answering question about the symbolism of the roulette scenes

Rating: 10/10 (9 May 2010)

The director included scenes of characters playing Russian roulette not for historic accuracy but as a sort of metaphor for the Vietnam War. He is trying to SHOW (and hopefully make you FEEL) how hopeless the war was. He wanted the viewer to understand that for enlisted men there was only a lose-lose situation before them. Either they go to war and die, or they come back to suffer from physically or mentally debilitating conditions for the rest of their lives. And just like there is no "good" outcome for the soldiers there really isn't any "good" outcome for the countries involved. There is no victory for anyone. If you play Russian roulette, you will die.