Green Berets vs. Platoon Great

¶ … Green Berets vs. Platoon

Great movies have been made in the past. While some are based on real life experiences, others are essentially fictitious. In this text, I compare and contrast two films on similar subjects. In so doing, I will be seeking to bring out the differences as well as similarities that exist between the two movies. The movies I compare and contrast in this case are The Green Berets and Platoon. Produced in 1968, The Green Berets is a movie that largely revolves around America's Vietnam Special Forces during the Vietnam War. The film features John Wayne and George Takei amongst others. On the other hand, Platoon is largely based on Oliver Stone's experiences during the Vietnam War. Stone, the film's director, happened to serve as a United States infantryman during the war. Starring Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe amongst others, this particular film was produced in 1986.

From the onset, it should be noted that although The Green Berets and Platoon differ on numerous fronts, both films largely focus on the Vietnam War -- a prolonged season of conflict between North Vietnam (backed by the U.S.) and North Vietnam. Both films also portray the sacrifice made by our men and women in uniform during the war. They both present a rare and long-standing image of bravery in the face of danger. Further, the two films are also similar in the sense that they seek to put to the test the realities of the Vietnam War.

One of the key differences between the two movies has got to do with their purpose and motivation. In basic terms, the two films had different motives. While The Green Berets seems to have been inspired by the prevailing anti-war atmosphere and sentiments in America and the need to present a more manageable and favorable picture of America's involvement in the war, Platoon was a movie made to "set the record straight" with regard to the war in Vietnam. Indeed, in a way, Platoon was seen by many as an attempt to counter The Green Berets portrayal of the Vietnam War. According to Suid (2002), The Green Berets not only had President Johnson's support but also the fool co-operation of the military. This patronage from the key players in the war is essentially an indication of the film's underlying motive.

Further, in addition to differing in terms of purpose and motive, the two films also differ in their presentation of reality. It should be noted that unlike The Green Berets, Platoon presents a more accurate picture of the actual happenings on the ground during the Vietnam War. This is more so the case given that Stone, its director, actually served in the Vietnam War as an infantryman. For instance, unlike Stone, Wayne is keen to paint a picture of competent and professional officer corps. In so doing, he completely blacks out incidents of "fragging," which could have cast the army in bad light. In the final analysis therefore, the Platoon could be regarded a more definitive look into the Vietnam War. While The Green Berets presented a war picture that was comforting, the producers of Platoon chose to confront Americans with the hard reality of America's involvement in the Vietnam War.