Casualties of War: Bradley Davis

Casualties of War/1989

Brian De Palma/September 11, 1940/Newark, New Jersey, USA

Budget-$22,500,000

Gross-18,671,317 (USA)

Synopsis-During the Vietnam war, a girl is taken from her village by five American soldiers. Four of the soldiers rape her, but the fifth refuses. The young girl is killed. The fifth soldier is determined that justice will be done.The film is more about the realities of war, rather than this single event.

Narrative and Visual Keywords-Vietnam war, Vietnam, Village, Rape, Revenge, Flash back.

Characterization/ Dialogue-The troops that have been in country don’t care for the troops that have just come in.The new troops try to keep life the way it was back home, but come to find out that Vietnam is noting like home.

Camera/lighting/editing technique- Long takes to show important the scene is. No wide lens, or zooms. split screen 

 Political/ Social Commentary -The struggle depicted here is between going along with the group or maintaining one's own integrity. Are there rules of war? Are there rules of living? These are the profound questions which underlie the action in this disturbing film.

Historical Relevance/ Recognition- Based on actual events of an incident on hill 192, In 1966 during the Vietnam War. The kidnapped girl ordeal began on the 18th of November and ended the next day with her death on the 19th of November.

Notable Collaboration- Michael J Fox, Sean Penn, John C Reily, John Leguizamo. Ving Rhames

Random fact, Etc-The railroad trestle bridge utilized in the firefight near the end of the film (located in Kanchanaburi, Thailand) is part of the Japanese transportation system as portrayed in the film The Bridge over the river Kwai. This particular bridge was constructed by prisoners of war held captive by the Japanese when Thailand was under Japanese occupation during World War II. 

1. Is the soldier/veteran depicted as being in control of his destiny? 

The soldier is depicted as being in control of his destiny. Throughout the film Eriksson is the one who appears to be thinking with a level head, or have a continuous push of will power. Max Eriksson tried to stay in control even trough the toughest times. Even when everyone he turned to turned him down, and told him that it didn't matter he keep up the fight to bring out the truth.

2. What political sub-text, or overt theme is the film exploring? That no matter the conflict, that human dignity must prevail. War can be a terrible place to find yourself, even in times of hate or pain or both you must be true to man kind.

3. How are masculinity and patriarchy displayed through the main character(s) -- broken and dissociated or reinstated and productive.  

Max Eriksson displays that his masculinity and patriarchy is both reinstated and productive. Dieter displays his authority when Tony states that he will basically kill him if anything is said about the kidnap and rap. Max stating his point of view of how wrong the situation was and saying no to a solder that out ranked him.