Outstanding, Emotional Drama

Rating: 8/10 (1 August 2006)

It's not the battle scenes that make this outstanding war drama at times difficult to watch. Michael J. Fox plays PFC Eriksson, the lone voice of morality on an American military squad that kidnaps a frightened young local woman during the Vietnam War. Eriksson finds himself alienated from his fellow soldiers for his objections and refusal to, like them, rape her. After the woman is killed, Eriksson sets out to ensure the truth comes out and that justice is served.
Director Brian De Palma pulled no punches in his handling of the brutal subject matter, based on a true story. It's incredibly emotional, indeed terrifying, to watch the innocent young woman endure this torture. Covered in blood with pain inside and out, her death scene ranks as one of the most agonizing of any war picture. Adding to the tragic power of the film is the fact that we don't know anything about this woman other than the cruel twist of fate dealt to her. She could be your sister, your daughter or your best friend. The mastermind of the kidnapping, played by a scathingly hateful Sean Penn, further intensifies the horror we feel for her.
"Casualties of War" is not quite on par with the all-time great war pictures, but it is guaranteed to stay with you.