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Casualties of War (1989)

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 2
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 20,403

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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),

R, 1 hr. 54 min.

Drama, Action & Adventure

,

Daniel Lang, David Rabe

Dec 11, 2001

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Cast

All Critics (39) | Top Critics (7) | 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.

April 23, 2011 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | Comment

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.

August 26, 2009 Full Review Source: BrianOrndorf.com | Comment
BrianOrndorf.com

De Palma uses his consummate filmmaking skill to craft a reflection of his own grave sorrow about the Vietnam era.

September 6, 2006 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | Comment
Slant Magazine

Fox is quite touching here, topped only by Sean Penn in a superb, frightening performance.

August 28, 2006 Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | Comment
Combustible Celluloid

Disturbing anti-war film with strong Sean Penn and surprisingly effective Michael J. Fox.

June 8, 2006 Comment
Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers

Casualties of War has a dramatic power that makes it worth watching, despite it's considerable flaws.

April 22, 2006 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comment
Movie Metropolis

ably demonstrates just how powerful a well-crafted film can be

March 4, 2006 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | Comment
Filmcritic.com

A tour-de-force for De Palma, Penn and Fox - possibly one of the best war movies ever made

February 25, 2006 Full Review Source: Film Threat | Comment
Film Threat

Worthwhile drama set in the Vietnam War

December 17, 2004 Comment
Film Journal International

Harrowing drama with strong performances

October 7, 2004 Comment
Kalamazoo Gazette

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

March 19, 2003 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | Comment
eFilmCritic.com
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Casualties of War

DePalma's epic war film explores the dark sides of men in combat and features many outstanding performances.

December 11, 2011
Graham Jones

Super Reviewer

Based on an actual incident during the Vietnam War, Casualties Of War is the shocking true story of four men who raped and murdered a Vietnamese girl. The film stars Michael J. Fox as Pfc Eriksson, the new recruit in Vietnam who witnesses the crime. Sean Penn stars as Sgt Meserve, the antagonist of the film and he

December 11, 2010
TheDudeLebowski65
Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski

Super Reviewer

Casualties of War Quotes

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