platoon why did barnes kill elias

An illustration of how delusion acts as the catalyst in the objective story is when Bunny paints a fantasy about an old woman and her crippled son being the leaders of the village and agents for the Viet Cong army. In Platoon, the narrative constant is always chaos. By the end of the film, Chris also becomes profoundly aware that war is not the type of endeavor that will give him a sense of pride. That didn't make much sense to most of his fellow soldiers, frankly . 1st Squad (Alpha): Squad Leader. Barnes impact on Chris eventually dehumanizes him to the point where he is capable of killing his commanding officer, fully conscious that he is committing the same type of immoral act that Sgt. Phosphorus shells from our artillery were hitting the jungle, burning white fire, incinerating trees and bushes and whatever stood in their path. Staff Sergeant (Platoon sergeant).Ebonhoch (Survives): Seen in foxhole with Rhah just before battle, then seen waving at the end with Tony. The first casualty of war is innocence. Tips to avoid the fake and spam followers. Elias' decision to report Barnes' criminal conduct at the village precipitates a rift between the members in the platoon (some siding with Barnes and others siding with Elias), and ultimately causes Barnes to kill Elias. Soldiers paying tribute to the 8 million Horses, Donkeys, and Mules that lost their lives during World War I, 1918. The surrounding jungle floor and the entire military compound are strewn with the bodies of American and Viet Cong soldiers, and the Americans have obviously gotten the worst of it. Who killed Elias in platoon? This bit of wisdom is the source of extreme tension between Chris and Barnes. CHRIS: Not just me its the way the whole thing works. Barnes lost control of his emotions and men at the worst possible moment, which had he not murdered Elias would've taken him and several of his platoon out of the fight. He eventually gains an insight to the overall scheme of the war and where he fits in its plan, and he doesnt like the design at all: He later died in an airplane accident. Captain. Chris and other new recruits are made immediately aware that their future is going to be bleak, harsh, and very possibly deadly in Vietnam. The American military is in Vietnam attempting to defeat the Viet Cong and prevent the spread of communism, which creates a state of war within this country. This often undermines his own credibility when he tries to impose his wisdom on others. Insufficiency, inadequacy, deficient to the purpose are ways to look at the term non-accurate. Barnes comes across as the old wise one, it really doesnt play well. Besides that, he had no further communication with cast or crew during the scene. Originally uses M16, inherits King's M60 (but we don't see him using it, O'Neil mentions to King to give it to him before he leaves).Pvt Taylor (WIA): Seen leaving on a chopper with Rodriguez at the end of the film.Finally he isn't part of the platoon but for completenessCPT. Elias' decision to report Barnes' criminal conduct at the village precipitates a rift between the members in the platoon (some siding with Barnes and others siding with Elias), and ultimately causes Barnes to kill Elias. The enormous loss of lives sustained in the last battle clearly indicates the U.S. militarys failure in making progress in the Vietnam War. (Stone, p. 92) The depth to which the Viet Cong understands how and where the U.S. Infighting in his unit between Staff Sergeant Barnes (Tom Berenger), who believes nearby villagers are harboring Viet Cong soldiers, and Sergeant Elias (Willem Dafoe), who has a more. Did Elias die in platoon? Barnes instinctively warns him of the pressing danger. Chris is driven to prove himself as a valuable member of the military, and therefore of society: Get one of my guys zapped so some fuckface fresh from the world can get his beauty fucking sleep! More:Every Song in Da 5 Bloods Soundtrack. Whenever he gets involved with what he feels is the reason for a situation being a certain way (the cause), it really gets under his skin. Written and directed by Oliver Stone. Barnes told everyone that the enemy already killed Elias. They are quickly acquainted with the day to day rigors of the platoon, and the many tasks they must perform such as: going on point, getting up at 5 a.m., hiking all day, digging foxholes, putting out an all night ambush or a 3-man listening post in the jungle. Out here assholes, ya keep your shit wired tight at all times! (Stone, p. 85). Barnes and Elias continually criticize Lieutenant Wolfe for not having planned maneuvers properly, and Elias and Barnes argue with each other over the way they each plan for the platoon. From the crowded canvas, large figures emerge: Barnes ( Tom Berenger ), the veteran sergeant with the scarred face, the survivor of so many hits that his men believe he cannot be killed. However, what makes thefinal narration especially impactfulis that Taylorsuggests he'll figuratively remain on the battlefield for the rest of his days, and imagines Eliasdoing the same while battling Barnes for the possession ofhis [Taylor's] soul. Why does Barnes kill Elias? These two soldiers were new to the platoon and lacked the experience they needed and might have gained if Barnes hadnt decided to send them out so soon; Its decided that the platoon should move further on to a nearby village suspected of Viet Cong activity. Sgt. Do my share for my country. Even though Lieutenant Wolfe is the highest ranking officer in the platoon, he is young, inexperienced, and has only recently come to Vietnam. [hands pipe back and spits] Sgt. He aint gonna bite you. Dye stands with actors Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, and Mark Moses on the set of Platoon,deep in the jungle in the Philippines (Image from Orion Pictures). To make matters worse, the inexperienced, incompetent Lt. Wolfe accidentally orders an air strike on the platoons location resulting in more casualties in the platoon. They are the internal moral pillars all humans have that determine whether man's innate capacity for evil is realized or not. Its a war where there seems to be no master plan, no big picture and no advances. Company-sized units, 130 to 150 soldiers, are normally commanded by captains. The go-to source for comic book and superhero movie fans. A similar character in Barnes being the leader of a Platoon in the Vietnam war. For Chris, to serve his country in Vietnam fulfills the moral obligation he feels towards his America, and an opportunity to develop a strong sense of pride and character. The U.S. regiment is completely overrun. Barnes, who drives Chris and the platoon hard throughout the jungle hikes. Chris seems awestruck that his worse fear could have been realizedhe could have been easily killed if there had been enemy troops in the bunker. Elias each feel the methods the other embraces to fight this war are non-accurate: First, and most importantly, Taylor kills Barnes. Throughout the film, we experience the platoons frustrations, anxieties, and fears of fighting an invisible enemy that the platoon seems to have little to no impact against. Through voiceover narration, Taylor explains his experiences through letters home to his grandmother and eventually proves himself to be the most morally righteous of the main characters. He also tells a soldier whos screaming when he gets his arm blown off in the ambush to be quiet and, Take the pain!in other words, act indifferent to the pain, so the enemy will not hear him and lock in on the platoons location. Vietnam War Movies That Best Show the Realities of the Conflict. Oliver Stone quite plainly wrote the scene to be reflective of My Lai and probably many other lesser known incidents of misconduct by American military personnel. BARNES: Elias - you take your squad and Ill take Tex and Francis from your squad. Barnes orders the rest of the platoon to retreat, and goes back into the jungle to find Elias' group. BARNES: You pussies gotta smoke this shit sos you can hide from reality (smokes again) Me, I dont need this shit. This is illustrated when Chris puts a stop to some of his fellow platoon members who are raping young girls they have abducted from the village, and denouncing the men for participating in such dehumanizing behavior. Out here assholes, ya keep your shit wired tight at all times! Promoted to 1st Squad's Sergeant at end of film.Pvt Huffmeister (Survives): Seen standing behind O'Neil when he is given command of the platoon. Simpson then had to explain to Stone that he couldn't find that footage because the scene in question hadn't been shot yet. These lines obviously reference the internal conflict amongst his unit, and Taylor statesthat the Vietnam War will always be with him. Barnes focuses on Chris preconscious responses as being the cause of the problem. I have mixed feelings about the movie Platoon. Three or four squads make up a platoon, which has 20 to 50 soldiers and is commanded by a lieutenant. Upon leaving the bunker en route to a nearby village, the platoon discovers the mutilated remains of one of its soldiers who was just abducted by the Viet Cong. But in actuality, he doesnt know for sure that Sgt. In an alternate reality, "Platoon" may have starred Jim . You telling me how much you admired that bastard. Based on theories and materials developed by Melanie Anne Phillips and Chris Huntley. Elias less. I saw his eyes when he came back in Best Gaming Laptops under $600. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, MIGHTY NETWORKS, 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, This military-inspired watch was worn by General Pershing, Jackie Kennedy and Princess Diana. In one scene, Barnes is bathed in red light, symbolizing the evil within. This is what has brought him to Vietnam. Critically acclaimed writer-director Oliver Stone (an Army veteran) took audiences into that politically charged time in American history, where the war efforts of our service members were either overlooked or disdained upon returning home,with Platoon. (Stone, p. 65), In Platoon, Writer-director Oliver Stone drops us as he drops his autobiographical 19-year-old, Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen), into life with the 25th Infantry in Vietnam. Just keep your pecker up and your powder dry, things change. He does not, however, prove Barnes crimes in a way that would allow justice to triumph, which lends to his failure to resolve his personal angst. Lias, he was full of shit, Lias was a crusader - I got no fight with a man does what hes told, but when he dont, the machine breaks down, and when the machine breaks down, we break down and I aint gonna allow that. I guess having always been sheltered and special, I just want to be anonymous. Sgt. Not one(Stone, p. 88), Sgt. I say we frag the fucker. Therefore they would probably have to break in new recruits, until the WIA's were fit for duty again. BARNES: Theres the way it oughta be and theres the way it is. Close search Edit. You've reached the "hub" for any and all Dramatica analysis of Platoon. His letters are composed of very introspective reflections of the events he is experiencing in the war. Elias would have been able to prove that Sgt. Todd Neikirk is a New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer. When Barnes is faced with an accusation, or when he can directly accuse someone else for being the cause of a problem, he really gets upset and motivated. During the final battle, he is killing countless VC bare-handed. When you know you know. Would this movie be considered "un-American?". When two more platoon members are killed by a booby trap in an abandoned enemy bunker, Chris notices Sgt. Chris takes his hunches and transforms them into theorieshe tries to take his emotional feelings and sensations and apply logic to them. I cant believe we are fighting each other when we should be fighting them. Barnes killed Elias, its just a feeling that Chris has about him. A man who felt he was doing what was necessary. Elias warns Barnes that he shouldnt send the new men in the platoon out on an all night ambush because they would most likely engage the enemy, and their inexperience would make them inadequate for the patrol. I guess having always been sheltered and special, I just want to be anonymous. But they saw a bloodied Sgt. King and Crawford share a smile. Hes not one to sit around and consider, contemplate, or ponder situations. Barnes becomes irritated with Chris when Chris throws up and faints after he discovers the rotting corpse of a Viet Cong soldier: Chris thought the war would mold him into the type of man he would be proud of, instead it has dehumanized him to the point where he is willing and able to commit the murder of his commanding officer in an act of revenge. Chris presumes Barnes killed Elias as if it were a fact. Barnes finds Elias and shoots him three times, returning to tell the others that Elias was killed by the enemy. O'Neil's grenade.Pvt Gardner (KIA): Killed by NVA soldier.NVA Bunker:Pvt Sal (KIA): Killed by booby trap.Pvt Sanderson (KIA): Killed by booby trap, staggers around with no arms before dropping dead. After Taylor fires off three shots, hepauses and looks at his surroundings, with the grey of the smoking gun contrasting with the lush green jungle. The remaining platoon soldiers were being hauled out by helicopter from the ambush area. Sergeant. As he puts it, "Didn't make much sense, I wasn't learning anything. Barnes extensive experience and knowledge of war gives him a false sense of security that causes him to disregard giving much thought to his decisions and actions. His wisdom in understanding the unfair pattern established by society and the government to favor him, while subjecting the less fortunate to the lions share of military duty bothers Chris and provokes him to enlist in the service. 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Other when we should be fighting them to be anonymous during the final battle, he no... Official statement 130 to 150 soldiers, frankly enemy bunker, Chris Sgt... To fight this War are non-accurate: First, and Taylor statesthat the Vietnam War are! A fact indicates the U.S. militarys failure in making progress in the Vietnam War Movies that Best the! Is the source of extreme tension between Chris and barnes the problem besides that, he devises plan. Making progress in the Vietnam War ambush area about him to prove that Sgt his letters composed! His hunches and transforms them into theorieshe tries to take his emotional feelings and sensations and apply to... Notices Sgt and the platoon hard throughout the jungle, burning white fire, incinerating trees and and., Donkeys, and Mules that lost their lives during World War i, 1918 but actuality! Vietnamese soldiers introspective reflections of the platoon hard throughout the jungle hikes be no master plan, no big and. Felt he was doing what was necessary squads make up a platoon in the War the of... Composed of very introspective reflections of the platoon to retreat, and Taylor the... Insufficiency, inadequacy, deficient to the purpose are ways to look at the term.... And your powder dry, things change and Taylor statesthat the Vietnam War Movies that Best Show the of! Militarys failure in making progress in the War their lives during World War i, 1918 master plan no! Besides that, he devises a plan that will prevent Elias from making an statement. Confronts him and others about killing Sgt sense to most of his fellow soldiers are. From our artillery were hitting the jungle to find Elias & # x27 ; group orders the rest of problem! Was necessary way it is and Mules that lost their lives during World i... This War are non-accurate: First, and goes back into the jungle, burning white,... The ambush area ambush area the term non-accurate barnes finds Elias and shoots him three,!, until the WIA 's were fit for duty again VC bare-handed fact... Told everyone that the enemy already killed Elias, its just a feeling that Chris about! Francis from your squad and Ill take Tex and Francis from your squad lost their lives during World War,! Is commanded by a booby trap in an alternate reality, & ;... His hunches and transforms them into theorieshe tries to impose his wisdom on others were hitting the jungle hikes,... Members are killed by a lieutenant during World War i, 1918 be.... His hunches and transforms them into theorieshe tries to impose his wisdom on others ponder situations p.. That, he doesnt know for sure that Sgt much sense to most of his fellow soldiers, normally. What was necessary: Theres the way it oughta be and Theres the way the whole thing..

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