I have to admit that, up to now, I have been able to sit through Oliver Stone's 'Platoon' in it's entirety only once, and that was on VHS on it's initial release several years ago. My memories were of a film that was unremittingly depressing and dreary, peopled by characters for whom one could muster no empathy. I didn't remember any 'good guys', only 'bad guys' and guys I didn't care about. My discomfort with this film went so far that even after acquiring the original issue laser disc a couple of years ago, except for a cursory examination of the technical quality, I still had no desire to experience this film again. So, the disc sat on a shelf unwatched and, oddly, unwanted.
Well, times change, people change, and so do their attitudes. A new laser disc edition of 'Platoon' from Live Home Video and Pioneer Special Editions was enough to draw me back to a film that I had previously found so disturbing. Still, it was with more than a little apprehension that I sat down to re-experience a film that has meant so much to so many and even been called 'the best Vietnam film ever'. What I found was much of what I remembered, but also much more.
'Platoon' is a dark, chaotic, often frightening, excursion into the worst of mankind. War. Not the sanitized hero-worship version of war so often depicted in the cinema. Modern guerilla war. Fought in steamy, stinking jungles with modern weapons and modern morals (read: lack of), against an enemy we didn't understand and didn't try to. Regardless of one's politics, whether or not one agrees or disagrees with writer/director Stone, one thing is immediately clear, 'Platoon' is a superbly crafted, exceptionally well acted piece of filmmaking. The tension and fear are palpable. After a time, the jungle ceases to be a battleground and becomes a killing ground. The only mystery is who and when. Death becomes a constant companion, waiting only for the next village, the next bend in the trail, the next step to claim another victim. The men of 'Platoon' seem distant from each other. Isolated, insulated. It's harder to watch a friend die than a stranger. You count the days and hope you make it out alive. Only that. Alive.
While time and age no doubt are the major factors in the different perspective I now have on 'Platoon', this new THX approved laser disc transfer goes a long way in enhancing the drama and impact this film has in the home. The transfer was supervised by Director of Photography, Robert Richardson. The liner notes explain that he chose to change the look of the film. Due to budget limitations, he was never able to achieve the look he wanted in post production. Newer telecine technology has allowed him to make the changes he wanted, increased contrast and colors, thus giving this disc a look closest to the original intentions of the filmmakers. In my opinion, he was wildly successful.
Overall, the transfer of 'Platoon' is quite good. There is some fairly noticable grain in a number of scenes but this appears to be film grain. Other than this, the image is extremely clear with good detail despite the very poor lighting conditions. Contrast is greatly improved over the previous video transfer. Blacks are consistantly deep and smooth adding greatly to the sense of forboding Stone strives for in the many jungle scenes. Colors appear accurate but may at first seem a bit muted. This appears to be an artistic decision because there is a scene in the first third of a spectacualr sunset with this beautifully intense orange hue. The image has been matted to a ratio of about 1.85:1 and this framing looks very nice. A noticable improvement over the full frame transfer.
The audio is also improved but in a lesser degree. Frequency response is good, though there is less low bass than one might expect from this type film. Dynamic range also seems a bit compressed but the balance between dialog and the music and effects is good. There is a bit of hiss from time to time but this is slight and any attempt to reduce it further may well have resulted in a loss of clarity so I consider it acceptable. The Dolby Stereo soundtrack contains several excellent directional effects. The surround channel is used somewhat sparingly, but to good effect.
'Platoon' runs 120 very intense, riveting minutes and is presented on three sides with side three in CAV. The side break is very well placed, however the platter break, though at a scene change, is still a bit jarring. The film contains 35 chapters and is followed by a theatrical trailer, 'boxed at 1.85:1 and in nearly as good a condition as the film itself. The two discs are packaged in a nice looking gatefold jacket. Pioneer and Live have oddly (to me, anyway) eschewed the original artwork (Willem DaFoe in silhouette, on his knees, arms raised) for a collection of stills from the film. Retail price is $49.95. One would have hoped for a more affordable price. This is an important film. One more people should have access to. I feel $50 will put it out of the reach of many that might otherwise be able to afford it. It's a shame that social responsibility doesn't play a part in these decisions.
A final note. I was wrong about one thing. There are 'good guys' in 'Platoon'. Good guys in a bad place fighting a bad war. That is what 'Platoon' has left with me. The men and women that went. No matter right or wrong. The ones that died and, perhaps more importantly, the ones that lived. They all deserve a nation's respect. Something they didn't get 20 years ago.
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