Platoon (1986)

Platoon (1986), an American war film written and directed by Oliver Stone, follows the story of Chris Taylor as he volunteers for the U.S. Army in South Vietnam in 1967. His assigned infantry platoon, part of the 25th Infantry Division near the Cambodian border, is led by young and inexperienced Lieutenant Wolfe. However, the soldiers look to two older and more experienced members, Staff Sergeant Barnes and Sergeant Elias, for guidance instead. Taylor joins them for a night ambush against a North Vietnamese Army force and engages in a brief firefight when an NVA patrol appears. During a patrol, one new recruit is wounded and the other, Gardner, succumbs to death. Upon returning to base from the aid station, Taylor grows close to Elias and his group of marijuana enthusiasts while keeping his distance from Barnes and his more ruthless followers.

The platoon becomes even more agitated when three soldiers are killed – two by a booby trap and one by unseen attackers. Their tensions rise further after discovering an enemy supply cache in a nearby village. Barnes forcefully interrogates the village leader about any aid given to the NVA and cold-bloodedly murders his wife when she confronts him. He then holds a gun to the head of the chief’s young daughter while demanding information. Elias arrives on the scene and, disgusted with Barnes’ actions, physically attacks him. Their brawl is stopped by Wolfe, who orders for the supplies to be destroyed and the village to be razed. When Elias accuses him of not stopping Barnes, Wolfe feigns ignorance. Later on, Taylor intervenes to stop two girls from being sexually assaulted by some of Barnes’ men.