Elas Character Analysis. Maybe from down here I can start up again, be something I can be proud of and not have to fake itbe a fake human being. Early on, it's revealed thatBarnes actually has more internal power than Lieutenant Wolfe (Mark Moses), whichestablishes Berenger's facially-scarred character as theAlpha Male. It's possible Francis' tour was close to being over. Barnes defeats any ideas they might have had about killing him. Here's how the final action plays out in Platoon, andwhat it all means for the bigger picture. But there are a few interesting things you probably didn't know about Sgt. Barnes realizes that Chris is standing behind him with a rifle pointed at him. 66 How many times has Barnes been shot? I know he did. His letters are composed of very introspective reflections of the events he is experiencing in the war. 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. The mens essential natures are not suitable for war and it takes its toll, best seen in post-traumatic stress. Half the platoon sides with Sgt. Throughout the film there are indicators that the U.S. troops are not progressing towards victoryvisually expressed in the loss of lives and in the mounting frustration and stress within the platoon. The platoon commits war crimes against the village as a means of releasing frustration for the deaths of the members in their platoon. You fuck up in a fire fight and I goddamn guarantee you a trip out of the bush, in a body bag! Best Movies about modern (post-1900) warfare/military. (Stone, p. 3) When the platoon suffers casualties on the all night ambush, Barnes gives the men a threatening speech about how inadequate performance will not be tolerated. While many of the others soldiers write basic notes of affection to their girlfriends and family members, Chris writes very articulate, meaningful letters to his grandmother. This is of note due to the ideals he represented. The platoon becomes very upset with this recent discovery, but none seem to be as mentally and emotionally afflicted as Sgt. Ironically, it is the impact of Sgt. The light of the moon. But its not true! Performing a patriotic service for your country, the chance to take rage and frustration out on the enemy that has caused it, doing drugsthese are types of dividends the men can reap in the platoon. Stone's filmalso has a familial connection to Francis Ford Coppola's 1979 war classic Apocalypse Now, whichstars Charlie Sheen's father, Martin Sheen. Morehouse and Sal are short, Fu Shengs going on an RnR, you dont want to send their asses out on an ambush. Elias threatens to take the unproven matter to the proper authorities, but he never has the chance because Barnes kills him. Tension is derived from the sense that everything the platoon attempts to do appears ineffective against the elusive and ever encroaching enemy. When Chris reflects upon the village and the murder of Elias, he is able to gain the same enlightenment, yet his killing of Barnes in cold blood detracts from any progress hes made toward self-fulfillment. Lieutenants lead most platoons, and the second-in-command is generally a sergeant first class. The most famous is the My Lai massacre, believed to have been perpetrated by Lt. William Calley. Barnes as the leading commander in the platoon instead of the inexperienced Lt. Wolfe; he doesnt do anything when Barnes and others in the platoon commit war crimes against the Vietnamese villagers; he also doesnt realize that the platoon is about to be caught in a crossfire trap by the Viet Cong. CHRIS: Didnt make much sense. Stone's message suggests that for goodness to prevail, darkness must be overcome. Barnes, a combat-loving burnout (Tom Berenger), is the informal leader of the lifers, and Sgt. Barnes grievances focus on Chris Taylor who supports and follows Elias ideals eventually leading to their lethal confrontation. Much of this is illustrated in his letters to his grandmother. The go-to source for comic book and superhero movie fans. Barnes RTO.Doc (KIA): Also shot while defending CP bunker, he is still rolling around after being shot but would appear to have died from his wounds as he is not seen at the end with the other survivors (this is also the case in the script). He is a brutal and extremely violent Sergeant in the US Army, known for his horrifically disfigured face that he gained after surviving seven shooting injuries. Hundreds of dead American and Viet Cong soldiers bodies are strewn all about the compound and nearby jungle floor. Edit, Audie Leon Murphy was the most "decorated" (was awarded the most service medals) soldier that served during World War II. I guess having always been sheltered and special, I just want to be anonymous. Elias, a free spirit (Willem Dafoe), leads the latter group. Barnes course of action, but is in no position to prevent the horrible events he witnesses. One of the dead under ponchos at battle's end, seen carried to chopper at end. who would you have rather served with in NAM, or in any war. They all look at each other. With his unique perspective, Stone filmed one of the most iconicdeath scenes in cinema history the dramatic end of Sgt. We fought ourselves." That day we loved him(Stone, p. 45) Elias Elias and Barnes have the same title but couldn't be more different. Matters continue to get worse for the platoon. Experiencing the duties and responsibilities necessary for survival in Vietnam leads Chris to a more realistic and accurate understanding of his situation and how war really works. Platoon primarily centers on the power dynamics between Taylor (Charlie Sheen),Staff Sergeant Bob Barnes (Tom Berenger), andSergeant Gordon Elias(Willem Dafoe). CHRIS: Yever get caught in a mistake, King, and you just cant get out of it? Barnes' decision to kill Elias and later, his decision to try and kill Chris, provokes Chris to kill him. And so everything looks and feels relatively normal given the circumstances. These lines obviously reference the internal conflict amongst his unit, and Taylor statesthat the Vietnam War will always be with him. Barnes. I cant believe we are fighting each other when we should be fighting them. No on talks. We just dont add up to a rats ass. Barnes. CHRIS: Yever get caught in a mistake King and you just cant get out of it? Barnes leadership, committing war crimes against the villagers. This is definitely a war America is not winning. If they were permanently damaged in some way; such as losing a limb, severe nerve damage, etc. You fuck up in a fire fight and I goddamn guarantee you a trip out of the bush, in a body bag! Elias tells Barnes that they don't know anything, and they are probably going to run into something. They are the internal moral pillars all humans have that determine whether man's innate capacity for evil is realized or not. Even though they believe him, they argue that Chris has no proof of Sgt. Kill me. Course Mom and Dad didnt want me to come, they wanted me to be just like them - respectable, hard-working, making $200 a week, a little house, a family. Platoon's demolition expert. Insufficiency, inadequacy, deficient to the purpose are ways to look at the term non-accurate. The young Lieutenant Wolfe, who has not proven himself in war yet, illustrates unproven as the problem in several situations. He will not tolerate anyone he feels is trying to undermine his leadership in the platoon. Chris and other new recruits are made immediately aware that their future is going to be bleak, harsh, and very possibly deadly in Vietnam. I am reality. Sgt. Only I know about death. Whenever Sgt. Remember what it looks like. Not one. You telling me how much you admired that bastard. Unlike most of the analysis found herewhich simply lists the unique individual story appreciationsthis in-depth study details the actual encoding for each structural item. Francis - portrayed by Living Colour frontman Corey Glover - emerges from a foxhole and correctly determines that help is indeed on the way. The smell was chemical and horrific. KING: How the fuck you get over here man, you look like you educated 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. Barnes feels whatever strides he can make against the enemy are worth operating outside the moral codes of war. Barnes. Understanding how networked the entire area has become and how hidden and well stocked the Viet Cong are serve as forewarnings that support the consequence. Events that have already happened are used as a yardstick to measure the progress toward the goal. He volunteers for the war because he wants to experience his own life, not just observe it like other middle-class college boys. New posts Search forums. CHRIS: I was wrong. His mythic persona, superiority in rank, experience, and hard-line leadership commands respect and influences the platoon to follow his example and orders. I know he did. Barnes killed Sgt. You got no proof man. Truman willingly agreed to aid Frances ambitions in exchange for Frances support. Barnes views Chris the same way he views Elias, an agent out to challenge his way of war, a crusader causing dissension among the men, undermining Barnes efforts, and placing the platoon in jeopardy. Suddenly, at. Chris understanding of the war increases as he engages in combat activities: hiking through the jungle from sun up to sun down, digging foxholes, going on point, participating in 3-man listing posts and all night ambushes, etc. Barnes killed Elias, it's just a feeling that Chris has about him. (Stone, p. 9-10) Who killed Elias in platoon? Barnes. Barnes questionable account of how he earlier found Elias dead in the jungle, prompting the following exchange of dialogue between Chris and other platoon members: His work has been featured in psfk.com, foxsports.com, politicususa.com and hillreporter.com. Its funny, in retrospect Ive heard many people say that Oliver Stone took that [pose] from a war photo, he continued. Just keep your pecker up and your powder dry, things change. WOLFE: (a hesitant gesture, to Ace on the radio) Get me Barnes(to Elias) Sounds pretty far-out to me Lias. Sgt. 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. Barnes sitting down, lost in a thought. BARNES: What the hells matter with you Taylor! All gave some during the Vietnam War, and some gave all. CHRIS: Proofs in his eyes. Dale Dye. 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