Chris Taylor is a young, naive American who gives up college and volunteers for combat in Vietnam. Upon arrival, he quickly discovers that his presence is quite nonessential, and is considered insignificant to the other soldiers, as he has not fought for as long as the rest of them and felt the effects of combat. Chris has two non-commissioned officers, the ill-tempered and indestructible Staff Sergeant Robert Barnes and the more pleasant and cooperative Sergeant Elias Grodin. A line is drawn between the two NCOs and a number of men in the platoon when an illegal killing occurs during a village raid. As the war continues, Chris himself draws towards psychological meltdown. And as he struggles for survival, he soon realizes he is fighting two battles, the conflict with the enemy and the conflict between the men within his platoon.
Where to Watch Platoon
- CubaneJuly 26, 2026Another stop on the "Vietnam War = Bad" film tour. Though this one is directed by a guy who was actually there, so one can trust that he gets the idea. Unfortunately I found the narrative to be predictable enough to be distracting. You get the message pretty early on that the film is going to be a slow march to perdition, and that's exactly what happens. I actually burst out laughing at the utterly saccharine melodrama of some scenes, which were meant to be sincere. I walked away simply thinking it was a missed opportunity. There is an excellent commentary on Vietnam and the US military as a whole in this movie, but it gets a bit lost in the sauce of soap opera along the way.
- Pissed Off PapaJuly 21, 2025When this first came out in Modesto, Ca. A Viet Nam Vet walked out of the theater crying, he stated to the media, that it was just too real, like being back in the Nam. I have watched this movie repeatedly and will continue to watch it. This movie has a great selection of Actors and the directing and writing is top notch. I am only 59 born in 66 when Viet Nam started heating up, but yet my collection of books and movies are all about Viet Nam. I have one relative still alive who served and one day he actually pulled out his photo album and showed me his pix from the 101st Airborne, he was stationed on a firebase manning 105 Howitzers. It was the first time he ever showed anyone that album and talked about it. When you see a Viet Nam Vet, don't say THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE... because the majority of our Vets were drafted. Instead give them something they never got.... WELCOME HOME BROTHER. They were called baby killers and had blood and paint thrown on them, they still deserve a Welcome Home.
- pastacat48July 11, 2026green goblin is in this
- Massimo Barbero PiniMay 17, 2026Oliver Stone at his finest. The film remains highly relevant to this day, anchored by a stellar performance from Willem Dafoe.
- Mike MartinsSeptember 29, 2025Oliver Stone’s Platoon is one of the most powerful and unflinching war films ever made. Based on Stone’s own experiences in Vietnam, it strips away the glamour of combat and shows the raw, brutal reality of life in the jungle. Unlike earlier war movies that often leaned on patriotism or spectacle, Platoon is gritty, human, and emotionally devastating. Charlie Sheen delivers a career-defining performance as Chris Taylor, a young soldier thrown into the chaos of Vietnam. The film’s heart lies in the clash between Sgt. Elias (Willem Dafoe) and Sgt. Barnes (Tom Berenger), two men who embody opposite sides of morality and survival. Their conflict—between compassion and ruthlessness—mirrors the soul of the platoon itself. The film’s visuals are haunting, from the claustrophobic jungle ambushes to the iconic slow-motion shot of Elias’s death. Combined with Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings, these moments elevate Platoon from a war film into a tragic meditation on humanity. Verdict: Brutal, honest, and unforgettable—Platoon is not just a film, but a testament to the costs of war. Five stars. --- 🎖️ “Did You Know?” Trivia Director’s Experience: Oliver Stone served in Vietnam, making him the first Vietnam veteran to direct a major Hollywood film about the war. Boot Camp: Stone put the cast through a 2-week military-style boot camp in the Philippines to toughen them up and make their performances authentic. Casting Choices: Charlie Sheen wasn’t the first choice—Emilio Estevez (his brother) was originally considered for the lead role. Willem Dafoe’s Role: The iconic scene of Sgt. Elias’s death became one of the most famous war film images of all time, often parodied but still deeply respected. Oscar Glory: The film won 4 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, cementing its place in film history.
- flavo43December 16, 2025Platoon is one of the most powerful and uncompromising war dramas ever made, offering a raw, personal view of the Vietnam War through the eyes of newly arrived volunteer Chris Taylor. Oliver Stone’s film strips away heroism and replaces it with exhaustion, fear, moral ambiguity, and brutality, reflecting the extremes many American soldiers endured during the conflict. The jungle becomes a pressure cooker where ideology, survival, and sanity collide. The opposing figures of Sgt. Barnes and Sgt. Elias embody the moral fracture within the unit, forcing Taylor—and the audience—to confront the cost of violence and the erosion of humanity in war. The film is unapologetically violent, sadistic at times, and deeply confronting, never allowing comfort or distance from the horrors depicted. Yet beneath the chaos lies a fragile sense of reflection and growth. The ending offers a small measure of hope: unlike many, Taylor survives, changed forever but able to leave. Platoon doesn’t glorify war—it exposes it, and that honesty is what makes it enduring.
- DrMonocleMarch 12, 2026just good
- James GriffithsOctober 27, 2025Epic movie, awesome acting off some big names names looking very young
- christopherbiddle891November 19, 2025I still can't find Johnny Depp. But it was still a pretty good movie.
- pipanniSeptember 16, 2025A classic war movie with many great scenes. The iconic cover is definitely one of them, of course, and the final battle is still probably the most convincing portrayal of the chaos of war. Top performances by all the cast, including a young Johnny Depp in one of his first roles. Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe are at the height of their talent here, and it shows.
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Platoon was released on December 19, 1986.
Platoon was directed by Oliver Stone.
Platoon has a runtime of 1h 59m.
Platoon was produced by Arnold Kopelson.
Chris Taylor is a young, naive American who gives up college and volunteers for combat in Vietnam. Upon arrival, he quickly discovers that his presence is quite nonessential, and is considered insignificant to the other soldiers, as he has not fought for as long as the rest of them and felt the effects of combat. Chris has two non-commissioned officers, the ill-tempered and indestructible Staff Sergeant Robert Barnes and the more pleasant and cooperative Sergeant Elias Grodin. A line is drawn between the two NCOs and a number of men in the platoon when an illegal killing occurs during a village raid. As the war continues, Chris himself draws towards psychological meltdown. And as he struggles for survival, he soon realizes he is fighting two battles, the conflict with the enemy and the conflict between the men within his platoon.
The key characters in Platoon are Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen), Sergeant Elias Grodin (Willem Dafoe), Sergeant Robert "Bob" Barnes (Tom Berenger).
Platoon is rated R.
Platoon is a Drama, War, Action film.
Platoon has an audience rating of 9.3 out of 10.
Platoon had a budget of $6M.
Platoon has made $138.5M at the box office.