Platoon (1986 Film) - And Songs From The Era

In a musical collection that is as much soundtrack as it is score, Oliver Stone's Platoon is a breakthrough for its ability to embody the extremes of the human condition in Vietnam. While most of the songs by themselves are commonly found as representative of the era, together they become a personality. Smokey Robinson's soulful and heartfelt "Tracks of My Tears" is offset by the down-home pride of Merle Haggard's "Okie from Muskogee." In turn, they are challenged by the escapist fantasies of Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit" and Otis Redding's "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay." The glue that held these social groups together in Vietnam, however tenuous this bond, was the common experience of combat. Here this combat takes form as Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings. Barber's violins play first at the aftermath of the torching of a Vietnamese village and then again as the undercurrent for Charlie Sheen's reflective monologue at the film's finale. Each time, they embody the pain and anguish of the previous moments, searching for cause but finding only loss and despair. The strings become the screams of the wounded, the souls of the lost, and the conscience of the living, and in so, the Adagio for Strings itself serves as a testament to an experience that must be faced to be understood. --James Stockstill Amazon.com

Background noise sucks...I want the real music!

I purchased this album specifically for the Adagio for Strings. I found this piece hauntingly beautiful. But on this album, there are overdubs of explosions and Charlie Sheen talking during both tracks with Adagio for Strings. The other songs are great but I already had some of them. Don't buy specifically for Adagio for Strings. July 1, 2008

Wonderful collection of songs from the film

Ive loved this movie since i was 12 years old and ive also loved the music that plays all trough out it. Finally this year i got the soundtrack for my Dad for christmas and i must admit, ive copied it to my iTunes folder! :D So many good tracks on here....totally worth it December 30, 2007

Review of Platoon Soundtrack

Love this cd. The music is spectacular and reminds me of the 60's generation. September 2, 2006

I don't know what hit me!

When I saw this movie the first time, I thought "WOW" that was pretty good. But then I watched it a second time, already having a better idea of what it was like, and I really got into the music. But it was the ending scene that shook me up.

"Adagio for Strings" by Samuel Barber is now what I consider the greatest piece of classical music I have ever heard. So intense, dramatic, and graciously smooth and AMAZING! It is now my favorite song OF ALL TIME. Flawless to the enth degree.

Now I am a Classical Rock fan at heart, but this song is too beautiful to be true. I have done constant research on just trying to find the name of it and listening to it once again! I don't know what struck me, but I now truly believe this song has taken me to a new level in life. A level that is: this is reality, anything you see or hear about on TV (Iraqi Freedom, Middle East Crisis) is real. Everytime I have listened to this song, I think back on my own actions and how lucky I have been to have the life I have.
Never has a song done that to me.

I only got this CD because of this song, but it was truly worth it. 5/5 stars. July 29, 2006

"Platoon: Soundtrack" is excellent!

"Platoon: Soundtrack" is excellent! All of the songs on here are excellent!

Track Listing:
1. Adagio For Strings - Georges Delerue
2. Tracks Of My Tears - Smokey Robinson
3. Okie From Muskogee - Merle Haggard
4. Hello, I Love You - Doors
5. White Rabbit - Jefferson Airplane
6. Barnes Shoots Elias - Georges Delerue
7. Respect - Aretha Franklin
8. The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Reding
9. When A Man Loves A Woman - Percy Sledge
10. Groovin - Rascals
11. Adagio For Strings - Georges Delerue July 2, 2006

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