Overview
A gripping exploration of morality and justice amidst the chaos of war.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- harrowing
- oppressive
- morally serious
- serious film study
- historical cinema viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly viewed the film as a harrowing, morally complex, well-acted Vietnam War drama, particularly praising its emotional power and mature direction.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Private Eriksson rejects the squad's abduction and rape of Oanh, then risks retaliation by pursuing justice through military channels.
The film connects the squad's crime and the inadequate response from superiors to broader moral corruption during the Vietnam War.
Eriksson's dissent places personal ethics in direct conflict with Meserve's authority and the squad's pressure to conform.
The abduction, sexual violence, killing, and subsequent pursuit of justice are presented with stark emotional force rather than heroic spectacle.
Films like Casualties of War, and why
Platoon
shares a harrowing anti war perspective, moral conflict within a military unit, and emotionally punishing treatment of wartime atrocity
The Deer Hunter
shares Vietnam War setting, grounded combat drama, institutional violence, and a bleak examination of military morality
A Few Good Men
shares a soldier's confrontation with war crimes, court proceedings, and the tension between personal conscience and military authority
Movie Details
- Director
- Brian De Palma
- Release Date
- 1989-08-18
- Runtime
- 113 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (1051)
Cast
- Michael J. Fox
- Sean Penn
- Don Harvey
- John C. Reilly
- John Leguizamo
- Thuy Thu Le
- Erik King
- Jack Gwaltney
- Ving Rhames
- Wendell Pierce
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Casualties of War about?
- A morally isolated soldier challenges his own squad and the military system after a Vietnamese civilian is brutalized during the Vietnam War.
- What is Casualties of War like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Casualties of War as measured, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Casualties of War violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Casualties of War as graphic.
- What did critics think of Casualties of War?
- Critics broadly viewed the film as a harrowing, morally complex, well-acted Vietnam War drama, particularly praising its emotional power and mature direction.
- Which films are like Casualties of War?
- Films with a similar feel include Platoon, The Deer Hunter, and A Few Good Men.
- How long is Casualties of War?
- Casualties of War runs 113 minutes.
- Where can I watch Casualties of War?
- In United States, Casualties of War streams on Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel.
