1. Platoon 1986，IMDB Rating: 8.1，Douban Rating: 8.2，ID: tt0091763 Photo by wordpress.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Platoon, directed by Oliver Stone, is a realistic portrayal of the Vietnam War, showing the chaos and human cost of conflict. The film is based on Stone’s personal experiences, making it a poignant exploration of war.
2. Apocalypse Now 1979，IMDB Rating: 8.4，Douban Rating: 8.5，ID: tt0078788 Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Apocalypse Now’ is a cinematic masterpiece that delves into the harsh realities of war. Both films are similar to Oliver Stone’s Platoon, in that they provide an original portrayal of the Vietnam War from different perspectives. The films take us on a surreal and dark journey that reveals the thin line between sanity and insanit.
3. The Deer Hunter 1978，IMDB Rating: 8.1，Douban Rating: 8.4，ID: tt0077416 Photo by coyotepr.uk, is licensed under CC BY ND 4.0 The Deer Hunter is a poignant exploration of friendship and the devastating impact of war. Its portrayal of the Vietnam War, neither glorifying nor condemning it, offers a nuanced perspective that is deeply moving. The film’s emotional depth, coupled with stellar performances, makes it a timeless classic.
4. Full Metal Jacket 1987，IMDB Rating: 8.3，Douban Rating: 8.6，ID: tt0093058 Photo by mojnews.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Full Metal Jacket’ is a cinematic journey that takes us through the harsh realities of the Vietnam War. It is about a group of soldiers in the Vietnam War as they go from recruit training to the battlefield. The first half of the movie focuses on the brutal grind of the soldiers in the harsh training camps, while the second half shows the chaos and brutality of their time on the battlefields of Vietnam.
5. Born on the Fourth of July 1989，IMDB Rating: 7.2，Douban Rating: 7.7，ID: tt0096969 Photo by newsfilter.gr, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Oliver Stone’s ‘Born on the Fourth of July’ is a poignant portrayal of patriotism turned disillusionment. The film, featuring a riveting performance by Tom Cruise, explores the life of Ron Kovic, a man whose zealous patriotism is shattered by the harsh realities of the Vietnam War. The film’s strength lies in its unflinching depiction of war and its aftermath, a theme Stone seems to master, as evidenced in his earlier work, ‘Platoon’.
6. Salvador 1986，IMDB Rating: 7.4，Douban Rating: 8.0，ID: tt0091886 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 ‘Salvador’ is a compelling exploration of the human condition amidst chaos. The film, much like ‘Platoon’, offers a raw and unfiltered look at war, albeit through a different lens. While ‘Platoon’ provides a soldier’s perspective of the Vietnam War, ‘Salvador’ presents the viewpoint of a journalist caught in the turmoil of Central America.
7. The Doors 1991，IMDB Rating: 7.2，Douban Rating: 8.0，ID: tt0101761 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Doors is about the life of rock legend Jim Morrison, focusing on his wild and rebellious character. The fact that the movie focuses primarily on Morrison’s personal experiences and spirituality rather than the growth of the band as a whole feels somewhat limiting.
8. Wall Street 1987，IMDB Rating: 7.4，Douban Rating: 8.2，ID: tt0094291 Photo by ejumpcut.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Wall Street, directed by Oliver Stone, is a captivating representation of the financial world during the 1980s. The film’s protagonist, Bud Fox, portrayed by Charlie Sheen, is an ambitious stockbroker who gets entangled in the web of high-stakes trading, under the mentorship of the ruthless Gordon Gekko, played by Michael Douglas. The film’s portrayal of greed and corruption in the financial sector is both insightful and thought-provoking.
9. Terminator 2: Judgment Day 1991，IMDB Rating: 8.5，Douban Rating: 8.7，ID: tt0103064 Photo by bp.blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a sci-fi/action classic. The movie explores the theme of humanity in a post-apocalyptic future, similar to the way Platoon examines humanity in the harsh realities of war. Both films, despite their different genres and settings, are fascinating explorations of the human spirit under extraordinary circumstances.
10. True Lies 1994，IMDB Rating: 7.2，Douban Rating: 8.2，ID: tt0111503 Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Directed by James Cameron, True Lies is an action-packed film filled with humor and daring. The movie’s inventive action scenes, such as the memorable hotel lobby chase, are reminiscent of the meticulous attention to detail in Platoon, where even the dirt is imported for authenticity. Whereas Platoon was grounded in the harsh realities of war, True Lies thrives on action scenes so exaggerated as to be almost cartoonish.
11. Titanic 1997，IMDB Rating: 7.8，Douban Rating: 9.4，ID: tt0120338 Photo by tmdb.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Titanic is a cinematic masterpiece of historical tragedy and a moving love story. The movie’s attention to detail creates an immersive experience. On the other hand, Platoon’s simulated boot camp and personalized helmets add a layer of realism to the film. Though the contexts and narratives of the two films are very different, they both offer valuable insights into the human condition and the lengths people go to in order to survive.
12. Avatar 2009，IMDB Rating: 7.8，Douban Rating: 8.7，ID: tt0499549 Photo by bp.blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Avatar, directed by James Cameron, is a movie that pushes the limits of cinematic technology. The movie depicts the lush, biologically glorious world of Pandora and the conflict between the indigenous Na’vi and the human invaders. The movie’s anti-war message is similar to the battle for resources in our world.
13. The Godfather: Part Ⅱ 1974，IMDB Rating: 9.0，Douban Rating: 9.2，ID: tt0071562 Photo by mojnews.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Godfather: Part II, an in-depth look at how one man transforms into a ruthless figure of power, bears intriguing similarities to the behind-the-scenes realities of Platoon, a film acclaimed for its vividly realistic portrayal of the Vietnam War.
14. Taxi Driver 1976，IMDB Rating: 8.3，Douban Rating: 8.5，ID: tt0075314 Photo by neformat.com.ua, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Taxi Driver, directed by Martin Scorsese, is a film that dives deep into the psyche of its protagonist, Travis Bickle, played brilliantly by Robert De Niro. The film’s focus on Travis’ perspective makes it a unique and powerful exploration of a man’s soul. The film’s portrayal of Travis’ loneliness and alienation is both poignant and unsettling, making it a cinematic masterpiece.
Platoon in Context: Comparing Stone’s Vietnam Epic to Other War Films and Classics
