Casualties Of War
Hailed by critics as a masterpiece, Casualties of War is based on the true story of a squad of soldiers caught in the moral quagmire of wartime Vietnam. Witness to a vile crime, Private Eriksson (Michael J. Fox, Back to the Future) is forced to stand alone against his fellow soldiers and commanding officer Sergeant Meserve (Sean Penn, Dead Man Walking), a powerful and charismatic man pushed over the edge of barbarism by the terror and brutality of combat. With sweeping scope, action and raw power, master filmmaker Brian De Palma creates a devastating and unforgettable tale of one man's quest for sanity and justice amidst the chaos of war.
Member Reviews
Your tears become a casualty of this powerful movie. - SoloSymphony
Is there really a point of delving deep into the story when so many reviews did so already? It's POWERFUL! Some of these actors' best roles. Surprisingly a-list cast (well, was early in most of their careers at the time).
The scenes were IMPRESSIVELY shot, and in the big climax scene, the explosions immediately after rocked the areas trees back with such force ... stunning from a visual-effects lovers point of view.
A Classic! No doubt.superb - basilbenz
coppola, Stone and Cimino did their best, but the award for best Vietnam movie goes to Brian De Palma. One of the only directors working today who still knows the meaning of 'cinema', De Palma uses all his favorite techniques (the long shots, split-focus)without being intrusive. There are so many fantastic moments in this film, so many images that stay in your mind long after the credits rolled by. Who could forget the death of the girl on that railwaybridge? It's truly one of the most chilling images I've ever seen on screen, also thanks to the haunting score by Ennio Morricone.
The acting is fantastic. Sean Penn makes it very easy for you to hate him, John Leguizamo as the pathetic Diaz hits all the right notes, John C. Reilly is wonderful as always. And then there's Michael J. Fox, in a rare dramatic role. As Ericcson, he's the beating heart of this film, the only human creature on screen. His attempts to save the girl are heartbreaking and deeply tragic.
It's a mystery why this movie doesn't get the recognition it deserves. Maybe the Americans don't like the way some of their countrymen are portrayed here. Maybe the idea of Marty McFly as G.I. Joe turns some people off. The IMDb rating this movie gets is a joke, albeit not a very funny one. This is one of Brian De Palmas finest movies (it's so hard to choose a favorite he has made so many classics), the best war movie I've ever seen and one of the greatest American movies ever.
You simply HAVE to see this!Arguably Foxx's best - Chucky
This Viet Nam war film dares to tackle the brutality of the war from the standpoint of those that the American military was sent there to help. Yes the L.R.R.P. unit did invade a sleeping village and kidnap a sleeping Viet Namese national. That take her from her bed and steal her away for their own lustful purposes. Along the way, the girl is not fed or given water, she is made to tred barefoot through snake infested jungles while carrying the corperals heavy ruck sack, Jamie Foxx, the only abstainer, tries his best to aid the young captive but held back by the very bonds of honor and decency that compel him to want to help her escape, he can do no more than cut her loose and release her into the jungle. The terrified girl can't leave without him though and both are caught. Heart wrenching, a phenominal cast, perfect script flawless execution
Member Reviews
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Your tears become a casualty of this powerful movie. - SoloSymphony
Is there really a point of delving deep into the story when so many reviews did so already? It's POWERFUL! Some of these actors' best roles. Surprisingly a-list cast (well, was early in most of their careers at the time).
The scenes were IMPRESSIVELY shot, ...superb - basilbenz
coppola, Stone and Cimino did their best, but the award for best Vietnam movie goes to Brian De Palma. One of the only directors working today who still knows the meaning of 'cinema', De Palma uses all his favorite techniques (the long shots, split-focus)without ...Arguably Foxx's best - Chucky
This Viet Nam war film dares to tackle the brutality of the war from the standpoint of those that the American military was sent there to help. Yes the L.R.R.P. unit did invade a sleeping village and kidnap a sleeping Viet Namese national. That take her from ...