the Vietnam jungle.  How far do these scenes help you to understand the nature of the Vietnam War, and the way the Americans had to fight it?  Is there any reason for doubting the reliability of this portrayal?

-  What is the point of the 'Village' scenes (Dance, Interrogation...)

-  Why do you think Stone characterises the young officer, Lt. Wolff, in the way he does?  What point is he making about the war by doing this?
LINKS

Movie Review with some sound and movie files.

Internet Movie Database -  contains extensive range of review comments, plot outline, viewer comments, sounds etc., on this pre-eminent internet movie site.

History in Film - comments and exercises designed to use the film as a history resource.  A worthy site!
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