Overrated, partly inaccurate but good viewing.

Rating: 6/10 (30 April 1999)

Filmmakers have a huge responsibility when making historical films, as their film is all most viewers will see on that period or event, and it can shape the viewers perception of it. In Platoon, Oliver Stone tackled the subject of the Vietnam War, and by saying his film was autobiographical ensured more people took it as the gospel truth on what really happened in Vietnam. Actually, it has been proved that he did not experience many of the events of the film, such as the village incident. The biggest inaccuracy of this film is the fact that everything befalling this one platoon would not, could not and did not happen in the time span of this film. During nearly all patrols in reality the enemy was hardly ever seen or heard. The biggest problem an ordinary GI would face was boredom. Also, contrary to what Stone would like everyone to think, not everyone in Vietnam was a drunk or doper. In addition, I find it hard to believe that Chris Taylor would write home to his grandmother such truths as "Somebody once wrote: Hell is the impossibility of reason. That's what this place feels like: Hell." Likewise, his voiceover at the end commenting that his platoon's biggest problem was fighting itself, was a little simplistic, especially in view of the bodies of the final battle and other enemy encounters.
The absence of a real plot did not seem to me to matter, as Stone was just trying to show what it was like in Vietnam, even if he did try to rewrite history, rather than tell a story. There were some good elements to the film apart from the fact that it was good viewing to watch; these included its jungle scenes and combat sequences and the fact that the GI uniform, living conditions, age, language and equipment was accurately portrayed. I also enjoyed the acting and became drawn into the conflict between Elias and Barnes. It is just a shame that the vast majority of those who see it believe it is the ultimate true story of what really happened in the war. In reality is is an excellent picture but poor, extremely biased history.