Despite his frustration and anger, there is a line that Chris will not cross when it comes to the human rights of others. What's with the booby trap that kills Sal and Sanderson? User Reviews On December 31, 1918, Colonel Luke Lea of the 114th Field Artillery Regiment handed his commanding officer, General R.L. If the U.S. military would have proven to be a more effective adversary in the jungle style warfare waged against the Viet Cong, the U.S. would have probably won the war; If Lt. Wolfe had been a proven combat soldier, many situations the platoon faced wouldnt have resulted with such ill consequences; If Sgt. During the run, however, some went off, while others failed, although viewers were unaware of this. SSG. This also means it has been incorporated into the Dramatica Story Expert application itself as an easily referenced contextual example. Elias when they are alone in the jungle. This sight directly contradicts Sgt. Sergeant Barnes is the first sergeant in Chris platoon. Stone's message suggests that for goodness to prevail, darkness must be overcome. Barnes, who he sees as a worthless human being. Then they would be sent home. Was platoon a true story? Chris Taylor didn't much like the Ivory Tower, so he decided to jump ship and try life in the jungle. "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane.at the end of the movie? He eventually gains an insight to the overall scheme of the war and where he fits in its plan, and he doesnt like the design at all: Each of the men begin to have a moral conflict with one another over what the other considers as right and wrong. Outraged by Sgt. Elias's RTO.Pvt Ace (WIA): Gets shrapnel wound from short round, Barnes digs it out of him. He heroically rescues several platoon members when the platoon is caught in an enemy ambush. Elias, and the other half with Sgt. Everybody knows whos really in charge of the platoon. Sgt. Not one(Stone, p. 88). It leaves us with the ominous impression that this is definitely a war America is losing. Even though this isnt true, Barnes blames Chris inability to resist his impulse to sleep as the cause of the platoons two casualties: Barnes as a role model and leader makes a significant impact on the men in the platoon, including Chris. From the very first scene of the film, as black rubber body bags are loaded onto planes that have just unloaded new recruits, Americas success in the war is put into question. KING: Way out of anything, man. Barnes in merciless revenge. A nineteen-year-old college drop-out who has volunteered for military service and signed up for combat in Vietnam. I have mixed feelings about the movie Platoon. They all look at each other. Barnes focuses on others inadequacies, and this in particular makes problems for Chris. Aint no time or need for a courtroom out here(Stone, p. 60). In the speech he gives the head, hes basically telling the men to think his way; be part of the machineCause when the machine breaks down, we break down, an occurrence hes not going to allow. When George C. Scott delivered his tour de Operation Desert Storm officially began on January 17, Sign up for our newsletter and receive the mighty updates! Stone positions his hero directly over the crawling and severely-injured staff sergeant, and makes the audience wonder if Taylor will actually shoot Barnes in the back. Not one(Stone, p. 88), Sgt. Tonight. Alternatives to LiveJournal for students. Car-15. Effect will end the source of Sgt. When the platoon finds a small Vietnamese village, Barnes was seen harassing the villagers, and ultimately, out of anger and cold blood, murders the village chief's wife and holds his daughter at gunpoint. KING: How the fuck you get over here man, you look like you educated Sgt Elias represents the good in Christ-like fashion, while the callous Sgt Barnes, portrayed by Tom Berenger, is devil-like. Barnes: (to all) Yall take a good look at this lump of shit! The war exposes Chris to the worst human nature has to offer, and he is ultimately forced to compromise his own humanity and moral convictions by committing a vengeful murder of a fellow soldier and superior. CHRIS: I volunteered. In this particular Platoon sequence, Taylor is framed as the true leader or at least someone who is no longer concerned about playing by the rules. If the state of the platoon wasnt bad enough, now theyre forced to face impossible odds. What does Barnes say in platoon? smiling as he puts bullets in the Shamans chest. While they are leaving a wounded Elias emerges from the jungle running from a group of North Vietnamese soldiers. His wisdom in understanding the unfair pattern established by society and the government to favor him, while subjecting the less fortunate to the lions share of military duty bothers Chris and provokes him to enlist in the service. Members of the platoon feel that if they become more accurate in their efforts in the war, their fortunes will turn and they will win the war. Promoted to 1st Squad's Sergeant at end of film.Pvt Huffmeister (Survives): Seen standing behind O'Neil when he is given command of the platoon. Sgt. Despite all the signs that they are losing the war, the platoon, as well as the American military, are operating under the delusion they are in some way actually gaining control of the war and have a chance to win. Chris proves to himself he can soldier as well as any man; what he doesnt bargain on is the experience of killing in cold blood. Answer: 7. Francis - portrayed by Living Colour frontman Corey Glover - emerges from a foxhole and correctly determines that help is indeed on the way. Maybe from down here I can start up again, be something I can be proud of and not have to fake itbe a fake human being. Dale Dye says in his commentary that Huffmeister is played by an Assistant Technical Advisor called Robert Galotti, he is the guy who rolls down the hill in the opening credits and also chucks a grenade down the well in the village scene.Pvt Francis (WIA): Stabs himself in the leg to get second Purple Heart and thus get sent home, along with Taylor.Pvt Rodriguez (WIA): On chopper with Francis at end of film. Barnes murdered Sgt. When Chris and the others in the head initially decline to accept Sgt. In an alternate reality, "Platoon" may have starred Jim. Barnes is the antithesis of Hamlet. End with a murder the last of too bloody many . The 1986 Vietnam War classic follows the experiences of volunteer soldier Chris Taylor, who quickly learns about the politics of navigating his platoon. You were there Rhah - I know what you were thinking. Sgt Barnes, Elias' sadistic staff sergeant, was in direct contrast to Platoon's main character. However, what makes thefinal narration especially impactfulis that Taylorsuggests he'll figuratively remain on the battlefield for the rest of his days, and imagines Eliasdoing the same while battling Barnes for the possession ofhis [Taylor's] soul. Barnes and Sgt. Barnes shoots and murders Elias when the two are alone in the jungle. The following analysis reveals a comprehensive look at the Storyform for Platoon. Barnes. The FAQ items below may give away important plot points. Elias threatens to take the unproven matter to the proper authorities, but he never has the chance because Barnes kills him. The extremely inhumane and brutal war crimes Sgt. His naivete is quickly dissipated by the stark realities of his environment. For instance: Chris drops out of college and enlists in the military to do something positive for his country; He shoots his rifle at the feet of a young, retarded man he finds hiding. Elias questions Barnes code of ethics, Barnes labels Elias as a detrimental crusader in the platoon and ultimately murders him. During the filming of Sgt Elias death in Platoon, Dafoe had little contact with the other members of the cast and crew. After the final battle in Platoon on Netflix, Stone once again contrasts Taylor's bravery with the questionable decisionsof a fellow soldier. Barnes is the first platoon sergeant. Barnes questionable account of how he earlier found Elias dead in the jungle, prompting the following exchange of dialogue between Chris and other platoon members: Sgt Barnes, Elias sadistic staff sergeant, was in direct contrast to Platoons main character. Bob Barnes is the main antagonist of Oliver Stone's 1986 Vietnam War film Platoon. When the ambush goes awry and the platoon experiences casualties, Sgt. Chris understanding of the war increases as he engages in combat activities: hiking through the jungle from sun up to sun down, digging foxholes, going on point, participating in 3-man listing posts and all night ambushes, etc. Elias' decision to report Barnes' criminal conduct at the village precipitates a rift between the members in the platoon (some siding with Barnes and others siding with Elias), and ultimately causes Barnes to kill Elias. He invests in the questionable notion that the war will instill within him a great sense of pride. His endeavor is brought about by his concern for making sure the rich and privileged, like himself, do for the country what the poor and underprivileged are always forced to do. Platoon won the 1987 Academy Award for Best Motion Picture. Barnes feels whatever strides he can make against the enemy are worth operating outside the moral codes of war. The value of human life and what it is worth is the thematic conflict waged between Chris and Sgt. He has become so dehumanized and corrupted by the experiences of the war, he is willing to shoot his own men to prevent them from challenging his way of war. Barnes conceives the idea of challenging Chris and the others to kill him. User Ratings The iconic imageappeared on the movies poster and the box of the video tape release. CHRIS: He killed him. More:Every Song in Da 5 Bloods Soundtrack. "Looking back," he says, "We did not fight the enemy. Based on theories and materials developed by Melanie Anne Phillips and Chris Huntley. Edit, Platoon is based on a screenplay by director Oliver Stone. Elias tells Barnes that they don't know anything, and they are probably going to run into something. Course Mom and Dad didnt want me to come, they wanted me to be just like them - respectable, hard-working, making $200 a week, a little house, a family. What's new. Elias' decision to report Barnes' criminal conduct at the village precipitates a rift between the members in the platoon (some siding with Barnes and others siding with Elias), and ultimately causes Barnes to kill Elias. They strike him in the back, after which Elias throws his arms toward the sky. . The meetings closed. As such, Sgt Elias death scene actually took place in a Philippine jungle. By the early 1960s, after increasing military involvement, America found itself stepping in for the exhausted French and Southern Vietnamese governments, and leading the campaign against the lethal Viet Cong, the North Vietnamese communist regime. Chris Taylor is struggling to survive the physical and mental hell of being a U.S. infantry soldier in the Vietnam War. His wounds deprived him of his biggest dream which was going to West Point, so instead he became an actor. Chris views the division in the platoon as a direct result of Barnes lack of respect for human life and unscrupulous morals: What happened todays just the beginning. 2nd Lieutenant (Platoon Leader).SSG. Sgt. Would this movie be considered "un-American?". This is what has brought him to Vietnam. He is played by an Assistant Technical Adviser Mark Ebonhoch. He is no longer a naive, idealistic, young boy who was looking for a great adventure to make him a man, he has come to realize, and take part of, the atrocities and numbing reality of the Vietnam War. 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