Is "Casualties of War" a True Story?
Released in 1989, "Casualties of War" is a thought-provoking drama film directed by Brian De Palma, based on the true story of a controversial military trial. The movie stars Michael J. Fox and Sean Penn, and focuses on the events that occurred during the Vietnam War. But is the film truly based on real events?
The True Story behind "Casualties of War"
The true story that inspired the film was published in 1969 by journalist Daniel Lang, in an article titled "Casualties of War: The Court-Martial of Vietnam." The story was about a group of United States Army soldiers who tortured and murdered a Vietnamese innocent man, Pham-Xuan-Thanh, during the Vietnam War. The soldiers, who claimed to be on patrol near Hoi An, Viet Nam, in May 1966, encountered an 18-year-old innocent civilian, Pham Xuan Thanh, and forced him to dig his own grave. They then tied him to a stake in the ground and set his hair on fire.
The story was widely reported at the time, and shocked the American public, exposing the brutal and inhumane treatment of innocent Vietnamese civilians by American soldiers during the war.
Key Players in the Real Story
- Captain Victor H. Neujahr: The commanding officer who presided over the investigation into the murder of Pham Xuan Thanh. Neujahr was severely critical of the actions of the soldiers involved, concluding that they had acted outside the bounds of the Military Code of Justice.
- Private First Class Michael Terry: One of the soldiers involved in the incident, who later turned prosecution witness against his comrades. Terry was the first soldier to report the crime and later testified against his colleagues in court.
- Sergeant Steven P. Weiss: A former drill sergeant who became acquainted with the soldiers and saw their behavior as an acceptable response to the horrors of war. Weiss’s testimonial was crucial in condemning the soldiers’ actions as murder.
The Impact of the Real-Life Incidents
The story has had a lasting impact on American society, serving as a stark reminder of the human cost of war. It has also been studied by scholars and experts on war and its consequences. In 2002, the United States government granted Thanh’s family a formal apology, along with a monetary award.
Comparison of Real-Life Events and Film Version
While the film attempts to accurately portray the true events, some changes and omissions were made. Notably, the script reduced the number of involved soldiers from five to four and altered the identities and characters of the real soldiers involved. Additionally, some creative liberties were taken regarding the events leading up to the murder and the actual events of the crime itself. The film received mostly positive reviews from critics for its powerful and haunting storytelling, but some inaccuracies were noted.
Other Inaccuracies in the Film
- Incorrect Number of Soldiers Involved: As mentioned earlier, only five soldiers were involved in the real-life incident, whereas the film portrays only four.
- Wrong Uniforms: The film costumes are inaccurate, depicting a style of uniform not present during the Vietnam War timeframe.
- Mismodeled Characters: While efforts were made to represent real individuals, some characters, particularly Terry, were dramatically revised or omitted for dramatic license.
Conclusion
The events depicted in "Casualties of War" are based on real, shocking, and tragic facts, but the film contains inaccuracies and artistic licenses taken to enhance the storyline. The true story inspired a powerful and impactful tale that has left an enduring mark on American history, reminding us of the horrific consequences of war on human life.
