War classic released on DVD

Oliver Stone's (Alexander, Natural Born Killers) Vietnam war classic Platoon, revered by some as the greatest Vietnam war film of all time, makes it onto DVD as an Ultimate Edition on Monday 6th March.

Based on Stone's own experience as a soldier in the Vietnam war, the film stars Charlie Sheen (Young Guns, Scary Movie 3) as a rookie soldier trapped in the nightmare of war who finds himself caught in a rift between two very different veteran sergeants.

The Platoon: Ultimate Edition DVD contains several extras, including commentaries from Stone and military advisor Captain Dale Dye.

It also contains a "making-of" feature, as well as two short features in which real Vietnam veterans remember their experiences, as well as a collector's booklet and postcards.

The film also stars Johnny Depp (Pirates Of The Caribbean, The Corpse Bride) in one of his early roles, and Forest Whitaker (Panic Room, Phone Booth).

The actors were required to take part in a military boot camp in the Philippines in preparation for their roles, eating only military rations and sleeping in the jungle.

The film won Best Picture and Best Director at the 1987 Academy Awards, as well as Oscars for film editing and sound.

Forest Whitaker also stars in Bird, the biopic of jazz star Charlie Parker, which is released on DVD on Monday as well.

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