platoon why did barnes kill elias

To put an end to his own personal war, Sgt. You fuck up in a fire fight and I goddamn guarantee you a trip out of the bush, in a body bag! Do my share for my country. The morning after the ferocious confrontation brings light to the fact that Chris is one of only a few members in the platoon to survive. His letters are composed of very introspective reflections of the events he is experiencing in the war. Barnes says, Do it! and without thinking, Chris shoots and kills Sgt. [hands pipe back and spits] Sgt. Barnes is obviously affected by the deaths of more of his men, enough so to make him momentarily lose his tough, military sergeant facade and expose a slight vulnerability. Hundreds of dead American and Viet Cong soldiers bodies are strewn all about the compound and nearby jungle floor. Barnes confronts Chris and some of the other men when he overhears them talking about killing him to revenge Elias murder. The most famous is the My Lai massacre, believed to have been perpetrated by Lt. William Calley. This sight directly contradicts Sgt. After Taylor fires off three shots, hepauses and looks at his surroundings, with the grey of the smoking gun contrasting with the lush green jungle. Unlike most of the analysis found herewhich simply lists the unique individual story appreciationsthis in-depth study details the actual encoding for each structural item. His vest was fitted with squibs and he held a detonator in his right hand. After Ibarra saves his life from a vicious crocodile, Elas swears to protect the young man from his enemies, which are legion. Thematically, the final war sequence is designed to parallel the Elias shooting scene. Noting Barnes' anxious manner, Taylor realizes that he was responsible. Chris drops out of college, enlists in the military, and asks for combat duty in Vietnam. But he also learned that he could throw a mean fastball. Dafoe was "self-contained" during the scene The acclaimed actor was given a walkie-talkie and was instructed by Stone to run from point A to point B while avoiding all the explosions. Barnes conceives the idea of challenging Chris and the others to kill him. Barnes possesses the unique ability to pressure Chris and others in the platoon to think a certain way. (Stone, p. 3) That screenplay was actually based on Stone's earlier screenplay, Break, a semi-autobiographical account of his experiences and people he knew in Vietnam. Sgt Barnes, Elias' sadistic staff sergeant, was in direct contrast to Platoon's main character. In the game of Cold War politics, Vietnam became a pawn. Barnes defeats any ideas they might have had about killing him. While the platoon is being extracted via helicopter, they glimpse Elias, mortally wounded, emerging from the treeline and being chased by a group of North Vietnamese soldiers, who kill him. There's nature and technology, free will and fate - that place had changed him and in killing Barnes, he acknowledges as much, if only to break the spell. "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane.at the end of the movie? No longer a liability, Chris has become a valuable asset to the platoon. Elias' death negatively impacts the overall spirit of Taylor's platoon but they are forced to push forward with a new mission and try to prevent a looming attack from the NVA. ELIAS: Hey ONeill why dont you cool it, you dont have to be a prick everyday of your life you know. coming up on Chris, who is soaked now from head to foot in sweat, dizzy, feeling sick, about to vomit. Besides that, he had no further communication with cast or crew during the scene. Originally uses M16 later inherits Tex's M60.Pvt Fu Sheng (KIA): Killed by a short round. His cold, insensitive manner confirms what the scars suggest. Confronting Chris, he moves on, taunting them all. When the enemy attacks the U.S. compound, the Viet Cong are able to overrun the U.S forces. ELIAS: I thought it was ONeills turn tonight. BARNES: Elias is like them politicians in Washington. Bunny refers to himself as "Audie Murphy". Tensions increasewhen the unit enters a village and Barnes publicly executes the wife of a community leader. If look closely at Dafoes left hand, you can see him carrying the squib detonator, which he used to set off the devices attached to his wardrobe. In one scene, Barnes is bathed in red light, symbolizing the evil within. "Looking back," he says, "We did not fight the enemy. The extremely inhumane and brutal war crimes Sgt. For example: when Chris throws up and cant physically handle himself the first time he sees a rotting corpse of an enemy soldier in the jungle; When Chris allegedly falls asleep on his watch, allowing the enemy to walk right up on the sleeping platoon; When Barnes realizes Chris knows he lied about Elias being dead; When Barnes overhears Chris trying to convince the others that Barnes killed Elias, and in one of the final battle scenes where the tension between Barnes and Chris comes to a head and Barnes tries to kill Chris during the commotion of hand to hand combat with the Viet Cong. The FAQ items below may give away important plot points. On December 18, 1916 The Battle of Verdun came to an end after 10 months of fighting. Platoon was inspired by Stone's real-life experiences at theNew Year's Day Battle of 1968, and the director himself makes a cameo during his cinematic recreation. Barnes shoots and murders Elias when the two are alone in the jungle. This frustration is derived from past events the platoon has recently suffered, such as the loss of two men in the all night ambush, the loss of two additional men in a booby trapped Viet Cong bunker, and the abduction of another platoon member who is found strapped to a tree, dead and mutilated. By the end of the film, Chris moral integrity has deteriorated to the point where he is able to kill Sgt. Death What do yall know bout death? is what Barnes asks Chris and the others of the head when he confronts them about Elias. Barnes been shot 7 times and he aint dead, that tell you something? In an alternate reality, "Platoon" may have starred Jim . Edit, Yes, and it's probably a composite of several of them. For example,look at how Taylor reacts when Berenger says "Go on, boy" - it's like he'sreceived all the confirmation he needs toget payback for Elias. Barnes would have brought Chris down to his level of evil and would have officially corrupted his soul which means he still would have won.3) Barnes wasn't evil. Barnes, a combat-loving burnout (Tom Berenger), is the informal leader of the lifers, and Sgt. All the men in the platoon, including Chris, are functioning on raw emotions and follow Sgt. In Platoon, the narrative constant is always chaos. Chris, like Sgt. CHRIS: He killed him. Barnes decides to send Sgt. CHRIS: He killed him. O'Neil's RTO.Pvt Big Harold (WIA): Has leg blown off by booby trap.Crawford (WIA): Surfer dude. I know he did. Elias when they are alone in the jungle. The cost of being relates to the men in the platoon losing their identities and having to behave in a certain way. The realm of conflict between Chris and Sergeant Barnes is in their fixed attitudes. He takes the bowl from Adams, smokes it. In the film Barnes clearly represents the darkness and evil while Elias is the light and goodness. Another instance that illustrates how Chris looks at the war from an overall, holistic standpoint is in the last conversation he has with King: While Chris is on point, he unwittingly approaches a camouflaged Viet Cong bunker and Sgt. He honors and respects Sgt. When Berenger's character rolls over on his back and demands a medic, he simultaneouslyshows his bravery along with an attitude that unnerves Taylor. Barnes holds no value for civilian life in Vietnam and almost seems to value Sgt. If theres one thing these men know, its that anyone can die at any time, and death has no loyalties. Elias squad out for an all night ambush resulting in Gardners death and Chris injuries. THE WEB'S FAVORITE - SINCE 1999. . They are both promoted, Rhah is given Elias' position, and O'Neill is given Barnes' position much to his chagrin. He was friendly to squad members and smoked marijuana with them, and he became rivals with Sergeant Bob Barnes over his cruelty towards Vietnamese civilians while . Grabbing a loose stick, crudely drawing out their position in the dirt and tracing it out for the Lieutenant. Hes able to make observations that other people miss. The lives of the infantry men who havent proven themselves arent valued as much as the lives of the men whove been in Vietnam longer. He became quite famous and was a hero to Army soldiers for decades and is still widely remembered to this day. ONEILL: Fuck you Elias. How does bunny die in Platoon? Sgt. (Stone, p. 95) CHRIS: Not just me its the way the whole thing works. Oh, you wanna kick ass. KING: You what? Sgt. Aint no time or need for a courtroom out here(Stone, p. 60) Barnes questionable account of how he earlier found Elias dead in the jungle, prompting the following exchange of dialogue between Chris and other platoon members: Out here assholes, ya keep your shit wired tight at all times! During the run, however, some went off, while others failed, although viewers were unaware of this. What does Barnes say in platoon? People like Elias get wasted and people like Barnes just go on making up rules any way they want and what do we do, we just sit around in the middle and suck on it! It seems every time the platoon comes into contact with the enemy, they lose livesnot uncommon in war, but there doesnt appear to be any clear victories to counteract the losses. Barnes committed war crimes, Sgt. Barnes then returns and tells the others that Elias was killed by the enemy. Sgt. I have mixed feelings about the movie Platoon. What's with the booby trap that kills Sal and Sanderson? Barnes. They all look at each other. In this story, the prerequisites work hand in hand with the requirements. This is done as a means of releasing the tension and frustration that has built up from horrific ordeals he and his platoon have recently experienced; While his platoon pillages a small village, Chris rescues a young village girl from being raped by some of the men in his platoon; When Sgt. The new recruit, Gardner gets killed, Tex loses an arm, Chris is grazed by a bullet in the neck on the all night ambush that goes awry. There is no hesitation or contemplation when Barnes enters the village and begins interrogating and killing civilians; we dont see him ponder much about killing Elias or attacking Chris. Elias based on the notion that he can see the proof in Sgt. Warren (WIA): Wounded behind Learner, seen being choppered out after church battle. Maybe Ive finally found it, way down here in the mud. Promoted to Staff Sergeant (Platoon Sergeant): at end of film.Pvt Rhah (Survives): Given command of Elias's squad and seen waving at film end. Elias' decision to report Barnes' criminal conduct at the village precipitates a rift between the members in the platoon (some siding with Barnes and others siding with Elias), and ultimately causes Barnes to kill Elias. Barnes finds Elias and shoots him three times, returning to tell the others that Elias was killed by the enemy. What is not appreciated also illustrates the forewarning. We just dont add up to a rats ass. Barnes declares that he will go back to find Elias. Sergeant.Pvt Tubbs (KIA): Killed by NVA soldier, in the church battle, we don't see this on screen. Barnes controversial behavior and questionable leadership in the village. ONEILL: So what am I going to do! For instance, Chris is appalled when Barnes shoots a village woman in the head and then threatens to shoot a young village girl unless the villagers give him the information he wants; Chris tries to convince some of the other men that Barnes killed Elias, and that they need to kill Barnes who is becoming an evil, immoral, out-of-control liability to the platoon. Chris enlightenment about the horrible, desensitizing, dehumanizing nature of war weighs heavily against the wisdom he has about the society that compelled him to volunteer for military service. Chris Taylor decides to drop out of college and enlist in the military for active duty in Vietnam; Sgt. Chris is the only one to make a feeble attempt to attack and kill Barnes. Platoon won the 1987 Academy Award for Best Motion Picture. 5 Reasons Why You Need To Pay Attention To State Tax Nexus Laws Today. Idealistic, patriotic, eager for adventure, Chris Taylor is the kind of earnest middle-class rebel who scandalizes his parents by believing in flag and country in a literal way. For instance: Chris drops out of college and enlists in the military to do something positive for his country; He shoots his rifle at the feet of a young, retarded man he finds hiding. I saw his eyes when he came back in His work has been featured in psfk.com, foxsports.com, politicususa.com and hillreporter.com. Chris thought the war would mold him into the type of man he would be proud of, instead it has dehumanized him to the point where he is willing and able to commit the murder of his commanding officer in an act of revenge. Is the village massacre based on any actual events? Instead of finding something to be proud of, Chris leaves Vietnam having become dehumanized and morally corrupt. Chris must stop thinking that war will define him as a man. Upon leaving the bunker en route to a nearby village, the platoon discovers the mutilated remains of one of its soldiers who was just abducted by the Viet Cong. . These two soldiers were new to the platoon and lacked the experience they needed and might have gained if Barnes hadnt decided to send them out so soon; Its decided that the platoon should move further on to a nearby village suspected of Viet Cong activity. Stone's message suggests that for goodness to prevail, darkness must be overcome. There is only terror, bone-deep exhaustion, nighttime patrols and the humid jungle, crawling with snakes, insects and the silent Viet Cong. (Los Angeles Times, 12/19/86, Calendar/p. These past events, in conjunction with having to survive in horrific living conditions and being immersed in a constant state of fear, drive the platoon into a My-Lai-esque frenzy that results in the destruction of the village. Elias, a free spirit (Willem Dafoe), leads the latter group. Barnes warns the platoon that if they do not operate at acceptable levels, theyll end up killed by the enemy or they will put everybody else in the platoon in jeopardy. Want to fight this war with one hand tied round their balls. Elias admits he is a burn out and has some faults, but at least he is competent and doesn't frag his own. Insufficiency, inadequacy, deficient to the purpose are ways to look at the term non-accurate. Another important point relating to the range is the fact that the U.S. military is continually losing soldiers to the Viet Cong, and unable to successfully counteract the Viet Congs strategies. How close his troops conform to Barnes conception of soldiers, is how he measures his concern of being a role model. Barnes as a role model and leader makes a significant impact on the men in the platoon, including Chris. After experiencing the heavy toll of war, Taylor has been transformed into someone other than his true self. Here's how the final action plays out in Platoon, andwhat it all means for the bigger picture. BARNES: Yall take a good look at this lump of shit! The events of his past have dehumanized this man into a remorseless, immoral killing machine. Although Barnes shows signs of being completely lost and crazy, we still see ourselves drawn to him until he murders Elias. Barnes is a callous soldier, hardened from several tours of duty in the Nam. Horrible scars carved into his face physically suggest the experiences he has seen. . Elias' decision to report Barnes' criminal conduct at the village precipitates a rift between the members in the platoon (some siding with Barnes and others siding with Elias), and ultimately causes Barnes to kill Elias. Chris Taylor is struggling to survive the physical and mental hell of being a U.S. infantry soldier in the Vietnam War. As Dafoe dashed through the uneven terrain, he knew the locations of the squibs and the controlled detonations some of which failed to explode, but the audiencecant tell. (Stone, p. 95) Barnes realizes that Chris is standing behind him with a rifle pointed at him. This is of note due to the ideals he represented. . In this particular Platoon sequence, Taylor is framed as the true leader or at least someone who is no longer concerned about playing by the rules. Infighting in his unit between Staff Sergeant Barnes (Tom Berenger), who believes nearby villagers are harboring Viet Cong soldiers, and Sergeant Elias (Willem Dafoe), who has a more. For far too long, they engage in a losing war, deluding themselves that victory is certain. The surrounding jungle floor and the entire military compound are strewn with the bodies of American and Viet Cong soldiers, and the Americans have obviously gotten the worst of it. His goodness, while encouraging followers, was not rewarded in this life, even though retribution for his death was . While they are leaving a wounded Elias emerges from the jungle running from a group of North Vietnamese soldiers. I say we frag the fucker. Best Movies about modern (post-1900) warfare/military. Barnes to coordinate and divvy up the platoons excursion detail: After Elias death, Barnes confronts Chris and the others in the heads hutch about Elias, and Barnes is able to provoke Chris to attack him. 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