Tigerland
A group of recruits go through Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Polk, Louisiana’s infamous Tigerland, last stop before Vietnam for tens of thousands of young men in 1971.
- Director:joel Schumacher
- Genre:Drama / War
- Runtime:97 minutes
Cast
Colin Farrell : Pvt. Roland Bozz
Matthew Davis : Pvt. Jim Paxton
Clifton Collins Jr.: Pvt. Miter
Tom Guiry : Pvt. Cantwell (as Thomas Guiry)
Shea Whigham : Pvt. Wilson
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Roland Bozz (Colin Farrell), a drafted soldier who is opposed to the war, is shown to be an unruly soldier who has no respect for authority: disobeying orders, talking back to his superiors, and having a foul mouth. He quickly befriends another soldier known as Paxton (Matthew Davis).
It is the year 1971 and as the film progresses, another side of Bozz is shown. Having “x-ray vision for loopholes,” Bozz finds ways for soldiers to get out of the army, one because he has not only his children, but a handicapped wife with her own, and later another soldier Miter (Clifton Collins Jr.) who joined to prove his manhood but finds himself way over his head. At one point, another soldier approaches Bozz while on leave and asks for help getting out, saying “I was told if you want to get out of the army, you either pray to Jesus, or go see Roland Bozz.” Bozz also shows his reasoning behind being opposed to the war: his human compassion. Eventually Bozz’s natural leadership and ability earns him the title of squad leader (sometimes called acting Jack). Another private named Wilson (who is a racial bigot and also an instigator) continuously demeans Miter and Bozz (basically anyone whom he judges to be “weaker” than himself). Bozz is the only one that retaliates, which results in a fight between the two. As the fight is broken up and Paxton gets involved, he also garners the hatred of Wilson.
At a bar, Bozz is seen holding a black book with a hand showing the peace sign. This book is possibly a message from the writer to the audience of where the possible influence for the movie came about. It was a copy of Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo.
Later, while doing live fire exercises, Wilson goes after Bozz with a pistol, telling him he’s going to kill him. Bozz tries to take away the gun and the two wrestle each other to the ground, Wilson getting the upper hand and putting the gun to the back of Bozz’s head and pulling the trigger. Miraculously, the gun gets jammed, saving Bozz’s life. The Commanding Officer lets Bozz choose the punishment: have Wilson court-martialed or “let me deal with him,” strongly suggesting the latter. Despite the commanding officer strongly pressing to let him deal with it, Bozz says he wants Wilson “out of the army” because he recognizes Wilson has taken an emotional beating ever since his inability to command became obvious. Bozz leaves the office saying he wants Wilson out. Read more
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