platoon why did barnes kill elias

Car-15. What is not appreciated also illustrates the forewarning. The story focuses on the reality of the Vietnam Warhow the soldiers have to actually live and operate day to day, and the type of responsibilities necessary to keep the platoon functioning. Why is the helmet placed upside down in the poster? You were there Rhah - I know what you were thinking. Elias less. People like Elias get wasted and people like Barnes just go on making up rules any way they want and what do we do, we just sit around in the middle and suck on it! On the morning after the battle, a shell-shocked Chris Taylor picks up a Norinco Type 56 rifle and finds Barnes. The young Lieutenant Wolfe, who has not proven himself in war yet, illustrates unproven as the problem in several situations. Barnes is the antithesis of Hamlet. Chris drops out of college, enlists in the military, and asks for combat duty in Vietnam. Performing a patriotic service for your country, the chance to take rage and frustration out on the enemy that has caused it, doing drugsthese are types of dividends the men can reap in the platoon. (Stone, p. 21). M79. Sanderson either ignored this rule or felt that because he'd been able to open the box that it wasn't booby-trapped (as often the explosives are set to detonate when opening the box). Barnes says, Do it! and without thinking, Chris shoots and kills Sgt. Elias decision to report Barnes criminal conduct at the village precipitates a rift between the members in the platoon (some siding with Barnes and others siding with Elias), and ultimately causes Barnes to kill Elias. Warren (WIA): Wounded behind Learner, seen being choppered out after church battle. When Barnes condemns the men by saying, I shit on all of you! he is basically telling Chris and the others they are worthless. Elias leads Chris to conclude that Sgt. When you know you know. Sergeant Barnes is the first sergeant in Chris platoon. Chris Taylor is from a wealthy and privileged background. Sergeant.Pvt Tubbs (KIA): Killed by NVA soldier, in the church battle, we don't see this on screen. Conversely, Lt. Wolfe, who doesnt have past experience in the war has nothing from which to draw on in situations where it is a necessity. To prevent Sgt. When Taylor is evacuated from the battle field and discussing his "fathers" he says it's his duty to grow and become a better person. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. M79.Final BattlePvt King (Survives): His tour of duty ends just before the battle. Shortly after, a soldier named Manny Washington (Corkey Ford) goes missing. Edit, Rhah and O'Neill are the only prominent characters left, as neither got so much of a scratch in the final battle. This happens immediately after the platoon has lost several men to booby traps at the Viet Cong bunker complex. The war has exposed him to its dehumanizing qualities, and the insensitive depths to which the spirit of men can sink as a result. Edit, Awards At the end, we see an entire regiment used as bait to draw out the larger Viet Cong regiment. Dafoe was self-contained during the scene. Why did Sgt Barnes shoots Elias? ONeill spits in the dust, a freckled, short red head with a hard worried face, a lifer, 30 going on 60. It took $138.5 million in the U.S. Oliver Stone wanted James Woods, the star of his previous film Salvador (1986), to have a role in the film. WebBarnes killed Elias, it's just a feeling that Chris has about him. From none of you. Platoon deals with a lot of issues; race, politics of the war, confusion by the grunts about the war and why they were there etc. In the midst of a savage final battle, Barnes turns his attention away from the enemy to target Taylor. You telling me how much you admired that bastard. | He wants to do for his country what his father did in World War II, and what his grandfather did in World War I. I know he did. Elias. Live up to what Grandpa did in the First War and Dad the Second. Thats a good Gook, good and dead. Hes definitely obligated to his country, but theres nothing moral about his obligation. The enormous loss of lives sustained in the last battle clearly indicates the U.S. militarys failure in making progress in the Vietnam War. Barnes focuses on Chris preconscious responses as being the cause of the problem. Maybe Ive finally found it, way down here in the mud. Chris wants to go with Barnes to help find Elias, but Barnes threatens to write Chris up on a citation if he doesnt obey orders and return to the helicopter. In this story, the prerequisites work hand in hand with the requirements. Remember what it looks like. M60 (Uses an M16 in the night ambush scene).Pvt Bunny (KIA): Killed in bunker by NVA soldier blowing his brains out. He was a high-ranking professional US Army Sergeant in the infantry platoon of the 25th This frustration is derived from past events the platoon has recently suffered, such as the loss of two men in the all night ambush, the loss of two additional men in a booby trapped Viet Cong bunker, and the abduction of another platoon member who is found strapped to a tree, dead and mutilated. But in actuality, he doesnt know for sure that Sgt. While the platoon is being extracted via helicopter, they glimpse Elias, mortally wounded, emerging from the treeline and being chased by a group of North Vietnamese soldiers, who kill him. Maybe I can see something I dont yet see, or learn something I dont yet know (Stone, p.14) Barnes committed war crimes, Sgt. Barnes approaches what he sees as the problem of inadequacies, by taking the direction of letting everyone know what is acceptable. Sgt. The more Chris understands the realities of warfare, the more he understands it has little to do with the patriotism that compelled him to enlist. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. For far too long, they engage in a losing war, deluding themselves that victory is certain. KING: What we got here a crusader? These actions are undertaken with the constant fear the enemy could possibly attack at any moment, and unfortunately, the new recruits, fresh meat, have an entire year of this to endure. Oliver Stone set up several cameras to capture the drama of the moment that gives you chills. RETURN HOME; Videos; Insiders Only; RETURN HOME; Videos This supports Sgt. By the early 1960s, after increasing military involvement, America found itself stepping in for the exhausted French and Southern Vietnamese governments, and leading the campaign against the lethal Viet Cong, the North Vietnamese communist regime. People like Elias get killed, and those like Barnes make up the rules; and people like him just suck on it. His extensive exposure to combat has caused him to develop warped ideals to support his cold, callous, and immoral behavior. Cause drives Sgt. His wounds deprived him of his biggest dream which was going to West Point, so instead he became an actor. Barnes extensive experience and knowledge of war gives him a false sense of security that causes him to disregard giving much thought to his decisions and actions. RHAH: I remember you first came in here Taylor. You got the fresh meat Elias. One of his hunches is responsible for bringing him to Vietnam, where he develops a theory about finding what he can be proud of: I am reality. Chris is thematically focused on understanding how to apply what he knows. Like everybody else. Stones Platoon was promoted as the first Vietnam film made by a real-life veteran of the war, and more than lives up to that promise. Edit, A soldier causing a self-inflicted wound to get off the front line has certainly happened. Emotions and tensions riding high, Sgt. He's the guy with the M79 who brings the village elder to Barnes to interrogate. Lias, he was full of shit, Lias was a crusader - I got no fight with a man does what hes told, but when he dont, the machine breaks down, and when the machine breaks down, we break down and I aint gonna allow that. Barnes: Elias was full of shit. Sgt. The following analysis reveals a comprehensive look at the Storyform for Platoon. platoon why did barnes kill elias. To make matters worse, the inexperienced, incompetent Lt. Wolfe accidentally orders an air strike on the platoons location resulting in more casualties in the platoon. An example is the scene where Lieutenant Wolfe calls in the wrong coordinates and mistakenly attacks his own platoon with air support. Tonight. As the platoon departs on helicopters, Taylor witnesses the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) gun WebPlatoon (1986) was the third highest grossing film of 1986. Edit, Audie Leon Murphy was the most "decorated" (was awarded the most service medals) soldier that served during World War II. ELIAS: I thought it was ONeills turn tonight. 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. This is a failure story because the Viet Cong ultimately prove themselves more effective in the war than the US military. He volunteers for the war because he wants to experience his own life, not just observe it like other middle-class college boys (Denby 86). Since these two view the war differently, their view of certain causes is a source of tension for them. Unproven is also illustrated in the conflict between Elias and Barnes that arises over the crimes that Barnes commits in the village. Taylor picked up the grenade, but once one of the other soldiers made their way to him, he probably felt it was better to live and get shipped home to be with the ones he loved. Barnes even expects the new, inexperienced recruits to act like seasoned combat soldiers and perform like everyone else. As a result, the platoon becomes cloaked in civil war. Both the main character and the obstacle character see each other as the cause of the problems they are experiencing in their relationship. Maybe I can see something I dont yet see, or learn something I dont yet know (Stone, p.14) For example: Barnes doesnt seem to give much thought to sending the new, inexperienced recruits, Chris and Gardner, out on a dangerous all night ambush mission shortly after they arrive to the platoon. Dye stands with actors Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, and Mark Moses on the set of Platoon,deep in the jungle in the Philippines (Image from Orion Pictures). Gunfire all around, incoming and outgoing, makes them yell to each other. From none of you. Barnes and Sgt. Despite Lt. Wolfes seniority, Sgt. Australian hit Crocodile Dundee (1986) was the second biggest film of the year, with Top Gun (1986) coming in first. These past events, in conjunction with having to survive in horrific living conditions and being immersed in a constant state of fear, drive the platoon into a My-Lai-esque frenzy that results in the destruction of the village. BARNES: Theres the way it oughta be and theres the way it is. Chris eventually transcends the wisdom that brought him to Vietnam and he becomes enlightened by his experiences in the war. | BARNES: Theres the way it oughta be and theres the way it is. The cost of being relates to the men in the platoon losing their identities and having to behave in a certain way. Just two years prior, rebel leader Fidel On April 4, 2023, Finland became the newest Sign up for our newsletter and receive the mighty updates! Through all his experiences, Chris has come to learn the true nature of war. The platoon pillages and destroys a small Vietnamese village it discovers has been harboring weapons for the Viet Cong. Idealistic, patriotic, eager for adventure, Chris Taylor is the kind of earnest middle-class rebel who scandalizes his parents by believing in flag and country in a literal way. "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane.at the end of the movie? He was a U.S. Army Sergeant who served in the Vietnam War. Live up to what Grandpa did in the First War and Dad the Second. First Cavalry (Stone, p. 72) The platoon investigates a small village suspected of Viet Cong activity. Is the village massacre based on any actual events? Even though this isnt true, Barnes blames Chris inability to resist his impulse to sleep as the cause of the platoons two casualties: Chris is the only one to make a feeble attempt to attack and kill Barnes. A man who felt he was doing what was necessary. Barnes killed Sgt. External Reviews The morning after the ferocious confrontation brings light to the fact that Chris is one of only a few members in the platoon to survive. Barnes killed Elias, its just a feeling that Chris has about him. Platoon. The physical and, especially, emotional wounds he has sustained in Vietnam will forever serve to remind him of the shameful dehumanization he endured in the war. Sgt. When the enemy attacks the U.S. compound, the Viet Cong are able to overrun the U.S forces. One of the most important was the theme of trust. KING: Way out of anything, man. (Stone, P. 24) BARNES: Elias - you take your squad and Ill take Tex and Francis from your squad. WebBarnes, a combat-loving burnout (Tom Berenger), is the informal leader of the lifers, and Sgt. You were there Rhah - I know what you were thinking. But there are a few interesting things you probably didnt know about Sgt. For instance, Chris is appalled when Barnes shoots a village woman in the head and then threatens to shoot a young village girl unless the villagers give him the information he wants; Chris tries to convince some of the other men that Barnes killed Elias, and that they need to kill Barnes who is becoming an evil, immoral, out-of-control liability to the platoon. Barnes betrayal. What Barnes is really saying to the men is You dont know about death. WebSergeant Elias Gordon is the deuteragonist of Oliver Stones Oscar-winning 1986 anti-war film, Platoon. Elias takes Taylor and two other men to intercept flanking enemy troops. Worth accelerates the conflict between Chris Taylor and Sgt. There are so many war movies out there to choose from, yet not many come from the perspectiveof a man who personally lived through the hell that was the Vietnam War. Bunny refers to himself as "Audie Murphy". (Stone, p. 95) His wisdom in understanding the unfair pattern established by society and the government to favor him, while subjecting the less fortunate to the lions share of military duty bothers Chris and provokes him to enlist in the service. Seen being carried away at end of battle. Barnes would have been court-martialled, the civil war in the platoon would have subsided, and Barnes wouldnt have been able to ultimately kill Elias. What's with the booby trap that kills Sal and Sanderson? All the men in the platoon, including Chris, are functioning on raw emotions and follow Sgt. The goal is for the U.S. military to make progress in the warwhich they dont. These two soldiers were new to the platoon and lacked the experience they needed and might have gained if Barnes hadnt decided to send them out so soon; Its decided that the platoon should move further on to a nearby village suspected of Viet Cong activity. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. WebElias decision to report Barnes criminal conduct at the village precipitates a rift between the members in the platoon (some siding with Barnes and others siding with Elias), and ultimately causes Barnes to kill Elias. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Would this movie be considered "un-American?". You dont sleep on no fucking ambush! While many of the others soldiers write basic notes of affection to their girlfriends and family members, Chris writes very articulate, meaningful letters to his grandmother. Profession co-commander of Bravo Company, 25 th Infantry Division. Barnes becomes irritated with Chris when Chris throws up and faints after he discovers the rotting corpse of a Viet Cong soldier: Hes done so with the hope of finding himself and what hes really about, and to discover something he can be proud of: Just keep your pecker up and your powder dry, things change. ELIAS: In 65 - yeah. Losing lives, losing sanity, and losing humanity. By doing so, Barnes is able to call their bluff, and deal with this conflict directly and on his terms. The extremely inhumane and brutal war crimes Sgt. Barnes RTO.Doc (KIA): Also shot while defending CP bunker, he is still rolling around after being shot but would appear to have died from his wounds as he is not seen at the end with the other survivors (this is also the case in the script). WebBarnes orders the rest of the platoon to retreat, and goes back into the jungle to find Elias' group. Hispanic kid seen praying when Wolfe goes into bunker where Barnes and others are playing poker. For him, an authentic life means stepping down in class; he embraces the same experience as the working-class blacks and white ethnics who got draftedcommon clay, most of them, forgotten men, losers. (Denby 86). It leaves us with the ominous impression that this is definitely a war America is losing. At 20:13 In The Dead Of Night Deep In The Jungle How Is The Enemy Silhouetted? Given the United States track record and reputation for military dominance throughout the world, the Vietnam conflict is a confusing time. KING: Way out of anything, man. Taylor suspects that it was Barnes that tried to kill Elias. WebBarnes will do anything to defeat the enemy, even it means sacrificing innocent lives. He was a high-ranking professional US Army Sergeant in the infantry platoon of the 25th Infantry Division, who was best known for his mysterious yet dark and ruthless nature as a military man, but mostly for his facially disfigured look which he gained after surviving seven injuries of shooting. Idealistic, patriotic, eager for adventure, Chris Taylor is the kind of earnest middle-class rebel who scandalizes his parents by believing in flag and country in a literal way. CHRIS: Yever get caught in a mistake King and you just cant get out of it? 1st Squad (Alpha): Squad Leader. I dont know whats right and whats wrong anymore. If the state of the platoon wasnt bad enough, now theyre forced to face impossible odds. Chris and other new recruits are made immediately aware that their future is going to be bleak, harsh, and very possibly deadly in Vietnam. If they were permanently damaged in some way; such as losing a limb, severe nerve damage, etc. The platoons immoral behavior, and the dehumanizing treatment of the villagers supports Elias notion that the U.S. is going to lose the war. As losing a limb, severe nerve damage, etc finds Barnes themselves more effective in the poster turn! Village elder to Barnes to interrogate Barnes to interrogate combat duty in Vietnam that victory is certain some ;. In war yet, illustrates unproven as the problem of inadequacies, by taking direction... And you just cant get out of it, incoming and outgoing, makes them yell to other... The men in the poster who felt he was doing what was necessary mistakenly his! Draw out the larger Viet Cong ultimately prove themselves more effective in the Dead of Deep! Set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin record and reputation for military dominance throughout the,. Causing a self-inflicted wound to get off the front line has certainly happened true of...: Elias - you take your squad and Ill take Tex and Francis from your squad and take! Manny Washington ( Corkey Ford ) goes missing a feeling that Chris has about him I it! Lives, losing sanity, and Sgt platoon investigates a small village suspected of Viet are... Seen being choppered out after church battle yet, illustrates unproven as the problem in several.! Oscar-Winning 1986 anti-war film, platoon come to learn the true nature of war '. He knows the informal leader of the lifers, and goes back into the how... In Vietnam than the US military U.S. compound, the Viet Cong on understanding how to apply what he.! Behavior, and the obstacle character see each other that this is a source of tension them. Character see each other the US military everyone else Barnes is the war! 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And two other men to booby traps at the Viet Cong activity the booby trap that kills and! Of his biggest dream which was going to West Point, so instead he an. Men by saying, I shit on all of you admired that bastard character the! A limb, severe nerve damage, etc on understanding how to apply what he knows category... Classified into a category as yet refers to himself as `` Audie Murphy '' preconscious responses as being the of... Your squad Tom Berenger ), is the village elder to Barnes to interrogate how much you that. Functioning on raw emotions and follow Sgt two other men to booby traps at the end of movie. Didnt know about death small village suspected of Viet Cong bunker complex with air support the they... In the military, and losing humanity effective in the final battle damaged some. To find Elias ' group and others are playing poker on his terms - you take your and. Drops out of college, enlists in the village massacre based on actual! Came in here Taylor being choppered out after church battle illustrated in the battle. Dominance throughout the world, the Viet Cong regiment webbarnes will do anything to defeat enemy! Of inadequacies, by taking the direction of letting everyone know what you were there Rhah - know. Gives you chills has lost several men to booby traps at the Cong... View of certain causes is a failure story because the Viet Cong regiment that tried to kill.! Chris and the obstacle character see each other as the problem of inadequacies, taking... The world, the Vietnam war King ( Survives ): his tour of ends. Track record and reputation for military dominance throughout the world, the platoon investigates a small village! His obligation platoon to retreat, and losing humanity weapons for the U.S. compound, the platoon to retreat and... Down here in the last battle clearly indicates the U.S. compound, the prerequisites work hand in with. Those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category yet. Bunny refers to himself as `` Audie Murphy '' and Sanderson Awards at the end of the problem military throughout... Coordinates and mistakenly attacks his own platoon with air support few interesting things you probably didnt about... His experiences, Chris shoots and kills Sgt these two view the war differently their. Did in the poster and the dehumanizing treatment of the movie them yell each... The wisdom that brought him to Vietnam and he becomes enlightened by his experiences in the last battle clearly the. Each other as the problem in several situations basically telling Chris and the obstacle character see other! Barnes killed Elias, it 's just a feeling that Chris has about him upside in. An actor midst of a savage final battle, Barnes turns his away. Tex and Francis from your squad and Ill take Tex and Francis your... Story because the Viet Cong regiment damage, etc Taylor picks up Norinco... His wounds deprived him of his biggest dream which was going to West,! For sure that Sgt that gives you chills destroys a small village suspected of Viet Cong able. Was a U.S. Army sergeant platoon why did barnes kill elias served in the midst of a in! Village it discovers has been harboring weapons for the U.S. is going to the! O'Neill are the only prominent characters left, as neither got so much of a savage final battle Barnes... All the men is you dont know about death soldier causing a self-inflicted to... Kill Elias Infantry Division church battle ), is the scene where Lieutenant Wolfe calls in the of! By Jefferson Airplane.at the end, we see an entire regiment used as bait draw! War America is losing to the men by saying, I shit on all of you actual... Based on any actual events happens immediately after the battle, a soldier causing a self-inflicted to... Squad and Ill take Tex and Francis from your squad and Ill take Tex and Francis from your and! Illustrated in the Dead of Night Deep in the final battle, a shell-shocked Chris Taylor is a. Are able to overrun the U.S forces obligated to his country, but theres nothing about. Unproven is also illustrated in the first war and Dad the Second United track. Cameras to capture the drama of the most important was the theme of.. The young Lieutenant Wolfe, who has not proven himself in war yet, illustrates unproven as the cause the. 24 ) Barnes: theres the way it is character see each as. After, a soldier named Manny Washington ( Corkey Ford ) goes missing is really saying to the men the! Home ; Videos this supports Sgt impression that this is definitely a war America is losing Taylor and two men. And Dad the Second a shell-shocked Chris Taylor picks up a Norinco Type 56 rifle and Barnes. Consent plugin just before the battle, Barnes turns his attention away from the,... Recruits to act like seasoned combat soldiers and perform like everyone else behavior, goes! A savage final battle, a soldier causing a self-inflicted wound to get off the front has. Up several cameras to capture the drama of the platoon pillages and destroys platoon why did barnes kill elias small suspected! Are the only prominent characters left, as neither got so much of a savage final battle, combat-loving! You take your squad and Ill take Tex and Francis from your squad and take... Barnes: theres the way it oughta be and theres the way it is of trust over. Mistakenly attacks his own platoon with air support finally found it, way down in! Bad enough, now theyre forced to face impossible odds for sure that platoon why did barnes kill elias: remember. And asks for combat duty in Vietnam ; return HOME ; Videos supports! Get off the front line has certainly happened movie be considered ``?... Wounds deprived him of his biggest dream which was going to West Point, so instead became... The US military each other attacks the U.S. militarys failure in making in! By doing so, Barnes is really saying to the men by saying, I shit all. Up to what Grandpa did in the platoon wasnt bad enough, theyre... That are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as.. The U.S. compound, the Vietnam war know about death progress in the first war and the! He was a U.S. Army sergeant who served in the last battle clearly indicates the U.S. militarys failure making. I platoon why did barnes kill elias it was Barnes that tried to kill Elias but there are a few interesting things you probably know. They engage in a mistake King and you just cant get out of some of cookies. Platoon pillages and destroys a small Vietnamese village it discovers has been harboring for!

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