Customer Reviews

Anderson Platoon

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have to be honest, it was all that I could do to sit through this updated video. The narrator should have simply used the original words of the French producer. Instead, it is full of PC crap. Why point out that this platoon is unique because the Platoon Leader is a black West Pointer? Duh! Who's not going to pick up on that? In the original, they simply showed him and stated the fact. Then they go into the platoon having Blacks, Native Americans, and Hispanics! Duh, again. Anyone with eyes can see that. It seems strange that they didn't mention that it also contained Whites. One of the things that made the original video so forceful was the narrator telling us at the beginning who was destined to be killed and wounded. Instead, it was left out for the PC stuff that modern documentaries think must be in there. One thing that really struck me in the original was the French director admitting that the war was started by France. An important point, left out in the updated version. Add to that, the switching around of scenes and the long lack of any narrative at some points and you get a pale imitation of the original award winning documentary. Don't take my word for it, watch the original on You Tube and then watch this lame-o version. My advice, stay away from this one unless you can't find one of the originals.

This is a very unusual documentary. The naration is minimal, almost nothing is explained. THere are long sequences of time in which nothing happens - just guys eating from their mess kits or marching through a stream, or salvaging a damaged helicopter. After a few desultory episodes, the film ends in a set-piece combat drop, heavy fighting. The camera captures the sweat, fear, and wounds of these very young soldiers.

I found it real, unsentimental, no political ax to grind. Just boredom, fear, and death - and one moment of utter courage under fire. No slow-mo, no music. Just a dirty, brave man facing death. It's as close to real combat as I ever hope to get.

I agree with the first reviewer. This is a travesty of the original film and an insult to the actual director. The VHS version is much better. It is a shame the Schoendoerffer Collection is not avail;able inthe USA with English subtitles. It is execrabl;e on all levels.

I also agree with those dissapointed by the reworked narration of this film. This is a totally different film with a far weaker impact than the director's original, English language narration.

This moving documentary shows what war it truly like - the long periods of boredom broken by short bursts of total fear, the pain of losing a comrade, the loneliness and the camaraderie that comes with being a fighting man. An excellent commentary on the effects of war on America's youth.