Casualties of War

A gritty film with a really nasty story full of characters so evil it's truly unprecedented. I'm not going to watch it again. We get a great Michael J. Fox and Sean Penn, Morricone's weaving music reminiscent of The Mission, a constant sense of hopelessness, De Palma's precise direction that makes you "be there" and makes you want to scream in the most emotionally charged moments.... After Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket, this is the third most successful Vietnam film. Stone's Platoon, still misunderstood by me, is a weak concoction of worn US Army socks compared to Casualties of War. I'm gonna go get some air. (18/05/2011)

The heartbreaking story of a kidnapped, raped, and brutally murdered Vietnamese girl is portrayed with a sufficient dose of naturalism and brutality. Brian De Palma directs brilliantly again, both the war sequences and the dialogue scenes. And especially from him, I wouldn't expect something so powerful and suggestive. As for the depiction of the Vietnamese hell, I like Casualties of War more than Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, and even more than Coppola's Apocalypse Now. (29/07/2005)

When you look at this film with some distance, you realize how simple the whole story actually is. But its simplicity is its strength. With its straightforward storytelling, it leads us to understand what war really means, particularly such a senseless one, and how it leaves its mark on the participants. Sean Penn is disgusting, which only showcases his abilities. (15/10/2016)

De Palma’s movie certainly lag behind any the other Vietnam movies. Both Fox and Penn’s acting is flawless and Morricone’s music adds a touch of melancholic or even sad mood to this stew made of fighting and laughter, both of which were significant elements in this conflict. (10/08/2011)

Unfortunately, this relatively unknown film takes a different perspective on war than most American productions. There are few battle scenes; instead, the story focuses on a small group of soldiers who begin to behave without restraint under extreme conditions. It's an emotionally powerful experience, supported by well-chosen casting and strong performances. For Michael J. Fox, it was a great opportunity to escape the comedic typecasting, and he rewarded Brian De Palma with the best performance of his career. It's hard to say why the film faded into obscurity, especially when Platoon, released shortly before, was so successful. Perhaps the Vietnam War theme was already worn out by that time, and Americans had grown tired of the criticism. Overall impression: 85%. (27/10/2007)