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Casualties of War [1989] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
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"Sometimes you hate the enemy so much"
Review date: 2007-09-13 Rating: 10 out of 10
Sean Penn is the best that I have ever seen him in this film. This is a film about soldiers that have gone wild in Vietnam - a law unto themselves. Yet the motivations of the individual soldiers for doing what they do (in other words becoming a law unto themselves) are very different. Having said that the one thread that brings out, or acts as a catalyst in bringing out, the different manifestations of evil in these soldiers, I felt, was the dominant suffusion of evil emitting from Sean Penn's character. This suffusion of evil is almost spell-binding and all weaker mortals can do, it seems, is follow (or in the case of the viewer is watch). It is this evil that is so strongly influencing those around him that truly makes this film a true masterpiece. The others followed as right became wrong and wrong became right. And when I watched it I felt myself swept up and transported to the Vietnam War. It didn't feel like a 'plastic' war film it felt real, as I watched the drama unfold - because the characters were so real. I would love to say more about this great film - but if I did I would spoil the plot.... A++++
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Reviews
A perfect film in every department.
Review date: 2007-03-08 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is de Palma's MASTERPIECE. Its relative critical failure led to his later dreck like Mission Impossible and Femme Fatale.This has superb acting, hair raising set-peices, and a magnificent Morricone score. You'd be a fool to miss it!
Anti-War
Review date: 2004-01-24 Rating: 10 out of 10
As a bit of a 'Nam film veteran myself I feel compelled to publish my thoughts on this harrowing rendition of the war in Vietnam.
Although different in its approach to explosion laden epics such as "Apocalypse Now" it comes across equally as well. Following the exploits of a five man unit on recon in the Vietnamese jungle, the film depicts the moral dilemma of Michael J Fox's Ericsson.
Both Fox and Penn deliver superb performances, and the viewer can't help but become engrossed in this thought provoking anti-war movie.
Crass Sentimentality
Review date: 2003-01-27 Rating: 2 out of 10
While many Vietnam films - 'Apocolypse Now' and 'Full Metal Jacket' of course spring to mind - attempt to show the reality of Vietnam and leave the judgement to the audience, this film reduces any morality to the level of 'Jerry's Final Thought.' The struggles of the Vietnamese are belittled, yet the savagery of the Americans is crudely portrayed with the somwhat dubious and painfully drawn out rape plot. Made for an American market, it could not leave it at that, but instead rescues the American ideal with the unlikely hero figure played by Michael J. Fox. He stands out against peer pressure (I hope you are paying attention kids!) and is generally upstanding. It would have taken an amazing performance to pull off such a two dimensional character and predictably this doesn't arrive. There are a lot of good and bad Vietnam films. This unfortunately falls firmly in the latter, and just wait till you see the end. Please avoid this film at all costs - if you want a decent Vietnam film go with Kubrick every time.
One of the least talked about War Classics ever!
Review date: 2003-01-18 Rating: 10 out of 10
This film is real classic, worth a couple of hours of your time. Mr Fox manages to pull the role of being a moral soilder placed in difficult circumstances off very well. Basically he plays Marty McFly again but instead of a time machine and the Doc he is in vietnam along side some war hardend soliders.
If you give this film a chance and get passed the shocking moments during the middle of the film, you will eventually get to one of the most beautiful and amostional last scenes that has ever been recorded.
If you enjoyed Platton and Boyz in the Hood this film is a must!
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Sean Penn
John Leguizamo
Michael J. Fox
Don Harvey
John C. Reilly
Creators:
Michael J. Fox (Primary Contributor)
Sean Penn (Primary Contributor)
Stephen H. Burum (Cinematographer)
Bill Pankow (Editor)
Art Linson (Producer)
Fred C. Caruso (Producer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Columbia TriStar
Manufacturer: Columbia TriStar
EAN: 9780767865135
Binding: DVD
ISBN: 0767865138
Number of items: 1
Format: Closed-captioned, Colour, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC,
Release date: 2001-12-11
Universal product code (UPC): 043396062924
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Region code: 1
Running time: 113 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1989-08-18
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: Chinese (Subtitled)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: Korean (Subtitled)
Language: Portuguese (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)
Language: French (Dubbed)
Language: Portuguese (Dubbed)
Language: Spanish (Dubbed)