The Oscar winner gets a true to source rendition in this AVC/MPEG-4 transfer to Blu-ray. Originally shot on a low budget, the picture retains the film grain, but also captures a great deal of clarity as well. The jungle scenes show the detail of the foliage. The colors are rich especially in the greens of the fields, while the black are sold in the flare lit scenes at the end and skin tones are natural.
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack adds atmosphere to the production. Jungle sounds surround the audience putting them into the action. The work is more subtle than what one might expect from a war film. Directionality is good, but nothing is blow-you-away fantastic. The dialogue is clear throughout and the score plays a dynamic part and is well balanced with the soundscapes other elements.
While there aren’t any new features that weren’t on the 20th anniversary DVD, the supplements on this 25th anniversary Blu-ray are still very worth watching. First and foremost are the two separate commentaries from director/writer Oliver Stone and the film’s military adviser/actor Dale Dye. Both give a personal account of their war experience, while relating that back to how that influenced the film. Stone often enlightens us on what scenes were based on firsthand experiences and what were based on accounts by fellow soldiers. Stone’s approach is more thoughtful, filmic and scholarly, while Dye’s no-nonsense personality and humor comes through in his commentary. Dye also gives an impression of what it’s like working with Stone.
The disc also includes deleted and extended scenes with Stone’s commentary. I always love the director’s commentary on these kinds of features, because it really gives a wonderfully insight into the filmmaking process of how the writing, filming and editing process shape the final film. Stone interestingly loves many of these scenes and wishes he had kept them in.
“Flashback to Platoon” is a nearly hour long doc made up of three parts. “Snapshot in Time: 1967-68” talks to historians and veterans regarding the pivotal years of the war and how the tide was changing. It serves as a very nice historical perspective for the film. “Creating the ‘Nam” looks at Stone’s processes of recreating the war experience in the Philippines. “Raw Wounds: The Legacy of Platoon” recounts the impact that the film had on veterans, coming out at a time when many were finally ready to really confront their own memories.
Two other docs include “One War, Many Stories” and “Preparing for ‘Nam.” The first sits down with a group of vets to discuss the memories and feelings that the film brought back. The second talks with Stone and fellow vets about how they got involved in the war. The disc also features vignettes, which are short interviews with crew members. “Caputo & the 7th Fleet” discusses the final memories of the war. “Dye Training Method” has Dye discussing how he brought the actors into the war experience. “Gordon Gekko” tells how an incident during PLATOON led Stone to create the name of the villain in WALL STREET.
The disc also includes TV spots and the trailer.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
