Let’s Make Some Noise, vintage movie style: celebrating the films of yesterday and the day before
By: Kevin Vickery
Welcome once again to the latest monthly feature of my column where I continue to dive into feature films from 50, 40, 30, 20 and 10 years ago. Each month I’ll choose a common theme and then highlight and discuss movies of those specific years.
”Platoon”: 1986, Rated R
Forty years ago, Director and Viet Nam Veteran, Oliver Stone wrote and directed this epic anti-war film starring Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, and Charlie Sheen as a counter-viewpoint to the vision of the war portrayed in John Wayne’s, “The Green Berets”. The film features key rolls and stellar acting from a large cast of supporting actors including; Forest Whitaker, Francesco Quinn, John C. McGinley, Richard Edson, Kevin Dillon, Keith David, Reggie Johnson, Johnny Depp, Mark Moses, Tony Todd and Corey Glover and is the first film of a trilogy of Vietnam War films directed by Stone, followed by “Born on the Fourth of July”(1989) and “Heaven & Earth” (1993).
“Platoon” is based on Stone’s experienced as an infantryman from the war, and follows a new U.S. Army volunteer, Chris Taylor (Sheen) serving in South Vietnam while his Platoon Sergeant and his Squad Leader (Berenger and Dafoe) argue over the morality in the platoon and of the war itself.
The film heavily focuses on the psychological, moral, and emotional toll of the Vietnam War on soldiers, and is a gritty, personal account of the horror and paranoia that the war brought out in the soldiers. Themes of moral decay and internal conflict are heavily present and summed up best by Sheen as Taylor saying, “We did not fight the enemy, we fought ourselves… and the enemy was in us”.
“Platoon” grossed $138.5 million at the box office and won four Academy Awards, two BAFTA Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, as well as many other nominations. While some Vietnam War veterans criticized the film for showing the killing of civilians, drug use among soldiers, and its portrayal of officers as ineffective, and adhering to stereotypical views of soldiers, others praised Stone for offering a realistic depiction of the war. “Platoon” is considered by many critics to be one of the greatest films ever made, particularly within the war genre.
I agree and would highly recommend, “Platoon” to anyone who appreciates war movies in general, especially those who like something more than a typical focus on simply physical battles with a glorified victory narrative. The final image and text at the end of the film reads, “To the men who fought and died in Vietnam.”
You can find’ “Platoon” available for free with ads on Tubi and Pluto TV or ad-free via rental on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
“Home of the Brave”: 2006, Rated R
This 20-year-old drama film written and directed by Irwin Winkler stars Samuel L. Jackson, Jessica Biel, Brian Presley, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Christina Ricci and Chad Michael Murray follows the lives of four Army National Guard soldiers in Iraq and their return to the United States.
The focus of, “Home of the Brave” centers around the difficulties the soldiers face acclimating to civilian lives when after learning their unit will soon return home, Lieutenant Colonel Dr. William Marsh (Jackson), Sergeant Vanessa Price (Biel), and Specialists Tommy Yates (Brian Presley) and Jamal Aiken (“50 Cent”), participate in a final mission, to convoy medical supplies to a remote village in Iraq. Their convoy is attacked leaving them facing serious injuries and coping with the loss of a close friend and fellow soldier, Private Jordan Owens (Chad Michael Murray).
The film is considered a critical and commercial flop, not performing well at the box office due to its limited theatrical release and receiving reviews like, “The ensemble cast works hard, but hammy direction and a script lacking in nuance ruins this movie’s noble intentions.” from “Rotten Tomatoes” and “TV Guide” commenting that the film “starts with a bang and ends in a long, protracted whimper”.
I would agree with that sentiment despite the hard work from the ensemble cast. Samuel L. Jackson is one of my all-time favorite actors and I would watch anything with him in it. I thought his performance was great and I enjoyed “50 Cent’s” work in one of his earliest acting rolls as well but that wasn’t enough to save it from being a movie that should have probably gone straight to home video.
You can find’ “Home of the Brave” available for free with ads on Tubi and Pluto TV.
“Hacksaw Ridge”: 2016, Rated R
A decade ago, Mel Gibson directed this epic biographical war film starring Andrew Garfield as Desmond Doss, an American combat medic in World War II who, as a Seventh-day Adventist, refused to use a weapon of any kind. Doss became the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor, for his service during the Battle of Okinawa. The film was written by Andrew Knight and Robert Schenkkan, based on the 2004 documentary “The Conscientious Objector” and features a supportingcast including Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Teresa Palmer, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, and Vince Vaughn.
“Hacksaw Ridge” grossed $180.6 million at the box office and received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, three Golden Globe nominations and twelve nominations at the Australian Academy Awards, winning nine of them including Best Film.
I thoroughly enjoyed this film as it accurately depicted the true story of Doss’ early life including his devout Christianity, and the love story about meeting and eventually marrying his wife, Dorothy Schutte (Palmer) set against more bitter topics like his struggles with his alcoholic father, Tom Doss (Weaving) and the loss of life on the gruesome battlefield.
The primary storyline of Desmond’s wartime heroism is during the Battle of Okinawa when his unit is tasked with ascending and securing the Maeda Escarpment known as “Hacksaw Ridge”. The battle begins with heavy losses on both sides and Desmond saves the life of his squad-mate Smitty (Bracey), who apologizes for doubting his courage. When a Japanese counterattack drives the Americans off the escarpment, Smitty is killed, and several of Desmond’s comrades are left injured on the battlefield.
Desmond returns to save them, carrying the wounded to the cliff’s edge and belaying them down by rope, each time praying to save one more. The rescue of dozens of wounded who had been presumed dead shocks the rest of the unit below. When day breaks, Desmond rescues Sergeant Howell (Vaughn) under heavy fire. Captain Glover (Worthington) apologizes for dismissing Desmond’s beliefs and plans to retake the ridge on Saturday but will not launch the next attack without him. Desmond agrees, but the operation is delayed until after he concludes his Sabbath prayers.
In an ambush by Japanese soldiers, Desmond saves Glover and others by deflecting enemy grenades and is wounded by a blast, but the battle is won. Desmond is lowered from the cliff, clutching the Bible that Dorothy had given to him.
The film closes with images of the real Desmond Doss being awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman for rescuing 75 soldiers at Hacksaw Ridge, and an interview with Desmond just before his death, recounting his experiences during the war.
I would highly recommend “Hacksaw Ridge” to not only anyone who likes movies about the battles of WWII, but also to those who enjoy true stories of real American heroes.
“Hacksaw Ridge” is available to watch with a Netflix or Amazon Prime subscription or to rent on Google Play, Fandango at Home, and Apple TV.
That’s a wrap for this month’s Vintage Film segment and I believe the theme is obvious. With May coming to a close, we will celebrate Memorial Day weekend and as you do I would ask that you remember that it’s more than just the kick-off to swimming-pool season and an excuse to fire up the grill.
It’s the day that we mourn and honor military servicemen and women who died in service, serving as a solemn day of remembrance for fallen heroes from the Civil War to modern conflicts. The day focuses on honoring the ultimate sacrifice made by those sworn to protect American freedoms and ideals.
I believe that as the day has been equated with the unofficial kick-off to Summer much of it’s significance is glossed over so while it’s never a bad time to celebrate those who are part of our nation’s military branches, please remember the specific significance of Memorial Day and how it differs from other holidays set aside for our nation’s armed forces.
Memorial Day: The last Saturday in May is to honor and remember the military servicemen and women who died in service.
Armed Forces Day: The third Saturday in May celebrates those currently serving.
Veterans Day: November 11th recognizes all those who once served.
Make Some Noise 