Review of Tigerland (2000) by Christopher A — 17 Feb 2010

Tagline: The system wanted them to become soldiers. One soldier just wanted to be human.

Summary:

In September 1971, a platoon of recruits arrives in Ft. Polk, LA, for infantry training before leaving for war. The final week takes place in Tigerland, a swamp similar to Vietnam. Jim Paxton has enlisted; he wants to experience everything and write books later. He befriends Roland Bozz, a cool Texan with a gift for getting into trouble and for helping misfits get discharges. At least one sociopath in the platoon hates Bozz, even as the sergeants grudgingly recognize his leadership abilities. As the platoon heads into its week in Tigerland, Paxton's body gives out, Bozz makes plans to go AWOL, and the sociopath gets hold of live ammo. Is the Louisiana swamp more dangerous than the DMZ?

My Review:

An exceptional film that really delves deep into the U.S. Army and the war. Not many people seem to know this but the movie gets it's name from a U.S. Army training camp located at Fort Polk, Louisiana, that was part of the U.S. Army Advanced Infantry Training Center, and was called Tigerland. However, the setting of the movie only appears to be loosely based on this training camp. Colin Farrell is exceptional in this film and appears to be really hard and thick skinned when in fact he's alot nicer than he appears, meaning his character, Bozz, in the movie. He constantly looks out for his fellow soldiers and even helps Miton and Paxton get out of the Army because they find that it isn't for them anymore and they can't hack it like he can. It's quite a sad film in places but is an exceptional film to watch.