Customer Reviews

Platoon Leader [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Some noncomplimentary reviews have been written here by people who, from what I conclude after reading their comments, did not actually serve in Vietnam. I did serve with the USMC around the DaNang area in 1969-70. After seeing most of the Vietnam war movies, I feel that this movie is the most realistic of how it really was over there. Why is there still no DVD of this movie?

Platoon Leader is not what I expected from Cannon Pictures, masters of the career ending, guilty pleasure b-grade formula film. It is less a formula war movie than the story of how an idealistic and by the book lieutenant (Michael Dudikoff) becomes a leader of men after getting a severe dose of reality training in the (...) quagmire of the Vietnam War. What makes this really refreshing is how favorably the lead characters are presented as Lyons's old timer encourages Dudikoff's character to strengthen and maintain a firm grip on the beliefs that who they are, what they stand for, and why they are there are right and just. Hope and idealism winning out in what one would think would be yet another in the then endless parade of Vietnam War angst movies. Recommended.

If you want to see the Vietnam War as it was experienced by a real Platoon Leader, this is it. Authentic, down to the mannerisms, slang, terror and disillusion of it all, this film has none of the wierd phantasms of Apocalypse Now or the left wing political hype of Oliver Stone's Platoon. Richard C. Caporiccio, LTC, Platoon Leader during the Vietnam War

A fine war picture which shows the struggles of a platoon in Vietnam. Their leader gets a wake up call on assignment sending him to the hospital and realizes the importance of life (sacred). Michael Dudikoff is once again a genius and this movie is not on DVD. What's with MGM? Please put all of the Cannon movies on DVD right now.

Though there are many interesting vietnam War Movies such as Platoon, Hamburger Hill, Tour of Duty, Siege on Firebase Gloria, Last Stand in the Lang Mei, Rumors of War, Boys in Company C, We were Soldier, The Green Berets, The Odd Angry Shot, Apocalypse Now, A Bright Shining Lie and etc. I still keep watching this Platoon Leader..I really wish this movie will be available in DVD soon. For war Movie Fan this is a must see Movie for you.

This is how Class-B Movie should be made.

Though I wouldn't consider this to the greatest Vietnam film I've ever seen (which to me would be Platoon) I wouldn't consider it to be the worst. This film actually goes some way to realistically portray a U.S platoon, where as many films just centre on a crazy one man killing machine. The characters actually are shown to vulnerable, even the hero of the Story. The only thing that lets this film down in my eyes is the obvious shoe string budget and also a few innacuracies. The budget limitations saw them use a crude mock up of an M79 Grenade Launcher and also contrary to what someone else put a very poor helicoptor assault scene that looks like something straight out of Thunderbirds. Also the soldiers were using 30 round magazines (which only ever appeared at the end of the war and were not issued to standard US army troops) instead of 20 round ones. Its only a small point but I'd have thought thats why they employed a military advisor, to make sure things like this were correct.

This is one of the most underrated movies in war movie history. The acting may be shabby but the action scenes are well done. Platoon Leader is down to earth and straight to the point, war is hell but this is worse. This movie is a classic.

I've been into war films since I was a teen in the 80's, and probably even before. This film, Platoon Leader, was one that I missed somehow. I have a huge collection of Vietnam and other war movies, but until recently this one had got by me. I got a copy on VHS and just watched it.

Here are some thoughts.

Platoon Leader is based upon a true story found in the book, "Platoon Leader: a Memoir of Command in Combat by James R. Mcdonough. (The book is described in part as "A remarkable memoir of small-unit leadership and the coming of age of a young soldier in combat in Vietnam.")

Don't expect some A-grade picture here. But what you do have is a film that is very competently done, directed by Aaron Norris (younger brother of Chuck Norris) who actually served in Vietnam. As the IMDB bio page on Aaron says "Both Aaron and older brother Wieland served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam, unfortunately Wieland was killed in action and was awarded the Silver Star for bravery. Aaron served 3 years as a Sergeant."

The movie is a Cannon films release. To those who know about Cannon, they had some spotty films in their day, and some terrific films. I'd say that Platoon Leader falls in more along the terrific side, with some reservations. Certainly, as an action film, the trademark of Cannon is here from back in the 80's, they blow a lot of stuff up. It looks great. The actors do a decent enough job. Some of the lines and whatnot are a little cheesy, but it is what it is. As a Vietnam film, I think it does a fine job of showing the war. Not perfect, but it does a good job of conveying several things, without being too political. Its really about the men, their struggles, protecting the village, the chaos, etc.

If you are looking for something along the lines of We Were Solders, or Platoon, forget it. If you want a decent action film, done Cannon style with some great characters and where a lot of stuff blows up, then welcome to a good 80's film. All in all, "It's Gooooood!"

I really would love to see this released officially on dvd, with commentary, etc!!

This is perhaps the most underated movie based on vietnam experiences ever produced. Much ,much Better than seige of firebase gloria that was simple poorly done with tons of phoney scenes. This movie is GREAT! How someone can state there is no story line is simply ridiculas. A great story...a great cast...no phoney combat scenes...a great ending and greatly directed. What more can you ask for. No body in the movie is playing "Rambo" and for good reason because if you did in real life you'd be dead. The movie is for real and very, very interesting. If you want hollywood watch Rambo...if you want a realistic movie concerning a platoon protecting a village in vietnam during the vietnam war... watch this. A green LT that goes by the book who at first was an outsider soon relizes that listening to his men and NOT going by the book is the real life way to deal with the situation he and his men were up against in vietnam protecting a village and their firebase. He earns his leadership and the respect of his men and takes charge of what they called. "The country club"(The firebase). The movie also sports one of the best multi helicoptor assult scenes ever done on film. Based on real facts, very realistic and is a movie that can be watched more than once.

have always enjoyed this movie as one of my war favorites and after all these years and with all the other schlock on dvd and blu-ray i wonder what in the world is holding up the release of this movie ? any ideas anyone ?