FeatureDramaWar

Platoon Leader (1988): cast, story & where to watch

1988 · Film · ★ 5.3

Platoon Leader poster

Released in 1988, Platoon Leader is a drama and war film directed by Aaron Norris, running about 97 minutes. “War is hell. This was worse...” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. West Point graduate 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 G.I.'s officially protect, but also fear as some collaborate with them, other covertly with the Cong, either way subject to bloody reprisals.

Who’s in it. Platoon Leader stars Michael Dudikoff as Lt. Jeff Knight, Robert F. Lyons as Sgt. Michael McNamara, Michael DeLorenzo as Raymond Bacera and Jesse Dabson as Joshua Parker, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 5.3/10, Platoon Leader has proved divisive with audiences.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel and Philo. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Platoon Leader page.

If you liked it. Fans of Platoon Leader tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.

Frequently asked

Where can I watch Platoon Leader (1988)?
In US, Platoon Leader is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV and MGM+ Amazon Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
Is Platoon Leader worth watching?
Platoon Leader holds an audience score of 5.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and war. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
Who stars in Platoon Leader?
Platoon Leader stars Michael Dudikoff, Robert F. Lyons, Michael DeLorenzo, Jesse Dabson and Rick Fitts.
When was Platoon Leader released?
Platoon Leader was released in 1988, with a runtime of about 97 minutes.