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Platoon (film)

Platoon is a 1986 American war film written and directed by Oliver Stone about a U.S.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Platoon is a 1986 American war film written and directed by Oliver Stone about a U.S. infantry platoon during the Vietnam War. Its ensemble cast is led by Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, and Willem Dafoe, with supporting performances by Forest Whitaker, John C. McGinley, Keith David, Johnny Depp, and others.

Cast

The cast is led by Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, and Willem Dafoe. Supporting roles are filled by an ensemble that includes Forest Whitaker, John C. McGinley, Keith David, Johnny Depp, Kevin Dillon, and others. Dale Dye appears as Capt. Harris in cast listings.

Characters

The film presents a platoon of U.S. soldiers with interlocking roles and ranks. Charlie Sheen plays Chris Taylor, Tom Berenger plays Staff Sgt. Barnes, and Willem Dafoe plays Sgt. Elias. Supporting characters include King, Big Harold, Rhah, Bunny, Junior, Lt. Wolfe, Francis, Lerner, Crawford, Gardner, Manny, Tex, Sal, and Warren.

Production and release

Platoon was released in 1986 and is credited to writer-director Oliver Stone. It is described by major reference sources as an American anti-war film set in the Vietnam War.

Reception and legacy

The film is consistently cited as one of the best-known Vietnam War films and is notable for early film roles by actors such as Johnny Depp and Forest Whitaker.

Key facts

  • The film’s principal cast includes Charlie Sheen as Chris Taylor, Tom Berenger as Staff Sgt. Barnes, and Willem Dafoe as Sgt. Elias.
  • Supporting cast members include Forest Whitaker, John C. McGinley, Keith David, Kevin Dillon, Francesco Quinn, Richard Edson, and Johnny Depp.
  • The character names listed in major cast sources include King, Big Harold, Rhah, Bunny, Junior, Lt. Wolfe, Francis, Lerner, Crawford, Gardner, Manny, Tex, Sal, and Warren.
  • Dale Dye appears as Capt. Harris in cast listings.
  • The film is widely documented as an ensemble war drama set during the Vietnam War.

Frequently asked questions

Who are the main cast members of Platoon?
The main cast is Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, and Willem Dafoe, supported by Forest Whitaker, John C. McGinley, Keith David, and Johnny Depp.
What characters do Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, and Willem Dafoe play?
Charlie Sheen plays Chris Taylor, Tom Berenger plays Sgt. Barnes, and Willem Dafoe plays Sgt. Elias.
Is Platoon based on the Vietnam War?
Yes. It is an American war film set during the Vietnam War and commonly described as anti-war.
Who directed Platoon?
Platoon was written and directed by Oliver Stone.
Does Platoon have a large ensemble cast?
Yes. Cast lists include many supporting soldiers and officers in addition to the three leads.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platoon_(film)
    Supports: Cast list, principal actors, character names, and film basics.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Platoon-film-by-Stone
    Supports: Core cast and film identification.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/platoon/cast-and-crew
    Supports: Cast and crew listing including principal and supporting cast.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091763/
    Supports: Top cast and character names.
  5. TMDb — https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/792-platoon/cast
    Supports: Expanded cast list and additional character names.