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The Casualties of War DVD features Brian De Palma’s 1989 Vietnam War drama, based on a real 1966 incident. Michael J. Fox stars as a soldier who stands up to his squad, with Sean Penn, John C. Reilly and John Leguizamo, and a score by Ennio Morricone. This is a pre-owned copy in Good condition, in stock and dispatched within 2 business days. Add it to your cart today.
| Format | DVD |
|---|---|
| Discs | 1 |
| Studio | Sony Pictures |
| Released | December 11, 2001 |
| Run time | 1 hour and 53 minutes |
| Condition | Good Condition |
| Availability | In stock |
The Casualties of War DVD brings home Brian De Palma's 1989 Vietnam War drama, starring Michael J. Fox as a young soldier who refuses to go along with a terrible crime committed by his own squad, and Sean Penn as the sergeant who leads it. The film is based on a real 1966 incident on Hill 192.
This is a pre-owned copy in Good condition. DVDs play in standard DVD players and in Blu-ray players. Standard US shipping is $4.99, and orders over $50 ship free.
Casualties of War follows a small American squad on patrol in Vietnam. Private First Class Max Eriksson is played by Fox. After an ambush kills one of their own, squad leader Sergeant Tony Meserve, angry that the men have been denied leave, orders his men to abduct a young Vietnamese woman, Tran Thi Oanh, and bring her along on their next patrol.
Eriksson objects, but the others ignore him. The film centers on his struggle to do the right thing under pressure from his fellow soldiers. It is a hard-hitting story, so it is best suited to adult viewers.
The screenplay by David Rabe adapts a 1969 New Yorker article by Daniel Lang, which was later published as a book. The names and some details of the real events were changed for the film.
The supporting cast of the Casualties of War movie includes John C. Reilly and John Leguizamo, with Thuy Thu Le as Oanh, Ving Rhames as Lieutenant Reilly and Dale Dye as Captain Hill. Ennio Morricone composed the score.
Columbia Pictures released Casualties of War (1989) in US theaters on August 18, and its theatrical cut runs 113 minutes. Quentin Tarantino has called it the greatest film about the Vietnam War, and the Casualties of War DVD is a strong pick for fans of serious war dramas.
Browse our full range of DVD movies and TV or explore more movies on disc. Building a collection? Our guide to physical media vs streaming explains why discs still matter. For full production details, see the Wikipedia article on Casualties of War.
Casualties of War DVD: Questions Buyers Ask
Who directed Casualties of War?
Brian De Palma directed it from a screenplay by David Rabe.
Is it based on a true story?
Yes. It is based on a 1966 incident on Hill 192 in the Vietnam War, with names and some details changed.
Will the Casualties of War DVD play in my Blu-ray player?
Yes. DVDs play in standard DVD players and in Blu-ray players.
What condition is this copy in?
It is a pre-owned copy in Good condition, and our 30-day return policy covers your purchase.
The Casualties of War DVD is in stock and dispatched within 2 business days. Standard US shipping is $4.99, and orders over $50 ship free. Check our 30-day return policy, then add it to your cart today.
Standard shipping is $4.99. Orders over $50 ship free.
You can still order it. Delivery may take 2–4 weeks because the item needs to be sourced from the manufacturer.
This is the DVD edition, 1 disc.
とらや –
Originally posted on Amazon.com · not a MarioShroomed purchase
JustJ –
Originally posted on Amazon.com · not a MarioShroomed purchase
About the Blu-Ray released in August 2018
The movie itself is a must-see. The blu-ray release that came out in August 2018 provides a decent picture quality – certainly an upgrade from the DVD version. It is presented in 1080p HD/ 2.4:01; Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD MA, French, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital; Subtitles: English SDH .
Special Features include: “Eriksson’s War: A Conversation with Michael J. Fox”; The Making of Casualties of War; Deleted Scenes & Theatrical Trailer.
The disc has no artwork, unlike the DVD disc that I have. The artwork on the blu-ray cover insert is somewhat mediocre, as if printed on a lower quality printer. This movie is a classic and although the picture quality is fine, the absence of artwork on the disc and the lower quality of the artwork of the cover insert are a mild disappointment – these should reflect the nature of the film which has been described as a “masterpiece”.
The Reluctant_reviewer –
Originally posted on Amazon.com · not a MarioShroomed purchase
Swinebread –
Originally posted on Amazon.com · not a MarioShroomed purchase
The Quintessential Capstone on the 1980s Vietnam War Film
The quintessential capstone on the 1980s Vietnam War film.
Casualties of War is a brutal motion picture with stellar cinematography and exceptional performances.
Overlooked by audiences when it came out in ‘89 possibly due to Vietnam film fatigue and an inability to see Michael J. Fox as anything other than a comedic actor, but there are dramatic riches to be found in this production but they are obviously tragic in nature.
Simply put, this is a crime story about the kidnapping, gang rape, and murder of an innocent Vietnamese girl by a squad of brutalized, angry, soldiers during the Vietnam War and one man who can’t go along with it but fails to stop it. It is based on a real incident which De Palma had wanted to make into a film for many years.
This is not an action movie. Although CoW has several combat scenes. Living with the psychology of the soldiers particularly Fox’s character as they descend into war weary, criminality is the main thrust of the film. It’s how war desensitizes one to others suffering until one finally becomes the perpetuator. The dialog and pacing of the film resembles a play to some extent, which the writer, David Rabe, had written several of before this film. This may be why some folks don’t end up liking the movie as it has melodramatic touches here and there. But in my opinion, it works to the movie’s strengths, especially with the music, because it gives the film that touch of a dreamlike quality, as if events are tragically remembered rather than being felt in real time. Additionally, the acting was superb by all involved especially the Vietnamese girl.
I rate this product 4 stars as The Blu-ray has no commentary track and it does not have the extended cut which looks to be a better film based on the deleted scenes. Also De Palma should have staged one of the combat scenes much better than what ended up on screen. You’ll know what I’m talking about when you see it.
Casualties of War is worth your time if you’re looking for a different type of war film.
“You Emerge from Tragedy Equipped Against Lies” -Howard Barker