Even in war… murder is murder.|Aug. 18, 1989|Thailand|113 Min.|R
Genre: Drama;History;War
Description: The 1989 film *Casualties of War* follows the harrowing experiences of Max Eriksson, a Vietnam veteran. In a flashback, Eriksson recalls his time serving under Lieutenant Reilly, who leads a platoon of American soldiers on a nighttime patrol. During the mission, the group is ambushed by the Viet Cong (VC) after a frightened soldier reveals their position. While guarding the platoon’s flank, Eriksson falls into a VC tunnel, which collapses beneath him. Sergeant Tony Meserve, Eriksson’s squad leader, rescues him, and the platoon eventually retreats from the jungle.
Later, the platoon stops to rest near a river village in the Central Highlands. As they relax, Specialist 4 “Brownie” Brown is killed in another VC ambush, leaving Meserve deeply affected. The platoon returns to their base, where Private First Class Antonio Dìaz joins as the new radio operator. Frustrated by being denied leave, Meserve orders his squad to kidnap a Vietnamese girl, Tran Thi Oanh. Eriksson strongly objects, but Meserve, Corporal Thomas E. Clark, and Private First Class Herbert Hatcher ignore him.
Despite Eriksson’s protests, the squad abducts Tran and takes her into the mountains. Along the way, Dìaz begins to question their actions and urges Eriksson to stand with him. However, the squad eventually takes refuge in an abandoned hooch, where Meserve, Clark, and Hatcher threaten Eriksson. Dìaz succumbs to the pressure, leaving Eriksson isolated in his opposition. Meserve forces Eriksson to stand guard outside while the others take turns assaulting Tran.
The next morning, Eriksson is tasked with guarding Tran while the rest of the squad positions themselves near a railroad bridge overlooking a VC supply depot. The film portrays the moral struggles and devastating consequences of war.
Cast director: Brian De Palma
Cast actor: Michael J. Fox, Sean Penn, Don Harvey, John C. Reilly, John Leguizamo, Ving Rhames, Thuy Thu Le, Erik King, Jack Gwaltney, Dan Martin
Original name: Casualties of War