“Casualties of War” is a gut-wrenching war movie about a squad of soldiers who find themselves at odds with each other when one member decides to kidnap and rape a young Vietnamese girl. The film is a powerful indictment of the horrors of war and the moral decay it can bring out in people, leaving viewers shaken and disturbed by the time its credits roll. In short, it’s a must-see film for anyone interested in exploring the darker side of humanity and the consequences of violence.
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Review
Casualties of War: A Story of Honor, Betrayal, and Redemption
The jungle is a strange and treacherous place. The trees tower over you, the vines twist and turn like snakes, and the ground shifts beneath your feet. It’s a place where you can never let your guard down, where danger lurks around every bend in the river.
That’s the setting for Casualties of War, a 1989 war drama directed by Brian De Palma and starring Michael J. Fox and Sean Penn. The film is based on a true story that took place during the Vietnam War in 1966.
The story begins with a group of American soldiers patrolling near a Vietnamese village. They’re trying to find enemy soldiers, when they instead stumble upon a young Vietnamese girl named Oahn (Thuy Thu Le). One soldier, Sergeant Tony Meserve (Sean Penn), takes a particular interest in her and decides to capture her as his own personal sex slave.
This is where the story takes a dark turn. Meserve orders his squad to guard Oahn while he rapes her repeatedly over several days. Private Max Eriksson (Michael J. Fox) is horrified by what he sees but doesn’t know what to do about it. He eventually tries to rescue Oahn but fails, leading to an escalation in violence between Meserve and Eriksson.
The film is not just about sexual violence but also reflects upon war crimes committed by both sides during the Vietnam War era. Meanwhile back home in America, antiwar protests raged on.
Despite facing backlash from critics who accused him of exploiting sexual violence for entertainment purposes, De Palma crafted an emotionally charged film that captures the horrors of war and its impact on individual lives.
The acting in Casualties of War was exceptional with Sean Penn giving an intense performance as Sgt Meserve whose portrayal brought out perfectly how war changes people for worse; before it’s all over you have no idea if he’s a monster or a patriot. Michael J. Fox played the role of Eriksson with sensitivity and strength. The supporting cast members also gave standout performances, including John Leguizamo as PFC Diaz and Ving Rhames as Lt. Reilly.
De Palma approached the film with a gritty realism that reflected the brutality of the Vietnam War. The movie was filmed on location in Thailand, adding to the authenticity of the story.
The score by Ennio Morricone was haunting and perfectly complemented the film’s dark tone. Yet, it was not just music but a powerful tool in evoking emotions in viewers while giving depth to already established characters.
Casualties of War received mixed reviews upon release but has since gained recognition as one of De Palma’s best works. The film stands out as a testament to his ability to blend storytelling with technical proficiency.
In 1991, Thuy Thu Le won an Independent Spirit Award for her performance in Casualties of War. While on one hand, this signifies her impactful delivery of acting throughout; however, it is sad to see that she retired from acting after this performance due to health issues leading fans missing out on her exciting potential.
One scene that stood out was when Eriksson tried to break away from Meserve’s grasp by stopping him from committing another atrocity against Oahn and his battle cry “I will not participate” became a rallying cry for nonparticipation in war on behalf of Vietnamese refugees extending beyond this motion picture.
In conclusion, Casualties of War is a thought-provoking film about people who find themselves pushed beyond their limits during times when they are most vulnerable due to circumstances beyond their control. It has scenes that will make you cringe while others will make your heart ache with empathy for those involved. With its focus on character development and unflinching portrayal of war, Casualties of War is a powerful meditation on the consequences of conflict and its impact on both innocent civilians and military soldiers alike.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 113
- Release : 1989-08-18
- Genre : Drama, History, War
- Cast : Michael J. Fox as Private Eriksson, Sean Penn as Sgt. Tony Meserve, Don Harvey as Cpl. Thomas E. Clark, John C. Reilly as Private Herbert Hatcher, John Leguizamo as Private Antonio Diaz
- Crew : Brian De Palma as Director, Art Linson as Producer, Stephen H. Burum as Director of Photography, Ennio Morricone as Original Music Composer, Lynn Stalmaster as Casting
- Popularity 29.551
- Budget : $22,500,000
- Revenue : $18,671,317
- Company : Columbia Pictures
- Summary : During the Vietnam War, a soldier finds himself the outsider of his own squad when they unnecessarily kidnap a female villager.
- Tagline : Even in war… murder is murder.
