Casualties of War (1989)
Average Rating: 7.2/10
Reviews Counted: 30
Fresh: 25 | Rotten: 5
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 2
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 1
liked it
Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 20,978
My Rating
Movie Info
Casualties of War was based on a New Yorker article by Daniel Lang. This, in turn, was inspired by a true incident which illustrated the dehumanizing aspects of the Vietnam experience. Michael J. Fox plays Eriksson, a member of an American squadron stationed in the deepest jungles of Southeast Asia. Sean Penn co-stars as Meserve, the squadron sergeant, who vows revenge after his best friend is killed. He orders his men to invade a village and "requisition" a young Vietnamese girl (Thuy Thu Lee),
Jan 1, 1989 Wide
Dec 11, 2001
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
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Cast
-
Michael J. Fox
Pfc. Eriksson -
Sean Penn
Sgt. Meserve -
Don Harvey
Clark -
John C. Reilly
Hatcher -
John Leguizamo
Diaz -
Thuy Thu Le
Oahn -
Erik King
Brown Radio Man -
Jack Gwaltney
Rowan -
Ving Rhames
Lt. Reilly -
Dale Dye
Capt. Hill -
Sam Robards
Chaplain Kirk -
Darren E. Burrows
Cherry -
Ba Thuan T. Le
Oahn's Mother -
Ennalls Berl
Soldier Charlie -
-
-
Sherman Howard
Court Martial President -
J.J.
M.P. -
Steve Larson
Agent -
John Linton
Agent -
Dan Martin
Hawthorne -
Holt McCallany
Lt. Kramer -
Wendell Pierce
MacIntire -
Vyto Ruginis
Prosecutor -
Al Shannon
Wilkins -
Kady Tran
Yen Oahn's Sister -
Marius Valainis
Streibig -
-
J. Chalerm
Villager Old Man Farmer -
Kristopher Dunn
Soldier -
Scott Gregory
Soldier Charlie -
Hataya Sarmount
Girl Villager -
Shane Kerwin
Soldier -
Kwan
Child Villager -
Niran Sattar
V.C. in Tunnel -
Nootch
Child Villager -
Po Powpi
Villager Old Man -
Shaun Shea
Soldier -
Phi Beta Sigma
Villager Woman -
Somsak
ARVN Interpreter -
Vinh Tran
V.C. Interpreter -
Donal Gibson
Soldier -
-
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All Critics (39) | Top Critics (8) | Fresh (27) | Rotten (5) | DVD (14)
This Vietnam War saga, inspired by a true story, is among De Palma's better pictures, devoid of his usual gimmicry and cynicism.
It's a fat glop of obvious screen manipulation that preserves a frightening human core, making the life and death struggle all the more shocking.
De Palma uses his consummate filmmaking skill to craft a reflection of his own grave sorrow about the Vietnam era.
Fox is quite touching here, topped only by Sean Penn in a superb, frightening performance.
Disturbing anti-war film with strong Sean Penn and surprisingly effective Michael J. Fox.
Casualties of War has a dramatic power that makes it worth watching, despite it's considerable flaws.
ably demonstrates just how powerful a well-crafted film can be
A tour-de-force for De Palma, Penn and Fox - possibly one of the best war movies ever made
Worthwhile drama set in the Vietnam War
Harrowing drama with strong performances
Examines the dehumanizing effects of war, and implies that the soldiers who commit the atrocities are as much a victim of that dehumanization as the girl who they victimize
Audience Reviews for Casualties of War
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November 15, 2007:
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PFC Eriksson (Michael J. Fox) is an idyllic soldier new to the territory. He's soldiering with a squad of hardened men lead by the young but volatile Sgt. Tony Meserve (Sean Penn). After Meserve's best friend is killed, he vows revenge. Part of that process involves going to a village to kidnap a girl whom he belives is allied with the VC. His intention is to use her as "mobile R & R". Eriksson is horrified by this, but is outvoted, and looks on in horror and disgust as his squad (which includes debuts from John C. Reilly and John Leguizamo) brutally treats, rapes, then kills the girl.
Despite risk of severe retaliation, and the indifference of his superiors (Ving Rhames and Dale Dye), Eriksson is determined to bring his fellow soldiers to justice.
It seems inevitable that most if not all of the New Hollywood directors have made a war film, specifically one concerning Vietnam. This is Brian DePalma's entry in that category, and, it's quite good.
It lacks a lot of his overt cynicism and gimmickry, focusing instead on heavy themes and character. Don't get me wrong, there's some great camera work, a wonderful look, and a strong score from Ennio Morricone, but this is mostly a showcase from DePalma playing it straight. There's nothing wrong with that either, because it's a pretty solid film.
Yes, the film does get a little too sappy and sentimental towards the end, maybe a bit too feel good, bt it's mostly earned. Also, Fox is quite compelling and convincing, but I think he was perhaps too pure of a character. He's still good though, and really sympathetic. As good as he is though, he of course gets overshadowed by Sean Penn. Penn, as expected is fiercely intense, unhinged, and memorable. The aforementioned supporters are all pretty decent, too, giving hints of greater things to come.
All in all, this is a really good film, and you should check it out. Yeah, it is flawed, but even then it's still pretty worthwhile.