“Platoon Leader“ (1988) - Vietnam War Michael Dudikoff Action Drama

A young officer just out of West Point begins his first tour of duty in Vietnam only to find his men worn down and cynical about the war. His men don’t respect him until he gets wounded and returns to be a wiser soldier and a better commander. It is loosely based on James R. McDonough’s memoir of the same name. It is the only movie directed by Aaron Norris not to star his brother Chuck Norris. Lieutenant Jeff Knight meets cynicism when taking command of sergeant Michael McNamara’s tour veterans platoon in a Vietnamese trench camp. Unlike his predecessor, who hid till the end of his tour, Jeff takes charge, experiences the manual doesn’t allow coping with all realities and gets wounded. He returns, now fully respect by men and superiors. Besides the Vietcong, the platoon wrestles with the inscrutable villagers, which the GIs officially protect, but also fear as some collaborate with them, other covertly with the Cong, either way subject to bloody reprisals. Surprisingly the fil