The Controversial War True Story Drama With A Sci-Fi Icon Needs More Attention
The Vietnam War was not the finest hour for the United States, and the 1989 film Casualties of War provides a glimpse of one of the U.S. military’s darkest hours in Vietnam. The film stars two of the most in-demand actors of the 1980s: Sean Penn, and Back to the Future star Michael J. Fox. While there are no flux capacitors in use, it does enable a kind of time travel to a time when a U.S. Army platoon engaged in one of the war’s most heinous acts by our nation’s military personnel.
Based On Real-Life War Atrocities
Casualties of War is based on the true story of the events that resulted in the inhumane and barbaric treatment of the local civilian population while a platoon of U.S. soldiers patrols Hill 192 in 1966. Penn plays the role of Sgt. Tony Meserve, who is the platoon’s leader under Lt. Reilly, who is played by Ving Rhames several years before his breakout role in the supporting cast of Pulp Fiction. The entire film is told through the viewpoint of Fox’s character, Private Eriksson.
Bad Spirits Lead To Bad Decisions
The entire film is a flashback in which Eriksson recalls a Viet Cong attack on the platoon while it is on a nighttime patrol. Sgt. Meserve saves Eriksson after he falls into a collapsed Viet Cong tunnel, and the platoon retreats to lick its wounds near a river village in South Vietnam’s Central Highlands area. Another surprise attack by the Viet Cong claims more lives, which has a profound impact on Meserve.
The platoon is ordered back into the jungle with little to no rest, which puts Sgt. Meserve and the platoon in bad spirits. Meserve and others in the platoon decide they should kidnap a local girl and use her as they wish while out on patrol. Eriksson strenuously objects, which puts him on the outs with most of the platoon that does as Meserve tells them.
A Journey For Justice
The rest of Casualties of War depicts the violent assault of the Vietnamese girl they kidnap and Eriksson’s efforts to prevent her murder – and his – by the platoon. He fails to save the girl, and he’s doing his best to save himself while seeking justice for the war criminals in the platoon. Sadly, such justice doesn’t come quickly.
A Hidden War Movie Gem
Director Brian De Palma uses his usual filmmaking magic to keep the pacing and tension strong in Casualties of War. The cinematography is first-rate, and legendary film score composer Ennio Morricone lends his talents to help make the film even more compelling. Casualties of War also has an exceptional supporting cast, including eventual Academy Award-winner John C. Reilly, John Leguizamo, and Don Harvey.
Profound But Not Profitable
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The film didn’t fare well during its short box office run, partly due to strong competition from other popular films making theatrical runs simultaneously, including Uncle Buck, When Harry Met Sally, and Lethal Weapon 2. A total box office take of $18.67 million during a run of about three weeks ensured it wouldn’t turn a profit, but it’s still a great film by one of the greatest filmmakers.
De Palma’s body of work as a director includes many classics, such as Carrie, Scarface, and The Untouchables. He knows how to film a great story, and Casualties of War is one of his most underrated accomplishments. You can stream it now on Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video.
