If there's a movie that truly deserves a revisit now and then "Platoon" is such a movie. In fact, it's thanks to that film that I always
find some time to rewatch movies that failed to appeal to me on first view. I admit it, I couldn't stand it for a brief period as it stayed on what I
call "movie jail" (It stayed there for four years, then I got a rewatch and I loved it). I've been rewatching
now and again and its message resonates deeper as each view and each year goes by, now added with this making of interviewing Oliver Stone, Willem Dafoe,
Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger and others sharing their stories about the filming and how it basically launched their careers.
A pretty good special that contains all the needed elements for that kind of material, proving all the making of stories that one reads on
trivia section of the film; the arrival of cast and crew in Philippines exactly when Imelda Marcos regime was deposed; the intense boot camp training
that made the actors feel what it's like to be a soldier on combat; the usual stuff in between humored talks. The surprises come from Stone's memories
and comparison with his personal experiences on Vietnam; and a meeting with Vietnam veterans where he previewed a rough cut of the movie, a meeting
arranged by his technical advisor/actor Captain Dale Dye.
It's great to watch, as it's one of the best specials of its kind that I ever seen, but there isn't much behind the scenes footage - another documentary was made
years later after this one that contains that (to be seen) and most of what's shown are archive footage from the Vietnam War period (a less experienced
viewer might confuse as it being taken from "Platoon"; and the soundtrack was way too loud during interviews and that hurt a couple of
interviews.
The special provides many great insights on one the most acclaimed films of all time and fans of the movie will have a delightful and memorable
time with it. 9/10.
