- published: 05 May 2016
- views: 20780
Casualties of War is a 1989 drama film directed by Brian De Palma, with a screenplay by David Rabe, based on the actual events of the incident on Hill 192 in 1966 during the Vietnam War. It stars Michael J. Fox and Sean Penn. An article written by Daniel Lang for The New Yorker in 1969, and a subsequent book were the movie's primary sources.
The story is presented as a flashback of Max Eriksson, a Vietnam veteran. A platoon of American soldiers is on patrol when they are suddenly attacked by the Viet Cong. While on flank security, the ground cracks under Eriksson as he is above a Viet Cong tunnel. Sergeant Tony Meserve pulls Eriksson out of the hole and eventually, the Americans stave off the attack.
The platoon takes a break outside a river village in the Central Highlands. While relaxing and joking around, one of the platoon members, Specialist 4 "Brownie" Brown, is killed when the Viet Cong ambushes them. Shortly afterward, Private First Class Antonio Diaz arrives as Brownie's replacement.
Casualties of War is a story of Amanda, a soldier's widow. She visits her husband's grave on their anniversary, and starts to recount their love and their lives. She remembers how they met, some of their happier times together,their deep bond, and his death, and her dealing with the loss.
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War and pain fall down like rain
Morbid thoughts enter my brain
Time to kill - thousands I will
Goals to reach - trenches to fill
The world will be no more
The casualties of war
Blood is shed - millions are dead
Sounds of death rip through my head
Minds i rape - chances I take
Bones I break - choices I make
The world will be no more
The casualties of war
You chose to talk the talk
I'm known to walk the walk
You dared to cross my path
And now you'll feel my wrath