Why does Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) call Barnes and Elias his "fathers" during the final monologue. The fears the platoon have harbored for the future are made manifest. Why is the helmet placed upside down in the poster? . KING: What we got here a crusader? He knows that coming from a wealthy, privileged, protected background had prevented him from being drafted, and that only the poor, ethnic, and lower class citizens are forced to fight for the United States. KING: Way out of anything, man. Barnes blatant disregard for ethics of war and his dysfunctional code of morals are like a nagging toothache on Chris psyche: The carnage the platoon thrusts upon the village is an expression of the frustration that has built up among the soldiers. Sgt. He is a naive and overly idealistic infantry enlistee that has dropped out of school and joined the war in order to gain a sense of pride about himself; to do his share for the U.S., and to become anonymous like the rest of the men in his platoon. Is there a Nazi flag on the American tank? Next:Platoon True Story: How Accurate Is The Vietnam War Movie. Idealistic, patriotic, eager for adventure, Chris Taylor is the kind of earnest middle-class rebel who scandalizes his parents by believing in flag and country in a literal way. After Sgt. After an NVA suicide bombing, the U.S. Army changes their strategy and uses air support to take out the NVA. (to Warren) We leave here in 2-zero minutes. He totters slightly as he circles the outer edge of the hutch. That day we loved him(Stone, p. 45) Sgt. (Stone, p. 21). If theres one thing these men know, its that anyone can die at any time, and death has no loyalties. Who was Murphy? There are many times when Barnes views Taylor as a hindrance and liability to the platoon, and he ultimately tries to kill him. Dafoe also had some control over the timing of the detonations. Hes escaped death so many times he seems to have passed beyond humanity. (NEWSWEEK, 1/5/87, p. 57, David Ansen with Peter McAlevey). Sergeant Barnes life revolves around performing a certain way while in countryfighting the deadly Viet Cong. It's about how war is an immoral and evil thing and you must become evil and immoral to survive it.Also anyone who thinks that the movie is "un-American" should also note that the film depicts the NVA as just as ruthless and savage. Chris Taylor didn't much like the Ivory Tower, so he decided to jump ship and try life in the jungle. Barnes have different ideas on what the war represents. Chris experiences in the war do not lead him to find something to be proud of, instead, he has become a cold-blooded murderer, and kills his nemesis, Sgt. Elias's onscreen death in Platoon. Insufficiency, inadequacy, deficient to the purpose are ways to look at the term non-accurate. In the heat of hand to hand combat, Sgt. As a result, the platoon becomes cloaked in civil war. O'Neil (Survives): 3rd Squad (Charlie): Squad Leader. A requirement of the Past also applies to the cherries, or newly arriving infantry men who must deal with the unfortunate circumstance of having no past combat experiences in the jungles of Vietnam. 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. In the game of Cold War politics, Vietnam became a pawn. Just keep your pecker up and your powder dry, things change. Do my share for my country. On December 31, 1918, Colonel Luke Lea of the 114th Field Artillery Regiment handed his commanding officer, General R.L. Where did they shoot platoon? Then they would be sent home. He volunteers for the war because he wants to experience his own life, not just observe it like other middle-class college boys (Denby 86). His letters are composed of very introspective reflections of the events he is experiencing in the war. Barnes comes across as the old wise one, it really doesnt play well. Out here assholes, ya keep your shit wired tight at all times! Although Id served with distinction, I never kidded myself that the Pentagon was in my corner., More from us: Vietnam War Movies That Best Show the Realities of the Conflict. Barnes senses his chance to kill Elias when the two are alone in the jungle, their eyes meet with Sgt. As he puts it, "Didn't make much sense, I wasn't learning anything. Vietnam War Movies That Best Show the Realities of the Conflict. Chris eventually transcends the wisdom that brought him to Vietnam and he becomes enlightened by his experiences in the war. Barnes easily overpowers Chris and would have killed him if the other men werent there to intervene. Another important point relating to the range is the fact that the U.S. military is continually losing soldiers to the Viet Cong, and unable to successfully counteract the Viet Congs strategies. This supports Sgt. Elias admits he is a burn out and has some faults, but at least he is competent and doesn't frag his own. Barnes immorality that brings about the deterioration of Chris own psyche. They drove me crazy with their goddamn world, Grandma, you know Mom, I dont want to be a white boy on Wall Street, I dont want my whole life to be predetermined by them. While they are leaving a wounded Elias emerges from the jungle running from a group of North Vietnamese soldiers. Remington 870 shotgun.Pvt Junior (KIA): Tries to run knocks himself out against a tree, then is bayoneted by NVA soldier.Pvt Parker (KIA): Dragged into CP bunker by Doc, who confirms he is dead. Barnes realizes that Chris is standing behind him with a rifle pointed at him. | Chris and Sgt. Barnes : Y'all love Elias. The platoons immoral behavior, and the dehumanizing treatment of the villagers supports Elias notion that the U.S. is going to lose the war. CHRIS: I volunteered. Who killed Elias in platoon? 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: Barnes told everyone that the enemy already killed Elias. He is stoic, cold and brutal, doesn't care for any others than himself - and that includes his own soldiers and country. I say we frag the fucker. For far too long, they engage in a losing war, deluding themselves that victory is certain. The extremely inhumane and brutal war crimes Sgt. This is of note due to the ideals he represented. Lurking in the town in the disguise of a day laborer, Elas . 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. Barnes commits causes Chris to abruptly regain his senses. Only I know about death. Whenever Sgt. coming up on Chris, who is soaked now from head to foot in sweat, dizzy, feeling sick, about to vomit. Barnes shoots and murders Elias when the two are alone in the jungle. 2nd Squad (Bravo): squad leader.Pvt Flash (KIA) Killed by NVA soldier, seen lying dead next to Sgt. Ultimately, Platoonis about survival and legacy. One of the most memorable scenes in Platoon was the death of main character Sgt Elias, portrayed by Willem Dafoe. Elias, he begins to consider Chris as another crusader that wants to challenge his authority. Dye stands with actors Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, and Mark Moses on the set of Platoon,deep in the jungle in the Philippines (Image from Orion Pictures). Barnes demands that no one in the platoon, including Chris, is to fall asleep on his shift. Barnes leads his troops by taking on and acting the tough, hard, insensitive persona he feels is necessary to get his men to respond to him, and to the activities of war in a way that will allow them to actually win. Elias would have been able to prove that Sgt. He heroically rescues several platoon members when the platoon is caught in an enemy ambush. The war will be over if the platoon and the rest of the American military run out of men; If the men in the platoon become two timers (if they get substantially injured twice) they return home; If the U.S. Military achieves their objective of winning the war, then the war will be over and the goal will have been met. Suddenly, at. I guess having always been sheltered and special, I just want to be anonymous. By doing so, Barnes is able to call their bluff, and deal with this conflict directly and on his terms. This moment is Taylor reclaiming his own identity and removing Barnes' insidious influence. Aint no time or need for a courtroom out here(Stone, p. 60). Barnes approaches what he sees as the problem of inadequacies, by taking the direction of letting everyone know what is acceptable. Fortunately for Sheen's character, though, he can at least walk. During Platoons climax, Willem Dafoes Sgt Elias is chased and fired upon by North Vietnamese Army (NVA) troops. You dont sleep on no fucking ambush! Check outLarry Kings YouTube video below to hear Willem Dafoe retell the story of filming the epic scene. Sgt Elias represents the good in Christ-like fashion, while the callous Sgt Barnes, portrayed by Tom Berenger, is devil-like. Why did Elias smile at Barnes? Sgt Barnes, Elias' sadistic staff sergeant, was in direct contrast to Platoon's main character. For instance, Chris is appalled when Barnes shoots a village woman in the head and then threatens to shoot a young village girl unless the villagers give him the information he wants; Chris tries to convince some of the other men that Barnes killed Elias, and that they need to kill Barnes who is becoming an evil, immoral, out-of-control liability to the platoon. Its funny, in retrospect Ive heard many people say that Oliver Stone took that [pose] from a war photo, he continued. BARNES: Elias, get your men ready Since Chris has just arrived to the platoon and has no past experience of fighting and surviving in jungle combat, he has no memories he can draw upon to serve him in the current situation. Barnes was very harsh, uncaring and sarcastic towards his troops but he was very charismatic when it came to garnering their loyalty to him. Chris Taylor. 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