A war film widely considered the best of its kind is currently available on Netflix for fans to watch, but they don’t have long left to catch it. Platoon is an anti-war film, written and directed by Oliver Stone.

The 1986 depiction of the Vietnam War stars Charlie Sheen, Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger and follows a young man who leaves university to fight, but during the battle, conflicting ideologies lead soldiers to turn on one another.

The synopsis on film review website Rotten Tomatoes reads: “Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) leaves his university studies to enlist in combat duty in Vietnam in 1967. Once he’s on the ground in the middle of battle, his idealism fades.

“Infighting in his unit between Staff Sergeant Barnes (Tom Berenger), who believes nearby villagers are harbouring Viet Cong soldiers, and Sergeant Elias (Willem Dafoe), who has a more sympathetic view of the locals, ends up pitting the soldiers against each other as well as against the enemy.”

The two-hour film is known as one of the best depictions of the Vietnam War, according to both critics and fans. On the film and TV review website, Platoon has a striking 89% score, with numerous five-star reviews.

The Film Yap wrote: “Oliver Stone’s harrowing war picture was the first movie that felt like a genuine depiction of that terrible war, and brought collective catharsis for America’s tragedy in Vietnam.”

With the critic giving it a full five marks.

Awards Daily said that it was “One of the most visceral and authentic war films ever made”.

Fans feel exactly the same about the compelling film, give props to everything from the storytelling to the cast, and therefore highly recommend it.

One who watched the film last July wrote: “Oliver Stone’s Platoon stands out as one of the most unfiltered, visceral, and authentic portrayals of the Vietnam War. It’s a film that draws you in with its intense realism and powerful storytelling. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend watching it—prepare for an unforgettable experience!”

A second said: “Best war film ever made in my opinion. Excellent beyond words!”

A third: “The most honest take on the horror of soldiers thrown into a war they cannot understand.

“The rapture between the convictions from home and absolute brutal reality and the torment it brings is captured and depicted through incredible cast, acting, shooting and directing. Platoon has remained in my personal top ten since it came out. It is a great movie.”

Platoon is available on Netflix, though subscribers can watch it until March 3.

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