In PLATOON, Oliver Stone draws on his experience as an infantryman in Vietnam to convey the brutality of guerrilla warfare: the heat of the jungle, the brushes with such wildlife as snakes and leeches, and, most powerfully, the presence of the unseen enemy. Charlie Sheen stars as Chris, a raw recruit, or "new meat," who serves as the film's narrator. At first he wilts under the rigorous conditions of jungle life, freezes up in a fire fight, and wonders whether he'll be able to survive. But he gradually adapts and, as time goes by, begins to see that the platoon is divided into two groups. One consists of lifers, juicers, and subintelligent whites, the other of blacks and heads. Sgt. Barnes, a combat-loving burnout (Tom Berenger), is the informal leader of the lifers, and Sgt. Elias, a free spirit (Willem Dafoe), leads the latter group. When the platoon takes some gruesome losses, an enraged Barnes kills some Vietnamese and orders the burning of their village, outraging the temporarily absent Elias. As the conflict between these two reaches its tragic climax, Chris must decide what he really values. Widely regarded as one of the finest war films ever made, PLATOON reflects not only the United States' division over Vietnam but the timeless truths of battle: terror, disorientation, exhilaration, and horrible loss.

Theatrical Release: December 21, 1986

PLATOON is number 83 on the American Film Institute's list of America's 100 Greatest Movies.

Estimated budget: $6 million.

The film has grossed more than $150 million worldwide.

Oliver Stone's first choices for the roles of Barnes and Elias were James Woods and Kevin Costner, respectively.

Stone received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart during his service in Vietnam.

Set in 1967; Produced and released in 1986.

DVD Features:

2-Disc Set
Region 1
Full Frame - 1.33
Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital Surround - French, Spanish
DTS (unspecified) - English
Subtitles - English, French, Spanish - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Bonus Footage
Documentary
Featurette: "Preparing for 'Nam"
Audio Commentary:
1. Dale Dye - Military Advisor
2. Oliver Stone - Director

Charlie Sheen: Actor, TWO AND A HALF MEN
Willem Dafoe: American Actor
Tom Berenger: American Actor
Francesco Quinn: Actor/"Indio"
Kevin Dillon: American Actor, ENTOURAGE
Johnny Depp: American Actor - SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STR
Keith David: American character actor/voice actor, PITCH BLACK/SPAWN
Forest Whitaker: American actor/director, THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND
John C. McGinley: American actor, SCRUBS
Richard Edson: Star, HARD SCRAMBLED (2006)

Oliver Stone: Director/Screenwriter/Prod.

Arnold Kopelson: American Producer
A. Kitman Ho: 

Oliver Stone: Director/Screenwriter/Prod.

Georges Delerue: French Composer, JULIA (1977), DAY OF THE DOLPHIN (1973)
Stephen Barber: Ngt Composer/Songwriter

"...Wrenching..." - Recommended
"...This is movie-making with a zealot's fervor....[Stone] may have achieved a remarkable bridge with PLATOON. He has personalized a war for us..."
"...With incredible set pieces and gripping firefights the belie the tiny budget, PLATOON's impact has barely diminished over the years..."
4 stars out of 5 -- "[A] phenomenon....Importantly, Stone captured something of what it felt like to fight in the war."
"Nothing that Oliver Stone has done before...is preparation for the singular achievement of his latest film, PLATOON....A major piece of work, as full of pasion as it is of redeeming, scary irony..."
Rating: B+
"...Intense....Very effective scenes....An impressive-looking production in all respects..."