Platoon Leader-1988

Platoon Leader stars Michael Dudikoff (Tron, American Ninja, American Ninja 2) as LT Jeff Knight fresh out of West Point into the fray of the Vietnam War war. He finds himself joining a platoon of experienced war weary men who don't seem to be impressed by his freshly minted second lieutenant bars.

Who can blame them. They've had enough of fresh face officers hiding out inside the bunker until their tours were over. From their point of view LT was just another person there to get them killed. As the movie poster says, "War is hell, this is worse".

However, they'll soon discover that Knight is different. He not only increases patrols, but he joins them, leading the men by example. Even so, he's quick to take charge, but he's also respectful of his men's experience and listens to them. It's not easy, but little by little he begins to earn their respect.

I watched this movie when it first came out as a young soldier and recently as a retired veteran. Though the uniforms have changed significantly, the soldier experience has not. 

Platoon Leader also features a great caste consisting of Robert F. Lyons, Michael DeLorenzo, Rick Fitts, Jesse Dabson, Brian Libby and many more. 

                                                     


Speaking of the Vietnam War, check out my novel...

St. Elmo's Fire

1985’s St. Elmo’s Fire is a timeless hit. Rocking theme song, awesome cast, and a radical plot makes this movie a great 80’s classic. I saw it in a movie theater while I was a private in the Army and remember my friend saying, “It’s the Breakfast Club all grown up”. That’s it in a nutshell. Most of the friends return (minus Molly Ringwald and the addition of  more super stars).

Brat pack returns include Judd Nelson as Alex Newbary, Emelio Estevez as Kirby Keegar and Ally Sheedy as Leslie Hunter. Defining actors include Rob Lowe (Class, Youngblood) as Billy Hicks, Andrew McCarthy (Class, Pretty In Pink, Mannequin, Weekend at Bernies, Less than Zero) as Kevin Dolenz, Demi Moore (One Crazy Summer) as Jules, Mare Winningham (Turner and Hooch) as Wendy Beamish, and Andy MacDowell (Sex, Lies and Videotape) as Dale Biberman.

Newbary, Keegar, Hunter, Hicks, Dolenz, Jules and Beamish are inseparable friends from Georgetown University. They’ve been tight for years and as realize their futures are right before them. All they have to do is seize the day. But there’s a problem, they refuse to grow up. They go to the same bar, (St. Elmo’s Fire) insist on sitting at their table, refuse to get jobs and those who do work, can’t seem to give up their drug habits they developed in college.

Through a series of ordeals that include arrests, suicide attempts, bad breakups, broken trust and fighting, the group realizes that not only do they need each other, they need to make the plunge into adulthood.

Great lines include, “The only way to lose weight in the thighs is amputation”, “Men, can’t live without ‘em, can’t shoot ‘em”, “I enjoy being afraid of Russia. It's a harmless fear, but it makes America feel better..” and much more.

St. Elmo’s Fire has a totally awesome soundtrack that helped define the 80’s. Love Theme From St. Elmo’s Fire and Man in Motion are awesome contributions to 80’s pop culture.  

St. Elmo’s Fire is rated R