Elias is capable at combat, generally nice person to all even to Barnes after what he did in the village, cares about his men, lead the inexperienced like Chris Taylor, idealist and yet at the same time also a realistic person (he is shown fought the North Vietnamese so well, despite in the scene before he stares at the night sky and explains that he is not sure about how this war ended up into).
The Ho-Chi-Minh poster might be the trolling stoner sense of humour. It reminds me of the scene in Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy where the British intelligence staff all sing the Russian national anthem when they are drunk.
@@MeelatchiDaibukti That doesn't work, as Ho Chi Minh himself was not a military strategist or tactician. He was just a politician. If that was the intended purpose it could have been a picture of one of the generals but, obviously, they wouldn't be recognised by the viewers. Thomas, you're of course right as well. Movie symbolism is usually hidden under more reasonable explanations. If it stood out like a sore thumb, it would fall flat and be embarrassing like the religious references in "Mother!".
@@thomasjoyce7910 That's the movie? Have you seen the original BBC series? It's easily one of the best tv series I have ever seen. With respect to the well made feature, the Alec Guinness series leaves that show in the dust. It's an absolute treat. You can find here on you tube. Look for the 7 part BBC version, rather than the abridged 6 part US version.
I hated my kevlar helmet. I know it can save your life and you have no choice, but if I had a choice I wouldn't have worn it. No matter how many times I adjusted the headband it was so uncomfortable and distracting.
I think the more Elias's there are, the better. Both the Sgts are capable soldiers (Elias is proved more so, though, in the movie), but it is the integrity that matters. Elias is not standing about with a placard denouncing the war, but he is the soldier who fights it, as a warrior. He dies because of someone trying to cover their war crime. War makes people lose control, but the Elias's never lose their integrity.
@@cndl_lght Did you mean that he is not overly authoritarian, and works more to serve his subordinates? I would agree with that, because, as long as Sgts do not get too familiar, but also work for the best interest of their troops, that is commendable. I was never a Sgt but, I know the good ones only used authoritarian style when needed. The rest of the time they were approachable, and helpful.
My father was there I heard every detail to things that even the maker of this vid doesn't know like why Elie's Carrys the M60 likes he does 😂that was the only way to carry it 😂did u go hand grenade fishing
Fantastic choice. A real hero, someone who doesn’t let their surroundings corrupt him. You should ready Oliver Stone’s book about his real life commanders that shaped these 2 characters.
Oliver stone was a total mental case who fit in well in hollywood, where everyone is mental. But lets not pretend he was in any way a decent human being. He was more of a skilled liar.
My Grandad was in WW2 he hated Churchill as did his comrades for throwing new recruits into the DDay landings, they couldn't conceive at the butchery, also on the way into Germany the officers had them attacking farm houses, yet when they heard horses trapped in a burning barn they wanted them to save them, the answer was fck you
Absolutely agree. It is my Number 1 film. I don’t even interpret it as a war film but rather the coexistence of good men and bad men together led by idiot pussies like Lt. Wolfe. Also, deeply relate to Taylor’s naivety as a young grunt to maturing, and surviving, our deep animalistic ways. Very Carl Jungian to me.
I love Platoon and Full Metal Jacket for different reasons. I'd say Full Metal Jacket is the more multi-layered, but I personally think Platoon is a little more dramatically engaging.
@@LikeSomeDude I agree. IMHO, the only really good thing in FMJ is R. Lee Ermey performance in the start of the film. Once he is out, the film become just one more Vietnam movie.
I saw Platoon in theaters as a boy, and I believe I have always lived like an Elias because of this movie, placing courage and humanity as the chief goals in my life.
Barnes gave O'Neill the order to be with the new ones after Elias left, hinting that Barnes partially agreed with Elias but didn't want to show it. They both hated each other but also respected the experience the other one had.
Puttıng O'Neill in charge of them was hardly doing them a favour. O'Neill was at best the film's comic relief (although McGinley's acting was superb in this).
@@stevekaczynski3793 he was still an experienced soldier. Probably Elias would command the ambush not O'neill, as it was Elias team who was send to the mission. Oneill was a support.
Reading Oliver Stones book now. Staff Sgt Barnes and Sgt Elias were based on a real people Stone served with. The real Barnes and Elias never new each other however. The real Barnes did have facial scaring and according to Stone there was a mysticism about him and definitely someone you didn't want to get on the wrong side of. Elias was (and was written in the script) of Mexican/ Native American decent (something DaFoe worried he wouldn't be able to properly portray) and someone everyone felt better being around. He did tragical die in the war. Stone based everyone in Platoon on real people but changed their names, all except Elias who he kept to honor him. His real name was Juan Angel Elias.
I can't believe that you didn't mention the scene, when Elias says that he thinks they're gonna lose this war, that so many times they kicked others asses, now it's time for somebody to kick their's. It's so touching, it's breaks my heart every time. That one good character, that has been there for so long, and yet he's the one who lost hope...
He mentions about the war being hopeless, that they are fighting each others. And yet, he is the skilled combatants and has been there for a long time even including the Battle of Ia Drang Valley.
@@persona-non-grata In almost every Hollywood movie, they overthink everything. The director will have endless meetings with various crew supervisors and producers about every aspect of production (sets/locations, costumes, props, hair/makeup/prosthetics, casting, stunts and in-camera/post-production effects, lighting) on an almost scene-by-scene basis. And animated movies are also made in a very slow and deliberate way.
@@pentelegomenon1175 that may be the case, however I am unconvinced with the argument that an alphabetical billing of a cast is over-analysis on the part of the director. Quite the opposite on two counts in fact: 1) alphabetical billing is the simplest, equitable form of billing, 2) over-analysis (at least in this instance) would be on the part of the video creator, and not the director.
That scene where Elias is running through the jungle and let's out his war cry is heart racing . Something about the entire scene , him running towards the enemy in battle , taking them out one by one and sending fear throughout those ahead of him. Letting those awaiting hear the screams of a warrior . Its an incredible scene
Willem Dafoe is just great in everything that he can even play the shark from Jaws and make it work. By the way Rob, there is a channel called New Rockstars and they made a video on The Shining that had your theories in it. Even people in the comment section said that they clearly took inspiration from your theories or basically stole them.
Yeah I got sent the link. Couldn't watch it all though - the presenter was super annoying (did he he even write the video?) and too many screen swipes in the edit.
I don't think there is an original take on The Shining left, given the amount of work Rob has done on the film. More than once I have commented on a vid that the ideas are basically rehashing Rob's work. I may have commented on the video you mentioned too. Credit where it's due and all that. It's not just Rob either. I saw a channel more or less steal the content and title of an Every Frame a Painting video on Spielberg use of short, one take shots, or 'oners', as the video referred to them. I think it's great that people stand up for that sort of thing. Plagiarism sucks!
In regards to the tunnel rat scene: my understanding was that type of combat was generally done alone to maintain stealth, and also so you wouldn't have to worry about someone behind you if you needed to quickly retreat. Also, Elias is a Sergeant (E5), not an officer. Non-commissioned officers like Barnes and Elias are kind of a dime-a-dozen. The interesting thing is how the officer, who is a Lieutenant, acts subordinate to his NCOs (not uncommon in the real military either as the enlisted men will have far more combat experience and military time compared to an O-1).
James Meeker yeah i always found that interesting as well, how they had the Lt act submissive toward Barnes even though Barnes was technically his subordinate. A nice touch to show the reality of military combat and the dynamics between the hierarchy.
@@Bob.Roberts I have two relatives with that name. Either way, my family name is "Americanized" Irish so it is guaranteed that we are related even if we do not know each other. Our real name was O'Meagher.
@@jamesmeeker6933 It is a strange coincidence; a couple of days ago I was looking at some old photos of people I was in contact with years ago. I knew this guy named Danny Meeker and we used to hang together along with some other folks. He eventually moved towards the central east of the country and we haven't spoke in quite some time. He was in the US Army I believe, as well. You kind of look like he did back then, so I thought there might be a connection.
I just saw Platoon again on Netflix for the first time in over 20 years and it's even better than I remembered. To your point on spirituality: Sgt. Elias was a native American and their warrior and spiritual ethos were typically intertwined. Great video!
I think Elias being a native american is an important aspect of his duality between spiritual man and the warrior. Its like he is so connected with his soul that he can balance the two without getting lost like Barnes clearly had become.
I think this is Willem Defoe's best role but in reference to Sgt Elias as Native American I have often wondered how Wes Studi would have performed this role, being Native American, a Vietnam vet and great actor.
Oliver Stone said in an interview with Joe Rogan that Elias was based on someone he knew while serving in Vietnam, who was a Native American. Hence the spiritual nature of his character.
The last battle scene in the movie was actually based on a real battle in Vietnam in 1968 on new years day . It was the battle of Firebase Burt near the Cambodian border . In the battle 2500 VC attacked an small artillery base .Oliver Stone was in that battle and helped defend the base. They said they killed 400 enemy
@@jeffhobbs1729 Damn. I turned 18 in '79 and realized had I been born 10 yrs earlier I'd be in the shit. I remember as a kid in the '60s the names of those killed that day that newscasts would scroll at the end of their broadcasts. I read anything I could find. Accounts from grunts, officers, strategy, specific teams. It was just awful, every part of that trap, for us, for them, everyone.
@@milkyyanks765 its actually both.. but its YHWH(Yahweh) its the Hebrew alphabet of "Yod Heh Vav Heh"(the unspeakable name of God)or mistranslated Yahweh Means "I am who I am" And the ""H" or pronounced "Heh" is "the "Breath of God" like when God changed Abram and Sarai to Abraham and Sarah
A really fantastic symbolism that I always appreciated in this movie is the knives that Elias and Barnes carry on their suspenders. Elias carries a tanto style knife, which is the knife of a samurai. This appears to align with Elias' character who is an honorable warrior. Barnes carries a push dagger, a knife which is, by design, intended for killing and has very little utility otherwise.
I always thought Elias' knife was just a utility knife. Similar knives were carried by outdoorsmen in the US. It's not really a weapon, more like a utility knife, sort of like a big pocket knife that doesn't fold up. It's more for slicing than stabbing.
I loved Sgt Elias. Every single thing about him I loved. When he died…I cried. I have a son in the 🇨🇦 military. He’s a tough guy. & I wouldn’t be surprised if he turned out just like him in character.
@@williamdawson4023 no, because there is a logical element to Barnes, Barnes is “reality” he embodies what is around him in order to adapt causing him to abandon his morals, he is what you would become under those conditions without moral facilitation. Elias is what you should become, facilitated by a moral belief system. Barnes is inherently human and that is his fault where as Elias embodies Christ, he transcends his human nature.
He was definitely the most spiritual of the men with a respect for the Enemy by getting to know how they operate and understanding them and their culture. He works like and looks more like the opposition than his own crew, maybe he found a bit of sanctuary in their culture and respected it.
Saw this is 86 when I was 13, stayed with me for awhile. My dad was a war vet and he thought it was very realistic. I picked up on Barnes not having a combat patch like Elias, but we know he was in combat before.
I'm no expert on this sort of thing, but I'd say given he lacks a combat patch on his right sleeve its likely that Barnes was always in the 25th Infantry Division.
@Habeeb Durdana: Hey, that is a really goodpoint... I first saw this when it first came out, and I never made that connection! Thank you for your thought.
Dude, don't know how i got to this video but platoon is one of my all time favorite flicks, watched it a million times, and your breakdown and analysis just blew my damn mind. Excellent video!
It’s easy to get into that mindset when many of the new guys die. You can’t get attached to all of these people and watch them die. It destroys you. Not saying that it’s a good mentality, but it’s an act of self-preservation, not malice or superiority
@D. Adventure Key word I see is "train" killers. Once you're in the field, that attitude doesn't fly. You're just wasting lives and resources. I agree, they have no place being leaders.
@@dsmyify I've heard plenty of takes on The Lighthouse, from it being a BDSM film at heart (pain so close to pleasure), or being about marriage or maybe depression and alcoholism, a depiction of capitalism or a story of religion. And all of the takes I've heard make some degree of sense. At the end of the day I think the movie is amazing and works even just at a surface level without reading into it too much and that's what I appreciate about it, it has become an all-time favourite of mine and I've rewatched it several times because although it is an unpleasant movie I find the incredible atmosphere of it comfortably appealing for some reason.
@@GiggleBlizzard Acolytes of Horror analysed the lighthouse "Lies of the Lighthouse" and it is by far the most convincing analysis essay I've seen on the film. Others seem rather amateurish in comparison if I'm frank.
That smile Elias has when he walks out of the jungle approaching Barnes feels like Elias is coming down from some mental state of euphoria as though he had been fighting on a higher level in which he stakes his own life for the taking as much as the enemies' that Barnes feels threatened that he cannot experience that state of mind so he lashes out in anger by shooting Elias and which is the fundamental difference between Elias and Barnes in that while Elias psychs himself up for war, Barnes is War as he declares in the barracks when he hears whispers of dissension against him. Chris himself taps into this mental state in the last battle. Elias shows sanpaku eyes indicating from a spiritual view a tragic end.
There was a documentary where the real Sgt Elias was described by Stone, and a picture of him was shown. I have never been able to find it since. I believe, in the documentary Stone said he was killed when he accidentally set off a claymore mine he was working on, and died from the injuries shortly afterward. Stone said it was a tragic end for a hero, and a mentor.
I think Barnes is the most complex character in the film. Yes, he is the “bad guy” of the film and is indeed a ruthless killer, but he seems to always make the right decisions, although drastic (we are never sure if the village was Vietcong or not). He virtually can’t be killed and is by far the best and most experienced soldier. Although he doesn’t have the rank -he’s not even an officer- he has the balls and presence to scold Wolfe and take over the situation in a heartbeat, saving as many lives as he can.
I always saw Barnes as Nietzsche's superman, the ultimate warrior. Yes I agree he has more depth than Elias but he's also as abrasive as the cogs of War. He is a personification of the War Machine.
That Village was definitely A Viet Cong stronghold. The rice the weapons the tunnel access the fact that the only young man there was a wounded or handicapped teenager….
In him lies the devil. Elias is much more complex. He can be like Barnes when the situation demands it. And it can be good, a virtue not found in Barnes.
You start off identifying with Elias, then as the war drags on you lean more towards Barnes because he will keep you alive through the reality of war. Although Elias looks out for his men to keep them out of harms way if he can, he often goes solo while Barnes tries to hold it all together in the thick of it.
Sgt. Barnes is the burnout, an emotional wreck, "or reality" as he describes himself, in opposition to Sgt. Elias who signifies idealism. The scene where Sgt. Barnes smokes after his men got killed is revealing, you could see how the deaths are eating him alive. Sgt. Elias, on the other hand, is the carefree but convinced soldier and the lethal type, people in special forces probably are looking for. Later we see how Sgt. Barnes is actually more human, caring too much, numbing his feelings with alcohol, and trying to explain his villainous actions to the men. The tragedy of the film is that he should have been reassigned to the rear areas by the commanding officer before the events occured. But the Lt. was obviously very weak and couldn't handle any of his sergeants.
Interesting....I respect your take on this....I never thought about Barnes being a wreck! But you got me thinking that he has seen too much, experienced too much, got shot 7 times...you would think that he WOULD be reassigned to the rear! I agree with you and thank you for this perspective.
I don't like the notion of Barnes being some tragic or sympathetic figure. He only 'cared' about the lives of his men so far as he needed them alive to fight the war, he couldn't care less about the miserable conditions they lived in, or even their wellbeing. Yes the war effected him, twisting his mindset into that of a jaded, uncaring, sarcastic and cruel man but its safe to assume he was an actual psychopath as well.
Elias is a brilliant example of a character who depicts that setting limits in oneself and never enforcing them on the others is the most liberating and in the end the most inspiring thing to do. For him and for his soldiers. I find that HE alone is the most extreme example of duality in the movie. While extremely able and brutal he never crosses lines to reach inhuman levels like Barnes, who does it without even blinking. As to why. There is only one answer. Discipline. The truest, purest and greatest value a man at arms can have. Limits and discipline are the virtues that constitute courage in a setting of the highest reality. Even in a hellscape like the jungle, a warrior so able never succumbed to the "darker" animal side (when in Rome etc). By his own set limits he was a human till the end. The smile in the end, to my eyes was just joy for an encounter with a friend. But animals have no limits. No morals. When threatened they blindly attack.
Rob, great analysis again. Elias offering to carry Sheen's equipment, and saying to notify him first if he needs help, places Elias firmly as a Christ figure, as Christ himself let the people know they should come to him for help and he will take the yolk, their troubles and burdens on his shoulders.
My father who was 15 years old at the start of the Vietnam War had a few relatives that was drafted. He said according to one of this cousins yes indeed they sent the smallest person, which the cousin was, in the underground tunnels. Unfortunately, that gave him sever PTSD and would scream all the time in his sleep. He got on heroine to cope.
Possibly but it is a little ambiguous as it is not defaced or put in any sort of dubious place. There is a National Liberation Front flag in "Forest Gump" for example, but it is put on the toilet door.
The poster could be the thought of loving your enemy. But Elias is also a warrior. So it could also be a means of motivation. Focusing on the target. Just a thought.
Aloha and thank you for this excellent metaphysical breakdown! I never thought to see this masterpiece in such a light. Looking forward to more of your content!
At 14:00 you mentioned that Barnes comments on Elias being a crusader. Don't forget that Taylor is also referenced as a crusader earlier in the film when asking why he joined with a college education
Former Airborne Infantry SGT and combat vet here. Alias was a Non-Commissioned Officer and yes, "tunnel rats" went in alone. Terrifying stuff in those small dark tunnels. I never considered the descent into the cave to emerge into the "womb" deep in the earth where the rites of passage for our paleolithic ancestors spiritually awakened to be reborn into the tribe when they reemerged, and the ritual of death in Platoon. But wow, you can't unsee what you see.
At 1:18 the element of other soldier's equipment in the background above Elias' head also looks like a halo. Although this one is probably pure incidental.
Gardner was told to to tuck in his peace sign necklace because it could make noise depending on what it’s made of, but more importantly because it could reflect the moonlight and give away his position to the enemy. Soldiers often did a similar practice with their dog tags and would tape them together. No jingle, and no way for it reflect light.
That was an interesting observation about both Defoe and Caviezel going on to unambiguously play Christ in later movies. Imagine the E.T. puppet doing it too...
He was a warrior angel sitting on one side of Chris's shoulder while Barnes was the little devil on the other side of his shoulder. Both whispering in his ear.
Yes, much like Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket, the duality of a marine and by extension man in general seems to be one of the most significant dynamics of humanity.
@@collativelearning When I think greatest screen heroes Elias never really came to mind for me. I suppose that's because we spend most of our time with Taylor.
@@Yeomannn Got ya. Yeah Taylor is the "central" character and Barnes has much more screen time than Elias, but really if you look at Elias he's an awesome movie hero.
So glad you did a detailed analysis of this character. Every scene he is in is memorable. The mentor scene where he helps by carrying the extra things for Taylor, seems to be very real. I've met people like that.
If you watch/listen closely, all of the men in the Platoon always refer to Elias as some sort of "spirtual person" who has walked around and no one knews where he really is from. Also, there is a resurrecition motiff about him (and Barnes) and how no one can ever seem to kill him (and Barnes). In a deleted scene, there is a scene of Taylor walking across a group of GIs. There is one hiding under a pouch that jumps out and surprises Taylor who looks suspiciously like Elias. Even Stone himself said that he wanted the soldier to look like Elias just to get people thinking...
When Barnes and Elias are running towards each other, notice the difference in camera and character movement. Barnes seems to slither through the jungle towards his prey.
It wasn't his LMG he was carrying it for someone else to give the guy a break no doubt or so he could piss... but directors love using forcasting... JCF.
I'd love for you to do an analysis on The Thin Red Line. Gorgeous cinematography, and it's still probably the best I've seen in a non-fantasy movie. It's a tougher movie to follow and piece together.
I love platoon and this is a very insightful video I never looked at any of the imagery in this movie is being religious before but now that I've seen this video it's made me see the movie an entirely new light very informative you sir have earned yourself a subscription 👍
Absolutely. His coked-out neuroticisms and pathetic attempts at machismo are brilliant. Honestly, the whole cast was perfectly chosen. Well.... Maybe Kyle maclachlan would have made a better Chris Taylor, but I'm grateful he went with Lynch and Blue Velvet instead - another masterpiece - so we could get Twin Peaks later. But all in all even Charlie Sheen did well, especially in the village scenes.
As an ex-infantry enlisted man, 4/27 Infantry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, the tucking away of the peace medal IS for noise and light discipline purposes. There may be some secondary or parallel meaning in that scene, but every piece of equipment on your body must be subdued, taped down, tied down or tucked away. These were tactics lessons learned from the Vietnam era and asymmetric (insurrgent/guerilla) jungle warfare.
Elias is more John the baptist mentoring Chris-T. The underworld scene is Chris-T's Baptism by the holy spirit/smoke being breathed into his lungs like Adam in Eden. Hence the 'rebirth' statement.
The inspiration behind Alias was a native American soldier who was real I can't remember if Oliver Stone said he knew him or if he just knew about him but apparently that's where sgt Alias Character came from so its a real life character .
I think Sgt. O'Neill works somewhat as a Judas figure to Elias as well. He's brash and cocky in the beginning, but reveals himself as cowardly and even fakes his own death near the end - a total opposite to Elias's messianic sacrifice at the hands of Barnes. O'Neill survives the onslaught of the end battle, and might have survived Vietnam entirely; but I like to think he later committed suicide out of guilt, like Judas did.
I've seen Platoon just recently and I'm captivated by both Barnes and Elias. In my opinion the best option (if circumstances allow) would be a combination of Barnes and Elias character traits.
I love this concept of finding the most epic characters in film! We already do this all the time IRL finding the most influential and obscure stories from war times, disasters, and just general stories of people living up to being the definition of human.
Berenger knocked this one out of the park, as contrasted with Major League where he did extremely well in a very different role. A lot of depth and a real "actor," not just some lame Hollywood pretty boy just being himself.
They way he says "kill me" when they are in the bunker is so haunting. You can hear the desperation in his voice, he's begging them to take him out of his misery.
My Dad was sent down in the tunnels by himself a lot when he was a Marine fighting near The A Shau & Go Noi during Vietnam 68-70. He was in the most booby trapped area of S Vietnam, and as a scout in the infantry, he had to help go clear booby traps and clear the tunnels from enemy and traps/trip wire etc. He almost got sucked into a mud booby trap but he dug his kbar knife into the mud and pulled himself out. Told his CO he's "never fuckin going back down there" and never had to. He died from Agenf Orange in 2017
Considering Willem Dafoe usually plays villains and Tom Berenger plays good guys, Oliver Stone made the right choice and make them play the polar opposite of their typecasts. Platoon is one of the best war films out there.
Elias is that one person at your job who you love having as your boss, and then 2 months later they leave and you get a bastard like Barnes.
Elias is capable at combat, generally nice person to all even to Barnes after what he did in the village, cares about his men, lead the inexperienced like Chris Taylor, idealist and yet at the same time also a realistic person (he is shown fought the North Vietnamese so well, despite in the scene before he stares at the night sky and explains that he is not sure about how this war ended up into).
Amen to that; had that happen far too often in both the Military and Civilian life.
Perfect, you got it.
I've had a boss like Barnes, and he was happy to have fisticana
Too bad no person like Elias in my place. But certainly there are Elias-type of persons in real life.
I know. I’ve had the same situation at my work.
Willem Dafoe one of my favorite actors. He was my favorite character in Platoon.
He's still very good, I checked out his role in The Lighthouse a few months back.
@@jocaerbannog9052 I just recently watched The Hunter. I thought it was not bad, just one scene in the movie did not need to be in there.
Mine too🤘
@@jocaerbannog9052 oh, he killed it in the lighthouse...👍
Check out To Live and Die in LA. Its a severely underrated movie. Dafoe is great as the antagonist.
The Ho-Chi-Minh poster may be referring to Christ's instruction to "love your enemies"...
well noticed.
The Ho-Chi-Minh poster might be the trolling stoner sense of humour. It reminds me of the scene in Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy where the British intelligence staff all sing the Russian national anthem when they are drunk.
@@MeelatchiDaibukti That doesn't work, as Ho Chi Minh himself was not a military strategist or tactician. He was just a politician.
If that was the intended purpose it could have been a picture of one of the generals but, obviously, they wouldn't be recognised by the viewers.
Thomas, you're of course right as well. Movie symbolism is usually hidden under more reasonable explanations.
If it stood out like a sore thumb, it would fall flat and be embarrassing like the religious references in "Mother!".
@@MeelatchiDaibukti "It's pretty, but is it Art?" ;)
@@thomasjoyce7910 That's the movie? Have you seen the original BBC series? It's easily one of the best tv series I have ever seen. With respect to the well made feature, the Alec Guinness series leaves that show in the dust. It's an absolute treat. You can find here on you tube. Look for the 7 part BBC version, rather than the abridged 6 part US version.
Him wearing a bandana instead of a helmet could also be an allegory for the Crown of Thorns
No....
With the exception of being on a head. A bandana in no way symbolizes a crown of thorns. The bandana isn't painful.
I hated my kevlar helmet. I know it can save your life and you have no choice, but if I had a choice I wouldn't have worn it. No matter how many times I adjusted the headband it was so uncomfortable and distracting.
@Faerûnian That's the only part of the movie I greatly disliked. It broke away from the sense of realism.
@@donovanmcnair2078 he isn’t protecting his head from damage. You just played yourself
As a retired NCO who served in the 25th division after VN. I always identified with Elias. You’ve made it more relevant with this. Thank you.
I think the more Elias's there are, the better. Both the Sgts are capable soldiers (Elias is proved more so, though, in the movie), but it is the integrity that matters. Elias is not standing about with a placard denouncing the war, but he is the soldier who fights it, as a warrior. He dies because of someone trying to cover their war crime. War makes people lose control, but the Elias's never lose their integrity.
SGT Elias is a good servant leader. Seeing an NCO that leads by example in the Active duty is rare these days.
@@cndl_lght Did you mean that he is not overly authoritarian, and works more to serve his subordinates? I would agree with that, because, as long as Sgts do not get too familiar, but also work for the best interest of their troops, that is commendable. I was never a Sgt but, I know the good ones only used authoritarian style when needed. The rest of the time they were approachable, and helpful.
My father was there I heard every detail to things that even the maker of this vid doesn't know like why Elie's Carrys the M60 likes he does 😂that was the only way to carry it 😂did u go hand grenade fishing
Of course you do. Everyone always hears stories of bad leadership but they're never the ones to do it 😉
Fantastic choice. A real hero, someone who doesn’t let their surroundings corrupt him. You should ready Oliver Stone’s book about his real life commanders that shaped these 2 characters.
Oliver stone was a total mental case who fit in well in hollywood, where everyone is mental. But lets not pretend he was in any way a decent human being. He was more of a skilled liar.
What book is that? Never heard of it
@@robzilla730 I think there's an interview with Stone on UTube where he says he based him on an Apache soldier.
on interview with Joe Rogan too he said these two based on his 2 real life sergeants.
My Grandad was in WW2 he hated Churchill as did his comrades for throwing new recruits into the DDay landings, they couldn't conceive at the butchery, also on the way into Germany the officers had them attacking farm houses, yet when they heard horses trapped in a burning barn they wanted them to save them, the answer was fck you
This is one of the greatest films ever made. So many levels of meaning going on, gives Kubrick a run for his money.
Absolutely agree. It is my Number 1 film. I don’t even interpret it as a war film but rather the coexistence of good men and bad men together led by idiot pussies like Lt. Wolfe. Also, deeply relate to Taylor’s naivety as a young grunt to maturing, and surviving, our deep animalistic ways. Very Carl Jungian to me.
I love Platoon and Full Metal Jacket for different reasons. I'd say Full Metal Jacket is the more multi-layered, but I personally think Platoon is a little more dramatically engaging.
Kubrick’s lackluster Vietnam film Full Metal Jacket pales in comparison to Platoon
@@LikeSomeDude 10 out of 10 Vietnam vets agree.
@@LikeSomeDude I agree. IMHO, the only really good thing in FMJ is R. Lee Ermey performance in the start of the film. Once he is out, the film become just one more Vietnam movie.
I saw Platoon in theaters as a boy, and I believe I have always lived like an Elias because of this movie, placing courage and humanity as the chief goals in my life.
That’s awesome..
It's always good to see someone who takes the message of film or tv to heart. That's one of the highest praises a movie can get imo
@@ThommyofThenn well said!
Barnes gave O'Neill the order to be with the new ones after Elias left, hinting that Barnes partially agreed with Elias but didn't want to show it. They both hated each other but also respected the experience the other one had.
Puttıng O'Neill in charge of them was hardly doing them a favour. O'Neill was at best the film's comic relief (although McGinley's acting was superb in this).
@@stevekaczynski3793 he was still an experienced soldier.
Probably Elias would command the ambush not O'neill, as it was Elias team who was send to the mission. Oneill was a support.
Reading Oliver Stones book now. Staff Sgt Barnes and Sgt Elias were based on a real people Stone served with. The real Barnes and Elias never new each other however. The real Barnes did have facial scaring and according to Stone there was a mysticism about him and definitely someone you didn't want to get on the wrong side of. Elias was (and was written in the script) of Mexican/ Native American decent (something DaFoe worried he wouldn't be able to properly portray) and someone everyone felt better being around. He did tragical die in the war. Stone based everyone in Platoon on real people but changed their names, all except Elias who he kept to honor him. His real name was Juan Angel Elias.
Thanks.
"Angel". Hugh? Maybe his naming wasn't a coincidence.
@@JuanPena-hu4su Maybe
As a Mormon, I find it rather fitting that the Jesus figure was a native Central American.
🇲🇽🇺🇸
I can't believe that you didn't mention the scene, when Elias says that he thinks they're gonna lose this war, that so many times they kicked others asses, now it's time for somebody to kick their's. It's so touching, it's breaks my heart every time. That one good character, that has been there for so long, and yet he's the one who lost hope...
He mentions about the war being hopeless, that they are fighting each others. And yet, he is the skilled combatants and has been there for a long time even including the Battle of Ia Drang Valley.
Berenger ... Dafoe ... Sheen ... you know, maybe it's just the alphabetical order.
lol yep. Talk about over-analyzing something.
@@persona-non-grata In almost every Hollywood movie, they overthink everything. The director will have endless meetings with various crew supervisors and producers about every aspect of production (sets/locations, costumes, props, hair/makeup/prosthetics, casting, stunts and in-camera/post-production effects, lighting) on an almost scene-by-scene basis. And animated movies are also made in a very slow and deliberate way.
@@pentelegomenon1175 that may be the case, however I am unconvinced with the argument that an alphabetical billing of a cast is over-analysis on the part of the director. Quite the opposite on two counts in fact: 1) alphabetical billing is the simplest, equitable form of billing, 2) over-analysis (at least in this instance) would be on the part of the video creator, and not the director.
Haha, I just wrote this 🤣
@@diogeneslantern18 True, I guess the burden of proof lies on Rob's side there.
That scene where Elias is running through the jungle and let's out his war cry is heart racing . Something about the entire scene , him running towards the enemy in battle , taking them out one by one and sending fear throughout those ahead of him. Letting those awaiting hear the screams of a warrior . Its an incredible scene
Willem Dafoe is just great in everything that he can even play the shark from Jaws and make it work. By the way Rob, there is a channel called New Rockstars and they made a video on The Shining that had your theories in it. Even people in the comment section said that they clearly took inspiration from your theories or basically stole them.
Yeah I got sent the link. Couldn't watch it all though - the presenter was super annoying (did he he even write the video?) and too many screen swipes in the edit.
"Inspiration."
That channel is your typical mass-produced clickbait garbage, they steal all the time. Rob should file a complaint.
I don't think there is an original take on The Shining left, given the amount of work Rob has done on the film. More than once I have commented on a vid that the ideas are basically rehashing Rob's work. I may have commented on the video you mentioned too. Credit where it's due and all that.
It's not just Rob either. I saw a channel more or less steal the content and title of an Every Frame a Painting video on Spielberg use of short, one take shots, or 'oners', as the video referred to them. I think it's great that people stand up for that sort of thing. Plagiarism sucks!
@Fred Mason I never even heard of someone digging into the sub text of Kubrick films until 2008 or 09, which is when I discovered Rob.
In regards to the tunnel rat scene: my understanding was that type of combat was generally done alone to maintain stealth, and also so you wouldn't have to worry about someone behind you if you needed to quickly retreat. Also, Elias is a Sergeant (E5), not an officer. Non-commissioned officers like Barnes and Elias are kind of a dime-a-dozen. The interesting thing is how the officer, who is a Lieutenant, acts subordinate to his NCOs (not uncommon in the real military either as the enlisted men will have far more combat experience and military time compared to an O-1).
@James Meeker This might sound strange, but you don't have a relative named Daniel/Danny, do you?
James Meeker yeah i always found that interesting as well, how they had the Lt act submissive toward Barnes even though Barnes was technically his subordinate. A nice touch to show the reality of military combat and the dynamics between the hierarchy.
@@Bob.Roberts I have two relatives with that name. Either way, my family name is "Americanized" Irish so it is guaranteed that we are related even if we do not know each other. Our real name was O'Meagher.
@@jamesmeeker6933 It is a strange coincidence; a couple of days ago I was looking at some old photos of people I was in contact with years ago. I knew this guy named Danny Meeker and we used to hang together along with some other folks. He eventually moved towards the central east of the country and we haven't spoke in quite some time. He was in the US Army I believe, as well. You kind of look like he did back then, so I thought there might be a connection.
I've been in those tunnels, there would be no quick retreat.
Elis was always my favorite character in Platoon..warrior with morals/values
I just saw Platoon again on Netflix for the first time in over 20 years and it's even better than I remembered. To your point on spirituality: Sgt. Elias was a native American and their warrior and spiritual ethos were typically intertwined. Great video!
EVIL ALWAYS WINS THE MOMENT here on earth, but GOOD ALWAYS TRIUMPHS in the end.
Yeah in Hollywood.
@@dsmyify Naw foo, in REAL LIFE.
@@jaysands6391 Good overpowers evil, but evil overpowers ignorance.
I really hope that is true.
More like whoever triumphs in the end gets to define what good is.
I think Elias being a native american is an important aspect of his duality between spiritual man and the warrior. Its like he is so connected with his soul that he can balance the two without getting lost like Barnes clearly had become.
yeah because you have to be some navaho compared to someone that sailed from greenland to be spiritual..
I think this is Willem Defoe's best role but in reference to Sgt Elias as Native American I have often wondered how Wes Studi would have performed this role, being Native American, a Vietnam vet and great actor.
Oliver Stone said in an interview with Joe Rogan that Elias was based on someone he knew while serving in Vietnam, who was a Native American. Hence the spiritual nature of his character.
Wish I had me some of that 'Indun spirit.
I don't know if Barnes the character is supposed to be Native American, but Stone has said the man that Elias is inspired by was Native/Mexican
Best war movie ever. Great job, Rob.
But not the best anti war movie ever, that would be MASH!
Apocalypse now is better
I'm not a vet, but felt that the last battle scene at night seemed the best recreation of any that I'd seen in movies.
The battle scenes in this movie are damned good, so good that nobody refers to it as an "action movie". It's too realistic for that label.
The last battle scene in the movie was actually based on a real battle in Vietnam in 1968 on new years day . It was the battle of Firebase Burt near the Cambodian border . In the battle 2500 VC attacked an small artillery base .Oliver Stone was in that battle and helped defend the base. They said they killed 400 enemy
Did you see the fire in Barne 's eyes before the jet dropped the bomb?
my old man rest his soul 25th infantry in 1968, used to watch all the wsr movies together would concur. said it was just like the night he was shot
@@jeffhobbs1729
Damn. I turned 18 in '79 and realized had I been born 10 yrs earlier I'd be in the shit. I remember as a kid in the '60s the names of those killed that day that newscasts would scroll at the end of their broadcasts. I read anything I could find. Accounts from grunts, officers, strategy, specific teams. It was just awful, every part of that trap, for us, for them, everyone.
I watched Platoon again the other night. I had forgotten how awesome Elias was. That scene with him blowing smoke through the shotgun is unreal.
That was the scene that really struck me when I first watched it in my early teens.
shotgunning and gasmasking were things they actually did , theres even news real footage of it
My dumbass was like "Ahhhhhh, so THAT's where today's dummified version of 'shotgunning' comes from"
it felt kinda flirty the way he delivered that scene though haha
The name Elias means "my god is yahweh" in Hebrew.
Elijah
MIND BLOWN!
Yahweh?
Isn't it Jehovah?
@@milkyyanks765 its actually both.. but its YHWH(Yahweh) its the Hebrew alphabet of "Yod Heh Vav Heh"(the unspeakable name of God)or mistranslated Yahweh
Means "I am who I am"
And the ""H" or pronounced "Heh" is "the "Breath of God" like when God changed Abram and Sarai to Abraham and Sarah
A really fantastic symbolism that I always appreciated in this movie is the knives that Elias and Barnes carry on their suspenders.
Elias carries a tanto style knife, which is the knife of a samurai. This appears to align with Elias' character who is an honorable warrior. Barnes carries a push dagger, a knife which is, by design, intended for killing and has very little utility otherwise.
I always thought Elias' knife was just a utility knife. Similar knives were carried by outdoorsmen in the US. It's not really a weapon, more like a utility knife, sort of like a big pocket knife that doesn't fold up. It's more for slicing than stabbing.
I loved Sgt Elias. Every single thing about him I loved. When he died…I cried. I have a son in the 🇨🇦 military. He’s a tough guy. & I wouldn’t be surprised if he turned out just like him in character.
SGT Elias was one of the movie characters which inspired my character as an NCO in the Army.
Same
Is it bad 5hat I'm more of barnes? Without the war crimes tho
@@williamdawson4023 the interest in Korn is probably a more damning trait
@@williamdawson4023 when we all make it back home devoid of war crimes in all good health, we all can forgive ourselves
@@williamdawson4023 no, because there is a logical element to Barnes, Barnes is “reality” he embodies what is around him in order to adapt causing him to abandon his morals, he is what you would become under those conditions without moral facilitation. Elias is what you should become, facilitated by a moral belief system. Barnes is inherently human and that is his fault where as Elias embodies Christ, he transcends his human nature.
A stunning film and great character
He was definitely the most spiritual of the men with a respect for the Enemy by getting to know how they operate and understanding them and their culture. He works like and looks more like the opposition than his own crew, maybe he found a bit of sanctuary in their culture and respected it.
As the saying goes, know your enemy. With a philosophy like that you're far more likely to succeed than a 'kill them all' mentality.
Thats a good theory, also him being native American, maybe he sympathized with the Vietnamese plight of fighting off foreigners in their land.
Saw this is 86 when I was 13, stayed with me for awhile. My dad was a war vet and he thought it was very realistic. I picked up on Barnes not having a combat patch like Elias, but we know he was in combat before.
I'm no expert on this sort of thing, but I'd say given he lacks a combat patch on his right sleeve its likely that Barnes was always in the 25th Infantry Division.
I love that Rob's "over analysis" of films used to be controversial and is now the basis of a whole sub genre of youtube videos.
Could we say, William dofoe is in the cradle, with Christmas lights reference 4:35
If we’re going to take that symbol, I argue that it is Taylor being “born” into the platoon, no longer an unblooded FNG.
@Habeeb Durdana: Hey, that is a really goodpoint... I first saw this when it first came out, and I never made that connection! Thank you for your thought.
Also in the enemy’s hangout zone underground the dead body in the hammock looks very much like how we saw Elias. Foreshadowing maybe 7:08
Dude, don't know how i got to this video but platoon is one of my all time favorite flicks, watched it a million times, and your breakdown and analysis just blew my damn mind. Excellent video!
This was really good Rob. The Elias vs Barnes archetype is very much alive and relevant in the post 9/11 US military.
Stone said Elias was influenced by one of his Sargeants (NCOs) in Nam who was Native American
Anyone with a "swim or drown" mentality shouldn't be leading, inspiring, or training anyone.....
To a degree
It’s easy to get into that mindset when many of the new guys die. You can’t get attached to all of these people and watch them die. It destroys you. Not saying that it’s a good mentality, but it’s an act of self-preservation, not malice or superiority
It was that way all over Vietnam and I expect most wars. People were divided into two groups, fucking new guys AKA FNGs then the rest were old-timers.
@D. Adventure
Key word I see is "train" killers. Once you're in the field, that attitude doesn't fly. You're just wasting lives and resources.
I agree, they have no place being leaders.
You either make it or you don’t it is what it is
Speaking of Defoe. I'm looking forward to your eventual analysis of The Lighthouse. What a fantastic performance he gave in that movie.
Any ideas what that movie was about?
@@dsmyify I've heard plenty of takes on The Lighthouse, from it being a BDSM film at heart (pain so close to pleasure), or being about marriage or maybe depression and alcoholism, a depiction of capitalism or a story of religion. And all of the takes I've heard make some degree of sense.
At the end of the day I think the movie is amazing and works even just at a surface level without reading into it too much and that's what I appreciate about it, it has become an all-time favourite of mine and I've rewatched it several times because although it is an unpleasant movie I find the incredible atmosphere of it comfortably appealing for some reason.
@@GiggleBlizzard Acolytes of Horror analysed the lighthouse "Lies of the Lighthouse" and it is by far the most convincing analysis essay I've seen on the film. Others seem rather amateurish in comparison if I'm frank.
"And the award for most meaningful cinematic fart goes to..."
“You don’t like your beans Tommy?!?”
"There are times since, I've felt like the child born of those two fathers..."
That smile Elias has when he walks out of the jungle approaching Barnes feels like Elias is coming down from some mental state of euphoria as though he had been fighting on a higher level in which he stakes his own life for the taking as much as the enemies' that Barnes feels threatened that he cannot experience that state of mind so he lashes out in anger by shooting Elias and which is the fundamental difference between Elias and Barnes in that while Elias psychs himself up for war, Barnes is War as he declares in the barracks when he hears whispers of dissension against him. Chris himself taps into this mental state in the last battle. Elias shows sanpaku eyes indicating from a spiritual view a tragic end.
That close up on his eyes when Elias realizes what's about to happen is tremendous. Makes my hair stand up. Cinema at it's best..
Willem Dafoe is one of my all time favorite actors.
There was a documentary where the real Sgt Elias was described by Stone, and a picture of him was shown. I have never been able to find it since. I believe, in the documentary Stone said he was killed when he accidentally set off a claymore mine he was working on, and died from the injuries shortly afterward. Stone said it was a tragic end for a hero, and a mentor.
I think Barnes is the most complex character in the film. Yes, he is the “bad guy” of the film and is indeed a ruthless killer, but he seems to always make the right decisions, although drastic (we are never sure if the village was Vietcong or not). He virtually can’t be killed and is by far the best and most experienced soldier. Although he doesn’t have the rank -he’s not even an officer- he has the balls and presence to scold Wolfe and take over the situation in a heartbeat, saving as many lives as he can.
I always saw Barnes as Nietzsche's superman, the ultimate warrior. Yes I agree he has more depth than Elias but he's also as abrasive as the cogs of War. He is a personification of the War Machine.
That Village was definitely A Viet Cong stronghold. The rice the weapons the tunnel access the fact that the only young man there was a wounded or handicapped teenager….
@ I got a copy it’s written by Dale Dye .. I believe from the script.. using a lot of things that were taken out
In him lies the devil. Elias is much more complex. He can be like Barnes when the situation demands it. And it can be good, a virtue not found in Barnes.
You start off identifying with Elias, then as the war drags on you lean more towards Barnes because he will keep you alive through the reality of war. Although Elias looks out for his men to keep them out of harms way if he can, he often goes solo while Barnes tries to hold it all together in the thick of it.
Sgt. Barnes is the burnout, an emotional wreck, "or reality" as he describes himself, in opposition to Sgt. Elias who signifies idealism. The scene where Sgt. Barnes smokes after his men got killed is revealing, you could see how the deaths are eating him alive. Sgt. Elias, on the other hand, is the carefree but convinced soldier and the lethal type, people in special forces probably are looking for. Later we see how Sgt. Barnes is actually more human, caring too much, numbing his feelings with alcohol, and trying to explain his villainous actions to the men. The tragedy of the film is that he should have been reassigned to the rear areas by the commanding officer before the events occured. But the Lt. was obviously very weak and couldn't handle any of his sergeants.
Interesting....I respect your take on this....I never thought about Barnes being a wreck! But you got me thinking that he has seen too much, experienced too much, got shot 7 times...you would think that he WOULD be reassigned to the rear! I agree with you and thank you for this perspective.
I don't like the notion of Barnes being some tragic or sympathetic figure. He only 'cared' about the lives of his men so far as he needed them alive to fight the war, he couldn't care less about the miserable conditions they lived in, or even their wellbeing. Yes the war effected him, twisting his mindset into that of a jaded, uncaring, sarcastic and cruel man but its safe to assume he was an actual psychopath as well.
Thank you for this terrific film breakdown. For me it's Tom Berenger's equally worthy performance that really makes this film work.
Elias is a brilliant example of a character who depicts that setting limits in oneself and never enforcing them on the others is the most liberating and in the end the most inspiring thing to do. For him and for his soldiers.
I find that HE alone is the most extreme example of duality in the movie. While extremely able and brutal he never crosses lines to reach inhuman levels like Barnes, who does it without even blinking. As to why. There is only one answer.
Discipline. The truest, purest and greatest value a man at arms can have. Limits and discipline are the virtues that constitute courage in a setting of the highest reality.
Even in a hellscape like the jungle, a warrior so able never succumbed to the "darker" animal side (when in Rome etc).
By his own set limits he was a human till the end. The smile in the end, to my eyes was just joy for an encounter with a friend. But animals have no limits. No morals. When threatened they blindly attack.
Rob, great analysis again. Elias offering to carry Sheen's equipment, and saying to notify him first if he needs help, places Elias firmly as a Christ figure, as Christ himself let the people know they should come to him for help and he will take the yolk, their troubles and burdens on his shoulders.
My father who was 15 years old at the start of the Vietnam War had a few relatives that was drafted. He said according to one of this cousins yes indeed they sent the smallest person, which the cousin was, in the underground tunnels. Unfortunately, that gave him sever PTSD and would scream all the time in his sleep. He got on heroine to cope.
Ho Chi Minh poster would be considered "Loots of Wars" This would've probably been taken from the clearing of an abandoned NVA/VC bunker or complex.
Possibly but it is a little ambiguous as it is not defaced or put in any sort of dubious place. There is a National Liberation Front flag in "Forest Gump" for example, but it is put on the toilet door.
Yup. Sort of a war trophy
You’d be surprised how many Elias type characters exist in combat arms units.
I’ve met people in combat arms that unironically state that Barnes was the good guy all along. Shudder.
@@509Gman they’re probably the types to take out their anger out on their squad/team every time their wife cheats on them.
There's more Elias types than Barnes. In my expierence at least while I was in a combat unit.
You need to learn from both types IMO.
@@stringfellowbalk2654 not really. Elias was a good warrior without resorting to being a Barnes.
Just finished platoon and this shows up on my feed lol awesome film and character analysis 😁
I've been watching your videos since I was 16 years old. I'm 28 now and here I am again.
"Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of christ or atleast we are supposed too." I feel you man.
The poster could be the thought of loving your enemy. But Elias is also a warrior. So it could also be a means of motivation. Focusing on the target. Just a thought.
Aloha and thank you for this excellent metaphysical breakdown! I never thought to see this masterpiece in such a light. Looking forward to more of your content!
Your opinions are so deep. I'm just a simple movie watcher, liking the movie, the actors, script etc..
The fight between Barnes and Elias is one of the most realistic fight scenes you will ever see.
Whoa!
This has to be some of your best work.
Were you aware of the deleted scene where Elias’s “ghost” appears toword the end? Another reference to resurrection?
Bull
I saw that scene…. Elias’s ghost looked crazy “AS”. It freaked me out to be honest 😵💫
@@MansuribnZachariah what’s the scene called
@@serveroliviacvhh7443 not sure about the name of the scene but you can find it with the directors cut . Also TH-cam should have it also
@@MansuribnZachariah well what do i look up??
cheers Rob, after all these years droppin vids! very cool
At 14:00 you mentioned that Barnes comments on Elias being a crusader. Don't forget that Taylor is also referenced as a crusader earlier in the film when asking why he joined with a college education
One of the best film breakdowns I’ve ever seen. Excellent analysis
When I was kid I used to cry when Elias die with his arms to the sky... always was sad.
Former Airborne Infantry SGT and combat vet here. Alias was a Non-Commissioned Officer and yes, "tunnel rats" went in alone. Terrifying stuff in those small dark tunnels. I never considered the descent into the cave to emerge into the "womb" deep in the earth where the rites of passage for our paleolithic ancestors spiritually awakened to be reborn into the tribe when they reemerged, and the ritual of death in Platoon. But wow, you can't unsee what you see.
The bullets almost look like an upside down halo or crown of thorns, also. 🤔 1:12
At 1:18 the element of other soldier's equipment in the background above Elias' head also looks like a halo. Although this one is probably pure incidental.
Wow great point! Some of the best art has these little “lucky” moments captured on film.
Thank for your observations. That character has always stood out in my memory.
I rewatched the fight scene and I'm pretty sure I heard "Send him to hell Elias."
You def heard it.
Gardner was told to to tuck in his peace sign necklace because it could make noise depending on what it’s made of, but more importantly because it could reflect the moonlight and give away his position to the enemy. Soldiers often did a similar practice with their dog tags and would tape them together. No jingle, and no way for it reflect light.
That was an interesting observation about both Defoe and Caviezel going on to unambiguously play Christ in later movies.
Imagine the E.T. puppet doing it too...
I have watched this twice now. Your reading of Elias is very detailed and insightful. I really like the idea of the duality explored in your talk.
He was a warrior angel sitting on one side of Chris's shoulder while Barnes was the little devil on the other side of his shoulder. Both whispering in his ear.
👼 vs 😈
That was one hell of a movie watched it over and over still can't get enough of it
Yes, much like Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket, the duality of a marine and by extension man in general seems to be one of the most significant dynamics of humanity.
This one was incredible. Thanks for the new insight into this, one of my favorite films.
Wasn't expecting this one.
How come?
@@collativelearning When I think greatest screen heroes Elias never really came to mind for me. I suppose that's because we spend most of our time with Taylor.
@@Yeomannn Got ya. Yeah Taylor is the "central" character and Barnes has much more screen time than Elias, but really if you look at Elias he's an awesome movie hero.
Good job focusing this one on Willem Dafoe. Another excellent piece by Collative Learning.
So glad you did a detailed analysis of this character. Every scene he is in is memorable. The mentor scene where he helps by carrying the extra things for Taylor, seems to be very real. I've met people like that.
If you watch/listen closely, all of the men in the Platoon always refer to Elias as some sort of "spirtual person" who has walked around and no one knews where he really is from. Also, there is a resurrecition motiff about him (and Barnes) and how no one can ever seem to kill him (and Barnes). In a deleted scene, there is a scene of Taylor walking across a group of GIs. There is one hiding under a pouch that jumps out and surprises Taylor who looks suspiciously like Elias. Even Stone himself said that he wanted the soldier to look like Elias just to get people thinking...
There were more people like Elias than you envision here. Thanks.
When Barnes and Elias are running towards each other, notice the difference in camera and character movement.
Barnes seems to slither through the jungle towards his prey.
Easily the most brilliant movie analysis I have ever read. Bravo sir. Well played. Well played.
Great stuff, Rob, as always... CHEERS! P.S. "The Greek form of the Hebrew Elijah is Elias, meaning Jehovah is God"
Excellent video! Elias is one of my all time favorite movie characters
I could see Elias' first appearance symbolising Christ's act of 'bearing' the cross as well
It wasn't his LMG he was carrying it for someone else to give the guy a break no doubt or so he could piss... but directors love using forcasting... JCF.
There's a deleted scene from later in the film where he asks Taylor for a light, signifying his resurrection.
Great analysis!
I'd love for you to do an analysis on The Thin Red Line. Gorgeous cinematography, and it's still probably the best I've seen in a non-fantasy movie. It's a tougher movie to follow and piece together.
Great film. Really impacted me emotionally. I like your take.
Ho-Chi-Minh poster could be souvenir found in on of tunnel raids by Elias.
I love platoon and this is a very insightful video I never looked at any of the imagery in this movie is being religious before but now that I've seen this video it's made me see the movie an entirely new light very informative you sir have earned yourself a subscription 👍
John Mcginley is one of the most underrated actors who has been around for ever.
Absolutely. His coked-out neuroticisms and pathetic attempts at machismo are brilliant. Honestly, the whole cast was perfectly chosen. Well.... Maybe Kyle maclachlan would have made a better Chris Taylor, but I'm grateful he went with Lynch and Blue Velvet instead - another masterpiece - so we could get Twin Peaks later. But all in all even Charlie Sheen did well, especially in the village scenes.
As an ex-infantry enlisted man, 4/27 Infantry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, the tucking away of the peace medal IS for noise and light discipline purposes. There may be some secondary or parallel meaning in that scene, but every piece of equipment on your body must be subdued, taped down, tied down or tucked away. These were tactics lessons learned from the Vietnam era and asymmetric (insurrgent/guerilla) jungle warfare.
Elias is more John the baptist mentoring Chris-T. The underworld scene is Chris-T's Baptism by the holy spirit/smoke being breathed into his lungs like Adam in Eden. Hence the 'rebirth' statement.
Thanks for making this. This is a good complementary piece to Analyzing Evil: Sgt Barnes video from The Vile Eye.
The inspiration behind Alias was a native American soldier who was real I can't remember if Oliver Stone said he knew him or if he just knew about him but apparently that's where sgt Alias Character came from so its a real life character .
Elias
I love this place at night, the stars. There's no right or wrong in them. They're just there.
I think Sgt. O'Neill works somewhat as a Judas figure to Elias as well. He's brash and cocky in the beginning, but reveals himself as cowardly and even fakes his own death near the end - a total opposite to Elias's messianic sacrifice at the hands of Barnes. O'Neill survives the onslaught of the end battle, and might have survived Vietnam entirely; but I like to think he later committed suicide out of guilt, like Judas did.
I've seen Platoon just recently and I'm captivated by both Barnes and Elias. In my opinion the best option (if circumstances allow) would be a combination of Barnes and Elias character traits.
Yo Rob, Can you do video On Magnolia?
I love this concept of finding the most epic characters in film!
We already do this all the time IRL finding the most influential and obscure stories from war times, disasters, and just general stories of people living up to being the definition of human.
Sgt Barnes is my favorite film villain.
He's an incredible character.
Berenger knocked this one out of the park, as contrasted with Major League where he did extremely well in a very different role. A lot of depth and a real "actor," not just some lame Hollywood pretty boy just being himself.
They way he says "kill me" when they are in the bunker is so haunting. You can hear the desperation in his voice, he's begging them to take him out of his misery.
My Dad was sent down in the tunnels by himself a lot when he was a Marine fighting near The A Shau & Go Noi during Vietnam 68-70. He was in the most booby trapped area of S Vietnam, and as a scout in the infantry, he had to help go clear booby traps and clear the tunnels from enemy and traps/trip wire etc. He almost got sucked into a mud booby trap but he dug his kbar knife into the mud and pulled himself out. Told his CO he's "never fuckin going back down there" and never had to. He died from Agenf Orange in 2017
Considering Willem Dafoe usually plays villains and Tom Berenger plays good guys, Oliver Stone made the right choice and make them play the polar opposite of their typecasts. Platoon is one of the best war films out there.
Such a great analysis, really enjoyed this thank you