10 Insanely Accurate War Film Details

Oliver Stone's Platoon stands as one of the more realistic and moving portrayals of the Vietnam War. Cultivating an intense anti-war rhetoric, Stone's gritty 1986 offering channels his own harrowing personal experiences of armed service, with the writer and director having also served in Vietnam.

Platoon features the exact level of detail that one would expect from a film directed by a Vietnam veteran. The military gear is weathered and worn by time in the jungle, while the soldiers adapt their uniforms to fit the tropical conditions surrounding them.

The cast's helmets also feature personal messages, reflecting a common practice during the war. Stone even had his actors come up with their own slogans in the interest of authenticity, with Charlie Sheen's helmet breathing life into the now iconic soundbite of "When I die, bury me upside down so the world can kiss my ass."

As illustrated by the latter, there's an endless catalogue of insane detail featured within Platoon but arguably Stone's most well-hidden touch adorns the waist of Staff Sergeant Barnes. A human representation of the darker aspects of war, Tom Berenger's unhinged soldier can be seen wearing a belt with a distinctive red star.

The star is an identifying mark of the North Vietnamese Army, better known as the NVA. Barnes' garment is likely a trophy taken from a fallen foe - a costuming choice perfectly in keeping with his ruthless character and a grisly real-life practice of armed conflict.