PLATOON (M) presented in 35mm

Platoon at The Revival House Perth

In 1967, idealistic young Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) drops out of college and volunteers for combat duty in Vietnam, believing it's his patriotic duty to serve. Arriving in the jungle, Chris quickly discovers the brutal reality of war bears no resemblance to his naive expectations. His platoon is divided between two sergeants with opposing philosophies: the compassionate Sergeant Elias (Willem Dafoe), who maintains his humanity despite the horrors, and the scarred, battle-hardened Sergeant Barnes (Tom Berenger), who has become a ruthless killer willing to do anything to survive. As Chris witnesses—and participates in—atrocities against Vietnamese civilians, his innocence is shattered. The tension between Elias and Barnes escalates into a deadly conflict, forcing Chris to choose which man's vision of warfare he'll follow. The jungle becomes a battleground not just against the Viet Cong, but for the soldiers' own souls.

Writer-director Oliver Stone draws on his own Vietnam combat experience to create the most visceral and morally complex film about the war. The 1986 film won Best Picture and Best Director Oscars for its unflinching portrayal of combat's chaos and the moral rot that can consume soldiers. Stone doesn't glorify or simplify—the Vietnamese are barely seen as individuals, reflecting the grunt's-eye perspective where anyone could be the enemy. Robert Richardson's cinematography captures both the jungle's claustrophobic danger and haunting beauty. Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe create iconic opposing forces, while the young cast—including Forest Whitaker, Johnny Depp, and Keith David—bring authenticity to the enlisted men. Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings underscores the tragedy. Stone's achievement is presenting war without heroics, only survival and loss.

Original format and audio experience of this film faithfully reproduced by The Revival House. Presented in 35mm film unless noted otherwise.

When: Friday, May 29th at 7:20PM
Where: The Revival House at the Como Theatre
Rating: R 18+ (High level violence, drug use and coarse language)

Stone's Oscar-winning masterpiece delivers the most visceral Vietnam War experience—unflinching combat horror on 35mm film.

Presented by: The Revival House Perth